I was on Lyrica for about a week and started gaining weight. Gained 17 lbs in no time. I still have about 10 of that to get off and can't. The side effects were horrible too. My feeling is that if you gain up to 60 lbs. on a med, and that's what I have seen as an average on here and from people I have talked to then to me, it's not worth it to take. Putting on so much weight puts you in a catagory of getting more medical problems, so it's a no win situation.

I just went off of Crestor cold turkey last month and the side effects from doing that was horrible. I went off of my Methadone cold turkey last year and didn't have any of the side effects I had from the Crestor.

I do agree with Pete on this medication thing. I think the kickbacks are so great on some of the worst ones that they hand them out like candy without trying any thing else. My step-son told me yesterday he went to the Dr. for his shoulder thinking they would give him a shot in it to help it and they gave him narcotics and muscle relaxers. Triggerpoint injections do help a lot of things, also PT, blocks. No kickbacks on these things though.

Ali, I am glad that you are doing better. I hope you can get that extra weight off. I started walking again to try and get mine back down.

Ada

Hello,

I have never done this posting stuff but this may help you...

In Late February I severely pinched off some nerves in my neck at work and was in really BAD pain...I am an recovering alcoholic so I had to make a calculated decision with my sponsor to start the strong pain management routine including the usage of Norco and,eventually, after about (1) month, Lyrica. I eventually got up to Mg each evening (leading up to what the "then" doctor I had would be Mg mid- day).

To make this story short, after 2-3 months of treatment for my injury, the Lyrica was making me so sleepy and groggy I wanted to stop. One day I fell asleep early on the couch and missed my nightly dose...The next day, while at work I was in light to moderate withdrawal including sweats / light shakes, coupled with EXTREME energy loss. I made it through the day and collapsed on the couch, thinking I would get up shortly, and fell asleep...I woke-up at 5:00 and was VERY nauseated and could not catch my breath...I had a acute panic attack! I remembered / knew I didn't take the Lyrica so I took it and about 30 minutes later I slept.

That was about 4 weeks ago- I am ALMOST done with this stuff! (Oh thank GOD-it.Has.Been.a.struggle!) Although it is not narcotic and you don't "feel" it directly, it is VERY strong, and for me, is very uncomfortable to stop! Lyrica has also apparently made me DEEPLY depressed...

Anything else, Just ask

Greg

Have you contacted your PM and told him or her about this. If not, please do so. Every anti convulsant, to my knowledge, needs to be gradually stopped.

Thank you.

This post was made last year so thankfully, I am no longer suffering from the withdrawal symptoms. It was absolutely horrible coming off the Lyrica and I have heard that withdrawal symptoms are common on that drug unfortunately.

I think my doctor took me off the Lyrica way too soon but i'm not sure. It took ages for me to get it out of my system and for the withdrawal symptoms to stop!

Thank you for your post though - i'm sure it will help someone else in the future!

My neurologist did not warn me how truly addictive Lyrica is. He said 'tapir off of it slowly". I was on 300mg twice daily. Over 3 weeks I reduced to one 75mg a day. I stayed on that for three days, then nothing. Within 3 days I had (are you ready):

etremely hot in head/core while feet ice cold, migranous (photophobic) headache, yellow diarrhea, poor sleep, PERSISTANT ANXIETY, memory loss, inability to respond to questions, dizziness, vertigo, mood swings/crying, focus on death and loss, bruxism/jaw pain, low back and shoulder pain, and, of course, depression.

On the plus side, my foot burnig was not worse. It was about the same as before I started the med.

Neurologists should never start this med. without a very clear and exact path for getting off of it. Tight supervision must be a given. This med. as prescribed today is very dangerous.

Well hi Alison, I just got the script today for Lyrica kinda scared to take it does it help you? There r some really bad side affects but thry all have side affects.. Sorry I can't help you take care .....

Hi,

As you know with Lyrica orgasm are difficult to achieve, in some cases I used to push myself for hours to attain climax.

I had been taking lyrica for a year and i stopped 2 weeks ago. I am a 33 yrs old male.

Problem: since i stopped taking lyrica, i started feeling some of the withdawel side effects such as: dizziness, drouziness, anxiaety, trouble breathing. ESPECIALLY AFTER HAVING AN ORGASM. (if i do not have an orgasm for a while all withdrawal effects cool down)

shall i worry?

this is very annoying and i am seeking help!
thanks,
sam

Hi Alison,
I too am coming off Lyrica, (300MG per day) and yes I am crying all the time, irritable, sad, very depressed and generally just miserable. So you are not alone! Let us be strong and we will get through this. My Dr. has switched my medication to something called Savella....which I hope has a better outcome for myself and my pain and depression.
Good luck to you!

Vicki

I got headaches, anxiousness, and my temper was more volatile than usual.

ali12, I was weaned off very slowly(lyrica does come in 25mg- and i dropped 25mg every week until off. I didnt have any side effects but my pain/burning definately increased. I was eventually put back on it. I find it works great for RSD pain but i hate the side effects from it. best of luck. momof4