View Full Version : Your pregabablin journey
Avasmummy_x
04-12-14, 14:17
Hey I thought it'd be nice to see everyone's experiences with there pregabalin journey.
How it all started, how it was in the beginning, how it has or hasn't helped just a genuine little paragraph on what pregabalin has achieved for you.
It'd be helpful for me as im fairly new to the drug and to others that may join the forum :)
I've been taking it for about a month now. 2 x 150mg a day. Still get the drunk feeling, which feels a bit like vertigo at times. My memory is shot, can't remember anything these days. Had to come down the stairs on my bum yesterday because I felt like I was going to fall. They are giving me heartburn which is uncomfortable, and I feel generally odd/unwell, getting blurred vision also. But, anxiety is easing, it hasn't gone, but its slightly better, and I know they will work, its just going to take some time, so happy to go along with the side effects in the hope that one day soon they will pass.
I'm off out shopping a little later, not something I generally do, so there is definite improvement and although I feel like I do not want to take them because of the side effects, I do know it will get better, so I will continue, get better, and actually start living my life.
I've seen on your thread you are struggling a bit, but seriously, you just have to put up with whatever effects they are throwing at you, and realise it will get better, and so will you, so stick with it. Pregabalin is the easiest drug I have taken for my anxiety, and although I get side effects, they are nothing compared to what I have experienced on other AD's so I am sticking with it because I do know it will all get better soon :)
My pregabalin journey started somewhere around 2006. I was suffering terrible anxiety at the time, mostly because of my work situation, and searching around on the internet for something that might help.
I came across pregabalin, which had just been licensed for Generalised Anxiety in the EU. It was available in Australia, but not officially licensed for anxiety. I asked my doctor to prescribe it off-label, and said I was willing to pay the full cost if it worked.
However, my GP demurred, citing a number of new medications that had subsequently turned out to have serious side effects. So no pregabalin then.
In 2010, I asked again, and this time my GP agreed to prescribe it, so that's when my real pregabalin story starts, roughly four years ago.
From the very first day, I felt it had a beneficial effect. My feeling was that for years I had been looking out at the world through a window covered in dirt and grime, and suddenly that had been washed away.
Initial side effects like reduced coordination and dry mouth have either reduced or been compensated for. Combined with my blood pressure medication, it can produce weakness, and I have to be careful about how much and when I take it. Nevertheless, as someone who has suffered decades of sometimes crippling anxiety, it's the best thing I've had so far.
Been on it 2yrs just over.most usefull drug I've ever had.
Never want to stop taking it.currently on 300mgs per day.
Side effects are not an issue any more.this drug should offered to more people in my opinion
I agree it should be offered more often John, I have tried most AD's and they were all awful, most of them made me feel I was going insane and they just made everything worse. I was offered Pregabalin after everything else available was offered and I refused. I don't find Sertraline too bad, but that made me OCD so came off it.
Im still in my early days of Pregab, and I am not doing too well at the moment, lots of ups and downs as it wears off and I have to wait for my next dose, but I have faith in it and hope to feel a bit better soon.
Good luck with it Dazza. Pregabalin is not the whole answer, but hopefully the part.
Thanks Hanshan, I may look into using an AD with it in the future once it gets a bit more stable, just to give me a bit of a lift. I hate taking drugs to be honest, but if they can bring some sort of normality back and allow me to start living again i'll be happy. Once I start to feel a bit better I will start doing more with my life, which will then hopefully get me back on track. I just want to wake up one morning feeling normal, with no anxiety and no depression and I think I will get there, its just a shame the 'journey' to that is so difficult :)
I was first prescribed it in a Psych Unit which I found myself in in March 2013. I was a voluntary patient and my anxiety was so crippling at the time I was scared of my own skin. I thought I had lost my mind! I also felt immediate relief from Pregabalin. I was up to 400mgs a day within 2 weeks. The SE's have all completely gone now apart from I am a little overweight, but rather that than the anxiety. About a year again I dropped to 300mgs and added citalopram (very slowly as I have terrible Se's front AD's). For the first time in many, many years I am actually looking forward to Christmas!! I have also started socialising again outside of my immediate family and friends.... :DI have not done that for so many years I can't remember, probably 5/6 yrs.
So does work! Yes it flipping well does:D
I don't like taking meds but coming off citalopram 3 years ago thinking I was well again after 10/11 years taking it, was the biggest mistake of my life and ultimately ended up with 18 days in hospital. So will I be in meds for the rest on my life? YES. We are all different but my particular illness means that I need drugs and so be it.
Good luck all
Sarah
Great post Sarah. I truly hate taking medicines like this as I hate to admit I have a problem/illness, but the fact is I do have an illness, and it needs treating to make me better.
Does anyone know... I take my first 150mg at around 9am with Breakfast. Do I have to take the other 150mg at 9pm? Or can I take it earlier? I seem to get a bit of a come down early evening so not really sure when I can take the second dose? I'm also wondering if I should go up to 3 x 150mg a day, or stay on the 2x? I know I'd need to discuss it with my doctor but generally want to know if more is better kind of?
Avasmummy_x
07-12-14, 15:34
Dazza ive been on pregabalin about 3weeks on 300mg a day. I'm still messing around with my dose! I've found my morning anxiety has almost gone so I can hold off taking my pregabalin till about 10.30-11. Afternoon and tea time is a different story. I normally take at 3 and 9 but atm I'm taking it at aroun 2 and 7 x you've got to find the right times for yourself as I am doing atm. I can normally feel my anxiety creeping back at 2 and 6 x
My anxiety is coming back now so think I will take it with my food in around half an hour, this is why I hate taking medication, one minute you feel a little better, and the next a little worse :(
Dazza,
You can fiddle around with when you take the meds. I take 100 in the morning (after food) then 200 at tea time.
