I have been following many of the posts about “Lyrica Withdrawal” on NeuroTalk for some time and feel that I should share with others my experiences with this drug. I am 81 and have been using a wheelchair for about eight years due to peripheral neuropathy in both feet. My PM doc prescribed Lyrica for the foot pain. I’d been down the road with tramadol, a SCS, TENS, lidocaine patches, tramadol, and topical applications of various drugs for pain without success. Lyrica seemed to be the last resort. I started on 50 mg 3x/day in March 2012 with some pain relief and then last year increased to 75 mg 3x/day. Again with some relief for the foot pain, but then the morning headaches (dizziness, brain fog) or whatever one might call it began and has increased in intensity each month this year. In addition, I’ve been having some difficulty with my short-term memory and thinking through simple problems. The head problem was just getting out of control and I realized something needed to be done. My PM doc prescribed hydrocodene and my GP suggested that I add Cymbalta. In both cases, they wanted to add more drugs. They offered no real solutions. This was about the time I finally came to grips with the situation and realized no one could or would help me. It was going to be up to me.

Last month I decided I just needed my life back and more drugs were not the answer. Other Lyrica users that wanted to quit offered some ideas. I would reduce and (hopefully) eliminate Lyrica from my life. I visited with my GP and we decided to cut back 25 mg every two weeks until I reach zero intake or at a level needed for pain and yet could tolerate the side effects of the head aches.

As of today, I am in the 5th week of the schedule taking 50 mg 3x/day. I can report the head situation is improving and the foot pain level has actually remained the same. I have experienced no side effects from the decrease of Lyrica. Hopefully I will be able to continue with the plan and eventually eliminate this dread drug.

With a “clearer head,” I share my experiences with this drug.