Getting off of Lyrica

Chica43 · 08-12-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah Mae

My doctor had me go off of it the exact same way I went on it... I went from 75 mg 3 times a day down to 50 mgs 3 times a day for 5 days... and then 50 mgs 2 times a day for 2 days and then stopped. The problem with Lyrica is that as far as I know, it's all capsules, not tablets that can be broken.. I was only on it about 3 weeks this last time, so I was still using samples from my doctor (because my insurance has a fit when we try to get them to pay for Lyrica... so my doctor gave samples to see if it would work first) so I had access to both the 75 mg capsules and the 50 mg capsules. I'm not sure how that would work in your situation--are your pills 175 mg capsules? Or do you take 2 or 3 of a certain strength to get to 175? Without a doctor giving you the correct pills to wean off of it, it will impossible if all you have is a 175 mg capsule... unless someone out there knows something I don't--such as breaking them open, but as far as I know, that can't be done.

Thank you Sarah Mae. I do have access to 25mg capsules as I have been taking one 150mg plus one 25mg to get to the 175mg dosage. And...I have been known to open a capsule to pour some out and get it back together!!! I believe that now, thanks to you, I can formulate a plan to decrease my dosage in a safe manner.

smae · 08-12-2010, 11:38 AM

Oh, okay! Well that is good, I guess. Of course, I would still suggest asking a doctor, because I have no medical training--but I know you said that isn't really an option. I hope you are able to figure it out and work your way off of it with no problems! Good luck.

Chica43 · 08-12-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah Mae

Oh, okay! Well that is good, I guess. Of course, I would still suggest asking a doctor, because I have no medical training--but I know you said that isn't really an option. I hope you are able to figure it out and work your way off of it with no problems! Good luck.

Thank you for your replies.

tracypalinsky · 09-25-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancy-h

Good Monday to you All!

Has anyone here been taken off of Lyrica after you have been on it a while? If so, what procedure was followed to taper off? I take 300 mgs. twice a day. This 600 mgs. is not normally recommended but then again, I'm not normal. HA!

Help, anyone?

NANCY-H

Hey Nancy, I am Tracy and been on Lyrica and it was 600mg and did not work but I gained 30 pounds!! I have nerve damage and take methadone and OPANA. Feel better.

jennaferg · 11-24-2010, 05:03 AM

Hi there - my name is Jenna. I am 24 and in a very desperate state as I suffer from severe pain due to my Neuropathy (been a type 1 diabetic for nearly five years). I take 600mg Lyrica per day and find it gives me a bit of relief but terrible side effects. I get headaches, nausea, muscle spasms, tearfulness, constipation, aching body, flu-like symptoms, and practically spend all afternoon lying down and sleep as much as possible. I have NO energy whatsoever and feel like my body has been kidnapped!! I have been on Lyrica for about 4 months now and have lost my appetite too. (Dropped from 51kgs - 44.5kgs) Can anyone relate to these syptoms? I am wanting so desperately to wean myself off Lyrica but am worried I'll need it too much. Any advise would be good.

bruegger84 · 11-26-2010, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pfizer Hater

I quit Lyrica. I tapered down from 300 mg over 5 weeks. Then another two weeks of absolute HELL.

I've suffered from fibromyalgia for nearly 18 years. I was on Lyrica for 13 months. After the initial loopiness and scary leg swelling, I started working out and the leg swelling disappeared. I got strong again and felt almost normal. It was wonderful until I got a lung infection and became very depressed and suicidal.

I'm thinking, "I'm not suicidal..." so I checked my meds, and sure enough, Lyrica has suicidal thoughts listed as well as infections. I was also experiencing blurred vision as well. That was 6 MONTHS AGO!!!

Since then, I've lost my income and become basically un-functional. Homelessness is just around the corner. My doctors think I may have a brain tumor or cyst. Just before I started tapering off, I started getting headaches. They've gotten worse. I'm poor so approval for an MRI is taking weeks. I may die first.

(FDA approval was delayed because Lyrica causes tumors in mice. Pfizer convinced them that was just because of high doses.)

To taper off, I took Soma - a muscle relaxer. It really helped until I ran out. By then, I was bedridden and of no mind to manage to get a refill so I suffered through the last two weeks.

If anyone hears of a lawsuit, let me know. I'd like to join in. Lyrica is extremely addictive - even after the free sample period. It only works for a few people. I read an estimate that only 15% will be helped - but nearly everyone who tries it will get hooked and have to suffer the withdrawals. If you go cold turkey, your brain could swell - this has been documented.

Shame of Pfizer. Shame on the FDA. The advent of Lyrica is nothing short of criminal abuse of the already suffering.

