NeuroTalk Support Groups - Lyrica Withdrawal

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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..

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyricahelp (Post 908093)

Traditional western medicine clearly has not been working as my doctors have provided no support or help in the lyrica withdrawals.

I would say that clearly the doctors you have seen may not have been working, but to condemn the whole system for the failures of the limited few that you've seen seems rash.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by razzle51 (Post 908193)

the person who started this post never came back on. wondered if they started Lyrica or tapered off..

They said they had tapered off over several months initially. It's not that uncommon for one-time posts/posters, but I think there is still something to be gained for others who find and/or contribute to the thread over time.

Doc

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyesWideOpen (Post 908946)

This is encouraging! Thank you for the update. It's really great to hear there is a light at the end of the tunnel :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by quitlyricalive (Post 903762)

I quit pretty much cold turkey and was not concerned about seizures. I was taking 450mg/day then down to 300mg for almost a month, then after a week of breaking open 150mg capsules I became impatient and felt I was just dragging out the withdrawal and if I was going to suffer I would just go ahead and do it..

I was only on Lyrica 2-3 months tops, and the duration of my withdrawal has now eclipsed the length of time I was on the drug—just a neat little fact.. I quit 6/6/12, today is my three month Lyrica withdrawal anniversary, unbelievable really, but time passes and we slowly recover.

This past week I started taking 50mg of Trazadone at night because the insomnia and depression were making life really difficult and had been for so long, I bombed a career job opportunity a few weeks ago, that I really needed because I was such a wreck at the interview, could not retain information, anxiety, etc. the list goes on, it was awful. But I could still write and that’s how I go the interview. Anyway, Trazadone has really helped me. I was hesitant taking it because I don’t want to be on anything, in the next few days I’ll let off the Trazadone a few nights and see where I’m at—either coincidentally I recovered from withdrawal at the same time I began taking the Trazadone regularly, or it is really helping me--I take a third of a pill/prescribed dosage before bed, 50mg. Trazadone if not like addictive sleep drugs, it’s pretty light.

As I have mentioned in the past I have been doing a lot of exercising, I know many of you were using Lyrica for chronic pain issues like I was, so being active my sound like an impossibility, I myself though it was impossible to come back as far a I have, I agreed to Lyrica when I was crawling because of acute sciatica pain. I run and do a cross-trainer at the YMCA, 2-4 miles a day. Lately I began lifting weights and doing strength training, and it’s incredible, the full body thing really combats the electrified withdrawal symptoms and the release of endorphins helps to curb the severe depression and anxiety related to Lyrica discontinuation. Being with people is good too, good music, and water, but if you can get you muscles working and cardio, etc. Do it! It’s so good. Start slow and easy and build up. I meditate like mad too.

I’m actually to the point where I am almost thankful for this period of suffering Lyrica has put me through. I grew in a lot of ways that I always wanted to but probably never would have if I hadn’t gone through this experience, physical maintenance being one of these.
I feel really good right now. I am certain all of you will again too, you just have to hang in there. Another month and I think I might be over this beast--that will be four months recovery time.

One more thing, I read online was that in some cases the nerve pain did not come back when patients stopped using Lyrica, like I said, it was online so take it with a grain of salt, however, the acute pain I was experiencing never returned. I have been very active though.

Happygolucky, where's your pool at? Good job on your three weeks, you sound great, like you have a grip and will make it! Thanks for everything you share.

Hope all is well with everyone.
QLL

I took Lyraca for only 2-3 weeks. I noticed that the medicine caused me to completely wake up from a dead sleep and I was so dizzy and nautious. Since Lyraca was the only think that had changed in daily regiment, I knew that it must be the culprit. I stopped taking the meds completely and fortunately for me, I only experienced insomnia with some nausea. I cannot believe that this medication has had the side effects that all all of you have experienced! Why would a doctor give this with these type of side effects. I'm writing in response to one specific statement. I was given Lyraca for burning and pain in my feet and hands. After taking it for only 2-3 weeks, the burning and pain had stopped plus the side effects were frightening so I stopped the meds. It has been 6 weeks and I still have NO BURNING and NO PAIN! I'm not counting my chickens yet but so far so good. So, in response to your statement about reading that some people's symptoms do no return, currnetly, I am one of those people. Just hope that it continues!

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.

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:

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyesWideOpen (Post 910075)

4 months came and went, my body is dependent on trazadone, 50mg a night, now. the withdrawal, was ruining my life to much and i intervened with the traz.. so really i have made myself irrelevant to this thread, as I am not detoxing without help. skipped a dose of traz and went depersonalized craziness. if someone told me the ***** i tell people i've experienced, or what i utter as i'm experiencing it, during this withdrawal, i would have laughed and thought they were crazy. remember, i took lyrica for 2.5 months, and tramadol at the same time. these are serious drugs folks!! sorry for the rant, sometimes I just feel impatient. take care everyone, much love.

Going to see a real psychiatrist soon.

Eyes, keep us updated.

peace