Titrating Pregabalin

[Holly1968]

Hi Everyone

Can I please ask all you wonderful people for some advice.

My starting dose of Pregabalin in Oct 18 was 50mg am/pm. This increased to 100mg and for the last 2 months I’ve been on 150mg am/pm.

This dose usually dulls the burning, twinging, pain I get in my forearms, thighs and sides of my knees. I always have the heavy overworked muscle feeling but just have to get on with life as I am usually an active person.

However this last few weeks I’ve been really struggling. Burning, twinging, aching all over, fibro fog is REALLY bad. I feel more tearful which is really unlike me and have awful fatigue.

My GP has put me on 50mg Pregabalin at lunchtime to see if that helps. I also take Naproxen 500mg am/pm.

Can anyone advise me on this to help with my symptoms?

I’m not at work at the moment as cannot function and it’s really getting me down.

Lots of love Lisa. X

[releasethemagic]

Pregabalin combined with Duloxetine is a common treatment for Fibromyalgia. In the USA both are licensed for Fibromyalgia. More Pregabalin May make you feel a bit spaced out, but adding Duloxetine in the evening might help you. Try talking to your GP and point him/her towards the NHS website pages on Fibromyalgia.

nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyal...

A referral to a Pain Management clinic might also help to get your medication right for you.

[Holly1968 in reply to releasethemagic]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll speak to my GP again.

Regards

Lisa

[Stevejj]

Hello Holly I take very few meds literally just on 50mg of sertraline now for mood. Have you tried any alternatives to meds? Some of them made me really spaced out and couldn’t function at all. Best wishes Steve xx

[Holly1968 in reply to Stevejj]

Hi Steve

Unfortunately alternative therapies don’t work for me. I do them alongside my medication but they are not enough on their own.

I have booked a course of acupuncture ... hoping that will help.

[Stevejj in reply to Holly1968]

That’s fair Holly. Found acupuncture was good for energy for me did little for pain. But as alluded to above what works for one doesn’t work for another. I wish you all the best in finding what works for you hun. Xx

[KateMaguire]

I would ask for a referral to the pain clinic, depending on where you are in the county you may be waiting a little while for an appointment but I think they are better informed than the G.P on how to deal with fibro. We are very lucky in my area(South Devon) as we have a dedicated team of fibro pain specialists and fibro physios to help. Hope you get some relief soon. Keep your chin up. Xx

[Holly1968 in reply to KateMaguire]

Thank you so much. I will speak to my GP about this. X

[KateMaguire]

I think the sooner you get a referral to pain management the better as they will be able to concentrate on your specific condition whereas the GP is usually not as clued up with the condition. Some GPs are great,mine is very sympathetic but just reading some of the posts on here tells you that so many people who are really suffering are just dismissed and don't get the treatment or understanding that they deserve. Good luck. Stay strong. Xx

[Holly1968 in reply to KateMaguire]

Thank you Kate. I will push him for a referral.

Hugs

Lisa

[Horsesgalore]

I take pregabalin, my GP said that it was best to take it 3 times a day as that dosing is more effective. I take 300mg in total a day & it really helps reduce the burning & stabbing pain as well as the pins & needles. I also take tramadol as & when I need it which helps with muscle pain, but also perks me up if I'm very fatigued.

[Holly1968 in reply to Horsesgalore]

Hi

Thanks for replying ... I cannot take any opioids as I just feel totally spaced out. My GP has now stopped my naproxen and I’ve just had an urgent blood test because I’m bruising everywhere. Just on Pregabalin and paracetamol ...

He added an extra 50mg to my evening dose and today so far I’m feeling a little better. X

[Namaste65]

Hi holly1968, I take 600mg a day & like you say it spaces you out plus i think it makes fibro fog worse im thinking of reducing the dose for this reason, ive heard that zapain is gd its only on prescription..i would also suggest seeing a neurolagist to see if they can help you..but has anybody tried yoga I've been going for 10 months now & i feel alot better for it, when i first started i was in agony but it has really helped my symptoms. If i can do it anyone can 😁😁 x

[SarahL137]

Hi Holly, I’m sorry you are struggling at the moment. I know exactly how you feel, I’ve been struggling for a year, 5 months off sick and now working from home part time. I have a host of other problems as most of us and I also have caudal epidurals or targeted spinal injections several times a year and wear a 3 day 50mg (reduced from 75mg) fentanyl patch but if it helps the medications I take are pregabalin, amtriptyline, citalopram, Lorazepam, tramadol with paracetamol to boost. I started with 150mg increased to 450mg of pregabalin and have recently been reducing it to 225mg. The other two that I found made a difference to the constant Pain are diclofenac and methocarbonal. I was initially bedbound last May after a massive flare up and a back injury which is why so much medication but I am working on reducing it at the moment. I’m hoping that one of these suggestions may help you have more comfortable days. Don’t get me wrong I’m still in pain everyday but these combinations are what have helped a bit for me. Alongside CBT and physio which you can access via the pain clinic from referral by your GP. And the general heat pads /blanket, tens,devils claw gel, deep tissue massager. I’m so sorry that any of us have to experience this rollercoaster of a condition with its constant symptoms. I find it helps to try to remember at the worst times that ‘this will pass’ you will feel a little bit better at some point. As someone above said everyone is different. You just have to try whatever you can and see what works best for you. I wish you all the best and hope you feel a bit more comfortable soon Xx