Pregabalin - Waiting For Lift Off

[robinbrum]

Last week I saw my GP to review my medication. It was decided to increase my dose of pregabalin to 600mg daily – the highest dose that can be given for anxiety. I can't really say for sure that it's still working for me anymore. The issue is clouded by the fact that I have been very depressed lately and there's been a great deal of stress due to unavoidable circumstances. I know the medication is still “working” because I still feel “spaced out” at times and my heart doesn't race like it normally does when I am really stressed. But I feel like it is only masking things and I am every bit as anxious in my head as I was before I started taking pregabalin.


I told my GP about my concerns and she was sympathetic. However she was not in favour of giving me duloxetine as well as pregabalin - “It is not something we would normally do” were her words. She advised me to carry on witb the increased dose for at least a couple of more months before reviewing the situation. Again, this illustrates the inconsistencies in different GPs in different practices, some of whom approve the use of pregabalin in conjunction with an anti-depressant and others who seem to think it goes against established practice. It strikes me none of them really knows what they are doing and this does worry me a little.

Anyway, I don't really feel any enhanced effects from 600mg except perhaps enhanced tiredness and foggy thinking...I have really struggled to write this post whereas before I was writing two or three times a week. I think I have already made my decision and that it is likely I will be tapering off pregabalin in the coming weeks and months. I realise that the true root of my problem is endogenous depression which often results in chronic levels of stress and anxiety...in other words the pregabalin has been treating the symptoms of my depression rather than the cause, ie depleted levels of serotonin in the brain. At least that's my theory, others may disagree.

For those of you who have really benefitted from the use of pregabalin, I am very happy for you and I hope it continues to help you. I will be very interested to see how people are getting on in six to twelve months time and beyond that.

I just wanted to bring you up to date with my situation. I feel my days with pregabalin are numbered but we shall see. Sadly, it hasn't been any kind of wonder drug for me but I don't know if such a thing really exists.

[dan1234]

Last week I saw my GP to review my medication. It was decided to increase my dose of pregabalin to 600mg daily – the highest dose that can be given for anxiety. I can't really say for sure that it's still working for me anymore. The issue is clouded by the fact that I have been very depressed lately and there's been a great deal of stress due to unavoidable circumstances. I know the medication is still “working” because I still feel “spaced out” at times and my heart doesn't race like it normally does when I am really stressed. But I feel like it is only masking things and I am every bit as anxious in my head as I was before I started taking pregabalin.


I told my GP about my concerns and she was sympathetic. However she was not in favour of gple of more months before reviewing the situation. Again, this illustrates the incoiving me duloxetine as well as pregabalin - “It is not something we would normally do” were her words. She advised me to carry on witb the increased dose for at least a counsistencies in different GPs in different practices, some of whom approve the use of pregabalin in conjunction with an anti-depressant and others who seem to think it goes against established practice. It strikes me none of them really knows what they are doing and this does worry me a little.

Anyway, I don't really feel any enhanced effects from 600mg except perhaps enhanced tiredness and foggy thinking...I have really struggled to write this post whereas before I was writing two or three times a week. I think I have already made my decision and that it is likely I will be tapering off pregabalin in the coming weeks and months. I realise that the true root of my problem is endogenous depression which often results in chronic levels of stress and anxiety...in other words the pregabalin has been treating the symptoms of my depression rather than the cause, ie depleted levels of serotonin in the brain. At least that's my theory, others may disagree.

For those of you who have really benefitted from the use of pregabalin, I am very happy for you and I hope it continues to help you. I will be very interested to see how people are getting on in six to twelve months time and beyond that.

I just wanted to bring you up to date with my situation. I feel my days with pregabalin are numbered but we shall see. Sadly, it hasn't been any kind of wonder drug for me but I don't know if such a thing really exists.

Hi,

Are you really on no anti-depressant ???? If you are depressed I would say that you are probably more in need of one than the pregabalin esp if you think it is causing your anxiety.

I am on pregabalin and duloxetine, both prescribed by a cons pysch, my GP wouldn't prescribe either on her own... maybe it is time to see a specialist? I think loreen is too, and as I understand it both have really helped her.

