Hello, I am new here

For the past 2 years I have been suffering from an intense, constant head pain called Hemicrania continua. I also suffer from Cluster Headaches. For some reason I have not responded to the usual medications for this affliction, so I was put on Lyrica some time back. I took 600mg/day for about a year. I have since been switched to a different medication which works better. However, even though I weaned my Lyrica down very slowly over several months and though I've been off the med for nearly 3 months now, I still suffer some withdrawal effects. Currently, I am dealing with extreme excessive sweating (to the point where just walking up stairs makes me sweat). I am in good physical shape and never had this problem until withdrawal. Secondly, I have had horrible, very dark depression since coming off Lyrica. I've even been put on an antidepressant and tried to do as much exercise as my pain will allow in an effort to lift my mood. This hasn't helped, either.

I'd like to know, if anyone can help me, how long this withdrawal will last or how others' experiences compare to mine. I'm feeling at the end of my tether and am seriously considering going back on Lyrica so I can at least feel normal (well, normal for me ) again. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Hello there

Wondering how you are doing now? Did you stay off Lyrica? I was on Lyrica for a couple of years. I am in week six of serious withdrawal issues. I too am in great phsical shape but I feel terrible now. My nervous system seems out of control. I have severe anxiety that I never had before, a nervous stomach all the time. Horrable IBS when I eat or drink anything. Eating makes everthing worst. I can't sleep well. I feel like something could be seriously wrong with me. Doctors seems to treat me like I am crazy. I really don't want to go back on Lyrica. But have considered it just to validate that it is the cause of these symptoms. I hate that it has been so long an seems to only get worst. I would like to know how you are doing after 4 months.

Thanks

Wow this is strange. I was on Lyrica too, and have been taken off it as of about 3 weeks ago, and I'm not having ANY problems at all with it. I didn't wean off ~ my doctor just took me off of it. I'm also on Topamax, another anticonvulsant, but I was on that at the same time I was taking Lyrica ~ so i don't understand why i'm not having withdrawal too. I'm NOT complaining, mind you. LOL

I hope both of you have talked to your doctors about this ~ in the meantime, try taking some BENADRYL ~ that should help a little with the withdrawal effects. You may have to take 2 capsules. See if it helps you. God bless. Hugs, Lee

Thats good for you, for sure, mabey your other med helps. How long and how much did you take? Unfortunatley it is terrible withdrawal for me I just can't understand the duration of my symptoms? Why do you think Benadryl will help?

you have a beautiful name! Kieron. This is my second time stopping lyrica and its a tough one to overcome. I have been taking it for three years and am in to day 4 of withdraw. well, what im doing is taking a 150mg capsule apart and just dropping a pinch on my tongue in the mornings.

for the IBS and severe nausea I take a couple tokes of hydro medical mary. Just a couple 5mg percs a day keep me feeling great. I hope your not still on lyrica. If anyone is on lyrica and needs a support penpal. id be happy to help.

So sorry to hear you folks are experiencing the infamous Lyrica withdrawl. I only take 150 mg per day and have been on this dose which has been effective for me for at least 7 years. Several times, I have experienced problems with my Part D provider not wanting to cover it for me and it took at least a month of aggressive calls from me and the pain doc to clear it up. In the meantime, I went through a w/d from hell.............worse than going off the sched. IIs. The last time it happened, at week six, I called the pain doc and my primary and told them not to panic but I was going to the ER and say that I was in severe w/d and having auditory hallucinations and suicidal ideations. I was put up on the psych unit and got a Lyrica within an hour. Of course, I ended up staying there for a week but at least was discharged with a pre-certed script.

hi lee
few years back
started lyrica
for fibromyaliga
upper right back
on it for about
a month taken off
reactions
to skin blisters
but i do
remember how i felt
on it told neurologist
when i stopped
all my nails had a indention
when i stopped
scary drug

be well

someone who cares

May I ask..how long did you take Lyrica? I am trying to wean off of it.

I took lyrica for about 4 1/2 years .. only at night to help sleep.
i tried several times to get off it, and after my last post, i went cold turkey ... went through a horrible 4-6 weeks, but finally feel like its out of my system.

i feel much much better and consistently feel good throughout the day; and I am sleeping well again. the best i have slept since i can remember.

the point of sharing all this with you -- is try and fight the best you can and get off it. think about how you will feel 3 months from now. its well worth the hell you might go through, to finally be free from it.

4 1/2 years I was on that **** ... I was addicted without even knowing i was addicted.

good luck

just wanted 2 know if your lyrica withdrawal had stopped yet? i have the exact same withdrawals