Maybe you could up the dose to 400 a day, so 200 morning then 200 late afternoon. Check with your GP first though.
Sarah
I'll get down there this week and have a chat, thanks for the advice, and support everyone :hugs:
Avasmummy_x
08-12-14, 18:39
Dazza I feel the same. One minute I feel cured the next I feel worse than ever.
Yesterday I felt great no anxiety. Today I have felt absolutely horrendous and had a panic attack in the street. I still don't know when's best to take my tablets really. Think I need to take my afternoon dose earlier x
Hi Avasmummy,
Are there any specific triggers that you can name for your anxiety? It seems that you are getting panic attacks when you go out of the house.
Avasmummy, I can relate to it totally. I felt great this morning when I got up, now I feel really anxious again, it weird, but I guess at some point the anxiety does eventually pass and we will just feel good with any luck.
I am now going to take my 2nd tablet with my evening meal around 6pm and see how that goes, fingers crossed we get better soon :hugs:
---------- Post added at 16:51 ---------- Previous post was at 13:52 ----------
I have felt pretty relaxed today, now I have terrible anxiety again so going to take one now instead of tonight. I am so fed up with medication and wonder if a private therapist is a better idea.
Btw - I have read about weight gain with this tablet, I am not eating more than I did before, so is it likely to make me put on weight does anyone know? I can't be having that, I am a healthy weight but diabetic so its not going to do me any good if I pile on the pounds.
Avasmummy_x
10-12-14, 00:03
My triggers definitely are being out alone. I'm ok with someone.
Six months ago I could go out alone no fears at all :(
But I'm like it at home too. I'm anxious 24/7 it never leaves. I overthink, look too much in to things and obsess. Hence the gad and ocd diagnose. I just don't catch a break unless I'm asleep everyday is just awful. I thought things would be improving by now.
---------- Post added 10-12-14 at 00:03 ---------- Previous post was 09-12-14 at 23:59 ----------
Dazza I feel the exact same as you ive been okish this afternoon and tonight has been horrendous. It's like it randomly works then they next your worse than ever.
Weight gain is a se mainly because of increased appetite. If you don't feel that you'll ptobsbly be ok. Remember just because its a se doesn't mean you'll have it. Me on the other hand I am eating double I was. Which is good as I became very underweight due to stress and just barely ate through no appetite. Now I'm the complete opposite. It's one thing that's been positive up to yetx
Avasmummy, it must be when its wearing off that it makes us unwell? I have no increased appetite (thank god) so hopefully I wont put any on then. I just hope, for your sake and mine, that it gets better sooner rather than later!!
Avasmummy_x
10-12-14, 11:12
Maybe so Dazza. I don't really wanna go on a higher dose as I'm getting closer to the 600 mark and that scares me! 300mg sounds so much!
Today I feel absolutely horrendous! I had a horrific nightmare last night and it kept picking itself up from where it left off when I kept waking up :( ive only just woke up now because of it an hour later than my morning dose should be took so maybe that's why I'm feeling so bad too but nughtmares really get to me they make me feels sh@t all day! Just took it and don't even wanna get out of bed. Not a good day today ��
Guys 400mgs is the usual dose to stop anxiety. Perhaps if you went up to that dose and asked to take it split into 3 doses a day it would even things out for you. That's what I did in the beginning then once you are stable you can go back to twice a day.
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
I agree that 3 doses would be better, I just cant get an appt with my doctor at the minute, she is fully booked for 2 weeks then off for a week or so. I could see another doc, but you have to sit there for 3 days explaining everything to them, and I just cant be bothered with that. Today I didnt need to take my tablet until around lunch time, so I don't think it will be too bad today, but we'll see.
I've been on Pregabalin since March this year. Started off on 100mg twice a day and gradually increased my dosage to 300mg twice a day. Yes it chills me out and reduces my anxiety and hypervigilance, but I still suffer from anxiety attacks with massive fight or flight.
Pregabalin is licensed for generalised anxiety - not panic disorder. It may be helpful in controlling overall anxiety and thus help get a handle on panic attacks, but some additional control may be necessary.
Thats the way I see Pregabalin, Im thinking (hoping) it will take care of my main and biggest problem which is the anxiety, and then allow me to personally tackle my other issues. I do have panic attacks, but I have Diazepam for that if I have a bad one, but I think if I can make a better more active life for myself with reduced anxiety, then things might slowly get better.
Avasmummy_x
10-12-14, 17:26
Guys I'm really struggling today.
Think I'm gonna have to give in and take a diazepam just feel anxious all day over nothing and I've had 3 panic attacks in the past 2 1/2 hours.
I'm starting to think this isn't the med for me as much as I want it to be. Wish something could take this anxiety away from me :'( I'm beginning to loose all hope in beating this constant fear 24/7.
It started as blips now I just feel anxious constantly again I don't know what to do?! I've got a routine appt with my doc on the 22nd but thinking I should get in with her next week instead to maybe up my dose and if that falls I just don't know. I take it three times a day already and the only benefit I have is no morning anxiety but I've even had that today guys please help I don't know what to do. Does it ever get better???
Yes it gets better! BUT you have to get the right dose for you and that could be 600mgs a day! There is no reason why you cannot take a Valium to help through rough patches. I have a prescription fort lorazepam for exactly that reason. Luckily I seem to be very stable at the moment and have not needed it for weeks( so many weeksI cannot remember when I last took it). With pregabalin you have to go up the doses until you reach an "optimum" amount.
