Pregabalin

[laurenx95]

So I’ve been put on pregabalin twice a day but I have to come if my anti depressants for my anxiety as they don’t work together well. The doctor said the pregabalin are also used for anxiety too as they are licensed to do so but I’ve been on citalopram for a while and they work very well. I’m worried about changing in case my mental health deteriorates again but I’m hoping they do work for my pain and anxiety!

[fluff26]

Hi Lauren, my name is Mandy and have been suffering fibro and osteoarthritis for many ,many years. I was put on Pregabalin about 12 years ago, along with other pain meds like Ibuprofen,Tramodol and CoCodamol . Pregabalin can help with your pain, but over the years they up the dose ,as your pain increases. I am on 600mg a day now, but every day is still full of pain. All I wanted to say is that your mental health is so ,so important. My other half suffers from depression, so I understand how relevant the correct medication is for him. If your meds make you feel well in yourself, then personally, coming off them seems silly. Pain meds are equally hard to wean yourself off, and, if I could go back to the time before Pregabalin, I would. Please think carefully before giving up the citalopram, as I believe eventually we all become immune to these pain meds, and then you have to try and cope with the pain anyway. I often wonder if I'd get just as much pain relief from a couple of paracetamol and ibuprofen on their own, so hopefully will wean myself , [along with docs help] off all the tramadol ,pregabalin and cocodamol. this is just my honest opinion. take care of yourself. luv Mandy XX

[Hidden]

laurenx95 I wish doctors would leave well alone on this type of drug if you are taking other meds for other conditions, they really upset the apple cart! Did you try conventional pain relief before going over to anti epileptic drugs- because thats what pregab and gabapent are? Somewhere it was found that these drugs relieve pain-YES they do AFTER a siezure or fit which cause immense head and body pain! I was asked to trial them 3 years ago and after a week I binned them my skin flared up like it had burns, I was aggitated and very sleepy all the time. IF you were doing OK with citalopram I would be inclined to ask for something more conventional on pain relief for your fibro, once you upset your M.H it takes ages to get stable again- give it some though and discuss it with your gp hun.

[Mops57 in reply to Hidden]

Hi everyone I’m new to this site and have been reading posts with interest. I’ve suffered with ME and fibromyalgia for over 20 years it first being diagnosed at St Thomas’s lupus clinic ( which I was under for 17 years) I have just turned 60 now and was retired on I’ll health at the age of 37. I have gone from being a confident able woman into a immobile, over weight, recluse, who only goes out to hospital appointments and an occasional ride to the supermarket with my hubby.

I think I have seen every type of consultant imaginable , some being understanding and sympathetic but mostly being dismissive when they couldn’t quantify my symptoms.

I have tried a vast range of drugs over the years and to be honest nothing really touches the pain, burning, aching I have 24/7 . I have depo injections into my neck and shoulder every 4 to 6 months which relieves the ache for a few weeks but then it’s back. I have tried all the epileptic drugs and found them to be problematic for me and of no use really. I took citalaprim for 20 years and have recently been given duloxetine by the Fybro/ ME consultant. Yes can you believe it I found out last year we had a special service ( for the last 9 years) to treat and support fybro suffers run by a rehabilitation neurologist with a special interest in the illness. I was informed of this service by a new dr at my practice. Saying I have been going to this practice for years and they clearly know I have these illnesses I find it upsetting to say the least that I was never told or referred before I met the new GP.

Anyway if there is any way I can support or help any of you guys please feel free to ask. I’m sure I’ve tried the drugs had the tests or worn the T Shirt 😁.

At the moment of my writing this I’m awaiting heart test on a suspected heart block also I’m awaiting removal of my gall bladder ( when my heart can take the anaesthetic ) plus I suffer from various conditions ie NAFLD, IBS, hypertension etc etc. I am not able to do much for myself but I have a wonderful husband who cares for me ( as I spend long periods in bed) . Without him I would be lost.

The point I began writing this reply about was the pregabalin 😉 via citalaprim. I personally would stay away from the anti epileptic drugs. Also I’ve binned the tramadol ( duloxetine are suppose to help anxiety and pain) I’m taking 17% cannabis paste/drops from a British site. This is cannabis minus the THC ( the illusnagenic part) It helps me with sleep and also with my gut. I would go for the 30% they sell but it’s very expensive.

I m about done with my ramblings as my arm is just ready to lock up haha! I look forward to reading everyone’s posts and helping anyone I can xxx Hugs

[Franklyn2015 in reply to Mops57]

im looking for ill health retirment awaiting occ health referral have been on sick six weeks with fybro depressuon stress i work for local gov as a family practitioner dealing with numerous issues i have gone partime had desk adjustments i am 60 in jan and concerned they will not honour it i wont get sick as i have a small pension from a previous job and a husband

[LynneS2 in reply to Mops57]

Hi welcome to the site, I'm quite new too but really find I get loads of helpful tips as well as friendship. I bought cannabis oil from H&B but not sure it has helped much, think I need to find a better supplier as they're probably not very strong. Can you tell me where you get yours as it seems to be a total minefield. Can give you my email address or can personal message, once I can figure out how to! I took anti epileptic drugs too for a long time but find Sertaline better although I had to half the dose as they were making me have terrible lifelike dreams which I would wake up from absolutely shattered. I went away for four days not long ago and forgot to take them the withdrawal and the pain was awful so they do work. Hope it all works out for you. Xxx.

