![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 9 to 33 of 33. Go back in thread:
Posted by King of Nothing on August 26, 2007, at 15:16:09
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica?, posted by rina on August 25, 2007, at 16:56:27
> wow that's very unusual. what else are you taking with it?
remeron, paxil and klonopin.
Posted by rina on August 26, 2007, at 15:37:10
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » rina, posted by King of Nothing on August 26, 2007, at 15:16:09
Moderate Drug-Drug Interaction: Paxil (paroxetine) and Lyrica (pregabalin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONITOR: Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.
MANAGEMENT: During concomitant use of these drugs, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.Moderate Drug-Drug Interaction: Klonopin (clonazepam) and Lyrica (pregabalin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONITOR: Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients. MANAGEMENT: During concomitant use of these drugs, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.Moderate Drug-Drug Interaction: Remeron (mirtazapine) and Lyrica (pregabalin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONITOR: Central nervous system- and/or respiratory-depressant effects may be additively or synergistically increased in patients taking multiple drugs that cause these effects, especially in elderly or debilitated patients. MANAGEMENT: During concomitant use of these drugs, patients should be monitored for potentially excessive or prolonged CNS and respiratory depression. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.
Maybe a few of your other meds are cancelling out the Lyrica. Just a suggestion. Maybe ask your pdoc what she thinks about it if your interested. Let me know how it goes. Good Luck!
Posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2007, at 19:36:17
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » Phillipa, posted by King of Nothing on August 25, 2007, at 15:15:07
Sorry forgot to ask you about this last night. I thought a low dose was for anxiety and high dose depression? Thanks, Phillipa
Posted by christophrejmc on August 27, 2007, at 6:11:30
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica?, posted by rina on August 26, 2007, at 15:37:10
Those interactions seem overstated. Just because all of those drugs have drowsiness as a potential side-effect, I don't think that qualifies as a "moderate" drug interaction.
I'm not criticizing your post, I just get kind of annoyed how every drug seems to get slapped with a "do not drive/operate heavy machinery" warning more to cover the drug company's *ss than to help inform patients. I actually have one of those warnings on my bottle of Adderall--apparently amphetamine causes drowsiness!
Posted by King of Nothing on August 27, 2007, at 12:16:42
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » King of Nothing, posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2007, at 19:36:17
> Sorry forgot to ask you about this last night. I thought a low dose was for anxiety and high dose depression? Thanks, Phillipa
Low dose = sedation, high dose is energizing.
Posted by rina on August 27, 2007, at 17:30:57
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » Phillipa, posted by King of Nothing on August 27, 2007, at 12:16:42
your absolutely right but high dose takes care of both! good luck! the only thing i didn't like with high/low dose was weight gain and leg/finger tingling, very annoying.
Posted by rina on August 27, 2007, at 17:41:42
In reply to Re: drug interactions » rina, posted by christophrejmc on August 27, 2007, at 6:11:30
I can understand and agree to what your saying, I just wanted to give some options to look at. I actually take AdderallXr myself and it was working fine for me a month ago. Now it makes me sleepy and all zombielike plus cotton mouth...lol
Posted by christophrejmc on August 27, 2007, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: drug interactions, posted by rina on August 27, 2007, at 17:41:42
> Now it makes me sleepy and all zombielike plus cotton mouth...lol
Actually, I know exactly what you mean. I found that the best way to counteract that feeling with Adderall/Dexedrine is to make an effort to get a decent amount of aerobic exercise every day--something to get your heart pumping naturally.
Posted by rina on August 27, 2007, at 18:07:41
In reply to Re: drug interactions » rina, posted by christophrejmc on August 27, 2007, at 18:03:24
i do that too! i'm kind of scared to do too much though because i drink about 12 shots of expresso a day!! i know.....that's way too much stress on my heart...i just need to stay alert though.
Posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2007, at 19:16:17
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » Phillipa, posted by King of Nothing on August 27, 2007, at 12:16:42
King so if your anxiety should stem from depression what would consider a good dose thanks Phillipa
Posted by neo on August 27, 2007, at 20:01:48
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » Phillipa, posted by King of Nothing on August 27, 2007, at 12:16:42
> Low dose = sedation, high dose is energizing.
Could you please tell me something more about the energizing effect?
