Posted by SteelyDan on February 12, 2008, at 13:04:13
In reply to Re: I urge everyone to give LYRICA a try!! » SteelyDan, posted by Phoenix1 on February 11, 2008, at 19:20:41
> > > > I love the way Lyrica makes me feel!! I take 700 mgs. a day, and right now i feel a little euphoric, but i don't care..it feels great to feel "good" for a change!! The problem is i have to go off it periodically (approx. a week) for it to work for me..i develop tolerance to it after about 4 days. I believe Lyrica is chemically related to the neurotransmitter GABA. Please, if you are anxious or depressed, ask your Doc if you can give Lyrica a try..hopefully you will love it like i do, but you need to get the dose up to at least 400 - 500mgs. to get the affect. Best wishes to you all!
> > > >
> > > > Dan
> > >
> > > I don't want to be a party pooper here, but there are a couple people on this board, myself included, that had horrible withdrawal reactions when stopping this drug. Even though I tapered slowly, my withdrawal was extreme, much worse than benzo withdrawal which I've experienced too. I had to use a cross-tapering dose of diazepam to take away the shakes, sweating attacks, nauseousness, and severe agitation and insomnia. This withdrawal syndrome is only published in a couple of papers and doctors don't realize that it exists at all yet.
> > >
> > > So I agree that it is a great drug for sleep, anxiety, and even depression, but think about what it may be like for you to stop it before you decide to start it.
> > >
> > > I was on very high doses (800-1200mg) and decided to stop because it was making me emotionally numb, somnolent, lazy and I gained tons of weight and had whole body edema. Other than that, it worked great for my anxiety and depression... But as usual YMMV when it comes to the benefits, side effects, and withdrawal.
> > >
> > > Again, I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but my experience with this drug wasn't worth the agony of the withdrawal.
> > >
> > > Phoenix1
> >
> > Sorry that that was such a severe withdrawal for you! I've never experienced any withdrawal at all with lyrica..I've been on 700mgs. for months and stoped cold turkey without any withdrawal symptoms. Everybody's different..benzo withdrawal is very hard for me. What benzo were you on and please tell me how you tapered off it and how you felt,etc. I'm currently tapering off Klonopin .25mgs. per week..i'm down to 2.25mgs, was on 3mgs for many years.
>
> I tapered off of Ativan 6mg/day using the Ashton method (I posted links for you on the withdrawal board) It was painless. Then I recently went from 6mg klonopin to 3mg klonopin to 1.5 to 0 in a very short time, almost cold turkey without only minor withdrawal symptoms. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't nearly as bad as the Lyrica was. Like I say, YMMV considerably. But I know your having trouble reducing the benzos. You REALLY should investigate the Ashton method. It will save you from some pretty uncomfortable withdrawal.
>
> Anyways, glad the Lyrica is working so well for you!
>
> Phoenix1Thank you! I appreciate your help.
Dan
poster:SteelyDan
thread:812069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080207/msgs/812246.html