Pregabalin and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been crippled with anxiety and panic attacks for 14 years, and I’m only 28. I ended up being pretty housebound as I couldn’t take the train or car without feeling absolute terror. I have tried fluoxetine, citalopram, propranolol, and diazepam, and none of them worked much. I went and saw a private doctor about my anxiety. I started on a low dose of 50mg twice a day. All I felt was tired, and I got a few headaches. Then I upped it to 100mg twice a day, and I’ve been on that for about a month now, and I can honestly say I feel so much better. Initially, I thought it might be the placebo effect, but I put myself in situations where I would often usually get extreme anxiety, and I didn’t get a panic attack. I still felt nervous because it doesn’t take away everything, but the adrenaline and fight or flight didn’t happen, it was just in the background. I was worried about all the negative comments on this forum but thought I would try it anyway, and I’m so pleased I did."

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2019

For Pain "I have been having major back pain for over 6 years. I have been on numerous narcotics (hydrocodone, tramadol, codeine). Then my doctor gave me a script for pregabalin (Lyrica). It sat in my cupboard as I was scared to take it due to the many horrible reviews. Then one day I decided to try it. Wow! 3 days on it and I take anywhere from 100mg to 150mg daily. The first 2 days I was tired, almost zombie-like and could not keep my eyes open. But now I feel great, no pain, and no need for strong painkillers (which is huge as I have been taking codeine for 5 years). My mood has improved as well. Dare I say I feel happy again? I know it has only been a few days, but so far, pregabalin has changed my life for the better."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2019

For Pain "This tablet has given my life back. I have Chiari malformation and suffer with pain all over my body - electrical feeling pain. It would be constant and make me feel exhausted. I really didn't want to take medication, and reading the reviews for pregabalin online are horrifying. But I was desperate for even a day with no pain. After a few days, I felt relieved. I felt normal again, they've been amazing for me. Other than being tired, I've had no side effects, but I was tired before from all the pain I was in. You never know how something will make you feel until you've given it a try."

• KTC...
• January 25, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered from crippling anxiety (GAD) and depression from childhood. I also have a personality disorder. My psychiatrist prescribed pregabalin for me, 75mg twice a day. They sat in my cupboard for ages before I finally built up the nerve to take them. After many years of being tried on just about every drug out there, FINALLY a drug that actually helped me! I now drive again, sometimes leave the house alone, and even on occasion brave the supermarket alone. After 3 years on the same dose and with its effect starting to wane, I am now on 150mg twice a day. Yes, I am very tired, vague, and spaced out, but this will wear off with time as my body adjusts. As for the weight gain, I have lost 5 stone and have regained some control."

• tf9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was nervous about taking Pregabalin for my anxiety initially, as I've never been prescribed with any mind-altering medication before. I can honestly say I'm extremely impressed with this drug, anxiety has almost completely gone. I still get the physical symptoms of GAD (dizzy spells, lethargy) but I find these can be controlled through lifestyle regulation: getting a good night's sleep, regular exercise, eating well, and avoiding stimulants (especially caffeine!) Pregabalin is also surprisingly subtle, I'm on 75mg twice daily and I honestly feel completely normal other than the fact I have no anxiety."

• Anonymous
• June 28, 2016

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "The nerve pain became so unbearable that it forced me to take Lyrica despite the bad reviews and long list of negative side effects. I was told by many that it worked a lot better than Neurontin with less drastic negative effects. Well, it has eased my pain some, but the side effects have taken my life from me. I'm dizzy at times, my head is always foggy and not clear thinking, I have depression, anger outbursts I've never had before, daily nausea, and am so tired that I can sleep all day and night long and can barely function. Unfortunately, the alternative medications have even worse negative side effects, so what are we supposed to do in order to have some normalcy?"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 26, 2018

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have been very fortunate that Lyrica works so well for me. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with fibromyalgia. After I had my second child at 29, some of my chronic pain changed. A year later, I was diagnosed, and I am so glad they put me on Lyrica. I started at 150 mg daily, but it made me very tired and unfocused, so they dropped it back to 100 mg per day. I've been at 100 mg per day for over a year now. I used to have bad flare-ups that would incapacitate me about twice weekly, plus the daily pain. On Lyrica, my daily pain averages maybe a 2 on a pain scale of 1-10 versus my old average of a 6. Instead of 2 or more flare-ups per week, I maybe get 2 a month. I have 2 children under the age of 10 that I need to be able to care for and spend time with, and not feel it's a burden. Lyrica gives me this. I'm also able to jog again, something I haven't been able to do since high school. It makes me feel good, and I'm steadily losing weight. I'm not saying this is for everyone, but it's been a miracle for me."

