Hipha
16-10-15, 12:16
Hello
I want anybody considering using pregabalin for anxiety to be aware of my experience. I was prescribed pregabalin 6 months ago for anxiety whilst on mirtazapine. I started low and over 2-3 weeks built up to 400 mg per days spread over 2 equal doses. I did not feel any benefit for my anxious symptoms especially nausea. At this point I had the opportunity to cease taking pregabalin as I have read many times that if no benefit is found within a few days after taking 150-200 per day then it is very unlikely that this drug will work for you. I reduced down to 300 without any side effects but then forgot to take a dose one day and experienced the worst withdrawal symptoms. I realised that withdrawal was not going to be easy and due to a family holiday I remained on 300 so as to not spoil the holiday. I then decided to withdraw from mirtazapine which took a further 2-3 months staying on pregabalin 300 all the while as withdrawing from both would be impossible. So here I am 6 months later trying to withdraw from pregabalin which is horrendous with flu like symptoms and nausea and anxiety. Tapering down 25mg at each drop and down to 100mg per day. I expect that it will require 3-4 months to withdraw completely.
I am not criticising pregabalin as I know it helps many people with anxiety. My message is if it does not give any benefit at 200-300mg then do not persist with it and stop using it as quickly as possible avoiding taking beyond 4 weeks. Everyone is different but there are many many stories on the web of horrific withdrawal experiences so please be aware.
I want anybody considering using pregabalin for anxiety to be aware of my experience. I was prescribed pregabalin 6 months ago for anxiety whilst on mirtazapine. I started low and over 2-3 weeks built up to 400 mg per days spread over 2 equal doses. I did not feel any benefit for my anxious symptoms especially nausea. At this point I had the opportunity to cease taking pregabalin as I have read many times that if no benefit is found within a few days after taking 150-200 per day then it is very unlikely that this drug will work for you. I reduced down to 300 without any side effects but then forgot to take a dose one day and experienced the worst withdrawal symptoms. I realised that withdrawal was not going to be easy and due to a family holiday I remained on 300 so as to not spoil the holiday. I then decided to withdraw from mirtazapine which took a further 2-3 months staying on pregabalin 300 all the while as withdrawing from both would be impossible. So here I am 6 months later trying to withdraw from pregabalin which is horrendous with flu like symptoms and nausea and anxiety. Tapering down 25mg at each drop and down to 100mg per day. I expect that it will require 3-4 months to withdraw completely.
I am not criticising pregabalin as I know it helps many people with anxiety. My message is if it does not give any benefit at 200-300mg then do not persist with it and stop using it as quickly as possible avoiding taking beyond 4 weeks. Everyone is different but there are many many stories on the web of horrific withdrawal experiences so please be aware.