Pregabalin side effects

[Esme2007]

Hi

Has anyone taking pregabalin experienced tingling / pins and needles in their arms whilst sleeping ( or trying to sleep! ) i have numbness in my fingertips too - sometimes in the daytime too especially if holding my phone a bit too long . It can sometimes be really painful too such as this morning when I woke . Usually if I move it around or hold it towards the floor it passes . It’s very unpleasant but I am wondering if it is dangerous.

I take paroxetine, exemestane , omeprozole and pregabalin. I don’t want to stop taking pregabalin (100 - 150 mg ) daily as it is helping with RLS . It’s so hard as I have put up for years without taking medication for it . Just wanted to know if anyone else experiences this or at her side effects. I must say I have experienced this before ever taking pregabalin at times .

As always thank you.

[Doversoul]

Possible carpal tunnel syndrome could be your problem. Need to get it checked out by your GP.

[Esme2007 in reply to Doversoul]

Thanks for the advice xx

[Pam34]

Hi Esme

I’m on pregabalin and don’t have any of those issues. I see you are being treated for breast cancer, as am I. One of the side effects of my treatment is peripheral neuropathy. Are you sure that yours relates to the Pregabalin and not to the cancer treatment?

Just something to consider.

Pam

[Esme2007 in reply to Pam34]

Thank you for replying - I will look up peripheral neuropathy. I’d convinced myself an hour ago to stop taking pregabalin. Do you feel happy taking it ? Hope you don’t mind me asking .

[Pam34]

If you see my reply to Hoochybaby you will see that I am. I wouldn’t rush to make any decision until you have considered whether it could relate to any of your other medication. Nice as it would be to be able to manage my RLS without medication I have to admit I couldn’t do without. There is so much going on in my life at the moment that I need to know I can get a reasonable nights sleep. I don’t know your history re RLS but I’m assuming that if you are taking Pregabalin it must be bad enough that you can’t manage without some form of medication. So what would you take instead?

Don’t do anything hasty until you have investigated further.

Pam

[Esme2007 in reply to Pam34]

Thank you . Yes it got really bad whilst starting my breast cancer drug and I feel my paroxetine plats a great part but I need both . I’m 3 years on from breast cancer . I only had 2 lots of chemo due to recurring sepsis but I know chemo can affect your nervous system. I’ve had this before ( the numbness etc but not for a long time . ) I think I will stick to the pregabalin as I have a lot on too with my mum being sick. Thank you Pam x

[Pam34 in reply to Esme2007]

Do you have a breast care nurse you could chat to Esme? I developed peripheral neuropathy during my chemo and it sent my legs through the roof! Thank god I was on Pregabalin. I still get it a little bit and it’s 5 months since my chemo finished. Nice to hear you are 3 years on.

And I certainly wouldn’t make any big decisions while you are nursing your mum.

Take care

[Sampsie]

Hi Esme

I had that too but it was a trapped nerve from holding my phone with one hand for too long while doing whatsapp video calls. I had numb, tingly fingers in that hand for about 2 months before it settled down.

With nerve pain, the more the day goes on, the worse the pain gets, as use of that limb aggravates it. With muscle pain, it's the opposite as the more you use the muscle it loosens up, but starts off worse in the morning as it is stiff. That's a good way to tell if it's nerve pain.

So try not to worry. Can you get to an osteopath or similar?

[Sampsie in reply to Sampsie]

And I hope that doesn't sound trite saying not to worry as I did exactly that!! An osteopath or similar might give you peace of mind and help release any trapped nerves.

[Munroist]

I didn't get tingling from the pregabalin but as many people have said you can get it from other places such as the way you hold your phone. I have what was vaguely described as "nerve sensitivity" after a back/disc issue and in the early stages I experienced tingling in arms and face and other parts of the upper body which is not obviously lower back related and after a lot of googling other peoples experiences and medical site came to the conclusion that it was a combination of tension, anxiety and heightened nerve sensitivity. When I learned to relax and not react immediately I found it went away.

[Esme2007 in reply to Munroist]

Thank you - I’ve been playing online scrabble ! Maybe too much ! I’ve been sewing a lot too. It’s my way of dealing with my anxiety about my mum being so poorly . I can’t just sit watching tv after I’ve walked my dogs . ( had to retire from teaching due to ill health ) I didn’t get it last night or when I woke this morning. I appreciate all your help . Must stop playing scrabble!!!!!!🤓

[Munroist]

I think it's great to have those moments of relaxation and enjoyment to help you realise that life isn't all a struggle and reactivate the feeling of appreciation. Enjoy.🙂

[Esme2007 in reply to Munroist]

Thank you xx

[Frenchy2016]

I have very bad numbness in my hands. This was one of the first symptoms of Fibromyalgia. I do take Pregablin & have been for 5 years. I had the numbness before I had Pregablin. I also have CFS & a neurological disorder. Not sure my answer helps ....... Good luck.

[Esme2007 in reply to Frenchy2016]

Thank you for your reply . It’s good read everyone’s posts . Thank you x