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

I titrated from 75mgs, to 50mgs for three dys...25 for 3 dys, then every other day for 3 days. Had no trouble getting off except the pain got progressivly worse as I went down. It did help me ubt had some bad side effects. Lots of swelling, more confusion than normal with my brain damage, and eye sight problems. So very glad to be off the stuff. Hope all goes well for you Nancy as you get off. froggie

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

Razzle is so right...need doc to say so. Mine gave my formular I used.

Nancy, last year I was on Lyrica at 300mg/day. To wean myself off, the doc had me reduce by 50mg every two weeks.

After foot surgery last fall and having things go crazy, I'm back on Lyrica. I was up to 600mg/day, but it was a bit too much for me to handle. So now I'm at 500mg/day and doing better. My doc says the nerve damage in my foot could take up to two years to completely heal, so I may be on the Lyrica for quite some time.

Please don't stop on your own. And for heaven's sake, don't just stop taking it all together. You could risk causing yourself to have a seizure.

Ask your doc what he/she feels is the best schedule to follow.

I agree on the doc thing. But when I talked to my PC, he told me it was safe to go off of it faster than the taper he calculated, as long as I didn't have any bad effects. So I managed to get off in half the time I would have. But please, you do what you are comfortable with. Don't take chances without thorough consideration. And be safe. Good luck and God bless!

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.

I've been taking lyrica for nere pain and am trying to quit cold turkey. Have you been able to stay off of Lyrica. I've tried to quit b/f without success in the long term.

I took 150 mg per day for one year and stopped it suddenly (ordered by my doc).

2 days I felt "weird". Doc put me in B-complex pills and I feel perfect. No pain, I could sleep, no tremors, no depression, no bad dreams... nothing. Actually felt better than when taking the Lyrica (which also helped me alot.)

Good luck !

HI Nancy

I am also on Lyrica and have been for 4 years .

I am on 600mgs (300mg twice a day), the highest rec dose. I was on an extra 100mg at night but off that now. Awaiting further consults before thinking of coming down on it.

Take care Nancy as with all drugs you must be careful and slowly reduce the amount in consultation with your Doctor. Some people may have no problems others it can be a bumpy road.
I understand about the side effects from being on it, the appetite, the weight increase, sleepiness, dry eyes, poor concentration. Have all of them but something have to live with or live with more pain.
Remember the effects for one can be different for another.

Hx