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Progress!
Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and remedies for the awful withdrawal symptoms! 8/7/12 I experienced my usual hot flashes, queasiness, panic attacks, muscle spasms, depression, exacerbated fibromyalgia pain, exhaustion, etc.. Well that night I decided to try a warm water enema (not for the squeamish)! My mom had been sharing my ordeal with a naturalist she's been seeing, and he asked if I had been 'regular' and if I hadn't that the Lyrica could still be affecting me through my bowels. And wouldn't you know the next day I felt completely drained of energy, but I didn't feel as queasy or the urge to shake all over from the muscle spasms. Today, was my first day to feel 'human' since 7/23! I felt weak most of the day, but the nausea, panic attacks, hot flashes, and depression seemed to be gone! I'm not one to use enemas on a regular basis, but after this breakthrough I would say that I'm really glad I put the idea of it out of my head and just went for it.
I hope everyone else is on the road to recovery and if you're still miserable try an enema! The websites I visited prior to going through with it, list the benefits and ailments that people use enemas to ease. If you're not quite ready for that, I did find that consuming large quantities of water, having access to an ice pack, moving at a slower pace, and just letting my body move at the onset of spasms seemed to help. Having people to talk to and being around those who have a sincere desire to help make a big difference too! Lastly, Poise brand has come out with products for women going through menopause, I did purchase the cooling wipes to use on your neck, wrists, and chest and they did provide some relief from the hot flashes. Thanks again for updating your statuses and sharing! :grouphug: |
The enema makes some sense to me. Between water, herbal teas and fresh juiced vegies, I consume about a gallon of fluid each day and eat a very high fiber diet in order to keep things moving properly and avoid toxin build up in the colon. Best wishes.
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i was given lyrica when i was first diagnosed with CRPS
i took it for 1 day,,it knocked me off my feet, i passed out for 1/3 of an hour, and couldnt remember my daughters phone number when i came to. I was covered in a rash over my chest......Obviously, i didnt go near them again...and please god never will. I attended a pain clinic/trial, where the doc's told everyone that as we suffer chronic pain..NO pills will make you better,,just maybe numb the pain, if your lucky, untill you take so much, you have to be weaned off anyway,,,the point of the pain clinic trial was to get us to manage our pain without drugs, if possible...with other therepies, i have to say, as far as the leg/foot pain i suffer, i felt a huge relief after having cognetive therepy, hypnotherepy...working with the concious/unconcious mind....Worked for me anyway,,not a miracle, but better than any meds,,, My message here is to sugest to people,,,'Try Alternative therepies'...what can you lose?!!! And find a good pain clinic,,which offers these therepies,,also physio/phycho therepy, relaxation, light excersise.....all together, they help you back on your feet. hugs ellen ,,,P.S. NOW, AFTER A THUMB FRACTURE I HAVE CRPS IN MY WHOLE RIGHT HAND,,( ONCE YOU GET IT IN ONE EXTREMETY,,IT SPREADDS TO OTHER EXTREMETIES IF INJURYS HAPPEN ) ,,HERE WE GO AGAIN...:mad::mad::( |
Free at last
In the last couple of weeks I have started to feel back at the stage where I was before I took Lyrica. This is nearly 6 weeks after I finished taking it so the doctor was spot on. The symptoms have gradually subsided.
Things I fouind that helped me where making sure I was properly hydrated and drinking lots of water until my urine was clear. Found I was drinking loads by my dr said it was probably because my system was flushing out the bad stuff. I have also been doing loads of nexck exercises. Muyslce tighness around the neck freferences up the nerves and can cause headaches in the forehead. Loosening up has made a difference for me.....Gone for a few back massages too. Really focussed on eating good health organic food - even started drinking beetroot juice and carrot juice (if its good enough for Olympic Athletes its good enough for me. AVOID ALL MEDICATION IF YOU CAN! IT ALL HAS SIDE EFFECTS SO YOU CAN EASILY END UP TAKING ONE DRUG TO COMBAT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ANOTHER AND SO ON. Have faith....It will go but it just proves even the smallest dose for 2 weeks can take a long time to get out of the body. I did say I would post when I felt better - I have and I hope it helps others. I dont intend coming back to this site again so i wish everyone the very best in recovery. PS - I thought HappyGoLuckys advice was spot on re anxiety etc. There are some really good self help books and a few good websites thast offer great advice. In summary - patience calm and accewptanbce of symptoms is the key and dont allow yourself to get carried away by frightening thought which bear no reality to them even if they appear to!! They are just thoughts and the symptoms are likely caused by them. Best of luck Juicy |
Lyrica Withdrawal
I was on Lyrica for 3 years. 75 mg x 2 daily. I took it for my chronic back pain. I started the withdrawal process 10 weeks ago and have been off completely for 10 days. The process has been a nightmare! Extreme nausea, upset stomach, 10lbs+ weight loss (which is not needed), lightheaded, headaches, anxiety, chest pain, nightmares, hot/cold spells with sweating, shakes, no appetite, the list goes on. I've contacted my doctors and consulted pharmacists but they are not offering any solutions. They have denied that Lyrica has withdrawal symptoms, and even suggested maybe I have food poisoning. Oh, I've been poisoned alright, but by something called LYRICA. Their other suggestion was to go back on the medicine, which definitely is not an option.
