That again sounds to me like, as I mentioned, some article in their journal(s) purporting such a contention AND/OR equation of dependence with addiction (perhaps a reactionary/backlash response to their clinical differentiation or vice versa) which came about around the same time as the publication of Definitions Related to the Use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain: Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (Adoption Date: April 1, 1997; rev. February 1, 2001)

Unfortunately this confusion/equation persists (and continues to be disseminated) today among medical professionals (who above all SHOULD know better by now), bureaucrats & politicians, yellow journalists, and laypersons alike.

Doc

My former psych. still contends that I am an addict, my pain is rebound and my pain doc is a drug pusher. Of course, he now specializes in addiction.

Sounds like Maslow's Hammer, popularly phrased as "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

or

Q: What's the difference between a General Practitioner and a Specialist?

A: A GP treats what you've got; a specialist thinks you've got what s/he treats.

Doc

Too True!!! Have a great weekend.

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.

I feel like I lost 3 years of my life too, my high school years. Going off cold turkey has been so hard, 3 weeks in and it is still hard. The only thing that helps me for the w/d and pain is cannabis, which my state does not provide yet, and doctors yell at me for telling me it doesn't help, when the only time I've truly eaten these past weeks was after using it, ha doctors just want your money and for you to use their medications. I feel so much more clear in my mind, but the w/d is really starting to take it's tool. I cannot control my emotions any more, my anxiety is off the charts, I have terrible IBS (never had stomach problems in my life) my nausea seems to consistently linger, I can't keep a comfortable temperature (wake up every morning DRENCHED in sweat) and I'm in a great deal of pain since I'm off the drug now. Aleve doesn't do much for the pain. Been trying Tagamet (otc stomach drug) for the IBS, but it doesn't seem to help much. I just want to get better! I just feel depressed now and was wondering how long it took for everyone else to get over this withdrawal??? I had to quit school, take time off work until further notice, and now all I do is stay at home and try to keep myself stressfree (as stress makes symptoms way worse). I can't put my life on hold for, forever. I'm 19 and should not be living my life like this. I am weary of going on any long term drugs as of now, going to do a ton of research before this happens. Best of luck to everyone, I feel your pain (literally)

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

was taking 450mg for two months for sciatica. after two months dropped down to 300mn, felt withdrawal but also quit 350mg daily Tramadol at the same time.

Kept up 300mg Lyrica dose while suffering severe withdrawals form Tramadol. After one month, began to break down Lyrica dosage, like: 150mg at night, 75mg in the morning for a few days then cut that in half for a few days, withdrawal was very difficult and I felt I was just dragging it on longer by weaning, I was impatient with the process and had a week where I had little to no responsibilities, so I quit cold turkey.

I am now on day 11 no Lyrica. It has been very difficult but is getting better. I take 100-125mg Trazadone at night to sleep, this is not good sleep but will do for now, I go down for about 7hrs. Trazadone is fairly safe and non-addictive, I recommend it over Xanax, benzos or whatever, useless you want another struggle down the road.

The depression and anxiety were manageable after 7 days, not acceptable, manageable. I've dealt with insomnia for a month and a half now. Having come this far I can tell it is getting better, it is slow, but I know I will return to my normal self. In terms of sciatica pain I am better than ever, that might just be a coincidence, and my body is naturally healing itself, after a year of acute pain.

I do not condone the use of Lyrica or Tramadol for any reason. Find another way. It subtly creeps into your being and destroys your ability to get anything from life. These drugs to dirty things, and you do not realize until you quit. And quitting will be a nightmare. Your body converts Lyrica into Valium, Tramadol into Morphine--this is information from my pharmacist. I have also withdrawn from Methadone an Vicodin after using for two months and the withdrawal period was 3 days and then done, much easier for me.

So, long story short, Lyrica withdrawal: severe 7days, but varying degrees of insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, depression, can last 2-10weeks based on my research. I did loose weight right away and my stomach was no longer bloated.

Of course some people say they had no problem quitting Lyrica, I find this hard to believe, perhaps they were taking other meds anyway, so withdrawal never really took effect I'm a healthy 30 year old male, besides my sciatica injury, I've never been depressed, suffered from anxiety or depression. These drugs had a profound effect on my psyche and wasted a chunk of my life. Pain Management folks had no words for me in terms of the potential withdrawal severity.

I hope this helps someone get through the early stages of Lyrica withdrawal, If you are starting today just remember that I was where you're at a little over a week ago and I am doing better now. The days will inevitably rack up and with each one you are getting closer to freedom. Give yourself a break and take it easy. Eat as well as you can and exercise--even walking or swimming, be as proactive as possible. Your life is not a wreck, Lyrica is just very powerful and holds a mean grudge when you reject it, making you feel things that are not accurate.

Take care. I'll let you know when I sleep again.

I am on Lyrica and yes withdrawl is a real problem. I was out for four days and boy oh boy the low energy wanting to lay down feeling depressed and the hot and cold sweats. I lost 3 days sleep due to hot and cold sweats. I am back on it and feel alright (for me) there nust be a better way to try to reduce this med. saftly.

So it'll be six weeks in a couple days since I stopped Lyrica and over two months since I stopped Tramadol. Still do not really sleep, have mild anxiety, depression and trouble making plans for the future, socially awkward, etc. Issues that were never part of my existence until I meddled with Lyrica and Tramadol. My overall sense of well being seems to fluctuate somewhat. I am feeling much better than I did at 11 days however. I do not take any other medication, not even Ibuprofen. And if you have quit Lyrica and have not experienced withdrawal, I am almost certain you are on other drugs, SSRIs etc.

I exercise everyday, walk 3-5 miles and run at least 3/4mile, get the kidneys running etc. I do not drink, I eat extremely healthy, lots of veggies and fruit. I also quit smoking after 17years; it's been 3.5 weeks. I decided that I was going to get all that I could out of this struggle (lyrica withdrawal) that could last 4-7months, and make becoming a health individual my full-time job.

Pain is present and I will probably have my second back surgery in August--removing two ruptures, both on L5 S1 causing sciatica pain on both left and right sides. How do I run? well, it took a long time to get to that point, lots of walking, etc. I do not run on concrete. My surgeon said running was ok, I swim three times a week too, and do all I can to strengthen my core. Running just seems to shift things around in my back in a good way, it gets my heart and lungs working and releases endorphins that make me feel really great. I think all the work I do now will help prepare me for surgery in and make it easier to pick back up the routine post op, instead of trying to begin one.

Healing is a very slow process and meditation has helped me as well. I'm only 30 years old, too young for strong the meds I was prescribed and still optimistic enough that I can have another 30 years without pain and full of positive experiences and happiness, as long as I find the strength to take care now and make the necessary life adjustments. Looking forward to the possibility that I will sleep well again in a few more months, but also currently into the present moment and living mindfully right now, something that is impossible to do using these drugs.

Stay clean, keep your feet on the ground and head in this reality, bear it and find another way, to resolve your pain issues. These drugs are bad and will make you unhappy in the long run. All my love to all of you considering cessation, or going through the withdrawal process right now. I do not believe in drugs, even prescribed by doc pharmys. Stay sober folks, drugs are drugs no matter the context.