Pregabalin advice

[Buttercat]

Hi all,

Am looking for some advice from people who are on pregabalin.

I have had generalised anxiety disorder for around 15 years now and over that time I have seen psychologists, CPNs and a psychotherapist to help with my condition. I have been on varying doses of citalopram over the years and am currently on 40mg as well as beta blockers (propranolol 20mg when required).

I have had an ok run over the past 3 years and managed not to have any long term sick periods off work. However, even though I have been managing to go to work my anxiety is always in the background meaning I only live half a life as there are many things I can't do such as go on holiday, go out shopping for longer than 15 minutes, comfortably socialise, go anywhere further than a mile or sobering my home, exercise, go out for walks etc.

Anyway, over the past couple of months my anxiety has been spiralling out of control again to an unmanageable level. My GP referred me to a psychiatrist who I saw a couple of weeks ago and she prescribed pregabalin- 50mg three times a day increasing to 100mg three times a day after one week. It has now been almost a week since I started the 100mg dose three times a day and I was hoping some of you could share your experiences and offer advice.

For the first week I was really sleepy, a bit fuzzy and my anxiety levels were still sky high, enough for me to take time off work. Since starting the 300mg a day I have not been able to work or leave the house because of the side effects. I have a constant heavy feeling in my head, am very off balance and dizzy (although not room spin dizzy) and just feel rubbish in general. I have made a telephone appointment with my GP to discuss this but was wondering if any of you can offer advice about how you reacted to pregabalin.

Many thanks

B x

[MyNameIsTerry]

Hi Buttercat,

I would suggest moving your post the Pregabalin board which is a subboard of Medication.

There are some very knowledgeable users of Preg on there who will be able to help you. Ones I know of are hanshan, SarahH, SmilingAlbert, Dazza123 to name but a few and they are on most days.

I think they will be able to give you some ideas on this as I'm sure I've seen posts about side effects like that recently.

[Dazza123]

Hi Buttercat.

They are normal side effects you are experiencing, I had times where I had to come down stairs on my bum, because I felt like I was going to fall down the stairs when walking, but they do ease off and it doesn't take long for this to happen.

Upping the dose always gives added side effects, but I found they would clear in as little as a couple of weeks, you just need to take it easy, accept the effects for what they are and know they won't last for long.

Pregabalin is a very good medication, and you can also take an antidepressant with it if needed, I take 75mg Pregabalin twice a day, and 50mg Sertraline in the evening and although I am getting some side effects still, I am generally a lot better. Pregabalin can be a life changer once it settles into your system.

Hang on in there, it will get better :)

[Buttercat]

Thank you for the replies :)

I have now re-posted in the pregabalin section.