Pregabalin and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• hol...
• April 18, 2012

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia three years ago. When it started to get worse (about two years ago), my life came to a halt. I almost never left my bed, and I moved as little as possible because the pain was so severe. My doctor prescribed Lyrica for me, and it changed my life. I still have good and bad days, but I can bear the bad days because of Lyrica. It gave me my life back. When I first took it, I did have the 'high' feeling the side effects mention, but it was only my first two doses. Also, I have to take it with food, otherwise, I get extremely nauseous and dizzy. I have gained a lot of weight (about 40 lbs), but I also have CFS, which has caused me to have a very sedentary lifestyle. Overall, Lyrica saved my life."

• Acb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2020

For Pain "Taking pregabalin. Been on it for the 3rd day now. Dizziness, fever, horrible headache, light sensitivity, and no change in pain whatsoever. I have nerve pain because of a bulging disc and sciatica. Besides this pain, I was usually healthy. Getting off this thing as fast as possible after reading these comments."

• Thu...
• November 3, 2009

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "What a nightmare! Diagnosed with fibro 2 months ago. Was put on Cymbalta, which did nothing for me at all. Doctor switched me over to Lyrica, and the nightmare began. Three hours after the first dose, I was dizzy, nauseous, shaky, and started having trouble with my balance. I decided to try and stick it out since I had heard such great things about the medication. By the 4th day and 4th dose, I couldn't function. I couldn't walk without holding on to something (like the couch or a wall). I was so nauseous I couldn't hold down food, my head wouldn't stop spinning, and I was suicidal! When I finally realized, I quit the medicine!"

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2011

Pregabalin for Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been using Lyrica for about ten weeks. I increased my dose gradually until the majority of my pain is gone. I am now at 150 mg at bedtime and 75 mg in the morning. I have found the side effects to be minimal, the most noticeable are mid-afternoon drowsiness and a bit of vertigo. This medicine has also helped calm the need for frequent urination. Who knew?"

• Mar...
• December 11, 2020

For Pain "I have been on pregabalin for three weeks now. We (Doc and I) are slowly increasing the dose. I have AS and have awful pain in the sciatic nerve down my hip and leg and into my knee, plus the pain in my spine from shoulder to hip is unbearable in the base of my spine, and electric shocks if I moved the wrong way, the whole deal. I could hardly walk and was bent over in pain. Pregabalin is really helping the pain, it has not disappeared, but it’s becoming more bearable as we increase the dose. The only side effects I have had were a little dizziness in the first day or two of taking it and feeling tired, but this wore off about day three to four. I use a low dose of tramadol with it at night, and I haven’t slept so well in years. Well worth trying and persevering over the first few days as your body gets used to it."

• Lun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Pregabalin seems to work ok for anxiety, although I do feel a higher dose would kick the anxiety back a bit more (I'm on 300 mg), but it does take a good 60 minutes + to start to work. Also best on an empty stomach. Main side effects are memory impairment, loss of coordination, and constipation, which is welcome after suffering chronic diarrhea for 15 years. A good trade-off instead of crippling anxiety. Great for pain relief for heavy periods when taken regularly. I have read all the horror stories when trying to come off it, which isn't comforting, but as everyone's different, hopefully, I won't experience that too much. I take this along with other medication for agoraphobia, monophobia, and it has helped so much."

• Joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "My GP started me on pregabalin after nothing else worked for me. I have crippling anxiety, and my brain works a hundred times a minute. I was put on 25 mg twice a day as I have problems taking medication. It calmed me slightly, but not very good at such a low dose. After a week, I increased to 50 mg twice a day. Now I get really dizzy, and my anxiety seems worse. Can anyone tell if this will pass or do I need to increase my dose or stop taking it? I've only been on it for two weeks. I had such high hopes for this medication. I am a 71-year-old female, so maybe the medication isn't for someone of my age. I live in the UK."

