Elvanse and Pregabalin

[Jack120396]

Hi everyone. I hope you are all well.

I’ve been taking pregabalin to manage anxiety for a year now. 6 months ago I started treatment for adhd using Elvanse/ Vyvanse and Amfexa. My pregabalin just doesn’t seem to work anymore. The dose is currently 400mg a day.

I’m irritable, anxious, I have intrusive thoughts, I get so angry at things which wouldn’t have bothered me before. It’s just so sudden. Like was incredibly challenging recently but seems to be a little less stressful so I am counting that into the mix.

I just wondered if anybody has any similar experience with pregabalin not helping and if it could be related to use of stimulant meds. Any insight is welcome!

We are also looking into an autism diagnosis as I have been made aware this may share symptoms.

Thanks

[mrsm68]

Just a thought, but if the Pregabalin was working then it’s possible that the Elv/Vyv is causing you to be irritable and anxious rather than the Pregabalin not working anymore.

[Tlosman369 in reply to mrsm68]

Lyrica is not for anxiety. It is prImariLy

For fibromyalgia and other nerve pain

[mrsm68 in reply to Tlosman369]

The OP said that they were taking it for anxiety 🤷‍♀️.

[Jack120396 in reply to Tlosman369]

I’m no health professional, but the person who prescribed it is. It’s used for anxiety

[Tlosman369 in reply to Jack120396]

does it help the anxiety?

[Jack120396 in reply to Tlosman369]

that’s my question. It was a godsend when k first started it. It cut my anxiety in half, so the rest of it I could manage myself. But I am struggling now, wondered if anybody had advice.

[Wheedle123 in reply to Tlosman369]

i find it amazing for anxiety

[Tlosman369]

not sure

[Hominid711]

Jack,This really is one I would trust no other than a psychiatrist or physician with the answer. The issue is complex and takes time to explore, not just from a biochemical perspective.

Do NOT rely on anything I say below as a substitute.

You are obviously taking Pregabalin already at a relatively high dose which doesn't mean it is safe. You may have an undiagnosed - OR diagnosed(?) - condition reducing tolerability e.g. reduced renal function, addiction/recreational use of alc or other drugs, diabetes etc etc necessitating a psychiatrist's/other doctor's input.

Also, it is only one of many drugs indicated for generalised anxiety disorder and not at all a first choice here in the UK.

You know you can develop dependence i.e. it can reduce its effect on you over time and to combat withdrawal anxiety/low mood you may crave and take higher doses which as a fact becomes dangerous at some point - see warnings in the patient information leaflet and above.

(in fact, read the leaflet very carefully and especially when it comes to dos and don'ts. They should add don't rely on lay persons and especially not on ADHD folk in forums!! Now, I haven't said that YOU do OK?)

Lisdexamfetamine/Elvanse/Vyvanse/other stimulants can also increase your agitation and/or anxiety plus minus depression if you are wired that way in moderate to higher yet still licensed/recommended doses which you will also see when you look at the patient information leaflet that btw comes with EVERY medication and which many of us don't seem to consult before asking our ADHD mates here.

So it depends on a multitude of things, namely but obviously not exhaustively doses for both drugs, comorbidities, age, dependence/addiction (and please everyone, do not look at the word from a view of political correctness in this context), alternatives, etc etc (sorry, my mind is on other things so can't think of more) and even then there's probably paucity of data keeping you safe.

Call your psychiatrist, GP, neurologist but call.

[Hominid711]

PS from a health professional who after 30y in the business is none the wiser

[WarriorPrincess26]

What Hominid711 said!

Pregabalin has been known to be used "off label" for anxiety. But usually around the 150mg dose - not 400mg. More doesn't always equal greater control of anxiety.

I'm no health professional myself. But have had experience and done a fair bit of research into the medications I've been prescribed over the years. 400mg sounds like a very high dose. I was originally on 25mg! But, I'm assuming your health provider has prescribed this for a reason. The first point of call would definitely be a psychiatrist over and above anything, as they technically, should be the better qualified person to advise regarding drug doses, symptoms, side effects and, above all else, drug interactions. It sounds like a definite interaction between the Pregabalin and the Vyvanse, if the timings match up.

It may be time for a review and modification of your doses. Personally 400mg sounds way to high. Sometimes, after being on meds for both ADHD and Anxiety (as I have been and still am), you may find once the ADHD meds have kicked in, a change to the Anxiety meds is needed. I've had to decrease my Zoloft (Sertraline) from 100mg to 25mg alongside my 40mg Vyvanse, due to severe apathy (numbness, lack of emotional feelings towards things - both positive and negative).

Does the person who prescribed you the pregabalin know you are taking the ADHD meds as well? Dumb question maybe. But it needs to be factored in to your treatment plan as a whole.

Good luck!