HELP IN REDUCING PREGABOLIN

Treatment and medication
1

Have been taking pregabolin since Aug and taking 75mg in morning and 75mg in evening for anxiety-am also taking 30mg Mirtazapine in the evening

​how can i start to reduce the Pregabolin safely as wanting to reduce this before geeting so dependent-have got now some 50mg capsules-can you just reduce either the morning or evening dose from 75mg to then 50mg but not reduce both morning and evening together in the same day

​but this percenatge is greater than the 10% advised to drop-would really appreciate some advice on what to do and whether to start to drop everyday or space out the reduction say reduce 1 day only fotr 1 week and then 2 days in the second week and so on but only reduce either the morning or evening dose but not both in the same day-thks=Peter.

2

Hi Peter.

This is a horrible drug and the sooner you get off it the better.

It causes so many different problems that are irreversible.

But they are not your questions.

Firstly, it is okay to drop from 75mg to 50mg both morning and night.

Secondly, it is up to you how often you reduce. However, every second day or so is actually okay but if you want to do it weekly, that is okay, too.

I was put on this pill and after the complications it caused, and after doing a lot of research on it, i decided to simply stopped taking all together. I did not taper down at all.

Yes, there were repercussions and withdrawal type symptoms, but you will have them regardless of a slow taper off or an instant stoppage.

I have not been on these pills for years and still have problems from them.

I know of people who have been off them for around six years and are still experiencing problems from them.

Once they are in your system they begin to destroy certain things that will never be replaced, will never regrow and will never be replaced by your body.

I hope this helps you, and i hope you have no trouble tapering down and stopping them.

Good luck.

3

Thankyou for your very prompt and kind reply

feel very frightened if that is the word on what lies ahead and how and when to start and how to start the reduction-will not go cold turkey as would not be able to handle that extremeness-take care-rgds=Peter+..  

4

You're welcome.

You will be okay, Peter.

The worst thing to do is stress about them.

If you need any help with them or whatever, you can always ask.

If you use the forum, just post, and if you just want to speak to me, use the little envelope to the right of my user name.

Let me know how you go.

All the best.

5

many many thks-if i am honest i am somewhat afraid of what lies ahead-take care Peter+.

6

Can i ask you please  how long were you taking this for-thks=Peter+. 

7

I can understand your fear. I've been there.

I'm sure you'll be okay, though, so try not to stress about it all.

I was on them for about three months to begin with. They were prescribed for nerve pain so i could do physiotherapy but then they stopped helping with the pain, so i stopped taking them. I was on the same dose as you; 75mg twice a day.

When i went back to the doctor, they talked me into giving them another go but at a higher dose. I did and the same thing happened.

Around that time i was waiting for an appointment at the pain clinic and came across a lady who had been on them herself.

To cut it short, i looked into what she told me; did a LOT of research into this med and discovered how bad it is and what it does to people.

I finally got to the pain clinic and the doctors there both told me my symptoms were in my head and that it was a great, safe medication. They told me "if you have no side effects you aren't taking enough. You need to get headaches, dry mouth and blurred vision in the very least to know they are working for you". I found this an odd thing for a doctor to say so i looked further into pregabalin and came across law suits over it and what it has caused to people, what it does and something very interesting - that during the testing and trials, before it was released for human use, it was tested as something else but when the FDA approved it, the makers of it changed the chemical compound and made it into pregabalin, or lyrica. As far as i am aware, this med as it is prescribed, has still not been tested.

It does so much irreversible damage and i refused to go back on it.

All up, i was on them five or six months and i still haven't recovered from taking them...but i realise i won't because the damage has been done.

I have not taken them for about three years, but have met people who haven't taken them for over six years and are still suffering.

I don't want to make your fear greater, but you really are better off without them.

I know i've probably not helped the matter or eased your worry, but i believe people should know what the doctors don't and/or won't tell you about this poison; and that's exactly what it is.

Sorry for the long response, and for telling you some of what i know.

8

many thks-can i ask what were your withdrawl symptoms were like and how soon did they start after stopping cold turkey-sorry for keep on asking you-thks again Peter+. 

9

hi again-sorry for troubling you

have reduced to 50mg for 9 consecutive mornings then went back up to 75 for 1 day then 50 then 75 and last 2 mornings back down to 50mg  

the evenings i have kept 9 @75mg then 1 n @50 then back up to 75 then 1n@50 and last 2 nights @75-have tried to keep it stable and the days and nights where i changed i still kept to the same total amount for each day the either 50 morn+75 eve or 75morn-25 eve and this change only resulted for 2 days-DO YOU THINK OK TO NOW DROP THE EVE 75MG TO NOW 50 AS PER THE DAY DOSE-OR SHOULD I WAIT A FURTHER COUPLE OF DAYS-DOES IT MATTER-AS YOU CAN SEE I AM A BIT WORRIED/STRESSED-thks for your time and energy in replying-take care-rgds=peter+++.   

10

Firstly, Peter, you can ask me anything if you think it will help and i will answer as honestly as i can, if i can, so there is no need to apologise.

The withdrawals began the first time i didn't take it, but i also had these symptoms if i happened to forget and miss a dose.