I wish I'd never heard of it. I would advise everyone to avoid this poison at all costs.

i completely agree with you, and pfizer has being doing too much of this bulls** lately. are they also the makers of slurroquel. anyways harleygirl and pfizer i completely agree this drug is the worst.

and for that guy that said hey lyrica is like baby aspirin. don't start there guy. i mean for one, the longer you're on lyrica, the more the lyrica demon possesses you, and also the more you're withdrawals are gonna feel like the spawn of hell.

there's only a select few drugs out there, that can make the withdrawal from lyrica, somewhat pleasant and they are some antidepressants, savella possibly, topamax(another AED), valium, xanax. and quite possibly a few other AEDs besides trileptal or tegretol(both are extremely depressing)

i got so depressed going off lyrica, i didnt want to kill myself, but literally felt like a zombie dead person.

PS B vitamins and magnesium chloride may be a little helpful too.

jumeck · 01-13-2011, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razzle51

Never take yourself off meds . Please contact your dr. to help you get off

I wish that advice were applicable for all. Ultimately you have to assess the condition of whatever medical condition you have, and the dosage of whatever medicine you are being prescribed for the illness, if you feel the need to go "cold turkey". Personally, I have had to take myself completely off 3 different meds due to extreme adverse side effects. Lyrica was one of those meds. After Lyrica built up in myself I stopped feeling emotions completely, and even though not tired, I would sleep all day. I literally didn't care about anything, I told my doctor about the situation multiple times and he told me to take half the dosage. When blisters started developing in my mouth, and I began to have hot flashes I had to go with my best judgement, which was throwing out the Lyrica. (I had SJS reaction from a medication in 2004 and going through that hell is something I'll never allow happen again.) I have had some Diarrhea from stopping so abruptly, but I'm beginning to feel normal again, and no other odd reactions. I've had to the same with Tramadol, and Tegretol. I have Trigeminal Neuralgia and would prefer a traditional narcotic pain killer any day over these newer meds that have almost killed me.

cindyartist3 · 02-12-2011, 04:30 AM

Hi my name is Cindy. Let me tell you about Lyrica. I have been trying to get off that crap for weeks now. I have had insane headaches, and I cannot sleep worth beans. But, and I mean but, the worst thing to happen to me is not the sweating, and hard time breathing, but suffering from TIA, or mini-stroke caused by Lyrica. Omg, if you can find another way to cope with Neuopathic or Chronic pain, people, please find some other way besides Lyrica. Lyrica = Stroke, stroke = death.

lebelvedere · 02-12-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindyartist3

Hi my name is Cindy. Let me tell you about Lyrica. I have been trying to get off that crap for weeks now. I have had insane headaches, and I cannot sleep worth beans. But, and I mean but, the worst thing to happen to me is not the sweating, and hard time breathing, but suffering from TIA, or mini-stroke caused by Lyrica. Omg, if you can find another way to cope with Neuopathic or Chronic pain, people, please find some other way besides Lyrica. Lyrica = Stroke, stroke = death.

Hello, Cindy and all the others: Hard time breathing, sweating, short term memory loss (you go into a room and don't remember why you are there), feeling beaten and tired, confused -- well, I had all those symptoms and more, then cut my dose (doctor suggested it) from 150 to 100 mg per day, after which things got better. You people who take 300 and more, I don't see how you are still alive. Lyrica, on the other hand, did stop incredible pain in my right leg that drove me to try to kill myself; so, in a way, it saved my life. Getting used to it was pure hell for 2 weeks, so I imagine that trying to get off it would be the same.

I did try to stop Lyrica entirely, to see what would happen. Sure enough, the pain in my leg returned. I'll try again soon, and see once more. I hear that nerves fix themselves slowly, over time; I don't know about that. Maybe that's something some of us should try from time to time -- drop Lyrica, and see what happens.

As for cutting the pills, I still have some 75 mg pills left. Every so often, I take a knife and cut one in half, take it in the morning plus a 50mg at night. Seems to work O.K.

Does somebody out there know the pros and cons of Lyrica versus Elavil? I'd love to hear about them. Thanks ever so much.

Tom

gabbycakes · 02-13-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindyartist3

Hi my name is Cindy. Let me tell you about Lyrica. I have been trying to get off that crap for weeks now. I have had insane headaches, and I cannot sleep worth beans. But, and I mean but, the worst thing to happen to me is not the sweating, and hard time breathing, but suffering from TIA, or mini-stroke caused by Lyrica. Omg, if you can find another way to cope with Neuopathic or Chronic pain, people, please find some other way besides Lyrica. Lyrica = Stroke, stroke = death.

Hi Cindyartist2,

I had a terrible time with Lyrica. Luckily the problem was weight gain and it was qucik,fast and alot. I was only on it for 4-5 months gaind 70lbs and I'm not kidding it was that much. Took me a year and 1/2 to lose it never again. Truly I find the less I take the better I feel it took me quite a time to figure this out.

Good Luck,

Gabbycakes

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