Is this the right med for me?

[goldsounds]

Hi everyone. New to the forum. I was I wanted to ask for some advice. I am having anxiety about something that happened in my adolescence but am only confronting now after a trigger last year (I am now 30). This involves bad memories and flashbacks. I had been doing well after a round of CBT but the triggers have started to emerge again. I am going back to my CBT therapist but I wanted medical help too. I went to see my GP who prescribed Sertraline but I had to stop that after 3 days as the side effects were so bad it drove me to go to A&E. I tried Citalopram last year which had similar effects. I went back to my GP (though had to see a different doctor, my surgery is terrible) and he has now given me Pregablin, to be taken 50mg 3 times a day. It seems to have a calming effect so far but to be honest I want to ask if this sounds like a good medication for my background as my GP seemed to not know a great deal about this medication (he looked it up in his book). Has anyone dealt with similar issues to mine and taken Pregablin? I'm considering changing GPs as he didn't indicate that I should see him again for a month when a lot of people on here seem to be seeing a doctor regularly when starting a new medicine. So although this seems to be calming at the moment, I wonder if it really is the right thing for me, combined with CBT. Any help appreciated.

[SmilingAlbert]

hey Gold,

Welcome! Pregabalin is often prescribed when more traditional meds have failed for anxiety issues. Have a read of these boards, you will find many with a similar story to yours; for many it helped, for some it didn't. If you are feeling calmer already this is a good start.

Many people recommend things like CBT and meds in combination, so it sounds like you're doing the right things. Re doctors, well I find it a stressful enough experience just getting to see one! If you are doing OK, I wouldn't worry about not seeing one again for a bit; obviously if things aren't, go and see them:

Though, as you also note, many doctors don't seem to know jack zip about the pills they hand out, which is where things like NMP come in useful...

Best of luck,

Albert

[goldsounds]

Thanks for the quick reply Albert, that's great. Even though I've been open to friends recently about my problems it can still feel isolating so places like NMP are a great help.

[hanshan]

Hi goldsounds,

Good luck with your journey out of anxiety. Success is possible.

From what I have experienced and read, pregabalin is good for most low to medium level anxiety, so I'd say it's a reasonable choice for you. With all these meds, you just have to try them and see, although it's a good sign that you are noticing positive benefits early on. Stay with it for a couple of weeks, and you will know if it's the med for you. Good luck, and keep posting.

[goldsounds]

Thanks so much Hanshan - I made it to work today and so far seems to be OK. Will see how this week goes, I have a short holiday booked for next week and will be really upset if I can't make it.

I keep being told that I'm "lucky" in that I know the root cause of my anxiety and can therefore work towards overcoming it but that's not easy to take on board at your low points. Thanks for the support, and I'll keep you posted.

[goldsounds]

Nearly two weeks in now and mostly all good though I've been off with a cold the last couple of days which has meant a lot of time to myself and over-thinking things. Assuming that's just down to being ill rather than the pills wearing off.

[SarahH]

Yes Pregabalin is the right med for PTSD which it sounds like you are experiencing. It is not an anti-depressant though.

I had acute anxiety fromPTSD and ended up in a psych unit. Pregabalin is a wonder drug for me. For some though it does not work.

Sarah

[hanshan]

A cold often makes me feel low. It can definitely be the temporary loss of daily activities and time to mull on things, but also I think it just affects the inner barometer in a negative way. The good news is that it is temporary, and things do return to normal.

Apart from the cold, it's good to hear that things have mostly been good to date. I have taken pregabalin for around four years now, and its effects haven't worn off for me, so here's hoping for you.

[goldsounds]

Feeling better the past couple of days. Going back to the docs to get new prescription next week and assume they will up my dose. What's the best guidance with regards to drinking? I haven't drank since taking my meds but am going to a big wedding next weekend and would like to at least have a drink with dinner. Is this a no no or will I be OK?

[hanshan]

Again, everyone reacts differently, but the two interact.

As a rough guideline, plan on drinking no more than half what you might normally.

Don't drive a car or operate tools or machinery. Tell a friend you are taking medication to keep an eye on you.

Apart from that, enjoy the wedding.

[goldsounds]

A month in now and have just seen my doctor who has increased by dose from 50mg 3 x a day to 150mg twice a day. I even managed to get an appointment with the same doctor in a month's time! How novel.

[SarahH]

I drink on it.... just get drunk quicker... saves me money though:D

Sarah

---------- Post added at 09:43 ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 ----------

...oops that sounds like I am a lush!!!:doh:

[goldsounds]

Haha, be a lush by all means. I certainly used to be one too!

Has anyone had a side effect where they wake up deeply confused about where they are, even if just for a few seconds? Never really happened to me before but it can be distressing at times.

Been having trouble with my thoughts again recently which is a shame as I thought I was making some progress. Might look into private therapy though not sure I can afford it. My CBT therapist wasn't much help so don't want to go back to that.

[goldsounds]

7 weeks in now and feeling so much more myself - been doing things like applying for jobs which I haven't done for a long time. Going back to my GP on Wednesday for an update and wondered if I should increase again ( currently 300mg a day) or stick with how I am?

[hanshan]

If you are feeling mostly okay on 300 mg a day, that might be the right dose for you. My experience is that it's not a 100% cure, but definitely much better than anything else I've had. Good luck, whatever you do.

[MyNameIsTerry]

My experience is that it's not a 100% cure, but definitely much better than anything else I've had.

No drug is anyway, where it has is only because of the hard work the person has put in to retrain their brain whether they realise that or not.

If you focus on changing your thinking at this point then you stand a very good chance going forward when it comes to reduction time.