• Bac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2014

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I started taking this medication about a week ago. AMAZING! My doctor prescribed it for the pain shooting down my arm and hand from cervical and thoracic issues. I was writhing in pain at night, so much so I could barely walk. After just one dose, a total difference. I take just 75mg before bed. I do notice a feeling of drowsiness upon waking, but it is usually gone a couple of hours later, unless I take Tylenol or Motrin. One of the side effects I have had is swollen eyes and crusted eyes. I am very tired and need a nap. I find the pill seems to work for about 20 hours for nerve pain, and then it starts coming back."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2019

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "My fibromyalgia has gotten worse the last 2 years, and I've also developed paresthesia in my feet and hands that causes burning and tingling. I was so tired of the pain and none of my doctors helping me that I was suicidal before Christmas 2018. That was before my new rheumatologist put me on Lyrica. I was to start with 75mg at night and then titrate up to an additional 75mg during the day (or take at night if it made me too tired). However, the 75mg alone has proven to be such a help that I may just stay there until I need to go up because the medication is pricey. I got a co-pay card from the Lyrica website, so I only had to pay $25. I don't care, though, it helps so much! I am no longer in so much pain!"

• Cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve found the medication to be extremely helpful with my anxiety. In fact, now I have no anxiety at all, but I do struggle with side effects. At the moment, I’d rather balance work on these than have anxiety. Tiredness and dry mouth are the major problems. Sometimes I feel like it’s drying from the inside out, but that’s on bad days. I try to drink a lot of water."

• Nan...
• March 28, 2016

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "It cured my pain (trigeminal neuralgia), but I had nasty side effects at first: mild headaches, nausea, tiredness, feeling too full and bloated (even when not eating), weight gain, dizziness, etc. I stuck with it, and after two weeks, I was still feeling bloated and had headaches, and I continued to gain weight. I researched ways to counteract the negative effects and started taking a B6 supplement (for weight gain) and an herbal diuretic (for the bloat). I no longer feel bloated, and the headaches are gone. I'm on my 4th (or 5th?) week of Lyrica, and I am feeling much better. I don't think I'm still gaining weight, but it's too soon to tell. I wasn't eating any more or less than usual, so if the B6 helps, that would be nice."

• Pjs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed Lyrica at a dose of 75 mg a day for neuropathic pain and chronic daily migraine, which seemed to help with the pain. But I had an anxious feeling like nerves were charged. My doctor upped my dosage to 150 mg in the morning and 75 mg at bedtime to be upped to 150 mg if tolerated. My first day at 150 mg felt like my nerves were super charged. I was tired and fatigued, walking around like a zombie, unable to think properly. I was also emotional. It was awful. I continued the next day with the same result. I am going to discontinue 150 mg and get off this medication as soon as possible. It may work for some people, but not for me."

• Ste...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 14, 2014

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was working at a plant nursery and watered the plants every day. I stood in water with Converse All Stars on for about 3 hours. My feet went numb, which was normal for me. When I got in the shower that night to thaw my feet out, they started hurting and black blisters developed. Neurontin did not help much, but the Lyrica took all pain out with no side effects other than feeling a little tired. It saved me from total misery. It is the best medicine I have ever taken."

• Par...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2021

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have had 12 back and hip-related surgeries in 10 years... approximately half were fusions from cervical to mainly lumbar area. My last L2-L4 fusion continuation was in Dec 2020. I am 56 years old, and for the last 3 months, I have been experiencing severe neuropathic pain in my lower legs and feet. I have had to ice them every night to get 1 or 2 straight hours of sleep. It was agonizing. Then, 3 days ago, I saw my neurosurgeon, and he put me on a mix of 600 mg ibuprofen 3 times a day and 150 mg Lyrica twice a day. I woke today after a night of solid sleep, completely neuropathic pain-free. I felt blessed, the most incredible pain reversal I have ever had. I just pray it stays like this. Although Lyrica made me tired a bit, the upside is so incredibly worth it for me. I hope you other folks get to feel this—and I am so sorry other folks have not felt this level of relief. I pray you get better!"

• Was...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2012

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "I had occipital nerve damage with pressure in my inner ear. Pressure is gradually lowered enabling me to exert myself for about 4 hours but exhausted. I now take 225 mg twice daily and cannot miss one dose. Nothing else worked. I took up to 600 mg but found no difference in relief so I am on the 225 twice daily. This is one medication that does not mix well with alcohol. It induces a coma-like state that lasts for 30 minutes and longer. I was drinking beer and only had 3 beers in 2 hours. Then BOOM goes the dynamite! But am aware of everything going around me but can't move or respond. When it's over, it's over and I am vertical again. So now I know why the ad states avoid alcohol!"

• bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2025

For Migraine Prevention "I had not even considered taking pregabalin for migraine prophylaxis until I had a different GP than my usual GP suggest it, and I am so glad I tried it. I started it 40 days ago, and I haven't had a migraine since commencing it. I am on 25 mg twice a day, so a very low dose. I was previously having 1-2 migraines a week, each lasting 2-3 days and 8/10 searing pain that left me incapacitated. I had previously tried beta blockers, calcium channel blocker (verapamil), antidepressants, pizotifen, triptans, opioids, steroids, NSAIDs... the list goes on. Prior to pregabalin, I was using daily aspirin with good success, however, I developed an allergy to it and had to cease use. My main side effects have been some short-term memory issues and brain fog, and some tiredness. No weight gain for me."

