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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KayeBaby on July 19, 2006, at 11:35:30
Anyone have experience with getting off this med?
I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be rather brutal.I am doing well on Lyrica for anxiety and depression also helps with energy and motivation for me.
I start to feel crappy if I go longer than about 8 hrs without it. If I golonger than about 12 it seems as though it takes a whole day to get the level up properly.
Thanks!
kaye
Posted by SLS on July 19, 2006, at 19:43:35
In reply to Lyrica (pregabalin), posted by KayeBaby on July 19, 2006, at 11:35:30
> I am doing well on Lyrica for anxiety and depression also helps with energy and motivation for me.
I'm sorry that I can't offer you much information regarding the discontinuation of Lyrica. It has a very short half-life. It is only 6 hours. It is not surprising that you should feel such a loss of effect after missing a few doses. My feeling is that you are not so much looking at withdrawal symptoms as you are a return of the symptoms of your illness, perhaps in a temporarily exaggerated form.
Perhaps you can help me. I'm still looking for something to effectively treat my bipolar depression. I am considering Lyrica. Can you describe what your depression looks like and how Lyrica has helped you? What other drugs are you taking?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by KayeBaby on July 21, 2006, at 14:10:32
In reply to Re: Lyrica (pregabalin) » KayeBaby, posted by SLS on July 19, 2006, at 19:43:35
Hi Scott!
I have Non Verbal Learning disorder which looks and acts much like mixed ADD and possibly Biporla II (Hypomanias induced by mosty by meds)
My depressions are of the atypical sort. Hypersomnia, weight gain with the ability to temporarily pull out.I have taken almost all stims available aside from desoxyn. Right now I am on Didrex and Dexedrine spansules 10mg per day.
I also have an element of post viral fatigue/cfs which clouds the issue somewhat due to some purely biological exhaustion.I have been on Lyrica for about 6 months. At first Ijust took it maybe a couple times a week at 50 mg to help sleep (excellent for this) and for it's long lasting anti anxiety effect(also excellent for this)
I generally shun any sedating med due to having intense fatigue at various points in my life and it terrifies my to feel tired. But, I have found that sometime a good anti anxiety med will actually be rather energizing for me. I think I tend to fuel myself with anxiety and this just diffuses my energy so calming agents can be very focusing.
Lyrica is a good med. I am now taking app. 225mg in 3 divided doses. It is sedating at first but it is like one day it just isn't anymore and the anti anxiety effect is just wonderful! It is definately mood brightening-anti depressant.I did gain a bit of weight at first and as with most women this is just a tragedy. However, like most of the undesirable effects of Lyrica, this has faded.
Seems as though once you become accustom to it you get more of the good and less of the bad.
I have had a couple of very mild ephoric sensations from Lyrica when upping the dosage. nothing strong enough for concern and nothing but positive effects on my sleep which is a big isssue for me.Finding the correct dosage and timing is tricky but all the while I found enough good about this med to continue it and that is saying something as I have no patience!
Scott, what have been your responses to anti-convulsants in the past?
I read about topomax-am I correct that the jury is still out?
Oh! very important! It has been essential for me to take this med EVERY 6-8 hours because if I don't I feel noticable crappy and negative. Since I have been doing this almost all of the undesirable effects (the duh/memory effect among them)have fallen off and as I said the positive ones have increased.
I am leery of new meds (bad lamictal experience)but I gave this one a very definate thumbs up so far.
I pulling for you, Scott and if I can help further, just let me know.
Peace,
Kayeps. I didn't proofread this-forgive
I took my entire attention span allotted for today to write it!!!
Posted by SLS on July 22, 2006, at 6:34:16
In reply to Re: Lyrica (pregabalin), posted by KayeBaby on July 21, 2006, at 14:10:32
Hi KB.
> I have Non Verbal Learning disorder which looks and acts much like mixed ADD and possibly Biporla II (Hypomanias induced by mosty by meds)
> My depressions are of the atypical sort. Hypersomnia, weight gain with the ability to temporarily pull out.That's interesting. It was a pet idea of mine that mood reactivity would not be a feature of bipolar disorder. Oh, well.