Oh and welcome Patrick66:)
Sarah
Had a run of three bad nights with anxiety and rubbish sleep.
Am going up from 225 to 300 a day to see if it helps.
So sick of insomnia
Keggsy,
I find if I take my evening dose at 7pm it makes me feel sleepy 2/3 hours later. But I confess I also take a sleeping tablet. It ,ay help you sleep better though.
sarah
Avasmummy_x
10-12-14, 23:12
I can take my diazepam I just don't like to. I feel that it makes my mood low after it wears off and gives me really vivid nightmares.
I'm just so fed up of feeling like it 24/7 in know that's why its called gad because it's triggered off lots so it is constant but I really need a break! I feel like I'm gonna end up in hospital some days! Weeks ago I had a good few days and it's wore off and been up and down since. Maybe I do need a higher dose I just don't want to get to 600 and then it not work and me be stuffed :( I'm already on it 3 times a day so it's spaced out enough! So fed up xx
---------- Post added at 23:12 ---------- Previous post was at 21:20 ----------
I can't tell if this is a really bad day or I need more help. Laying in bed thinking I'd be better off not here as I don't seem to be getting better. Hope it's just a bad day this is the second time ive had these thoughts since being on this med which always make me super anxious. I think the longer my anxiety is out of control its making me depressed. I don't want to have these thoughts when I have a 2yr old that needs me x
Avasmummy_x
11-12-14, 15:32
Today is no different. Made an appointment with my doctor for Monday as ive got the same thoughts as yesterday and they are scaring me so much. Feeling very deflated and defeated x
Hi there,
Could you not get an earlier appointment? Ring back and tell the receptionist about your thoughts I think you should be seen more quickly. I can't remember if you are on an AD. pregabalin is not an AD and you sound a bit depressed to me. Is there anyone who can be with you to support you at this time?
sarah
Avasmummy_x
11-12-14, 18:37
My doctor only works monday to Wednesday and I refuse to see anyone other than her as she's done everything with me with my anxiety and seeing a doctor means explaining it all over and plus the other ones are shit. She's amazing as has had post natal depression before so understands it on a personal level. I'm busy all weekend so hopefully it will take my mind off it x no I'm not on a ad as everyone has given me horrendous side effects hence why we've decided to try pregabalin x part of me thinks it's anziety based as it sets my anxiety off and the thoughts terrify me x
So are you saying pregablin makes you anxious? If so the its not the right drug for you.
About the "thoughts".. when I was in hospital a senior CPN said to me that when I have those scary thoughts a..a.remember they are ONLY "thoughts" and will pass. Focus on something else and this thoughts will go away.
Sarah
Im not doing to great with them either Avasmummy and thinking of packing them in, I am increasingly not feeling myself, I feel nothing like the old me, which in some respects are good, but I am totally unable to do anything, my house needs cleaning and I just cant be bothered, and as I said I no longer feel like me, and I quite like feeling like me. Me with the anxiety is not good, but I prefer me with anxiety than the new me on these tablets, just feel weird and odd, and just unaware of anything. I have been on them over a month now so would have thought it would be different. Yes some of the anxiety has eased, but my main anxieties are still there. I cannot get on with any type of AD having tried them, so think I will just go it alone again as I always have and just try to sort myself out on my own.
Avasmummy_x
11-12-14, 20:43
It's funny you should say that Sarah my mates just forced me to Come hers cos of how I'm feeling and I haven't left the house in day. She met me as I'm too anxious to go out alone. And I didn't have any thoughts there as I was occupied.
It may not be the med for me but it was like 2weeks ago? They were great. Just suddenly stopped working recently.
Dazzza sorry you feel the same. I too can't handle anti depressants so if these don't work I'm back to square one. I'm gonna hopefully stick them out for 6weeks as my doc said that's enough time for them to see if they work. Fingers crossed :(
I really think you both should give it a go for at least 6 weeks. The maximum dose is 600mgs and there are many who take that high dose and it works great.
Medication alone is not the answer, you will have to work at it.
Sarah
Avasmummy_x
12-12-14, 08:38
Yeah. I'm seeing her Monday so no doubt shell up my dose again. I'm on 300mg what do you reckon she'd up it too 400? She reffered me to a mindfulness course too aswell as physciafrist and she said I should hear back off them by next week.
I think that's great Avasmummy. Medication , mindfulness and talk therapy is the way to recovery. I would think she will up it to 400mgs a day. That is the dose which most people get benefit from initially. In time you may be able to reduce the dose but you need to get it in your system to begin with. Be patient. For some this medication may take time. Remember when you started you said the anxiety was nearly all gone. So give it a chance.
Sarah
grapefruitmoon
12-12-14, 23:39
Avas mummy; I think we all relate to your experience of how scary it is when your route to recovery seems to stop working. Ive certainly been there and the thoughts like 'im never going to get better' or 'no drug works for me' are very common. I have the same worries as you about pregabalin, im currently on 400 (4x100 per day) and, yes, it is possible to increase to 600 if I feel its not working at the lower dose, but what then? How do I know what my optimim dose is? Or if its the right drug for me at all? How easy will it be to drop back down to a low dose or come off it completely?
There's no definitive answers. Just listen to your body and be kind to yourself.
Avasmummy_x
13-12-14, 11:11
Thanks everyone. Well my morning anxiety is back with a vengeance and constant state of panic and panic attacks all day long. Fingers crossed with an upped dose I can't start beating this with my therapy.
