Hi. I’m 29 (M) and have the curse which is General/Social anxiety where I kinda feel I am standing on the sidelines watching life go by without me. My gp is changing me from Diazepam 6 mg per day to Lyrica 75mg twice daily with a review on dosesge in a month. Diazepam helped me for 2 years through the death of my parents and it helped me get back into work but tolerance has made them virtually obsolete now. I had a panic attack at my sisters house about 3 months back and she gave me a Pregabalin pill, I couldn’t EVER see past diazepam but Pregabalin made my anxiety virtually non existent to the point where I felt like I was as happy again as I was back in High School before I came down with this mental illness... One single Pregabalin pill made me feel anxiety free and confident for the next 5 days.. I was completely honest with my gp about the situation and he was very happy about me taking the next step forward in my recovery as he put it..(if there is such a thing for anxiety)
I just wonder if anyone has experience of being prescribed Pregabalin and if so, if it helped your anxiety? My doctor has told me that tolerance to this drug doesn’t build anywhere near as quick as benzodiazepines which I was very pleased to hear about.
Ps I only ever took my Diazepam when I felt that I couldn’t face the world hence I was never addicted, I plan to do the same with the Lyrica.
Thanks so much for reading
I I am on diazepam for 17 years and also Lyrica for four months . I have a strong dependency on diazapam . My psychiatrist prescribed me 75 mg Lyrica in the morning and 150 mg at night. However, I heard that Lyrica is a hell drug like the benzodiazepines. Did you know that ? And for me I don’t see it helps with my anxiety.
Hi thanks for your reply, yes I heard that Diazepam withdrawals are worse than even Opiate withdrawal but luckily a couple of friends warned me about that so I was too afraid of getting physically dependent on them although I have a huge tolerance on benzos myself at the minute as I used them to take the edge off and had to take more and more, but Lyrica takes my need for them away. I have read some bad reviews on Lyrica but others swear by them for an anxiety medication. He’ll drug, did you have bad reaction or do you mean they’re addictive? If you don’t mind me asking, did Lyrica make you feel worse? Thanks
Hi;
Never heard of Lyrica being given for anxiety. Also when your on any kind if benzodiazepine you should taper iff and not quit cold turkey. My concern is your sister giving you a pill not prescribed for you. What if you had an allergic reaction. It states clearly on prescription bottles not to give to anyone not intended for or something like that. That kind of experimenting is dangerous and unhealthy behavior. Rake care and I hope you feel better.
At first when I started taking Lyrica , the dizziness killed me. I dont know which meds I am taking currevrlynthat actually make me feel better but my dr explained to me about how the GABA receptor in our brain absorb lyrics and he said is not addictive. I joined a private group on Facebook called Lyrica survivor (pregabalin support) thee are people sharing their withdrawals on Lyrica and is horrible. I will start to wean off the Lyrica too but then I am also addicted to benzodiazepines. I am on diazapam for 17 years already . How did you manage your anxiety ?
Its getting progressively better over the years ie at work etc but things that I used to love doing like parties, nights out etc are still a no no. I went to CBT twice where I was told to expose myself to the things that I fear the most, easier said than done!! It’s there 85% of the time. Stress sets it off then most days I wake up feeling sick to my stomach with it for a week straight and that’s when I would take the Diazepam which became more and more ineffective... There’s still so much stigma around mental health so it’s not something that I feel comfortable talking about openly to friends etc. I was on 6mg Diazepam when required for when I felt really bad but that’s finished now. Now my journey with Lyrica is about to begin and hopefully it will help
Yes I totally agree with that but when you feel like you’re going to die you’d do nearly anything to feel better. I was honest to my doctor about this and agreed. I’ll certainly check out the Facebook support groups, I realise this is a relatively new drug that hasn’t been researched too much so I’m trying to find out all that I can. Thanks again