lyrica withdrawal
 

I started on Lyrica about 8 weeks ago for what was felt to be cervical radiculopathy in both arms with neck pain. MRI and Xrays were consistent with this. Started on 75mg per day then 2 times a day and about 3-4 weeks ago went through a 2 week period where I was on 200-300 per day in 2-3 doses. Came off it abruptly 12 days ago for one day in an attempt to localize my pain for an upcoming visit with my Ortho surgeon. I experienced numbness, tingling, and stinging pain everywhere but worse in the hands and feet. I took 75mg that night before bed and went straight to my primary care doc to be worked up for neuropathy or other conditions. MRI brain and thoracic cord showed no evidence of MS. EMG/NCV essentially normal. Rheumatologic workup negative except positive ANA but that can be present in some normal people. Since that initial attempt at abrupt withdrawal I have tapered but rather fast. From almost 150 two times a day 12 days ago to 25mg two times a day now. I still have some numbness, tingling but primarily all the nerves seem jumpy, particularly the sciatic almost like I can't take a long stride when I walk. A little irritability in the jaw muscles moreso on one side. I have insomnia and anxiety but no nausea. My main concern is, are these symptoms consistent with coming down off Lyrica. I hope this is cervical radiculopathy with lyrics withdrawal/tapering as I don't want to have some of the conditions that many of you may suffer from such as Fibromyalgia or Neuropathy. Please tell me if anyone has experienced these symptoms when coming down off Lyrica.
Thank you

Hi mconklin, welcome.

There are several current threads on Lyrica dependence/withdrawal—here—and on other forums.

You can find the others (and more older threads) via the Search function.

You can also find more on Lyrica withdrawal symptoms via google.

lyrica withdrawal symptoms

Doc

Lyrica withdrawal
 

When you have problems withdrawing from Lyrica it's very important to do a very slow taper. Reducing your dose by 10% every month works for most people. And when there comes a month withdrawal symptoms still break through, just increase the dose by 10% back again and you should be fine.
When you feel you are still going too fast you can stay at a certain dose for a month longer, it will only take some more time till you are there.

**

This taper will last about a year, but it will prevent you from going through hell.
Lyrica withdrawal can be just as bad (or even worse) as benzo withdrawal, so take it slow and take your time.

Good luck!

Lyrica with drawal going through hell
 

Hi Everyone , So I'm not alone. Been on Lyrica 3 months at least for neuropathic pain . Two weeks ago starting to experience strange sensation all over , twitching uncontrolled jerking about , unable to think tension in neck and crushing pains in head. I saw the doc with my wife as I could not remember things . I think I must have missed some meds as I could not remember . My GP said must come off gradual but still getting bad reactions . Feel scared . Heart thumps at times headaches everyday , back of neck thumps a times too, difficult to function. IBS started , TMJD worse . Head feels as if being crushed. Sorry if this not reading well but difficult to concentrate . Does all this ring a bell with anyone else ?

Regards

Nick