[Mops57 in reply to LynneS2]

Hi I get my cannabis from CBD brothers . I’m still assessing if it’s working having taken it for a week now I find overall I am not in as much pain and sleep a little better. I’m looking for a higher strength as I’m sure if I could get similar to the “Phoenix tears oil “ it would help me enormously. I’ve decided if I can’t then I will try to make some myself. I have not tried Sertaline? What is the other name for it as perhaps I have in the past under another name. After 20 years I’m sure I’ve tried most things😉. Apart from the pain my other overwhelming symptom is breathlessness and acute fatigue. I’m overweight but have had heart tests and lung function and there’s nothing showing as to why it’s so acute. It totally restricts everything I can/ can’t do and the majority of my time is spent in bed and occasionally sat on the settee. I’ve become a recluse apart from the medical appointments. Been so bad for 2 years so I’m desperate to get some relief. If I find anyone who can supply very high strength oil I will let everyone know . Wishing you all a happy painfree day xxx

[LynneS2 in reply to Mops57]

Thanks for that I had heard they were quite good for the oil will go online and order some. My fibro dog must be bad today it's Duloxetine I'm on which I did not think helped much until I did not have it for 4 days and ended up in so much pain especially down my arms and across my chest. It was also probably withdrawal as I've heard it is very hard to come off. Xx

[Mops57 in reply to LynneS2]

Hi yes the duloxetine is a shocker to get of. I tried to come of it after reading the pros and cons ( having been on citalaprim for 15 years) It doesn’t seem to help me much with the pain but certainly helps with anxiety and mood. The reason I’m trying the cannabis oil is to try to replace some of the prescription meds’ I’m on. I’ve been bad with chest and neck pain for 4 days . It doesn’t respond to typical pain killers and I haven’t found any of the nerve pain meds that touch it. I have just got out of bed and told my hubby I will have a ride to the supermarket with him..... I’m regretting saying that now😣. Happy Saturday evening to you xx

[Miss68]

Hi Hun, I've been on pregabalin for a while now and when I started getting frustrated with waiting for appointments and referrals etc I was put on sertraline. They work very well together. I was then taken off sertraline and put on duloxetine because that helps with neuropathic pain as well as mental health issues. I personally wouldn't stop your meds completely as I feel that either continuing with it or changing to something similar is a much better option. Hope this helps. Take care hunny xx

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

if you have concerns please chat with the Doctor or your pharmacist. Often they will change things so it is a better fit for you.

[RD_Choirgirl]

I know the same. I’m on pregabalin at the moment because of ankle injury. I don’t find it helps improve my mental health

[Loulouella]

Hi Lauren, I’m on pregabalin, 100mg in the morning and 150mg at night, I also take 40mg fluoxetine (Prozac) and have done for years, I’ve had no problems taking both at the same time. I would raise your concerns with the doctor, you know your body and if your anxiety levels go up then so will your pain.

Everyone has different experiences of pregabalin, the biggest I’ve heard is weight gain, I did gain weight but it’s not just the meds, for a year I did very little, only now able to move about a lot more, and I’ve lost weight following slimming world, so it’s not all negative.

Good luck x

[Robhuxst]

I was on both for just over a year with no problems!

[Fra22-57]

I am on Pregabalin and have been for nearly 7 years.Started low and had to increase to 450mg day.made me very disorientated, suicidal thoughts, very foggy.when asked to reduce for to medical problems they thought contributed to it I went into drug withdrawal state and ended up in hospital.health escalated like mad.

I was able to reduce 350 day eventually but wished I had never seen the drug.

Thing is it works good for nerve pain and you accept anything at time to relieve it.

I would advice to stick with what you have n try some other pain relief.

[fluff26]

Hi Fra22-57, I agree totally. you are so desparate for pain relief that you grab it with both hands , not thinking about the future prospects of becoming addicted. One weekend I realised I had run out of my Pregabalin. I misjudged my supply. I thought as it was only a weekend it would be fine ,but how wrong I was !!! The withdrawal was horrific in just that short time. I had palpitations, anxiety, couldn't sleep...even though my body was shattered. It was a flippin nightmare. I have always made sure my Prescriptions are up to date now. But hindsight is a wonderful thing ,so they say, and I too wish I'd never touched them. As I said earlier, I really want to get the help to come down from 600mg a day, my head feels whizzy a lot of the time, and feel like I'm living in a bubble. I'm off to the docs later and will discuss it. take care luv Mandy xx