• Anonymous
• September 12, 2009

Pregabalin for Pain "I have severe pain in my legs and chronic fatigue. Been going to doctors for over a year, have had 3 MRIs, and gallons of blood taken and tested. Yet, nobody knows the source of these symptoms. Due for a muscle biopsy soon. While taking tramadol and hydrocodone, had great results for energy and pain, I became dependent. I was prescribed Lyrica 50 mg about 2 months ago and felt a little relief. Doctor raised the dosage, and now I take 150 mg 3 times a day, and the results are amazing. I'm alert, energetic, and pain-free. Have a little dizziness now and then, but this medicine is great."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I suffer from severe GAD, with constant thoughts about death. As I had no idea about pregabalin, I was a bit surprised that my doctor gave me this medicine as an add-on (to an SSRI) after I told him about unbearable days of constant anxiety. But I can say that it helps. Its effect is quite calming. The thoughts obviously don't disappear completely. But I am glad about any help I can get. Personally, I did experience some dizziness, but nothing worrisome. The elimination half-life is quite short, at 7 hours; and it is under discussion if there is potential for addiction. However, I want to say that my SSRI withdrawal was the worst I ever experienced, and I cannot imagine pregabalin to be any worse than that. Also, if I have the choice between benzodiazepines, which are highly addictive, and pregabalin, I am glad I can take the latter."

• hit...
• November 4, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was on this for about 3 months. The first few days, I had some coordination issues, which I was warned about. Probably on the 4th day, something kicked in, and I felt wonderful. I have very bad social anxiety, but on that day, I was not afraid of anything. I felt any goal that I had always wanted to pursue I suddenly could, and even if I failed, I would deal with it. My only fear that day was that this would be temporary, and sadly, it was. The next day, I took it, and I got only the slightest hint of what I had the day before. The tiny effect maybe lasted for the next couple of days, then nothing. I kept taking it, thinking it might somehow kick in after time, but then I started to notice I was gaining lots of weight. I stopped."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2016

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I had a triple arthrodesis (triple fusion in my foot), and because so many nerves had to be cut, my foot was on fire. I was originally given Neurontin, which I took, and it bottomed out my blood pressure. I was rushed to the ER unconscious and kept there until I was okay. Needless to say, I discontinued it and was given Lyrica... but that made me nervous as well. With my pain over a 10 and the inability to sleep, I decided to try it. I slept well, my pain is decreased some, but isn't gone. I'm only at day 3, and I'm pretty dizzy, sick to my stomach, and sleepy, but that's all so far. I do hope it helps my pain a little more, it's about an 8 now, so we shall see! I'm glad to hear some good stories."

• ach...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2021

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Took for one month and had dizziness and memory issues. Provider thought I should take more, I think this is a dangerous drug, and it definitely does not work for pain. Should not be on the market from my experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2012

Pregabalin for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome "I've found this medication to be helpful in calming down the sharp pains I feel throughout my body. I notice that at the site of my initial injury (foot), I still have constant pain, but the pain has decreased. I also notice that if I'm stressed, the medication seems to not work as well, so I don't know if I need the dosage increased, but there is a major difference in how much pain I feel. I do not like the side effects, but which would I rather have - sharp pains or side effects? For me, they're headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, odd stomach upsets initially after taking the medication, unfocused attention, euphoria, and that 'high' feeling. I don't get all of these side effects each time I take it, but it can be any of them."

• ani...
• December 29, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started with 75 mg of pregabalin, which was raised to 100 mg at bedtime. While it helped me in reducing neck pain and I had substantial reduction in anxiety, it started giving me huge side effects. I started having throat pain, sinusitis, vivid dreams early morning, and some feeling of dizziness. I also added 5 kg of weight in 2 months. I am now tapering it off gradually. While I would say it worked for my main symptoms, unfortunately, it gave me too many side effects."

• Sci...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2021

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I got shingles on my right side, starting at my ribs and wrapping around to my back. My doctor gave me pregabalin to take 2x a day. I had to stop taking it today. The dizziness is unbearable, and I feel hungover. Having to work a 4 am shift doesn't help. I wish there were a better drug for this pain. I will have to stick with Aleve."