Diazepam until your appointment on Monday,:)
Avasmummy_x
13-12-14, 23:25
Yes Sarah ive had two today x x
Just let the diazepam help till your appmt tomorrow. x
Hi Avasmummy,
I'm not sure when you are taking them, but pregabalin has a fairly short half-life, which affects when you take it, particularly in the first few weeks.
If early morning and daytime anxiety are the major problem, I would take it in three doses: first, right at bedtime, just as you go to bed; second, as soon as you wake up (have it next to the bed with some water); third, around lunchtime or a little later if you are feeling okay.
Don't worry too much about taking the benzos - they are only short-term until you get the best long-term solution.
Good luck with the doctor's appointment.
Avasmummy_x
14-12-14, 17:41
Hanshan I think Time definitely helps in taking them I'm trying to find the right times still I started with 10-3-9 and today I had it at 9-12.30 and just took my third as I'm having an early night due to being unwell and my anxiety has still been here today but not as bad x
Im still trying to find the correct times to take mine. As I am still on 2 x 150mg I assume its like a 12 hour break, so 9am - 9pm. My anxiety is always worse early evening into the night, so would I be better off doing 9am -5pm? Or should I ring my doctor and see if I can get onto 3 x each day so morning, afternoon and evening?
Hi Avasmummy,
I'd try something like 7am - 12 noon - 10 pm.
10am - 3pm - 9pm is probably not giving you as much help in the morning and daytime that you need. If you increase the dose, you could take the extra dose around 5pm.
Avasmummy_x
15-12-14, 14:41
Doctor has upped me to 400mg a day split in to 3 doses. Although she says if I'm feeling no benefit I can keep going up to 600mg so instead of 100mg x2 and then 200mg X1. I can have 200mg x2 and 100mg X1 x
Only to be expected... give it a go...... you now gave permission to keep going up. I believe Hanshan is on 600 a day and has been for a while... it works for him..good luck:)
Sarah
Avasmummy_x
15-12-14, 20:50
Yep. Just unsure on when to have my 200 dose as afternoon and evening are equally awful times for me x
I take my full 600 mg in one dose just before bedtime, mostly because early morning anxiety was my biggest problem (waking up, and already anxious). Generally, my mood naturally improves through the day, so I didn't have to worry so much about afternoons and evenings. There's nothing wrong with a bit of experimentation to find which dose times work best for you.
Avasmummy - Are your tablets making you feel 'unaware'? I feel unaware of things, which is great anxiety wise, but not great for normal life, I have things to do but just cant seem to get around to doing them lately. Also feeling very irritable today. I took my first tablet at 9am, and the second at 6pm because I was feeling very off kilter and unwell.
IrishLondon
16-12-14, 20:09
Hey everyone,
Can i ask did pregabalin make anyone feel restless? Or give you sore achey leg muscles?
Thanks
Ryan
My legs get restless on and off Ryan, only for short periods though. How are you getting on with them?
IrishLondon
16-12-14, 20:51
I've had to stop them Dazza. I started taking them at the same time as I increased my sertraline dose to 100mg. I think it was a bit much for my brain to take and I couldn't handle the leg symptoms. So I've stopped the pregabalin and back to 50mg sertraline. I might start introducing the pregabalin slowly once things have settled.
I used to take sertraline and it did make my brain a bit funny/restless/agitated. It will probably work a lot better with the 50mg so I would try it again if you can, when you feel ready. I am thinking of adding sert 50mg at some point, but would stick at the 50mg. When I was taking 100mg it made me manic, I explained it to my doctor and she said I was having delusions (not sure that I was) it felt more manic/OCD which was a shame because sert was quite good for me, but I do think the Pregabalin and 50mg of sert in the near future might be beneficial for me, so hopefully it can be for you too if you can manage it.
IrishLondon
16-12-14, 21:23
Thanks Dazza. Yes that's what I'm hoping to get to eventually. My anxiety has developed into so many crazy physical symptoms over the last few years. Sert has been good calming the mind but not so good at calming my body. So I'm hoping the pregabalin could help with that.
Avasmummy_x
16-12-14, 21:31
Hi dazza don't think I've had the unaware feeling although I do sometimes get it with the drunk feeling but it's not constant. I keep having to up my tabs so it keeps giving me the side effects again. I actually think it's making my anxiety worse recently. And ive actually had worse intrusive, unwanted thoughts on it. Never had thoughts of harm but the past few days it's all I can think of. Something ive never experienced.
Tbh most of me feels this isn't my med now. But I'm sticking it out for my doctor. Just had to take 5mg of diazepam as I feel like everything is going fast, sounds, images my mind. Basically a horrendous panic attack which ive had for the past 3hours. So annoying.
Definitely taking 5steps back atm. Don't wanna go out, don't wanna be alone. Just feeling at my worst again.
I definitely got restless legs from another medication, mirtazapine. Funnily, pregabalin seems to actually counteract that. However, I have often felt weakness in my calf muscles, and more recently tightness (which may result from loss of muscle tone).
If this is a side effect, it's been one that I've been willing to put up with because the benefits for me have been so overwhelming. However, this is the kind of decision each person has to make for themselves - it will be different for everyone.
My drunk and unsteady feelings have passed, which is good, still very up and down lately, yesterday day time I was pretty good with very little anxiety, which felt weird after so many years of it, I almost felt normal, which feels strange. Last night I needed diazepam, and this morning I am anxious but will take my tablet soon with some breakfast and no doubt feel better, I think I need to increase to 3 per day. Im concerned about weight gain so eating a lot less lately so Im hungry, but I cant be putting on weight.
