Pregabilin

[EllieJ1970]

Hi - I have recently been prescribed pregabilin for chronic pain (it is abdominal pain which despite extensive tests and various medications over the last 2 years has not been definitively diagnosed or treated). I am nervous about taking it, having had bad experiences with most of the other meds I've been prescribed, so wanted to find out other people's experiences. Did it work? Did you have side effects? Any input is really welcome!

[Delboy1]

I’ve been taking Pregabalin for the last 5yrs for serious back pain. The only side effect I find is that they make you very sleepy ( of course that depends on the dose they give you) but they do and have calmed the pain.

Kind regards

Derek

[thebeakdad]

Hi, I have been taking pregabalin for chronic pain for 9/10 years. I am currently taking 450mg having built up/ reduced to find a level that worked for me. I would warn on the weight gain as I put on approx 2 stone in the first 6 to 8 months of taking it. Having said that the balance is the pain management trade off which is worth it for me. Also when finding my own level I was quite short fused, confused and couldn't handle busy rooms but this dissipated quite quickly.All the best.

[Kjun54321]

I take Pregabalin for fibromyalgia pain. It helps me for this pain, but not for the chronic back pain I have after L4-5 fusion. My degenerative disc disease is happening above and below my fusion. If I don’t take Pregabalin, the pain returns in my arms and legs. Granted, I only take one pill and not 2. I have put on weight with meditation, but don’t know if from Pregabalin. Has helped me for what I needed.

[LythamJohn]

Hi Ellie, the side effects I’ve experienced are drowsiness but this became less of a problem after about 12 weeks. Like this, there is an issue of weight gain and I experience some constipation, and the feeling of being thirsty, but the medication works! I’m currently taking 300mg twice a day. I was previously on gabapentin but I experience suicidal ideation. I know some people just take it before bed once a day rather than twice a day as the medication takes awhile to build up into your system. Because you have a problem with your stomach, I would advise that you take something to protect it like Omeprazole.

[willcat33]

I’m on Pregbabalin I’m ok with it but I was on 25mg first but now on 50mg it wors for me

[Cat33]

I have been taking it for a year Initially I had it for severe back pain after a knee replacement but as I recovered I noticed that I felt so much brighter and looked forward to things and felt very content I suffered with anxiety

My side effects have been all good If I take one at night I find I sleep very well

I am so much better now and feel it's changed my life

I do hope that you find it suits you and you will feel much better for it too

All the very best x

[PainConcernProjects Partner Community Champion Pain Concern]

Hello EllieJ1970,

Thank you for posting on our forum. Some great discussion here.

You may also find the following leaflet helpful: painconcern.org.uk/product/...

[1vern0n]

Hi EllieJ1970,I was prescribed Pregabalin a couple of years ago for chronic pain. My GP gradually increased the dosage until I benefited the pain relief, however this made me feel confused, forgetful and have "an out of body"experience where I could not recall walking from one end of a shopping centre to the other. I decided that I would not be safe driving and with my GPs help began to reduce the dosage until I was weaned off Pregabalin. I hope you benefit from this drug. It's sad that one drug can help or hinder people.

[Quinny39]

Hey lovely, I currently take 2 pregablin at night with a number of other meds and I find it helps me to sleep as well as those I have amatriptaline and codine along with a lot of others but these 3 work wonders to be able to sleep. Hope this helps x

[Paintablet74]

Hello, I have been on Pregabalin for years 350mg a day. I take a variety of other meds. It definitely does what it does, but I personally find that if I run out, the side effects are horrendous. I become inflamed and struggle and have terrible low moods, sometimes to the point I am practically a zombie. I cannot speak or want to talk about anything, think of anything and just not able to function. I don't know if anybody else feels this way. I recently had a pain clinic review and the most talked about medication feedback I could give was about this drug. Brilliant pills but it worries me if I will ever get off these. I have multiple disc issues cervical, thoracic, and lumbar from a motorcycle crash in 2004. All the best.

[AhBabs in reply to Paintablet74]

Hi

It can be done though it is far from easy I felt terrible for afew weeks I managed to get through it and won’t return to it even though I do get nerve pain.I’ve noticed Cornwells chemist have a poster for medical marajuana I think I may try this ???

[EllieJ1970]

Thanks so much to everyone who's replied to my post - it's so helpful to get input from others who have actually experienced taking this medication. I really appreciate you all taking the time.