I can't believe the withdrawal process has taken this long and although the first couple weeks were the worst, it hasn't seemed to improve the past 8 weeks. I do not regret coming off the medicine but I am seriously hating these withdrawal symptoms. I work and go to school and this is having a debilitating affect on these areas. Suggestions and support please? |
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Have you tried benedryl or another antihistamine to help alleviate the worst of the symptoms? Doc |
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I have not tried benedryl or antihistamines, but may be worth a try. |
One step forward and two steps back...
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I am back to feeling crummy; all of the withdrawal symptoms are back, fibro symptoms that were numbed by Lyrica are exacerbated, and now my emotions are hardly controllable. I've gone from being a strong person with fairly tough skin to someone that cries at commercials and feels severely depressed. This whole ordeal is scary, especially when you don't know what to do or who to turn to for help. I am going to see a neurologist September 19th, first available appt and I fear that they will either 1) say there is no reason for me to feel this way or 2) here's some drugs to help you feel better... I want to eat better and exercise, but those two tasks are unbearable when you're sick to your stomach and are too weak to leave your home. :( I wish everyone the best and hope that we can all find a way out of this very dark and painful point in our life. |
Lyrica withdrawal does persist
[QUOTE=EyesWideOpen;907448]I understand your frustration, I haven't found a medical/pharmalogical website that entails any withdrawal symptoms from Lyrica other than very mild side effects that are purported to last a couple of days if that long!
My MD could not believe my throbbing headaches and racing heart and photo sensitivity were due to stopping Lyricabutthere is no other explanation. She tested many other systems and all was good.it had been almost a month and I want to know when I will no longer have a headache. I was only on Lyrica a week and when the headache etc started went back to gabapentin. |
Hope on the horizon
Traditional western medicine clearly has not been working as my doctors have provided no support or help in the lyrica withdrawals.
I thought I would try a 180 degree turn with Eastern medicine. I started seeing an acupuncturist for the withdrawal symptoms. Even after a few days I feel slightly better, not cured, but optimistic that these treatments may actually help! The acupuncturist is going to prescribe me some herbal supplements to aid with the detoxing of lyrica, so hopefully that will help too. I will keep everyone posted!! |
the person who started this post never came back on. wondered if they started Lyrica or tapered off.. always remember dont taper of a medication by yourself.. always have a dr help you... you dont have to go in fopr a visit , just have the nurse call you and she will tell you how to taper off easy..
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Before doing that, I would try a board-certified holistic doctor, osteopathic physician, or a clinical toxicologist. If they couldn't help you directly, they might be in a better position to refer you to someone who could. Doc |
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Doc |
Mucinex
I have had 4 good days in a row, no queasy stomach or feeling of impending doom. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this feeling of normalcy will continue. I spoke with my dr on Tuesday and he did not think that the Lyrica withdrawal was the source of my suffering, the one conclusion the western docs want to use to explain the symptoms is pregnancy... Not the case here!!!