• mal...
• September 25, 2009

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Just started Lyrica 75 mg twice a day yesterday. My first dose, I felt extremely drunk and could not function. I took my second dose at bedtime and slept through the night and woke up refreshed! I had no aches or pain. My third dose, this morning, again feeling a little drunk and off balance, but again, I feel good. I can actually sit still at work without having to move around and try to be comfortable. I am going to stick with this medication and hope that the side effects go away in a couple of days."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "For me, pregabalin is a magic tablet. Been suffering from GAD for 18 years, crashed again two weeks ago for the fourth time and thought I wasn't going to make it this time. The doctor prescribed Nurika together with my Venlafaxine and Midrep, and within two days all the anxiety disappeared. I can laugh again, and life is beautiful! Just a bit dizzy late morning but hoping it will disappear in time."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2009

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was unable to continue taking this past the 10th day due to the side effects: extreme sweating, dizziness, nausea, and just feeling sick. I wasn't able to take it long enough to know if it works for pain."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2009

Pregabalin for Epilepsy "Worked wonders at the start. Was up to 600 mg a day. I don't eat the best, but I do think this did make me gain weight. I live in the great white north, but I struggled with balance, fell often, and also had trouble putting my thoughts into words. These side effects are now gone now that I'm off this. Balance and communication much better now that I'm off."

• cur...
• October 2, 2010

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "The side effects were too hard to tolerate for me to continue to take it for more than a couple of months. Nausea, dizziness, headache, upset stomach, and a terrible skin reaction that left many scars on my entire body are in addition to the mental slowness, confusion, and increased depression suffered while taking Lyrica."

• Daz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I have only taken Lyrica for 5 days now. Didn't notice anything at all until today. I was sitting at my desk working, and I started feeling sleepy but didn't fall asleep. I would just stare at the computer. While doing so, I noticed I could not remember how to do my job. I literally sat there for 40 minutes looking at one project and could not figure out what to do. Upon standing, I felt off balance, and my head felt clouded. While speaking to my boss, I couldn't seem to find the right words to say. I went home and went right to sleep. Slept like a baby for 2 solid hours. When I awoke, I felt groggy with a little of the cloudy head feeling. The memory loss is what scared me the most. No matter what I did, I could not figure out what to do. I only read one other post about the memory loss. This must not be a common side effect. I did take Gabapentin one time, and it had a similar effect."

• nur...
• November 20, 2008

Pregabalin for Pain "Started 75 mg twice daily yesterday for nerve pain in my legs and fibromyalgia after back surgery two months ago. While it almost eradicates my pain, the dizziness and high feeling are limiting what I can do."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2016

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Started taking 75 mg twice a day for 1 month. Maybe had a little reduced pain. Noticed a slight tremor in hands/coordination. Trembling. I ignored this. Had an immediate huge increase in appetite. Already overweight at 210 lbs. Gained 12 lbs. in 3 weeks. My doctor increased my dose to 150 mg twice a day. Sent me a second bottle 4 days after I had received the last bottle. I started taking two 75 mg capsules twice a day as prescribed. WOW. Almost immediately I had much more trembling/uncoordinated in legs, arms, hands, and difficulty controlling my mouth during speech. While sitting, these issues are very slight but still present. Typing on a keyboard is difficult. BUT when I go to stand up and walk like I normally do without a problem...WOW..."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Got prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and restless leg syndrome. Well, it helped those two for 3 months, but after that, I became tolerant to it, and it did nothing! I was dizzy, a zombie, and had pain in my abdomen/testicles/back. Like someone squeezing my testicles! I know it sounds funny and weird, but how else do I describe it? So I quit. Then came the worst withdrawals ever!!! This was not right! I hope those pharmas ban this medication, seriously, the withdrawals never end. I shake, and become weak, sad, panicked, and have a lot of other horrific symptoms, it never ends!!! Just 3 months of use and going into withdrawals. Sounds like a trap to me! They tried to trap me in this medication, it seems."

• CHE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2016

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I'm only taking 50 mg at night for my leg sciatica pain, and I feel dizzy at times. I'm also using Dr. Ho's TENS machine on my lower back for 40 minutes to scramble the signal pain. I think both are helping right now. I was on a higher dose, over 300 mg, a few years ago, and my hands and feet swelled up, and I gained 30 pounds I can't get rid of now even with water pills, so I had to stop the medication. I've had shingles right when I turned 50, before I could get the shingles vaccine, which I recommend to everyone as shingles is painful! I took only Lyrica 25 mg two or three times a day to stop the shingles pain, a low dose due to side effects from a larger dose."