pregabalin

[Steakandkidney20]

I have just been prescribed Pregabalin for my anxiety, however I have CKD stage 3 and IBSc (chronic constipation). I did tell the prescribing doctor this, a very nice lady doctor but she seemed to go deaf just then 😕. Also I have read it can cause you to gain weight (which I don’t want, I’m already a stone and a half overweight). This is now adding to my anxiety before I’ve even started 🙄🤷‍♀️. . Any advice, experiences please? I also take Mirtazapine 15mg which sometimes give me bad dreams. I do wish I didn’t have to take any meditations at all as I seem so sensitive to everything I’ve tried. I’m really frightened.

[Blue-52]

Don’t you just love it when they cop a deafen 🙄, I would imagine your creatin will be kept an eye on, as for the ibs-C, laxatives is probably going to be the answer, and lots of fruit and green veg, if ur ibs allows it.

Good luck.

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to Blue-52]

Thank you! We all need a bit of luck 🍀

[Elaine200756]

Hi there Steakandkidney, I relate with the IBS, anxiety and sometimes the deafness of medical ears. I also have colitis and delayed digestive transit, which means constipation is a way of life. I use Sennakot on the advice of my gastroenterologist, when necessary.

Weight gain can also be an issue I think because we can't exercise like healthy people do. And for me, there is the temptation to comfort eat. I've started to swim this year (slowly with lots of stopping to rest), and go to T'ai chi once a week, as its recommended for people with fibromyalgia.

I love being in the water and sometimes when others are just swimming up and down the pool, I will just stop and play or tread water.

Not everyone is well enough to be able to do this sort of thing. But maybe pottering in the house, or gentle stretches? You will know your own body and ability Xx

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to Elaine200756]

Thank you Elaine x

[Steakandkidney20]

Thank you Ajay!

[Fermerwill]

Hi I have stage 4 ckidney terminal cancer . I have been on pregablin dor a good or more years i dud not gane any weight till I got put in strong steroids but we all are diffrent Personally think my fibromyalgia s does vary through out the year jf.was on a high dose of 250 2 times a aday but now on 150 2 times a day but j i take prefablin for pain have done for years. Please talk to anotner doc or your cancer nurse. Good luck

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to Fermerwill]

Thank you, I will do. I fortunately don’t have cancer, as far as I know. Good luck to you x

[Elaine200756 in reply to Fermerwill]

Ooh, so sorry to hear about your terminal diagnosis Fermerwill. Sending you lots of love xx ❤️💜

[LunaBess in reply to Fermerwill]

All my love and best wishes x

[Cat00]

I did put on weight with Pregablin and it didn't help my pain levels, it's older cousin Gabapentin actually worked better on me in both repects. I have, anxiety and panic disorder too. Every new med becomes a risk to our already unstable state of mind. What I would say though is that when I was on pregablin I was so hungry I would have eaten my own hand, so it was very obvious I was going to put on weight. If that happens to you you could stop before it gets too bad and if you haven't tried Gabapentin a go titrate onto that while you titrate down from Gabapentin, which makes withdrawal easier too.

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to Cat00]

Thank you for your thoughts and experiences Cat00, it seems all about balance from what I’m hearing. A bit of negatives for a bit of positives and working out what’s most tolerable and acceptable to oneself. Very difficult choices and you’re right we’re all so different. I’m so sensitive to medication that sometimes I want to throw them all away and see if the anxiety of side effects is relieved … minefield … mind-field!! 😳

[Cat00 in reply to Steakandkidney20]

Yes I was on so many different medications including Gabapentin, I was obviously still in a lot of pain etc but then I had to wean myself all of them so that I could have my children. I only realised when I had to come off them all they weren't really helping bc I felt largely the same. You have to get past withdrawal first of course bc that always feels bad.This is true for my fibromyalgia, so I don't take anything for it now. Although this is not true for my chronic migraines, I go downhill very quickly without meds for that.

I also think sometimes we just need a bit of help, so being on a drug like Gabapentin for bit gets you through a particularly bad patch and you don't have to take it forever.

I guess you have to take it one day at a time, something us anxious types are not good at!