I'm trying the eastern medicine route as well, trying to eat better and have been taking 600mg of mucinex a day, there are a couple of websites that indicate that the main ingredient has helped some with fibro pain. As for the upset stomach, I stuck with crackers, ginger ale and a natural chewable vitamin for nausea (it contains black licorice). I use a heating pad for my headaches as any pills (Advil) made my nausea worse. I'm also starting an alkaline diet that is supposed to help with fibro pain, I've just started, but will update with any progress. I feel for everyone going through this experience, it's frustrating, painful and lonely, but hang in there! There seems to be a silver lining to this black loud of withdrawal. Mine has been a month in the making. Be strong! You're not alone! |
Wonderful news. You just may be over the hump. Four days w/o a lyrica wd symptom is extremely encouraging. I have spoken with WAY too many doctors who don't believe there are major Lyrica wd problems and I have been told that it is just so much internet hysteria. My doctor does not fall into that category which is why he is still alive :eek::D
My experience has been limitted to several times when my Part D provider refused to continue paying for it and I only take 75mg bid. Each time was a six week battle to get it back and I was in full blown wd the entire time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. |
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Many Thanks
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God bless all of you as I've dealt with panic attacks, depression and lows throughout my life and not as a withdrawal symptom. I'm on an excellent antidepressant and have been for many years which has stopped the depression. The panic attacks took about a year to clear up but they've been gone for many years and I definitely never want those again. They are very frightening! I pray that all of make it through your recovery and stay clear of this terrible drug. |
Still have insomnia.
It'll be 4 months without Big L sept 6. Surgery sept 20. Hope everyone is well and does not have the same experience I've had. Talk soon.
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Ugh... Relapse?
Well I thought I was cured, but this Tuesday I started feeling like crapola again! Luckily the neurologist I'm going to see had an opening for next week. It'll be good to see what they have to say, just hope it's not "there's nothing wrong with you, or there's no reason for you to be feeling this way"... What a roller coaster ride! I'm ready to get off this crazy ride!
I'll give an update after my appt next week. Hope everyone else is strapped in and holding on through this unpredictable ride! Take care! :grouphug: |
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Going to see a real psychiatrist soon. Eyes, keep us updated. peace |
Improving
I mentioned in a previous post that I started seeing an acupuncturist for my Lyrica withdrawal symptoms. I've been going once a week for 4 weeks now and it is helping tremendously!! My symptoms have been lessened. I went 5 days with out any serious symptoms, which is great improvement over feeling bad 24/7.
I'll continue to keep everyone posted on my progress. |
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I understand the feeling of not believing that these withdrawal symptoms could/would happen after discontinuing Lyrica! It seems absurd, until you actually go through it. I'm back to having good days, just experience migraines off and on. Neurologist ordered an MRI of my brain and blood work. MRI didn't show anything and the blood work they've gotten back is within normal limits... So, it's not all in my head? These symptoms have to be coming from somewhere though, right? Until the rest of the blood work comes back I'm just hanging with my migraines and taking a rx for those, not my first choice, but sometimes you gotta find some relief. Glad I don't have to take the migraine meds daily at least. Keep us updated on your progress QLL! You're not alone! Take care :hug: |
I had been taking Lyrica for 4 years. I was up to 150mg 3xday. It truly did help my fibro and nerve pain. Then one day last year on a Thursday evening I went to get it refilled and I had no refills left. Drs office was closed for holiday and wouldn't reopen until Monday morning. I thought Oh well, it's just Lyrica, I'll be ok.