Avasmummy_x
18-12-14, 17:58
Glad your drunk feeling has passed dazza sounds like its beginning to have a positive effect in you!
Don't worry about having to take a diaz evedyone has off days I had one 2 nights ago due to a 3hour panic attack that wouldn't go but diazdpam soon got rid of it!
I'm having my tablets 3 times a day I definitely would be a lot worse if I didn't have it 3 times a day.
How is it going? Im trying 3 per day from today. Took one at 9am, taking another at 5pm then 12 when I usually go to bed, hoping it makes things even better, just not sure about any side effects I should expect from upping my dose from 300mg to 450mg...
Im not doing too bad, ups and downs still, the odd need for diazepam, but luckily I have 2mg on repeat prescription so always there if I need them, just hate taking them.
Also anyone know what drinking with them does? I do not drink, but at Christmas dinner I do share a bottle of champagne with the other half so wonder if there will any trouble with this?
Great to hear you are both giving it a chance on 3 doses a day. Good luck.
Now drinking with them is ok, but it will make you drunk a lot quicker so be aware. This is only in the early stages. That half bottle of champers will feel like a whole one:wacko:.
SE;s will still be there as you up the dose but will takes less time to pass and will only be there for a few days. The longer you are on this drug the easier it will be. I have no SE's at all now.
Sarah
Thanks Sarah, life is already better, there are periods of anxiety during the day, but its just for short periods, whereas before Pregab it was all the time, so a massive difference already. I'm looking forward to getting better now and starting to live a little, its taken about 8 years of my life from me, and Im 40 next October so I need to start living before Im too old :)
IrishLondon
19-12-14, 19:09
Hi Dazza
Can I ask what dose you are on? I'm on 75mg for strange sensations in my legs - but I'm not sure that will have an effect on my anxiety at that dose? Seems to take the edge off the weird sensations though which is all good.
Hi, I was on the 150mg twice a day, but now upping it to 3 x 150mg per day.
It's not easy to be honest, but the side effects are getting easier so I think its worth it. Im guessing it going to take at least a month to get used to the 450mg a day, but a month is nothing compared to the past 8 years so has to be worth a shot.
When I was on them before I was taking 75mg 3 times a day, which was fine, much less side effects, and felt better than I had previously so if you can, try to stick with it, but maybe up the dose very slowly if you feel you need to, a really slow increase should be a lot easier for you. Im happy to jump to 450mg as I can handle the side effects with Diazepam short term because I know at some point they will pass and all should be good, or at least better :)
dazza you are right.... don't let it take anymore of your life !!!I am 50 in 2 weeks and I have wasted years on this anxiety c**p.........
Sarah
Hi IrishLondon,
Pregabalin has been found to be helpful in stopping restless leg syndrome, which is probably why it was prescribed for you. I'm not sure that a fixed dose has been established yet, however. My experience is that at a high dose it has the opposite effect - my legs feel very "restful", ie somewhat weak, but as Sarah says, wasting years on anxiety just isn't worth it.
Well, after taking 3 x 150mg yesterday I have woken up feeling a little drunk and a bit wired, but not too bad. Just taken my morning dose, think I will be doing stuff today as I feel I have some energy that needs to be burned off.
hi guys I'm a newbie. Currently been prescribed pregabalin. Now up to 100mg 3 times a day. Must say i feel better on them. But not ventured out as yet. Dazza do u up one tablet at a time? Like first your morning dose for a few days then lunch for a few days then finally the night dose?
Hi
Well I started with 150mg twice a day, so morning and night, I have now just added the extra one at tea time so gone straight from 300mg to 450mg in one go. The thing with them is, I know its going to give me side effects, and it has, but it has to be better than how I was before, so I am just putting up with them. I am shortly going to take a 2mg of Diazepam, because I feel a little too wired in my brain, and almost feel drugged up, so need something to take me down a notch or 2, but this will subside over the next week or so I imagine, and I can then part company with Diazepam and get on with things.
If you are newly taking them, then stick around and let us know how you get on, Im sure we can all help you if you start to worry about any affects they start to have on you :)
hi
yes its good to know how everyone else is getting on.
question for Sarah... How do u know when your at the right dosage??
Because you have no anxiety:D I know that sounds simple but it really is that easy with this med. Remember to begin with even on the small doses you will,probabaly have reduced anxiety for a few days. So then you think oh this is working and I don't need to up it BUT, then you feel it wearing off so you then up the dose again. MOST people need 400mgs a day split into 2 or 3 doses. The SE's will wear off over time..... really!
I went up to 400 in the space of 3 weeks but I was in hospital at the time. So I did not need to do anything. The Se's just start wearing off and then you end up either not noticing them of they have just worn off.
Sarah
grapefruitmoon
21-12-14, 11:07
Thats my biggest issue too. Ive been at 4x100 for 6 weeks now and I feel anxious all the time again. So I should probably increase to 450 soon. But at some point I want to see sustained improvement, not just a few days of feeling better and then a slow plateau back to where I was.
I wonder if taking an anti depressant with it might be helpful to you? Once you are settled on the correct dose? Im thinking of adding sertraline once I am level, but not for a while yet. Maybe its a chat you need to have with the Dr. Be great if you can go up slightly though and be ok without the help of another tablet.
maybe that's why I'm doing well on them .... As I'm on 200mg of sertraline. Its worth trying!!
grapefruitmoon
21-12-14, 15:50
Yes, im on an AD too; agomelatine 50mg. Not sure if it works or not.