Is it similar to the effect of psico-stimulants?
Did you noticed any significant side effects while you were on it? About dosage?
Thank you very much in advance!!
neo
Posted by rina on August 28, 2007, at 1:06:13
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » King of Nothing, posted by neo on August 27, 2007, at 20:01:48
energizing in a way that you feel very rested when awake. ready to start your day. no depression or anxiety. no restlessness or zoned our effect, or stressful thoughts. only side effects that were annoying was the weight gain and tingling of legs/fingers.
Posted by King of Nothing on August 28, 2007, at 10:14:48
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » King of Nothing, posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2007, at 19:16:17
> King so if your anxiety should stem from depression what would consider a good dose thanks Phillipa
300 mgs. bid.
Posted by neo on August 28, 2007, at 19:32:18
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » Phillipa, posted by King of Nothing on August 28, 2007, at 10:14:48
Hi to everybody and apologize for my awful English.
After lunch i try for first time 300mg of Lyrica.
Other times i was on 75 mg with a slight sedation and mild anti axiety effect.
This time was really different.
After 2 hours i began to feel a sense of relax and after another hour i was in a situation that i can hardly explain.
I was in a sort of "parallel world" i feel disconnected to my usual realty.
I was sorround with a sense of great peace and none or nothing sems to me really important.
Perhaps, i think, it could be similar to the effect of opiates.
I can't say if it was a good or bad feeling, but in my personal situation, in wich i try to energize myself, i will not feel again.
I did a bad thing driving all the afternoon, because now that i'm out of effect i realize that i could do a lot of car-crash, cause i had a distorced perception of things aruond me: do not drive while you are on Lyrica, if you are not used to it, because you are not able to perceive realty around you in a right way!
After 12 hour i suddenly "woke up" and even now i hardy can remember what i did this afternoon: i feel as if it was another person not me: exactly as in a movie.
So, i will, of course, reduce the dosage to 50-75 mg, but i will not to leave Lyrica because i think that it has a good anti axiety effect that i hope will remain even a lower dosage.
Ah, forgot, while on lyrica i had no side effect at all, and, very strange this, it did not affect at all my sexual feelings, perhaps they seems to be incrased.
I hope this few informations could help someone, and i will share my eperience with lyrica at low dosage again.
bye to everybody!
neo
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2007, at 19:58:53
In reply to Lyrica at 300mg: feel disconnected., posted by neo on August 28, 2007, at 19:32:18
Neo thank-you so much and your English is great no problem understanding at all. So you would suggest starting at a low dose? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by neo on August 28, 2007, at 20:25:35
In reply to Re: Lyrica at 300mg: feel disconnected. » neo, posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2007, at 19:58:53
Many thanks to you you, Philippa.
Yes, in my opinion i think it is better to start at low dosage (50 mg more or less) and increase very slowly.
For my personal situation, in which anxiety is not so great, i could think to remain at the starting dosage because i didn't feel at all the energizing effect that is supposed to appear at higher dosage. But everyone is different...
Please, do not drive while on lyrica if you feel that your attention is not "sharp".
All the best!
neo
Posted by Phillipa on August 28, 2007, at 21:23:29
In reply to Re: Lyrica at 300mg: feel disconnected. » Phillipa, posted by neo on August 28, 2007, at 20:25:35
Neo you're a sweetie and thanks for answering. You have more depression or anxiety. That I was not clear on. If you mind me asking what country are you from. English is great and no I won't drive promise you. Thanks again Phillipa
Posted by rina on August 28, 2007, at 23:33:24
In reply to Lyrica at 300mg: feel disconnected., posted by neo on August 28, 2007, at 19:32:18
that's interesting neo. yes, everyone responds differently to this medication. i had a totally different response to it. i'm glad you were able to weigh the pros/cons to find the right dose that works best for you. good luck!
Posted by neo on August 29, 2007, at 7:05:21
In reply to Re: Lyrica at 300mg: feel disconnected., posted by rina on August 28, 2007, at 23:33:24
Hi Philipa and Rina, thanks you all.
Phillipa, i'm more depressed than axious. I really don't know if one belong to other, but when i can reduce anxiety even depression is reduced.
Oh, yes, I'm from Italy, in particular near Venice city.