> I have taken almost all stims available aside from desoxyn. Right now I am on Didrex and Dexedrine spansules 10mg per day.
I might give sibutramine (Meridia) a try soon. It is a drug currently approved for obesity, but was originally developed as an antidepressant. It seems to be effective for fibromyalgia and Tourrettes. Its metabolites seem to be more potent dopamine reuptake inhibitors than Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Cymbalta. It might be an interesting drug for you to investigate.
> I also have an element of post viral fatigue/cfs which clouds the issue somewhat due to some purely biological exhaustion.
Ah. Interesting. Given the association between CFS and fibromyalgia, sibutramine becomes a more attractive drug for you.
Thanks for giving me your impressions of Lyrica. I'll definitely keep it on my list of things to try. I wish it didn't have such a short half-life, though.
I have had weird reactions to mood-stabilizers. They will sometimes give me a brief mild mood lift in the beginning and then leave me feeling flat. Lithium, Neurontin, and Depakote did that. I have been taking Lamictal for a few years. It seems to help a bit when combined with an antidepressant. Right now, Topamax is giving me a slight improvement in mental energy and focus, although it might be fading. It is hard to tell. I am currently taking 125mg. I am thinking that I should work up to 200mg before giving up on it.
Thanks again for your reply. It was very helpful.
- Scott
Posted by KayeBaby on July 22, 2006, at 13:39:23
In reply to Re: Lyrica (pregabalin) » KayeBaby, posted by SLS on July 22, 2006, at 6:34:16
> Hi KB.
>
> > I have Non Verbal Learning disorder which looks and acts much like mixed ADD and possibly Biporla II (Hypomanias induced by mosty by meds)
> > My depressions are of the atypical sort. Hypersomnia, weight gain with the ability to temporarily pull out.
>
> That's interesting. It was a pet idea of mine that mood reactivity would not be a feature of bipolar disorder. Oh, well.
>>>>
>>>> The bipolar II is not an official diagnosis (my dr doesn't really believe in putting too much stock in a particular label) The ADD NLD are official or official as it gets. If I had a Doc fond of naming I could see the Bipolar II getting thrown in the mix-so don't let this mess with your theory too much. :)
> > I have taken almost all stims available aside from desoxyn. Right now I am on Didrex and Dexedrine spansules 10mg per day.
>
> I might give sibutramine (Meridia) a try soon. It is a drug currently approved for obesity, but was originally developed as an antidepressant. It seems to be effective for fibromyalgia and Tourrettes. Its metabolites seem to be more potent dopamine reuptake inhibitors than Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Cymbalta. It might be an interesting drug for you to investigate.> >>>>I have tried all of these with some positive effects but in the end they all end up turning on me. Cymbalta was alternately stimulating and sedating with a good stretch being stimulating. Wellbutrin is reliable for pulling me out of a depression but I dare not go above 200 mg or it will make me horribly depressed-it is interesting that cymbalta, wellbutrin, strattera, and ritalin all have some positive effects in lower than usual amounts but flattening (I mean flat like almost catatonia)
It is a ridiculous balancing act that I cannot maintain. The longer I use these agents the more sensitive I become to the flattening effect until I canoot tolerate any amount. This happened with strattera as well. Also dexedrine-less is more I guess.
The regular switching of my meds gives me a constant feeling of insecurity. Every day is a new day and what worked yesterday may not work today. I always fear when I am starting something new going on vacation etc. I have had my meds fail me and ruin many a vacation.My self-obsevational skills are poor and I am always surprised by changes in response to my meds. Whine,whine, whine.......ya know
> > I also have an element of post viral fatigue/cfs which clouds the issue somewhat due to some purely biological exhaustion.
>
> Ah. Interesting. Given the association between CFS and fibromyalgia, sibutramine becomes a more attractive drug for you.
>
>>>>I have kept this drug in mind but have not jumped due to my past history with similar agents.
My p-doc says to try EMSAM next and if I want Parnate. I have no exp. with this class of drugs. I am afraid to start Emasam because i am starting school (career change) this fall and I don't want to be screwed up when I do. I have not been entirely off stims in the last 5 years and done well at all.
> Thanks for giving me your impressions of Lyrica. I'll definitely keep it on my list of things to try. I wish it didn't have such a short half-life, though.