I take mirtazapine with pregabalin, and it seems fairly common to combine pregabalin with an AD, as they work in different ways.
Not all ADs are the same, so it's worth trying another if the current isn't working. Unfortunately, withdrawing from one AD and starting another can also be a difficult process.
Avasmummy_x
22-12-14, 19:01
Can I ask does anyone feel really slow sometimes on this med and sometimes say the wrong words for things? Sometimes I'll be in the middle of saying something and say the wrong thing but I know what I want to say so correct myself after. Been happening a lot lately.
:doh:yes i have been doing the same. But it does settle down.... Till u up your dose again!!!
Yes same here, forgetting simple names for things, plus I forgot my tablet last night because I fell asleep early, so taken as normal today but feel anxious and manic, and can really do without it cos I have stuff to do. Really wish these tablets would settle into my system cos Im fed up with being up and down all the time. Im also losing my temper really quickly as well, and Im not generally like that.
Avasmummy_x
22-12-14, 20:05
Yes dazzza I'm the same. Short termper. I'm so sleepy yet can't nod off for hours. Must be the meds then doesn't help Ive just upped my dose so depersonalization and drunkness is back just as it left.
Feeling very slow and just not me. Hope it wears off 😔
All these SE's do wear off... trust me.... you need to give this drug a chance.
Sarah
Think i must be one of the lucky ones as my se's are only mild. :hugs:
My side effects are not that bad a lot of the time, but the problem is I get used to feeling not to bad, then wham, im all over the place, there are feelings of manic-ness and high anxiety, so I can take diazepam for that and within about an hour I am ok, I just hate taking diazepam. I know at some point it will all be fine, I just wish it would hurry up :wacko:
If you are juggling starting up pregabalin with reducing benzodiazepines, I would imagine that there might be some big ups and downs.
Avasmummy_x
23-12-14, 18:38
Dazza I'm the same can be manic then sudden anxiety after being really good. I also can take diazepam but rarely do. Think I've had just 3 this month. Ive only got 7 left though and my doctor won't prescribe any more so trying to not to take them
Think I'll have to introduce an ad though as the ocd intrusive thoughts im getting are getting worse.
Luckily (or unluckily) for me I have them on repeat prescription, but its only 2mg and I only take them if I really have to. It's very easy to rely on them, so I daren't do that otherwise it just leads to more problems. Is the reason for the ups and downs due to the fact that it isn't an AD, so there is no proper build up in your system as with an AD does anyone know?
Avasmummy, if you are desperate just ask for 2mg just to help you to get steady, they can't just leave you if things are getting bad at times.
Benzodiazepines increase the effect of GABA, the body's natural "slow-down" neurotransmitter. They are relatively short-acting, as once the benzodiazepine is eliminated, the effect wears off. However, continued use can also cause a reduction in the body's production of GABA, resulting in rebound anxiety.
Avasmummy_x
24-12-14, 10:49
I know hanshan that's why I never have them really and why my doc won't prescribe anymore.
As long as you use them only occasionally, there should be no problem, even long-term.
Avasmummy_x
28-12-14, 11:05
Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. How's everyone doing x
Im in a lull at the moment, not sure if its Christmas excitement, then it dealing with it being all over, or the pregab, but I just cant get off my bum to do anything, I really just cant be bothered, and I am bored to death as well, but cant be bothered doing anything about it, just hope it passes, whatever it is. You ok?
Yes but how is your "anxiety" Dazza/Avasmummy?
Sarah
Anxiety is definitely better, which is pretty amazing isn't it, but I do feel pretty anxious when the capsule is wearing off, so within about 6 hours of taking it, I know its nearly time to take it again.
My main issue at the minute (of which of course there are many) is I have a swallowing disorder caused by choking a number of times, a couple of years ago, so swallowing during the day, whilst medicated is definitely easier, but as the pregab wears off I start to have trouble swallowing, even my own saliva is a challenge, then I can't breathe properly due to the anxiety making me panic, but this only happens when the pregab is wearing off, so it does get better once I have taken more of it.
I am hoping this goes away the longer I am taking the pregab, one issue is I am putting on weight, which I dont like, and Im not overeating (even at Christmas time) so gonna need to get out more and push my walking up a gear. I was once 18st 5lb, and I am now around 13st so there is no way I want to be back there again because personally I hated being overweight, but that was comfort eating (Indian Takeaways YUM!!)
IrishLondon
29-12-14, 12:50
Really like reading these hopeful pregabalin stories. I'm on 125mg a day, prescribed for weird leg sensations most likely caused my anxiety. But I'm hoping it hits the anxiety a bit too!!
One thing Im not liking is I start to feel very irritable late afternoon, and I sometimes feel wired, which isnt nice, I just like to be level all the time, so I am hoping that will pass.
IrishLondon
29-12-14, 16:13
Yes I get the wired restless feeling too sometimes. I'm not sure if it's the sert or pregabalin.
Well that's all good news if the anxiety is getting better. Remember you can go up to 600mgs a day!
Well, I have had terrible anxiety all night including problems swallowing for a change, keep having to spit my saliva because I can't swallow at all, I have been on these now for quite a while so can't understand it.
Avasmummy_x
31-12-14, 10:35
Well ive had a good couple of days. Anxiety is still there don't get me wrong. But mild. And I notice when I take my tablet it does ease - much like a diazepam. Although today I am horrendous. I seem to be up and down so much on this med just when I think it's working. Bam a truly awful day or two.
