Pregabalin - Waiting For Lift Off

[robinbrum]

Hi Dan,
I have also considered taking duloxetine as I have read some encouraging things about it on this thread and other places on the net. I am on no other medication at present. I too am reluctant to try an SSRI as I have been on most of them before and they have never worked in the long term for me. That said, I also tried venlafaxine and that didn't work for me either.

My GP advised against taking pregabalin and duloxetine together as I wouldn't know which one was being more effective than the other and it may be a waste of time. However, after being on pregabalin for three months, I know that it is treating my anxiety to some degree but has not in any way helped with my depression, which of late has been very bad. So if I were to take duloxetine now and my mood improved, I could definitely say that was the reason for it.

I am doing a CBT course online at the moment but am not finding it very helpful...I need a therapy that reaches parts of the brain other therapies don't reach! What that is I do not know but I am back on the waiting list for some "talking therapy".

Hypnotherapy intrigues me but can it be successfully used to treat anxiety and depression?

I must do more research...

[dan1234]

Hi Dan,
I have also considered taking duloxetine as I have read some encouraging things about it on this thread and other places on the net. I am on no other medication at present. I too am reluctant to try an SSRI as I have been on most of them before and they have never worked in the long term for me. That said, I also tried venlafaxine and that didn't work for me either.

My GP advised against taking pregabalin and duloxetine together as I wouldn't know which one was being more effective than the other and it may be a waste of time. However, after being on pregabalin for three months, I know that it is treating my anxiety to some degree but has not in any way helped with my depression, which of late has been very bad. So if I were to take duloxetine now and my mood improved, I could definitely say that was the reason for it.

I am doing a CBT course online at the moment but am not finding it very helpful...I need a therapy that reaches parts of the brain other therapies don't reach! What that is I do not know but I am back on the waiting list for some "talking therapy".

Hypnotherapy intrigues me but can it be successfully used to treat anxiety and depression?

I must do more research...

According to anxiety Uk, hypnotherapy has helped a lot of people. There is no harm in trying it, especially if you have already tried the normal treatment of CBT. Only one of my friends has tried hypnotherapy for depression, self harm and suicide, she says that it has helped and feels a difference.

What I am getting at is that it is worth considering.

http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help...-hypnotherapy/

[robinbrum]

Thanks for the link Will look into it...

[dan1234]

Thanks for the link Will look into it...

Anxiety UK also offer telephone + webcam CBT if that is of interest. Might be better than using a computer. The personal input may help.

I am not trying to push anxiety uk at all ( I have nothing to do with them) but they try and get you therapy within 2 weeks.

http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help...ces-in-the-uk/

Not sure about your area but maybe they have an IAPT scheme?

I wonder if the real reason for not prescribing duloxetine and pregabalin together is due to cost?

[loreen]

Dan you are correct there!!

Doctors are told to prescribe cheap ssris such as sertraline or citalopram,and need to be more aware of what is right for the patient.

Duloxetine is expensive,and pregabalin even more so,but if it stops the spiraling effects of serious mental health problems,then it is surely right to prescribe an expensive drug which is likely to work more effectively.

This issue makes me so angry!!

Loreen x

[dan1234]

Dan you are correct there!!

Doctors are told to prescribe cheap ssris such as sertraline or citalopram,and need to be more aware of what is right for the patient.

Duloxetine is expensive,and pregabalin even more so,but if it stops the spiraling effects of serious mental health problems,then it is surely right to prescribe an expensive drug which is likely to work more effectively.

This issue makes me so angry!!

Loreen x

That is the NHS for you!

Does the duloxetine help with your anxiety?

Dan

[robinbrum]

I wonder if the real reason for not prescribing duloxetine and pregabalin together is due to cost?

You know, you must have read my mind but I was going to refrain from being cynical in case I came across as having it in for the NHS and moaning about it all the time. But it is hard not to be cynical.

I'll leave it there...

[loreen]

Hi Dan

Yes the duloxetine helps with my anxiety,and seems to work to almost 100% when combined with 300mg of pregabalin. Duloxetine has also completely got rid of the associated depression I had-something I am very pleased about,as anxiety is bad enough on it's own,without having that awful low feeling as well.

Loreen x

[robinbrum]

Hi Loreen,
Question is, did you meet with a lot of resistance from your GP about taking duloxetine in combination with pregabalin? I'm assuming your getting your prescription on the NHS?

[dan1234]

Suppose it depends on your NHS trust etc. My GP wouldn't prescribe pregabalin without a specialists input which I had to get privately. I asked him for duloxetine which he seemed a bit reserved about. In a way I want to take diazepam daily but feel it would be the wrong and a dangerous path to go down.