After trying a few interventions with a GP such as a SSRI, CBT etc, it is really time to see an expert. They deal with similar cases day in day out, and know what is best for you. They are also less cautious when prescribing due to their extra knowledge and experience.

[robinbrum]

It was a consultant psychiatrist who suggested I try either pregabalin or duloxetine but I don't think she mentioned them in combination...she said have a think about it then go and see your GP who eventually prescribed pregabalin.

It is very hard sometimes to distinguish between depression and anxiety but I know that the depression came first and it is that that I should have dealt with first. The fact that you and loreen both are taking duloxetine as well as pregabalin shows that it works but of course it makes treatment that little bit more expensive...

[dan1234]

It was a consultant psychiatrist who suggested I try either pregabalin or duloxetine but I don't think she mentioned them in combination...she said have a think about it then go and see your GP who eventually prescribed pregabalin.

It is very hard sometimes to distinguish between depression and anxiety but I know that the depression came first and it is that that I should have dealt with first. The fact that you and loreen both are taking duloxetine as well as pregabalin shows that it works but of course it makes treatment that little bit more expensive...

Just as a thought, could you ring your consultant psych and say the pregabalin is working to a certain extent, but you really feel that adding duloxetine in would be a good idea due to the depression, and the severity and long standing nature of your anx/depression.

If the cons psych says yes then your GP can't refuse. Yep it is an extra cost, duloxetine is £22.70 for 28, 30mg capsules, and £27.72 for 28, 60mg ones.

Pregabalin is £64.40 for bid, or £96.60 for tid.

You deserve the best treatment regardless of cost, so if you want to go down the duloxetine route, then I would really insist on that happening. You are the patient, and it is you who suffers so make a polite fuss.

[robinbrum]

Trouble is Dan, I have now been discharged from the psychiatrist because I am now under the care of the mental health team and am about to start having some talking therapy with them. I can not be under the care of both at the same time - why I do not know but hey that's the NHS for you, such things are not possible! I have to just hope that the doctors will be sympathetic and guided more by the best interest of the patient rather than that of the fundholders' practice.

[dan1234]

Trouble is Dan, I have now been discharged from the psychiatrist because I am now under the care of the mental health team and am about to start having some talking therapy with them. I can not be under the care of both at the same time - why I do not know but hey that's the NHS for you, such things are not possible! I have to just hope that the doctors will be sympathetic and guided more by the best interest of the patient rather than that of the fundholders' practice.

Could you not ask a doctor from the mental health team???? Otherwise next time see a different GP. Your options do seem limited.. What medications have you already tried?

[loreen]

Hello

I agree with everything Dan has said.

I am on the two meds,both prescribed by my GP. They really do work well together. I have not seen anyone but my GP.

You sometimes have to push for expensive meds,and I did alot of internet research to back me up when I spoke to my GP.

You need to sort out the depression.I don't think pregabalin will help with low mood. Duloxetine has given me a much better look on life. It was the anxiety which caused my low mood, but the two needed to be treated together for me to feel good again.

Please don't give up! You deserve the best treatment available for your well being.

Loreen x

[dan1234]

Loreen would you say that the pregabalin has had a greater effect on the anxiety compared to the duloxetine ?

[loreen]

Hi Dan

I think they have both worked equally well on my anxiety. I haven't tried pregabalin on its own, but when used together my anxiety and panic are reduced by about 85-90 %. Not a bad result!!!!

The test will be when I come off the duloxetine. I am hoping to use the pregabalin long term as anxiety is my on going problem,and if that can be controlled by one med,then I will be happy to take it long term.

Loreen x

[dan1234]

Hi Dan

I think they have both worked equally well on my anxiety. I haven't tried pregabalin on its own, but when used together my anxiety and panic are reduced by about 85-90 %. Not a bad result!!!!

The test will be when I come off the duloxetine. I am hoping to use the pregabalin long term as anxiety is my on going problem,and if that can be controlled by one med,then I will be happy to take it long term.

Loreen x

Hi Loreen,

I am on pregabalin 600mg daily (the max dose) and feel that my anxiety is maybe 30% or so better.

I am now taking duloxetine 40mg, and hope that together with CBT, it will make all the difference. I have only been on the duloxetine for less than a week and at a low dose, but I haven't felt any improvement on that front yet.

Dan