I don't think it helps my fear of hearing voices has come back - scared I'll become skitzafrenic due to the racing thoughts and I genuinely think it's gonna happen so my anxiety is zoom! Ocd has now kicked in and I am just obsessing every second causing constant anxiety.
Will this anxious life ever end? I miss the old me. I was fine 6months prior.
I'm doing ok but gotta go to a funeral on Friday so may take a diazepam!!!
IrishLondon
31-12-14, 12:49
Hey guys,
Was wondering if anyone experienced a headache in the morning with pregabalin? Since upping my dose to 125mg daily i've been waking up every morning with a sore head.
I saw that this is labelled as a "very common" side effect. Just wondered if anyone has had it and does it go away?
Thank you and happy new year!
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Yes I had headaches at the beginning, on and off for a couple of weeks then passed, I just took a couple of paracetamol and that sorted it.
I am very up and down again today, but its probably because I was very stressed this morning and I have lots to do this afternoon. I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow.
There seems to be lots of ups and downs with this medication, and I think the people who take an AD with them will fair better, so you might be ok after a few weeks. I think I need to get back onto a low dose of Sertraline so may sort that out in the new year.
Avasmummy_x
01-01-15, 16:00
Think I may give up on this med. Forever anxious. Can't be left alone. Life is a mess :(
Do you think you may have upped your dose too quickly without letting the lower dose settle? I have gone back down from 450mg to 300mg, I seem better on that dose, weight gain has happened sadly, but I have joined weight watchers online this week, starting it Monday, so will see how that goes, plus extra walking from Monday, that will make me feel better Im sure. Maybe another chat with the doctor is needed Avasmummy? Its sad that you are not feeling better by now, but I hope you can get it sorted and feel better soon!
Avasmummy_x
02-01-15, 16:28
It's funny you should say that dazza. My doctor told me to up about 2 weeks ago and I've only just upped to 400mg today as I wanted to give the 300mg a little longer to see if it would be beneficial. Sadly not.
Unfortunately my doctor is not very useful now. She says there's nothing more she can do and we need to wait for my physciatrist appointment to come through as she believes that is the way forward.
Had to take a diaz last night as I heard a sound in my ear last night must have been from the fireplace or something but it sounded like someone grunting in my ear and it totally freaked me out causing a panic attack. A very severe one. Mainly because that is my biggest anxiety fear. Becoming skitzafrenic and hearing voices. I genuinely believe it's going to happen and I'm in beginning stages now 😳😳😳 totally irrational but that's my main anxiety the fearing of going mad. Never have I had a panic attack so bad in my life and I would of probably rung an ambulance it was that bad without the diazepam. Which makes me even more sad that my doctor won't orescribe more as sometimes they are crucial until I'm getting the full help I need.
Today anxiety is bad once again i just feel like I'm one step away from madness. Stupid stupid anxiety. And because of my ocd I am constantly thinking about it making it constant and me worse.
Ive got blood tests on Tuesday so I'm going to bring it up but honestly right now I've kinda lost hope on the med working if it doesn't work on 400mg. We shall see. So much for my New Years resolution of beating anxiety! I hope your ok anyway dazza. I know we are kinda on the Same page waiting on the pregabablin to settle and have a positive place in our lives. X
grapefruitmoon
02-01-15, 18:05
It's funny you should say that dazza. My doctor told me to up about 2 weeks ago and I've only just upped to 400mg today as I wanted to give the 300mg a little longer to see if it would be beneficial. Sadly not.
Unfortunately my doctor is not very useful now. She says there's nothing more she can do and we need to wait for my physciatrist appointment to come through as she believes that is the way forward.
Had to take a diaz last night as I heard a sound in my ear last night must have been from the fireplace or something but it sounded like someone grunting in my ear and it totally freaked me out causing a panic attack. A very severe one. Mainly because that is my biggest anxiety fear. Becoming skitzafrenic and hearing voices. I genuinely believe it's going to happen and I'm in beginning stages now 😳😳😳 totally irrational but that's my main anxiety the fearing of going mad. Never have I had a panic attack so bad in my life and I would of probably rung an ambulance it was that bad without the diazepam. Which makes me even more sad that my doctor won't orescribe more as sometimes they are crucial until I'm getting the full help I need.
Today anxiety is bad once again i just feel like I'm one step away from madness. Stupid stupid anxiety. And because of my ocd I am constantly thinking about it making it constant and me worse.
Ive got blood tests on Tuesday so I'm going to bring it up but honestly right now I've kinda lost hope on the med working if it doesn't work on 400mg. We shall see. So much for my New Years resolution of beating anxiety! I hope your ok anyway dazza. I know we are kinda on the Same page waiting on the pregabablin to settle and have a positive place in our lives. X
I know it's hard, but your doctor is probably being responsible to hold back on the diazepam. It's so addictive and it creeps up on you until one day you start craving it and it becomes a bigger problem than the original anxiety. I wish MY doctor had never given me any, I've been tapering off it for 4 months now and I still have 5 months to go.
Avasmummy_x
02-01-15, 19:46
I know hun it's best for me but I rarely have them so it's not like I abuse them xx they are a last resort. X
How's it going everyone? I'm still pretty much up and down. I thought things might have settled by now. Anxiety has lessened somewhat, but still periods of high anxiety daily which I could do without.
Avasmummy_x
06-01-15, 16:45
I'm not any different if I'm quite honest. Although only started on 400mg a few days ago. Anxiety is high pretty much all day.
I can't understand how you are not getting at least some relief by now, I definitely feel a bit better most of the time, late evening/night time is pretty bad most days, and Im generally not myself, but there are good times.