>
>>>Yes there is an up-down effect.
And you are very welcome I have learned alot from your posts and am happy to be of any help to you.
> I have had weird reactions to mood-stabilizers. They will sometimes give me a brief mild mood lift in the beginning and then leave me feeling flat. Lithium, Neurontin, and Depakote did that. I have been taking Lamictal for a few years. It seems to help a bit when combined with an antidepressant. Right now, Topamax is giving me a slight improvement in mental energy and focus, although it might be fading. It is hard to tell. I am currently taking 125mg. I am thinking that I should work up to 200mg before giving up on it.
>
> Thanks again for your reply. It was very helpful.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>>>I have not taken any of these but lamictal for just a few days. WOW! at 12.5 mg for 3-4 days I was just flying! Now i know exactly what hypomania is. It was classic. Why would I have that response to an anti convulsant/mood stabalizing agent-does anyone know???\
I will be watching your progress with interest, Scott.
Do you ever feel like we are our own pet project?
Thanks Much!
Kaye
Posted by Toothy on November 27, 2007, at 10:15:03
In reply to Re: Lyrica (pregabalin), posted by KayeBaby on July 21, 2006, at 14:10:32
> Hi Scott!
> I have Non Verbal Learning disorder which looks and acts much like mixed ADD and possibly Biporla II (Hypomanias induced by mosty by meds)
> My depressions are of the atypical sort. Hypersomnia, weight gain with the ability to temporarily pull out.
>
> I have taken almost all stims available aside from desoxyn. Right now I am on Didrex and Dexedrine spansules 10mg per day.
> I also have an element of post viral fatigue/cfs which clouds the issue somewhat due to some purely biological exhaustion.
>
> I have been on Lyrica for about 6 months. At first Ijust took it maybe a couple times a week at 50 mg to help sleep (excellent for this) and for it's long lasting anti anxiety effect(also excellent for this)
>
> I generally shun any sedating med due to having intense fatigue at various points in my life and it terrifies my to feel tired. But, I have found that sometime a good anti anxiety med will actually be rather energizing for me. I think I tend to fuel myself with anxiety and this just diffuses my energy so calming agents can be very focusing.
> Lyrica is a good med. I am now taking app. 225mg in 3 divided doses. It is sedating at first but it is like one day it just isn't anymore and the anti anxiety effect is just wonderful! It is definately mood brightening-anti depressant.
>
> I did gain a bit of weight at first and as with most women this is just a tragedy. However, like most of the undesirable effects of Lyrica, this has faded.
> Seems as though once you become accustom to it you get more of the good and less of the bad.
> I have had a couple of very mild ephoric sensations from Lyrica when upping the dosage. nothing strong enough for concern and nothing but positive effects on my sleep which is a big isssue for me.
>
> Finding the correct dosage and timing is tricky but all the while I found enough good about this med to continue it and that is saying something as I have no patience!
>
> Scott, what have been your responses to anti-convulsants in the past?
>
> I read about topomax-am I correct that the jury is still out?
>
> Oh! very important! It has been essential for me to take this med EVERY 6-8 hours because if I don't I feel noticable crappy and negative. Since I have been doing this almost all of the undesirable effects (the duh/memory effect among them)have fallen off and as I said the positive ones have increased.
>
> I am leery of new meds (bad lamictal experience)but I gave this one a very definate thumbs up so far.
>
> I pulling for you, Scott and if I can help further, just let me know.
>
> Peace,
> Kaye
>
> ps. I didn't proofread this-forgive
> I took my entire attention span allotted for today to write it!!!
Kaye,Are you still taking Lyrica and finding it helpful for anxiety and depression? It is now over a year since you post so I wanted to know if you are still having benefits. I am struggling with GAD/Panic and the benzos have limited value for me unless I take a large amount. Right now I am taking 19 mgs of Valium per day and trying to reduce by 0.25 mgs per week. I took 100 mgs of Lyrica last night and 50 mgs this morning and I feel the best I have in a long time. Please tell me your experiences.
If you tapered off of it did you have any withdrawal symptoms?
Toothy
This is the end of the thread.
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