• lit...
• August 19, 2015

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I've been on Lyrica for a month now. 150 mg 2x a day. It works wonders for the awful muscle spasms and fibromyalgia pain, but I do have side effects. I have to do everything from chores to running errands before I take it. Once I take it, I become unbalanced, forget words, and become extremely tired. I sleep a lot and very heavily and usually can't remember the previous day. I definitely cannot function after I take it. I don't care for the side effects, but so far it has been the only thing that has worked for me. I tried Cymbalta, Neurontin, Zanaflex, Flexeril, lots of things. To me, it's worth taking the Lyrica as those terrible rib and back spasms keep at bay, and after two years of dealing with those, I don't ever want to again. By the way, it does kill my appetite."

• Gyp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 25, 2017

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have spinal stenosis, my spine is cracked on both sides of my spine, as well as a bulging disc pushing on the cracks, fibromyalgia, and some form of arthritis. Lyrica packed on the pounds, blurred vision, constantly tired, my body aches more when I take Lyrica. I use cannabis oil CBD form, it helps with inflammation, it sure helps considerably better with no side effects! The CBD form does NOT get you ‘stoned, high, or buzzed’, it removes the pain. I am extremely grateful for my cannabis oil, the effects last longer than Lyrica too! I can enjoy my grandkids again!"

• 1st...
• June 29, 2015

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I took Lyrica for a couple of months. It helped with some of the fibro pain, and I felt tired and a little dizzy, along with having a dry mouth, which I expected as common side effects. What surprised me was I got new pains in new places-my big toe felt like it was on fire, and my lower back hurt badly. I started weaning off of Lyrica, and the new pains went away. I also had insomnia from the weaning process. I think it does work to dull the fibro pain, but not sure if it's worth it if there are new pains."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2023

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "It hasn't helped with neuropathic pain due to shingles. Side effects are tiredness with a feeling of my head dropping like I'm about to go to sleep, confusion, and my mind racing. I take 50 mg two times a day."

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 25, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "I suffer from trigeminal neuralgia. I suffer from electric shock-like pains in my face that can last up to 2 hours. I was prescribed Lyrica 75 mg twice a day. Did not work. The doctor then increased it to 150 mg, then 300 mg twice a day. I hate the side effects of feeling tired and forgetful, but the medication has helped me up until recently. The pain has returned with a vengeance, and I'm on the maximum dosage already. Nothing helps now."

• Mis...
• December 3, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Pregabalin has helped me immensely with GAD. I have had diagnosable anxiety for about 7 years. Failed with Lexapro after 3 years. I then switched to Pristiq, which kind of helped. Augmentation with Lyrica has helped me sleep at night and just feel calmer during the day. Along with doing cognitive behavioral therapy (incredibly important), I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's incredibly refreshing. I have been at my current dose of 660 mg Lyrica CR for 8 months. I would say I started feeling the benefits within a week, but with therapy and the right medication, the long-term benefits are setting in. Negative side effects are maybe slightly more tired and increased appetite. If you exercise, it's not a problem. I'd highly recommend anyone struggling with anxiety and not receiving relief from first-line agents to talk with their provider about Lyrica. It can be a second-line treatment on its own or as an augmentation agent (e.g., with an SSRI or SNRI)."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2018

For Pain "I have been taking Lyrica for chronic lower back pain, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) for four months at 75 mg twice daily. It has definitely taken the edge off the pain, and I am now able to sleep all night. I still have pain, but not as bad as before. Might ask to up the dose. Side effects are feeling relaxed and sometimes makes me feel tired, but great drug."

• hel...
• March 3, 2011

Pregabalin for Pain "I am taking Lyrica 75 mg every night, per doctor's instructions. I have had no relief for my lower back, right hip, and right leg pain. I have also had my third steroid injection, and if anything, my pain is worse. I am so tired and desperate for relief. I feel like I have no quality of life."

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "It was not perfect, but it was the most effective drug against anxiety that I've ever taken. My dose was 75 mg x 2/day. I was able to drive while on it. I actually drove better because I wasn't so easily startled. I needed less sleep. I normally need 10-11 hours of sleep a night in order to not feel sleep-deprived. With this medication, I needed only eight. I felt more connected to people and myself. Less dissociation, so to speak. I wasn't so sore all the time, and I had a regular amount of energy. It was not effective against intense feelings of panic, and stopping it was a bit troublesome. I experienced withdrawal symptoms for a month. They were severe the first week but became more tolerable as time went by. My body ached during that time, and I felt endlessly tired. The reason why I stopped this medication was because of concerns about addiction."