Avasmummy_x
07-01-15, 00:12
Ive had the odd occasion where ive felt ok for say half an hour but only if I'm busy say like hoovering or washing up then I thhink oh I don't feel so anxious then it floods back.
I'm definitely a lot worse when im alone or when it's quiet. Like now ive got in bed had mild anxirty before coming up and now it's quiet and everyone's asleep my mind is racing rediculously.
I think My physcologist referal is key in this too as tablets insng enough.
I wish I could go back to when I first took it it was like I was cured for about 3/4days. I am willing it carry on trying on the med hmvł
Struggling here at the mo. Still on 300mg per day, but had a run on several bad nights - taking hours to get to sleep and reaching for the zopiclone.
hi guys
I'm now up to 550mg a day. Anxiety has calmed down when I'm in the house but comes back as soon as i leave the house. The first week on them was the best. So i agree with avesmummy. Cant say i feel any better for going to a higher dose. But I'll keep taking them.
Avasmummy_x
07-01-15, 18:16
Maybe we'd see the difference if we stopped netball!
I bet if we stopped them we'd actually be worse! In docs now actually for my review on them.
how did it go with the doc? :)
I went out for a meal last night, came home and fell asleep, so didnt take my 150mg. Got up today feeling not right, and didnt take todays until lunch time, I definitely could feel that I hadnt taken it. With regards to sleeping, I am sleeping much more and for longer, but I am also putting on weight and not eating more than I was which is a concern.
Does anyone know how long it stays in your system? I am starting to get very, very anxious around early evening, sort of 5-6pm. I take my first tablet at around 9am, so is this the pregab wearing off?
Half life of 6 hours Dazza
Hi Dazza,
As Keggsy says, the half-life is about six hours, so is quite short. Also, that figure is just an average based on a number of people. In fact, some people eliminate drugs much more quickly than others.
The simplest approach is to break up the dose so you are taking it several times a day - that will help even out any lumps and bumps. Doctors know this, but don't often recommend it because patients often forget or find it bothersome.
I have to say last night was awful, I had some sort of panic attack but it was more like a manic attack, I felt like I was going insane and was buzzing from inside out, so finally took a Diazepam and was asleep soon after thankfully. Not wanting one of those again in a hurry. Feel calm today and have things to do so plenty to keep me occupied :) Thanks for the info Keggsy and Hanshan, not an easy ride this is it!!
Pregabalin is licensed for generalised anxiety (where you become anxious incessantly over daily things most people cope with).
However, doctors increasingly seem to be prescribing it for any kind of anxiety, including panic attacks. Generally, I don't think it will stop a panic attack (or a manic attack) - you need some other medication for that.
The best pregabalin can do is quiet down the background stuff, so there are fewer triggers for a possible panic attack.
Yeah I was having anxiety from the minute I woke up for months and on and off for years, so the background anxiety is definitely easing which is brilliant, I do need an anti depressant type of med so thinking I will try sertraline again at some point to add into it, just not ready for it just yet :)
hanshan.... Any idea wot medication is used to stop panic attacks? As my doc said their isn't. But i don't believe her....
Avasmummy_x
09-01-15, 16:32
I seem to be having two good days on the run. Not getting my hopes up though as this happened before lol.
Still have back ground mild anxiety but I'm learning to ignore it.
As soon as I think about it though it does creep back so learning to just accept and move on when it does.
Hi Netball,
I don't have frequent panic attacks, so I can't speak from experience, but a quick check of the web seems to indicate that alprazolam (Xanax) is the most popular choice out of the benzodiazepines class. You would have to find a doctor who was willing to prescribe it on a long-term basis, but only for occasional use, when an attack is starting up.
Apart from that, one of the ADs, but there doesn't seem to be any clear standout, so it's trial and error to find the best one.
Avasmummy_x
12-01-15, 18:26
Is it worth upping my dosage? I'm feeling some benefit now. I'm coping with some things better. But not enough. I'm still housebound unless someone comes out with me and even then it is a struggle. Just feel anxious all day long and have racing thoughts whenever I'm doing nothing like watching tv/in the bath. Although this is not as frequent as it was since upping to 400mg. I have random panic attacks rarely which I have diazepam for but I rately have the panic attack its more the anxious feeling and racing thoughts all day long. My daughter starts primary school in September which may seem far but I need to get over this going out as right now I don't know how I'll cope taking her school!!
Got my phone assessment from a normal therapist from mind on Thursday for some cbt. And I am still waiting on my hospital referal for a physiologist which was refered in sept :(
It's worth upping the dose if you are not getting complete benefit at 400 mg. Otherwise, I'd consider adding in an AD, but I think you said you had had a bad time with these. Keep a diary to see how many good days you have in a week. That way you will know your "average" and it won't seem so random.
I agree with Hanshan. Up the dose to say 500mgs. You could add an AD very gradually as I did with citalopram. I started on 2.5 mgs a day. I too suffer terrible start-up SE's from ADs.
Keep going and perhaps ask yourself are you better than when you started pregabalin or worse?
Sarah
Avasmummy_x
13-01-15, 21:32
The thought of adding and ad gives me enough anxiety alone!
I just can't cope with the side effects of them. Will speak to my doc about it though.
The diary sounds like a good idea as my memory seems to have gone to pot since starting them so will help to remind me how many good and bad days I'm having to show my doc.
I'll give it another week on 400mg I can't even remember how long I've been on 400mg.
And I can't even remember if I was worse or not as I can only remember the bad days. X
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