Hopefully in the future it will become more widespread as it seems that when it works, it really works, as opposed to the hit & miss of the SSRI/SNRI's.

[goldsounds]

So about 10 or 11 weeks in now and starting to feel like my old thought patterns are creeping back in. Could it be a case of needing to increase my dose? I felt pretty level in the past few weeks (300 mg a day) so this is really disappointing.

[hanshan]

Hi Goldsounds,

Don't feel disheartened.

It could mean a dosage increase is the right thing, or augmenting with something else. I think you said sertraline and citalopram didn't agree with you - I also take mirtazapine, which may be worth a try, and there are other meds out there.

You may also want to keep on as is for the moment, to see if things resolve by themselves. Whatever way, keep us posted, and good luck.

[goldsounds]

Well I stuck with it and things have settled down again, thanks so much as ever for the help hanshan. Something I've noticed recently is my attention span seems shorter. Have any parallels been mentioned between with Lyrica and this? It may always have been like this but now I am being more mindful I am just noticing it more but thought I would ask anyhow. Hope everyone is doing OK, its been quiet on here of late.

[hanshan]

Hi Goldsounds,

Glad to hear that things have settled. I hope things go well from here.

Some people have mentioned less ability to concentrate. For me, it's probably easier trying to concentrate without anxiety. Like all these things, the pros and cons need to be balanced.

And yes, it's been quiet on the pregabalin part of the board, so especially if you are new, don't be afraid to post.

[Mr Polite]

Hi GoldSounds
I've been in Pregabalin for about 2 months and I've definitely noticed an impact on my concentration. My mind feels more frantic, but less anxious - if that makes sense? I certainly feel a little more stable since starting it, my anxiety doesn't seem to be creating the same levels of the 'impending sense of doom' type anxiety.

[goldsounds]

Hi GoldSounds
I've been in Pregabalin for about 2 months and I've definitely noticed an impact on my concentration. My mind feels more frantic, but less anxious - if that makes sense? I certainly feel a little more stable since starting it, my anxiety doesn't seem to be creating the same levels of the 'impending sense of doom' type anxiety.

Thanks for replying Mr Polite. Yeah I think that's it - my mind can't focus on any one thing for long but I'm not freaking out about it. Its just happening. I went to see a play with my partner last week and afterwards I had to ask him several questions about what happened, even though apparently all my questions were explained within the play quite clearly! Though I'm perfectly happy when my mind is wandering, I'm worried its going to effect work and other things. I have a pre-arranged appointment with my doctor tomorrow so will see if he can recommend anything.

[goldsounds]

Had my dose reduced from 300mg to 225mg so will see how it goes.

[hanshan]

Hi Goldsounds,

Hope all is going well.

[karenp]

I just cannot get this meds at all. They just say it's not for anxiety to me and I would have liked to have given it a go.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Which County are you in Karen? It is for anxiety as it is licenced in the British National Formulary (BNF) but Bucks have made a purely financial decision to not prescribe it all at all, even for epilepsy!

[hanshan]

There is a generic version available which is 25% cheaper (although there is the ongoing problem of Pfizer still holding the patent for pain, but not GAD).

[MyNameIsTerry]

There is a generic version available which is 25% cheaper (although there is the ongoing problem of Pfizer still holding the patent for pain, but not GAD).

They had it blocked in the UK I seem to recall despite the patent expiring so that the generic couldn't be sold overhere. It was a bit of a landmark court case ase and god knows how they allowed them to win that one as it could have all sorts of implications.

I haven't looked since so I'm not sure if anything has changed. Have you heard anything, hanshan?

[hanshan]

Hello Terry,

I don't have any specific knowledge about the UK. Once a patent has expired, I can't see the manufacturer able to change things, even through a law case. But if generics are available for one condition, but not for another, I can see the manufacturer doing its best to make it hard for doctors to prescribe generics, even when they are not restricted by patent.

[karenp]

Yer, I am in the UK and have asked so many doctors for this meds now but they say it's not for anxiety at all....yet they have given me a Beta blocker that is off the label for anxiety too. There's no other AD I can try as non of them work or I can't tolerate them. I take Escitalopram at the min but feel rubbish at the mo with anxiety. I think it's as I have come off Lorazepam though but all the time I have been on Ecitalopram have never been able to get off the benzo. They are forcing me off now though.

[hanshan]

Hi Karen,

You can try taking a copy of the NHS information on treatment of Generalised Anxiety which specifies pregabalin:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anxiety/Pages/Treatment.aspx

The doctors can't really argue with that.

[goldsounds]

Hi Goldsounds,

Hope all is going well.

Thanks hanshan - I am well, thank you. Things seem to be settling down again. Had a job interview yesterday, first one in about a year, and had a mild freak out but ended up doing OK in the interview. Just waiting for feedback but a few months ago I wouldn't have been able to even apply for jobs without getting anxious so this is progress! My attention seems to be a little better since reducing my dose too so hopefully a readjustment was all I needed. Hope everyone else is doing OK.

[goldsounds]

So a few months have passed and I'm considering reducing from 225mg to 150mg - been sleeping really badly and dehydration which I thought was a thing of the past has come back with vengeance. Should I consult my GP before reducing or simply start myself?

On the plus side, I got the job mentioned in the above post and have been doing things to take me out of my comfort zone like volunteering for a charity and trying to meet new people.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Congratulations on getting the job! Thats a massive achievement and the volunteering and socialising shows you are making a real commitment to recovery!

It's worth discussing med changes with your GP so they can monitor you but I would take advice off the knowledgeable people on here like hanshan & SmilingAlbert (and others) as GP's can be a little rigid and apply changes based on the dosages the drug companies make as opposed to the adjustment advice that the specialists and major charities give out.