Hope floats.

I see you must have been going through some horrendous experiences.
I hope you are getting help now, and can slowly get back to a better handle on the terrific pain that neuropathy can cause.

I must say, I have never heard about such a high dose of Lyrica. I thought the absolute maximum daily dose was 600 mg, ( 350 mg being the mostly max used) Was it your neurologist that managed the prescription ?

I have been taking Lyrica for about 1 1/2 year for neuropathy pain.
( The doctor put me on Neurontin at first, but that was quickly stopped due to feeling dizzy and "high" ( if that is what I felt. I, just like you have never taken any kind of drugs or alcohol, so I do not know what it means) I did not like the feeling of being like that Out of control.

The Lyrica has really helped my neuropathy pain, and I have tolerated it well. That is except for ONE thing, and this one thing, I have been thinking, could be due to Lyrica:

I have been getting some strange night episodes when I wake up and feel like something is pounding inside. Then I feel an extreme warmth that starts at one part of the body, and it slowly spreads to other area, one by one. It often ends up with a extreme internal heat inside my head.

I have been explaining this to my neurologists ( have been seing 3 - 4 of them in consultations) I have had different tests, the cause of this has not been found, other than the fact that I think it is the Lyrica.

I went to the Mayo Clinic, the neurologist there could not diagnose it other than she said it sounds like a panic attack. I did get upset with this, and told her that I do not feel anxious in general ( other than a little due to lack of diagnosis, and due to everlasting neuropathy pain and burning)

I was sent to a epilepsy neurologist and had 72 hour EEG monitoring for seizures, but luckily negative.

All this I am telling has been while I am still on Lyrica. I have been told that it is very important to take Lyrica with regular intervals so that the drug level stays the same in the blood stream at all times.

I read all your horrible withdrawal symptoms, and I started to compare.
But first, I must say, I do not have the stuff you are mentioning.

So now I have come to think, that this strange night episodes could some sort of withdrawal symptoms during the night if the level gets low( ??)

I am planning to try to stop Lyrica. And I have discussed it with my doctor.
I will have to, just to be able to confirm or dismiss the idea that the night symptoms is due to Lyrica.

Other than this night symptom, I am really doing well on Lyrica. But I do not think that it is a med one should be on for long term.
At present they think they have found the cause of my neuropathy, Rheumatoid Arthritis. And I have been actively treated for that for some time, hoping the neuropathy will lessen, but so far not.

I hope you will be well soon. I hope you have a good neurologist that can help you through the withdrawal and help you treat your neuropathy.

What's wrong with good old fashioned Tylenol? Unless of course your pain is an injury then forget it. Sounds like you were injured, :(

Best thing to do is STOP!! Stop all the pill popping and let your body get over all this. Stop listening to doctors!

... best not to stop any medication suddenly though. :)

Always ask your doctor.

I was also on lyrica but did not know how hard it was to go off it and without seeking advice I just stopped it but went through 3 weeks of hell even though I was on many other pain killers some of which are very high pain killers, my dr went mad when he heard what I had done as you are supposed to go off them really slow,
I really feel for you.

So sorry to read about your issues. I also take Lycira for chronic pelvic nerve pain & I too have weird trippy sensations & sometimes complete amnesia which can sometimes stretch for hours. I think being able to hear my own eyeballs when they move is the most bizarre. They do very little for the pain, so after reading about your nightmare, I think I will speak to my doc about a slow withdrawal. Its bizarre how much these medications that are intended to help, end up causing added stress & problems. I hope you get the help you need both with your pain & medication issues...

It can also cause liver damage, especially when used longterm or in higher than recommended doses.

Some people (self included) have little choice if they cannot take NSAIDs, so I take NAC to try to mitigate liver stress.

Doc

Laura I know how you feel. I'm going threw withdrawals right now and feel the same as you did. How long did it take to withdrawal? Help scared

Lyrica strikes again
 

G'day
My tolerance to Lyrica was so bad I could hardly get off base doses. Yet even coming off that gave me miniversions of these common symptoms

I have also seen the bad side of Lyrica in full effect in another Fibro sufferer

I think it is wise to look at some of the more medically-orientated drug and alcohol withdrawl/detox sites. Their general info on getting through withdrawls may offer some relevant ideas.

Also - it seems unless I have misread, there is much self-medicating happening here. Adding this, overdosing that, suddenly ceasing the other... I am going to have to say, of course your body and mind are going through hades. While I am not reading that this is a cause of your conditions, I would be concerned that such a cluster of such strong meds with such a range of impactful effects and side-effects may increase or intensify some of the experieces you are suffering.

Some people say, "Stop listening to doctors" but sometimes when suffering so long with such little effective support we get used to selfmanaging. It has its traps though, too.

If I have misread, please excuse my reply.

One thing I can advise is to try to, "Reality Check" as much as you need. Just to refocus on the reasons you are experiencing this and the reality that if you keep fighting, withdrawls receed and pass. Do it yourself, and ask those closest to you to call a, "Reality Check" if you are losing focus. A good ally who is aware of what is happening for you can be better than a pill...

Good luck!!

I've read so many horrors of this Lyrica drug, I wouldn't touch it if it were free.
And taking Lyrica is hardly self medicating, it's handed out by the docs. I woke up in the 80's to the dangers of the RX drugs.

Tapering off of Lyrica/Pregabalin
 

I'm a 64 year old male that was put on lyrica 14 months ago for neuropathy pain in my legs and OA in the lumbar region of my back. The lyrica was prescribed by my neurologist.

I've put on 80 pounds in those 14 months. My PCP wants me off this drug. Due to the weight gain, I'm on blood thinners (due to a clot in my right calf muscle) and high pressure medication. Lyrica has ruined my quality of life. I was only taking 225 mgs a day and having tapered to 100 mgs a day over a two month period. I'm now getting nasty anxiety in the afternoon and evening. I have suffered with generalized anxiety disorder all my life and currently take 200 mg of zoloft. My PCP has prescribed Xanax (.5 mg, 3 times a day) to help with the anxiety but I don't want to replace one problem drug with another.

I plan on doing water titration for the final 100 mgs by tapering 10% per month. I hope to finally get off this medication once and for all. This medication should be banned.