Has any one here taken Lyrica and experienced withdrawl symtems when going off or cutting down dose? I was put on Lyrica about a year ago. I was taking 150 mg 4 times a day. My insurance last month decided they would only pay for 2 pill a day. I was not tapered off slowly I just went from 4 a day to 2 a day.
I got very sick. I didn't connect it to the Lyrica at first. i was bed ridden it was that bad. severe diarea and stomach cramps, cold sweats, I was very weak. And of course the horrible burning pain because of cutting down on the Lyrica. I decided to take 3 pills a day and when I ran out see the Dr. when I did that I got better, but I would get the diarea and cramps every few weeks. when I finally ran out I went to the Dr. (he treats the nerve damage which he says is from dibetes) I was very sick I still had not connected the stomach problem with the lyrica. He gave me a prescription for the diarea and one for the cramps. He didn't order any tests. when i told him I was still in so much pain because 2 pills a day of the lyrica was't enough. he just said he couldn't do anything about it because of the insurance (which is Medicare) and that it would only get worse because they were cutting everything back. So I left there with no help or hope. I will not go back to him again.
I made an appt with the dr I see for the fybro. she gave me samples of lyrica to get me through till I could fill my prescription and told me to talk to my insurance and tell them I needed more. I don't think I want to take it any more. I can't take just 2 pills a day without going through horrible withdrawls and it's like the drs don't have a clue.
Has anyone else experienced this? I have talked to one other person who said her sister who has fybro was on Lyrica and if she ran out experienced the same symtoms. I want to find out if this is common and if so why the drs aren't warning us of this and why I was not tapered off slowly.
Thanks in advance for any info you might have

Gosh, I am soooo sorry Mapa. It gets me really angry when the doctors do this to people. Sometimes, I think they don't even know. I haven't been on Lyrica, but, I was on Neurontin which is almost the same thing. When I had to get off of it, I had a very hard time with withdraw. I have also talked with other people who had the same problem. I honestly don't know why the doctors don't tell people about that problem, and then, just let them suffer like that. I hope you will get through this, and find a way to fill your med. Have you checked into a free drug program for people who can't afford it?? Sending you lots of sssss and prayer.....

Here is a link with several pharmaceutical companies medication assistance programs...

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread13042.html

Lyrica is made by Pfizer...
http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/default.aspx

Hope this helps.

Abbie