Pregabalin, the right dose?

[sam75]

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone can help me? I have spent a few years on citalopram for anxiety with some depression, but found that it was not working on the anxiety and i was getting insomnia when the anxiety was really bad. I hit a low last summer and paid to see a psychiatrist (bloody expensive!). He put me on mirtazipine (45mg), i'm now sleeping better than ever but have found it's done nothing for my anxiety. So he's added in pregabalin. I'm now on 300mg divided into three doses, but whilst it's helped a bit, i'm still struggling more than i'm happy with. My husband is working abroad for 4 months this year, the prospect of which is making my anxiety worse. The psychiatrist has told my GP that 300mg is the top recommended dose. I'm just wondering if that is right? Or would it be worth asking to up the pregabalin in the hope it works. I don't really want to go back to the psychiatrist as he costs a fortune and is devoid of people skills! Also, can i take the pregabalin in two doses (150mg in morning and at night) instead of three? I keep forgetting the afternoon dose. Hope someone out there has some experience of pregabalin and can shed some light for me. Thanks x

[robinbrum]

I can only refer you to this thread I started a few weeks back http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=106493
Best of luck to us both!

[JT69]

Hi Sam,

I thought the maximum dose of pregabalin was 600mg...I take 200mg divided into one morning and one evening dose so I'm sure that would be fine to do that.

Sorry that you are still suffering with some anxiety...I have a similiar history to you med wize in that I took citalopram for some years, it stopped working and then my GP changed me to mirtazipine which helped but still suffering with anxiety and doing re-search myself led my GP to prescribing pregabalin and it has helped me so much. We are all different and you may just need a stronger dose??

Why not have a chat with your GP to see what he/she thinks.

Hope that helps and hope you feel better soon.

Jo.x

[sam75]

Thanks so much for your replies. I'm due to see my GP on thursday so i'll see what she says. Ithink that whenever i see my GP i seem too together, so she doesn't really get how much this is affecting my life. Just want to feel like i used to and wake up in the morning without a feeling of dread.
It's great t know there are people on NMP here to offer support. xxx

[Zero]

Sam,
I saw a CPN today who gave me some NHS factsheets about Pregabalin and it says on those that the recommended maximum daily dose is 600mg, I to had the together thing with the GP, you know, both grown up intelligent people holding a conversion whilst you are falling apart inside, it wasn't until I did fall apart with my GP that things really did start to happen they are not mind readers and sometimes they need a bit more of a push, they did go into the profession to help us hopefully.

Be gentle with yourself.
Z.

[VivreSaVie]

Hi Sam,

I also take Citalopram, and was on Pregabalin 150mg twice a day (300mg) in total, so I'm sure it doesn't need to be divided up into three doses.

I found Pregabalin really helpful, so do think you should stick with it. I also know someone who was on a higher dose than me, but I do think you should check that out with a doc or preferably psychiatrist before you up the dose yourself. It will give you peace of mind too, and I always think it's preferable to have a proper plan with medications so everyone knows what's what. I know it's ridiculously expensive, but I have quite a nice one who lets me call and ask a quick question for free (i.e. can I up it by 50mgs etc), so you could ask yours if that's possible too.

And if you really don't like yours, is it possible to try and find another one in your area who you can discuss treatment plans with?

Abi x

[robinbrum]

Some very good points made here. Sam and Zero I totally agree that the GP unless he sees you foaming at the mouth quoting verses from Revelations he probably thinks you're just on a little bit of a downer. The first GP I saw dismissed the idea of pregabalin altogether and said that I just needed "socialisation" (whatever that means) - so there's a tip for you all. I hold down a very demanding full time job and I'm not a recluse who spends his whole life stuck behind a book or staring at a computer screen. The arrogance of him.
Sorry for my little rant! I think the dose is fine taken in two, morning and night as far as I'm aware. I'm on 200mg a day but that is being reviewed next week when I'm sure it should be increased to 300mg as the current does does not appear to be making much difference. They won't like that because of the cost of pregabalin but hey ho, there you go...