By Sunday evening I literally wanted to die, I was suicidal. Head to toe RLS, sweating and freezing, wide awake but too sleepy to think, lethargic but couldn't sit still, diarreah, depression, headache, bloat, I mean I'd had withdrawal before, but this was hell on earth. It was SO bad that when I finally got it Monday morning I immediately began cutting back just on the off-chance that one day I may have to go through it again. I tried cutting back more quickly than what I've said below, but I felt sick all the time, so I cut back extremely slowly: Was taking 150mg 3xday everyday, so I cut back like this: 2 months: 150mg 2xday one day / 150mg 3xday the next day, back and forth next 2 months: 150mg 2xday two days / 150mg 3xday the third day, back and forth next 2 months: 150mg 2xday three days / 150mg 3xday the fourth day, back and forth next 2 months: 150mg 2xday everyday next 2 months: 150mg 1xday one day / 150mg 2xday the next day, back and forth Right now it's: 150mg 1xday two days / 150mg 2xday the third day, back and forth I've seen forums where other people have talked about cutting back and not being able to stop taking the last little bit, so I don't know if I'll have this issue or not, I don't think I will since I'm giving my body 60 days to adjust to each new dosage. Lyrica isn't addictive in the same sense that narcotics are addictive. I think your central nervous system itself is what gets addicted to it, those miles and miles of nerve endings everywhere all over your body. Then when you don't have it, your entire system goes haywire. NOBODY told me that could happen. Lyrica was supposedly "safe" because it wasn't an opiate, but listen to the commercials sometime, or visit the website, it says "Lyrica is THOUGHT to work by...." etc, I mean they don't even know how it works and they're trying to claim it isn't addictive??!! If you're trying to get off of it, the best thing to do is go very slowly and give your body a lot of time to adjust. It's very sad because it really did help, but my message to anyone thinking of starting it is this: If you can be SURE that for the REST of your life that you'll never, ever, ever, ever have to go one day without it, then sure, go ahead and take it, but be 100% POSITIVE that you'll never do without it because once you're on it that's it, pray you never run out or can't afford it or that they don't decide to take you off of it. Not me though, no more. I hope I've helped someone. |
strange behavior
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Car accident in the middle of January, I have spinal nerve blocks like every 8 8 weeks as not helped yet. Now we are going to try spinal radio frequencies to burn the damaged nerve? Any thoughts please? Next, PCP gave me Gabapentin 100 mg once a day, spine doctor moves me uo to 900 mg 1 3x a day, but PCP said oh no you will be to sleepy, she gives me 1800 mg a day all at bedtime. Is this like Lyri:confused::confused::confused::confused:ca? My tongue is swollen, I am a mess, pain clinic lowered me back to 900 mg a day. Since taking the higher dose I only need my glasses for up close work. But I know something is wrong with me. Any serious answers for me please? |
lyrica withdrawal
Hi all,
I just finished reading thru this thread because i have been off lyrica for two months. I started it soon after my c-4 -6 fusion 5 years ago and tried 2 other times to get off. I did it this time after giving myself 2 weeks to be completely off (i was on 150 a day at the time although over the years had been on 450mg a day.) It wasn't as bad as i thought however, i was extremely motivated and just basically locked myself away from others for 2 weeks. I had headaches, anxiety, and nausea. The best part was that i felt like i was myself again, vision was better and my whole life seemed brighter, but then came the pain. Right now i have almost unbearable nerve pain and have had to increase my percocet dosage to maintain my sanity. I am trying to keep active, meditate etc... but ..... I am trying to accept that the pain is apart of me and i need to integrate it smoothly into my life style. It is not easy!!! I do believe that this was an important for me to do, not only to rid my body of this med, but to actually know what kind of pain i really have. Unfortunately, my nerve damage is greater then i realized (lyrica did it's job in that respect) and i do need something to help me live my life. This was a sad realization but i think it was important to do. I was truly hoping that when i stopped i would see that my pain was mild.... i was sadly disappointed. I encourage all who read this to take a "drug holiday" to see if you really need it. i have done acupuncture, pt, injections, trigger injections , tens, i walk, i do water core exercises, i tried arnica, accuscope, u name it i have tried. Thanks for listening.... L |
Update 10/5/12
Hi all, I've posted a lot on this board the past 5 months, so feel free to track my progress through the thread.
Doing pretty good, weening off Trazadone (what I ended up taking to curb the effects, 3months into severe lyrical withdrawal depression and insomnia, etc.) It has now been 5 months since my last dose of Lyrica. I was at 50mg of Trazadone to start and have gone down to 12.5mg. It's unbelievable that some of the side effects of Lyrica are winding down, I was so accustomed to them and stunned for so long. I still can't sleep like I used to but I'm beginning to feel like myself again. I do not take any other drugs. I exercise one hour everyday. I eat well, do not drink, meditate a few times a week. I decided to table my back surgery for now, for ruptured discs (I've already had one surgery, four years ago) because, though still in pain , I am making progress in my recovery, very slowly. I have been working on this pain issue for about 15 months, and was crawling during the worst of it when I broke down and went on Lyrica. I was on lyrica and Tramadol about 2.5 months--I was taking 150mg of Lyrical 3 times per day. Take care everyone and stay away from drugs. I've done them all and they are all bad news. If you must take painkillers, go for the opiates, the withdrawal is only 3days and then done, no matter how long you've taken the drugs--I speak of this from experience. Lyrica is a different animal, do not take your Doc's word on Lyrica or Tramadol, they don't know what these drugs do to us. I also want to put in a plug for physical strengthening, as I was the last one to believe I could help myself without surgery or meds, It has taken a huge amount of patience and time but I have recovered to the point I'm at today largely in part to the core and overall physical strengthening I have done. I am also kind of indebted to the vicious effects of Lyrica cessation in a way--the inner turmoil I experienced left me with only one option, to get out of bed and move and since i was so freaked out about people, judgmental about myself and others, and in hiding, the only thing I could do was work out, run, and lift weights. I started very slow. What a nightmare, I remember telling myself, I'm not going to waste this terrible hardship, I am going to make stuff happen while in the agony and when the dark cloud of physical pain and psychological depression (from the Lyrica) pass I will feel stronger than I ever have. I think this might actually be true in the end, I'm not there yet, but I just might be one day. Please love, and vote for Obama. |
Don't start!! and If you did quit now, It's only been a little while.
