Originally Posted by buckeye71

Thought it might be time for an up-date on my withdrawal plan. I am now in the 10th week and have reduced that “dread drug” from 225mg down to a total of 100mg daily (25mg @ 6am/50mg @2pm/25 mg@ 10pm). I took my last 50mg capsule yesterday and now taking that “dread drug” dissolved in water only. Let me explain the “dissolved in water” that I am doing.

I asked my PM Doc, who I greatly respect, about how to split the 75mg capsules that I had down to 25mg with out another prescription. I was going to open them and try to measure the powder and place the contents back into a gelatin capsule. He said it would not for various reasons. His suggestion was to open it into a measured amount of water and then store in the refrigerator. Here’s what I’m doing to split my 75mg capsules into three liquid 25mgs. In one cup of water, I cut the capsule (it is water-soluble.). 1/3rd cup gives me my needed 25mg and so on. Seems to be working plus it’s saving me prescription money. Any thoughts on my “dissolved in water” practice?

Today is the beginning of my 10th week. Headaches are the still main side effect that just seems to persist and really affect my quality of life. I still have headaches almost continuously, but they may not be quite as severe. The neuropathic foot pain is cranking up some, but I’m hoping I can tolerate the PN pain as the head clears up. I am still not where I want to be with the side effects. I know I must put on my Winston Churchill hat and remember his “we shall fight them on the beaches” speech and carry on for weeks yet.

I’m closer to ending that “dread drug” from my life.

Originally Posted by joefcarle

Just found this site. I have been on Lyrica 600 mg a day and hydrocodone lots for a work related back injury that forced me to retire. I knew this day was coming when the insurance company would start denying the meds. I tapered down and haven't used any hydrocodone in 4 days. That withdrawl has been bad enough and is still not over. I know have to figure out how Im going to get off the Lyrica. My new fear is what to replace it with since the Lyrica did help a lot in the burning of my feet. I also have a stimulator in my back but that dosent really cover the burning and pain in my feet and legs. The Lyrica withdrawl scares me though as I once tried tapering off and had severe problems including chest pains and breathing problems.

Originally Posted by joefcarle

My new fear is what to replace it with since the Lyrica did help a lot in the burning of my feet.

Originally Posted by waiting4Rzeznik

I was just recently taken off Lyrica after 3 years because of the side effects I was having. Yes, it helped the chronic nerve pain i'm suffering from after a double fusion thanks to a drunk driver, however the side effects changed my whole personality. I went from being functional, happy and physically fit to non functional, severely depressed, suicidal thoughts, major weight gain, rages, and blurry vision. I was taking 300mg a day, started in Dec 2009 and barely left my bedroom after that. I kept it dark and slept almost every day. I was dying inside. So now, since my doctor did not taper me off the drug, I am having major withdrawals. Panic attacks, vomiting, severe pain, crying over nothing, legs feel like I am walking with concrete boots, insomnia and burning. The good news is the depression seems to be lifting (no suicidal thoughts), my eye sight is back, and I've dropped 6lbs in a week. I feel like i've lost 3 years of my life because I did not know what was wrong with me. I will definitely be more resourceful next time before I just trust a dr and let them put me on a medication. I told all of my drs about the depression and suicidal thoughts and not one of them attributed it to the lyrica. I felt great for awhile, I think it took 6 mo to start the downward descend. My new dr thinks it could take up to 3 mo for the withdrawals to stop because it is such a powerful drug. My prayers go out to you if you are struggling with this.