New on this drug. Experiences?

[Ssmith]

Hi guys,

Just come back from the doctors who actually asked me what i wanted to be put on as I've exhausted most SSRI drugs. I've read a bit about pregabalin and how it's really good for GAD.

However, I've also read that it is addictive, very hard to come off and can massively mess you up. I've seen a video of one guy who is permanently affected by the effects of this medication which makes me very very nervous to start taking it. Is this the minority of people as i don't want to become addicted to something, especially if it doesn't work and i have to come off it.

Can i take my citalopram at the same time as the pregabalin as well? I forgot to ask the GP

[MyNameIsTerry]

Nope, it's not addictive. Hanshan will tell you like he does everyone else who asks that one that there has been no cases of it recorded outside of substance misusers. It's a popular drug for addicts to use to get a greater hit with but they use seriously higher dosages, as hanshan has explained in the past.

Can this guy prove it? Was he a substance misuser?

If you Google any mental health medication you are going to find someone just like that. Anecdotal stories are useful BUT many of these people lack the understanding of mental health's complexity to determine the difference between drugs and their own anxiety levels. You can never be sure whether they have researched enough to make a proper case for it and many are just posting horror stories without even thinking about the many factors. That's why it's known as Confirmation Bias.

What you will get on NMP is a mix of stories, good & bad. Most, if not all, will be from reasonable people who won't be jumping up & down moaning about "big pharma" and the many conspiracy theories behind healthcare. (Many of these people are even selling "cures" or natural products, so you have to be very careful) I find these people don't last long on NMP as the rational masses on here pick holes in their bias and they head off to scare people somewhere else.

There is a Moderate interaction between Citalopram and Pregabalin. From Drugs.com's interaction checker:

Moderate
citalopram  pregabalin

Applies to: citalopram, pregabalin

Using citalopram together with pregabalin may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

I think the first thing is to determine if your GP meant to use it alongside or instead of. If instead, there are clear guidelines for switching, but don't be surprised if your GP plucks it out of mid air...they often contradict the NHS guidelines that are sent to them!

If he/she plans to use them alongside, then they just need to be monitoring like with any dual use of these meds. To put it into perspective, Moderate is the case for drinking alcohol on Citalopram, which many people do with no problems, so it's not something to be worried about.

[shiznit76]

Hi guys,

Just come back from the doctors who actually asked me what i wanted to be put on as I've exhausted most SSRI drugs. I've read a bit about pregabalin and how it's really good for GAD.

However, I've also read that it is addictive, very hard to come off and can massively mess you up. I've seen a video of one guy who is permanently affected by the effects of this medication which makes me very very nervous to start taking it. Is this the minority of people as i don't want to become addicted to something, especially if it doesn't work and i have to come off it.

Can i take my citalopram at the same time as the pregabalin as well? I forgot to ask the GP

What did the GP say when you suggested Pregabalin?
Where in UK are you?

[Ssmith]

Thanks for that information Terry. I'm only on 10mg of citalopram. My GP didn't actually mention whether to stay on citalopram or come off it which is a bit confusing.

Shiznit, the GP I've seen is really good. I said that I'd done a lot of research on GAD and because I'd tried most SSRI's, i hadn't tried duolextine or pregabalin. She asked me which one i would prefer to go on and i said the latter.

I'm in North Yorkshire

[Anxious_100]

I agree with Terry with everything he said.

Also Its not that common to take citalopram and pregabalin together and only usually something a psychiatrist would initiate, GP's don't really start augmenting psychotropic drugs together and its usually done under a specialist. I would clarify with your GP what they want you to do regarding the citalopram before you start taking both together.

Anyway all the best with starting the pregabalin

[shiznit76]

Thanks for that information Terry. I'm only on 10mg of citalopram. My GP didn't actually mention whether to stay on citalopram or come off it which is a bit confusing.

Shiznit, the GP I've seen is really good. I said that I'd done a lot of research on GAD and because I'd tried most SSRI's, i hadn't tried duolextine or pregabalin. She asked me which one i would prefer to go on and i said the latter.

I'm in North Yorkshire

Sounds like a great GP, lucky you!!

Was she totally fine giving you it? It's near impossible to get it in Scotland, but I'm working on building up a case for it for me with my doc

[MyNameIsTerry]

Shiznit,

It's impossible in Buckinghamshire too. It's purely about cash, there is no evidence of any connection to drug use other than in drug users via alarmist biased reports and badly (possibly intentional) studies. Some of these have been discussed in the threads on here like Albert's one about the media reports on it. That is a good thread to read through as we had quite a discussion about these studies and picked holes in them all. It's all good ammo. Besides, the figures are far worse for Benzo's yet they give those out and they are totally addictive! I don't recall seeing the UN governing Pregabalin controls with it's members but they have done for decades with Benzo's!

What one guy did in Buckinghamshire is raise a Freedom of Information Request (FoIR). You can find it via Google but I think I posted in one of the discussion threads like Albert's. It showed that it was getting used in small volumes. Bucks are a pain and in my opinion that one needs taking forward by someone with some clout, like a MP, because people in that region are being discriminated against, something that the NHS do all the time.

Make sure you check out things like the British National Formulary (BNF) and your local formulary. When I did this for Bucks I found an interesting clause that they could challenge where the local formulary said the BNF overruled their advice. Sadly, anxiety sufferers have enough to deal with without mounting a case!

[shiznit76]

Thanks for info Terry, is that what you had to do to get it?

---------- Post added at 12:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 ----------

Can you only access the local and BNF if you have an account?

[hanshan]

Thanks Terry for being the voice of reason.

Basically, if you have no history of substance misuse and don't exceed the prescribed dose (maximum 600 mg per day), there is no evidence of risk of addiction.

[SmilingAlbert]

>>Thanks Terry for being the voice of reason.

Basically, if you have no history of substance misuse and don't exceed the prescribed dose (maximum 600 mg per day), there is no evidence of risk of addiction. <<

+1!