Rina, yes i had no side effect at all, and this is very strange for me: i was totally drowsy when i was on minimal dosage of every Ad. But i must say that side effects could appear later during the period of assumption.
The worst side effect (for me), reduction of sexual function, appeared on every drug i have used in particular on Anti-anxiety ones(exception Amisulpride), but not on Lyrica and this is very strange.
Thank you all again and all the best to you!
neo
Posted by Phillipa on August 29, 2007, at 20:21:29
In reply to Re: Lyrica at 300mg: feel disconnected., posted by neo on August 29, 2007, at 7:05:21
Neo a neighbor of mine is now in Italy from there and owns a large home there belieive it is more toward Switzerland. Small world. Phillipa
Posted by Toothy on September 10, 2007, at 10:38:50
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica?, posted by rina on August 28, 2007, at 1:06:13
> energizing in a way that you feel very rested when awake. ready to start your day. no depression or anxiety. no restlessness or zoned our effect, or stressful thoughts. only side effects that were annoying was the weight gain and tingling of legs/fingers.
Rina,
How long have you been taking Lyrica with good results? I'm mostly interested in the anti-anxiety effects to help reduce Valium.
Toothy
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2007, at 20:09:09
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica?, posted by Toothy on September 10, 2007, at 10:38:50
Toothy on the same amount of valium as you but I've been on benzos way too long about 35years. Mine does not relax me during the day at all. Phillipa
Posted by Toothy on September 10, 2007, at 20:35:03
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » Toothy, posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2007, at 20:09:09
> Toothy on the same amount of valium as you but I've been on benzos way too long about 35years. Mine does not relax me during the day at all. Phillipa
Phillipa,
I have been on and off benzos for most of the last 11 years when panic disorder started for me during a bad divorce. I have had a couple of periods from 8 months to 18 months when I was able to be off of them except for PRN (Xanax) once or twice a week or less. I liked that situation the best because I felt the best and 0.25 to 0.5 mgs of Xanax would knock out any situational anxiety I had. My most recent panic episode started about a year ago and the problem was that panic attack began occuring almost daily at that time due to a major stressor (which is now gone). I have tried to taper "slowly" 0.5 mgs per week down to 0.25 mgs per week for the last 9 months only to hit a wall and have to go back up again. Have you tried "turtle tapering at about 1 mg per month? I do like Valium because you can get 2mg pills and taper as slowly as you want. I found Klonopin much more difficult to taper and it caused much more depression for me. That is how I got off Valium in 2004 after about 3-4 years on it from a high of 1.75 mgs of Klonopin during this time. I went from 12 mgs Valium (after some Klonopin tapering and a Valium crossover) to 0mgs in 12 months and was able to tolerate the withdrawals. I tried it this year but my body just was not ready to taper. I guess I just need more time to heal first.
That is why I was so curious about Lyrica since my Pdoc brings it up from time to time for anxiety. I have read of some who have used it any reduced or eliminated their Xanax or Valium. I am only concerned about the "poop out" possibility some have experienced.
I have no real rush to get off the meds....no one is pushing me except me. I just have a hard time accepting that I must stay on benzos for now or I get bouts of shakiness which is hard at work. I did find Tenormin, a beta blocker to be of help with this symptom this week.
I hope you are doing well!
Toothy
Posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2007, at 21:35:59
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica?, posted by Toothy on September 10, 2007, at 20:35:03
Toothy I would like both the antianxiety effects and the antidepressant ones from this med as I think both are possible but not the weight gain. Phillipa
Posted by rina on September 11, 2007, at 13:11:25
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica?, posted by Toothy on September 10, 2007, at 10:38:50
I took Lyrica in high doses for about 8-9months. Yes, it did help with anxiety,depression,stress and all. The activating best results I achieved were at 5-600mg. Anything below 300mg had me sleepy and tired,didn't help much with anxiety for me. Just my personal experience, others may have had different experiences. Some can't take high doses. Some do better on low doses. You just have to find what works best for you. I remember a previous poster was a lifesaver for me concerning Lyrica. She was the one that suggested the high dose would get the most eficacy in her opinion and boy was she right! Good Luck! As you titrate slowly, you'll find out what mg works best. Most importantly discuss with your pdoc.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.