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I went off Lyrica last year. I was on 300 mg. a day for 18 months. I weaned off it over 3 weeks by going down 25 mg. every 3rd day. The withdrawal was horrible. I went off it because I had suspected it was causing an all over itching burning sensation in my skin that no doctor could figure out. When I started to withdrawal the itching/burning skin got much worse. It continued until 2 months after I was off the Lyrica, but then it slowly began to go away. The other withdrawal I had were anxiety, insomnia, anger, depression, and RLS. After 2 months most of those went away. I coped with it by doing yoga, qigong, and meditation everyday. And drank alot of water and decaf green tea. It was hard work but worth it in the end.
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Well, ain't life grand.
I've got an impingned nerve at L4-L5 and L5-S1 that acts up. I've been on Lyrica, 300mg/day for about a year; a couple months ago, we increased my dose to 600mg/day. That completely knocked out the pain, I was loving life, until... I started having some pretty serious side effects (suicidal ideation, crying, depression) - we cut the dose back down, and the sides stopped. Of course, the nerve pain came back...temporarily. I'm now trying to eliminate this drug. So, I'm trying to drop to 150mg/day; I did that yesterday, and today have some additional w/d symptoms. I took a full 300mg today, so that hopefully I feel like a normal human tomorrow. Anyhow, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. This thread has been an eye-opener. Thanks to everybody for relating their experiences. I'll try to post about my progress as I get off this evil drug. |
Doing good
5 1/2 months no Lyrica, Two days now not Trazadone. What a journey. I'm almost back.
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Update on Lyrica W/D
Well although I saw some progress, I'm struggling with the Lyrica withdrawal. I've been completely off for 2.5 months. I'm better than I was 2 months ago, but still feel bad. The acupuncture helped for a while, but it's like I've hit a plateau and can't get better. Help! Lyrica is the worst. You could not pay me to ever go back on it. It is debilitating on my life.
Any advice? Those of you who have successfully gotten off, what did you do to help the withdrawal symptoms? Thank you! |
Well, no great news: every time I cut by 50% to 150mg, I end up exhausted. So, I cut a couple nights ago, and slept for 11 hours, woke up exhausted. Was falling asleep at my desk - had to knock off and nap for a couple hours 2 or 3 times the next day.
So, last night, I took 300mg, slept 8 hours, and was fine all day today. I'm going to have to schedule a serious down-week, and just bite the bullet, I think. Of course, my nerve pain is pretty elevated at the same time. Win-Win. Damn drug. |
The only things that I'm suffering since quitting Lyrica is depression, anxiety and the inability to speak as good and as muh as I used to do while on Lyrica. I also became very sensitive and very scared of crowded places. No nausea, no fever no any physical side effects.
I really have no idea how to overcome this anxiety and fear! If anyone has had such experience, please share. |
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Hang in there folks, 6 months and you'll be better. Read my posts for an accurate account of the withdrawal process over the past 5-6 months. Just click on my name, all my posts are in this thread. Hope they help. See you when you get here. Like if beautiful again, I am healed and normal. Stay away from Lyrica!!! |
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I am now off Trazadone, which was not hard to let go of and I now sleep like a baby. I am actually coming back into my normal self. it has been six months. Please read my account of my Lyrica withdrawal process over the past months on this thread by clicking my name. Good luck and hang in there, you are almost halfway there, and who knows, it might not take you as long. |
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In your experience, is switching to an EOD dosing an effective way to accomplish a taper? So, 300mg EOD, 150mg EOD as a dosing scheme, as opposed to working out a way to do a 225mg ED dosing scheme? |
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