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to Cat00]

You’re not kidding! Anxiety makes you take gulps that you can’t swallow and digest …. Mayhem! 🤨

[Cat00 in reply to Steakandkidney20]

Beautifully put!

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, I hope this new med will help and anxiety is horrid having had it myself, (no wonder sometimes with all what Fibro /other health conditions can throw our way☹️) I did put on weight with Duloxtene but I also had too give up my swimming which helped keep my weight down, also age , I am in my head a very young 62 😉although the inside of my body feels more like 80 . I do understand we get worried about medication , a hard one too call , as if it helps us threw our days and keeps us more positive then me personally I have stuck with mine for the last few years . Take care you can always reach out here , we need too chat xx

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to Yassytina]

Hi Yassytina, thank you so much for your thoughts. Yes life has got tough and I value our community here very much. It gives me insight to many aspects and I think that the information, empathy, sharing and gladly some humour sometimes is priceless. I thinking healing starts when at last you are listened to … not isolated, not lonely and lost. I too am young in my head, 68 years old but reverse that and it’s 86 some days! 🥴. You take care too and to everyone, comfort and warmth. Rosanne x

[Wonderwall3]

Pregabalin and mirtazapine have constipation as a side effect, in fact all meds for Fibromyalgia, particularly opioid like codeine and morphine, this is why it's particularly important to make sure you have enough fibre in your diet, and if necessary add a laxative to your medication regime. I take lactulose and occasional dulcolax. Pregabalin doesn't cause weight gain per se, it can ncrease your appetite which can then cause weight gain. But it's not necessarily a given. I'm actually trying to put on weight at the moment. If you feel able to, please try and persevere with it as it could help.

[MaggieSylvie]

I take tramadol with pregabalin. Why have you stopped it?

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Hi MaggieSylvie, I think your question was directed at Ajay, he mentioned Tramadol x

[MaggieSylvie in reply to Steakandkidney20]

I think you are right! Sorry.🤗

[Steakandkidney20]

Thank you for your advice and comments Wonderwall3. The constipation factor is the scary one for me as I suffer dreadfully. However, as you say it’s a matter of trying to counteract with diet and laxatives. Bit of a juggling act but I’ll try!

[MaggieSylvie]

I can take paracetamol too and only take tramadol at bed-time, but I'm thinking of not re-ordering when I run out. I must start taking paracetamol again; it could help the pregabalin to work better - maybe. Some nights it is briliant and other nights I can't sleep. I think you have to be so careful when you take it and to avoid any form of excitement in the evening.

[SparkyMark]

I have been on 300mg twice a day of Pregabalin for some years now and I have lost weight while on it. I am also on 45mg of Mirtazapine at night which helps me off to sleep and keeps a handle on my anxiety. With regards to sensitivities of meds, my pharmacy had to change my brand of Mirtazapine and it caused me to sleep for excessive amounts of hours, way more than the usual fibro fatigue and for a good 6 months. It was only by chance that I had an early night, like 7pm, and woke at 8 the following morning, not tired. I have had multiple blood tests and have been referred to the sleep clinic to solve the issue, but getting the pharmacy to change to yet another brand and I'm back to normal. Just goes to show that different brands of the same meds can affect you differently. May be ask your pharmacy to change the brand for your next prescription. Hope you find a solution that suits and relieves your anxiety.

[Steakandkidney20]

Thank you SparkyMark, that’s really useful information, encouraging too! 😊

[mysmugcat]

Hello. I suggest doing your own research. I have never taken it. I am not trying to scaremonger you. My friend is on this drug and is badly addicted to it. She hates it. Just a thought.

[Steakandkidney20 in reply to mysmugcat]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Well I tried it for 5 days and gave up 🤷‍♀️. They caused vision disturbance and dizziness. I live on my own, have to drive pretty much everyday as I’d go nuts here on my own .. no good. I’m dissapointed, frustrated and of course, even more anxious 😥 vicious circle 😏

[mysmugcat in reply to Steakandkidney20]

I am sorry to hear that. I have CFS/ME. The exhaustion is awful. I know those with fibro often or is it always? are exhausted too. Everytime I have tried to work lately it has gone wrong. I am on anti depressants as well.