I began sweating uncontrollably. I was hot and cold, like a fever. I ached and had pains in places that i'd never had trouble with. Dizziness, anxiety and my hair began to fall out.

As time wore on, i began to notice my eyesight was becoming sensitive to light and my vision was blurred at times, my headaches got worse, and my teeth ached. Yes...my teeth!, and they began to wobble at times, too.

Just for some info; many, many people who are suing this drug manufacturer have actually lost teeth.

It was horrible!

I met someone who was tapering off pregabalin and they were having much the same symptoms as me.

I hope that helps with that question.

11

There's no need for apologies.

If i can help you in any way, i will, and no apologies are required.

I understand your worry and stress but you have to remember that the more you stress, the more this can take hold.

Honestly, i don't think it makes much difference if you cut it down again now or wait another couple of days.

What do you want to do?, and what would you feel most comfortable with?

I know you are on mirtazapine, are you on anything else?

If this is worrying you and causing more stress than usual, it may be helpful to go on a benzo for a short while. If you're doing and feeling okay while tapering down, then you're probably better off without one, though.

I only brought that up because you said you were placed on pregabalin for anxiety.

Change of subject:

Can i ask where you are in the big, wide world?

I hope i helped with that answer, too.

If you have any more questions, you know where i am.

12

Hi many thks for your time and patience

the only other thing i am taking is phenergen which they prescribed to take 25gms morning and 25gms evening-have not taken this morning's phenergen too see how i feel

I work in London

take care and thks again-rgds=Peter+++.

13

Hi Peter.

How are you feeling?

Phenergen is an antihistimine, which i'm sure you know. We are able to buy it over the counter here without a prescription.

I am in Australia.

Take care and let me know how you're doing.

All the best.

14

Hi again-yes we too can buy here without prescription

have been taking these 2 tabs daily since Aug and today DID NOT TAKE the morning 25mg and think have a kind of withdrawl feeling-supposed to not be addictive-can this be withdrawl-am looking to phase out the morning tab but looking like i will have to withdraw from this BY REDUCING TO  3/4 tab then 1/2 tab then 1/4 tab OR AM I BEING SILLY ?GENERALLY HOW AM I FEELING NOT TOO GOOD OBVIOUSLY WORRIED ABOUT THE PREGAB AND THE CUTTING DOWN ON THE DOSAGES-How are you-Australia wow how lucky you are-take care-rgds=p+++.  

15

Hey Peter.

Yes, they say it's not addictive but it is.

What feeling do you have that you're thinking is wathdrawal?

Keep in mind that whatever way you go with cutting down, either the way i did or slowly and steadily, you will still have have withdrawals.

You can't escape it.

Hopefully, though, you won't be affected too much.

As i said before, cut down how you feel is best for you. Only you know how you feel. That way the anxiety about it will be less and you will feel better.

If you think you should take the morning dose but lower it over time, then try it. I was on capsules so i couldn't do that.

And NO, you're NOT being silly. Not at all.

Withdrawal from any drug is a horrid thing to go through, it's just some are worse than others which makes the situations different.

I'll help you as much as i can from here, though, so you're not really alone with it all.

I'd love to be where you are...i've always wanted to go to London, and Canada/Alaska. Australia's not as great as everyone thinks it is. We have the wost accent ever, so different to people in the UK. Are you from there?

16

Hi-thks for your time in replying

have not taken the phenergen tab this morning only the 50mg of preg

so@present taking 50mg preg in morning

evening 75mg preg/25mg phen+30mg mirt

like you the preg is in capsule form so cannot reduce to the max 10% per month re the preg

am seeing Doctor on Tues and do not know whether to reduce the morning does to now 25mg from 50 or reduce the evening dose from 75 to 50-think the evening reduction may be the best idea

understand preg now comes in Liquid form so may this is the better way to reduce in smaller amounts-who knows

was thinking about reducing either tonight or tomorrow the evening 75mg to 50mg and see what re-action

even thought about reducing evening's in this way

1 week all @75mg but i evening reduce to 50

2nd week reduce 2 evenings to 50mg other 5 nights 75

3rd week reduce 3 evenings to 50mg  other 4 nights 75

and so on-BUT IS IT WISE TO ALTER THE DOSAGES IN THIS WAY?

At the moment have the foggy head and the feeling of not quite being fully aware but am able to concentrate-had also a bit of the burning sensation in my back

I was actually born in Northern Ireland but have an Italian surname.

Really am worried about what to expect from the Preg withdrawls and dont really know the best plan to withdraw.

thks for your patience and understanding-take care-have a good w/e

rgds=peter+++. 

take care and thks for your patience and understanding     

17

Hi Peter.

I think you're doing okay, and are on the right track to cutting down slowly. I agree that you should cut the evening dose down rather than the morning as it evens it out a little more, and you still have the phenergen and mirtazapine to help with sleep if you need it.

I also think the way you have outlined the tapering down is good, but are you going to alternate? I think alternating is good but makes your body a little unsure. I feel you would be better doing as you've said, and cutting down at the end of the week so that when the new week begins you're body would have adjusted somewhat.

I would love to say it's either wise or unwise to taper this way, but it depends on how you feel. You also have to take into account that you WILL feel odd or different because you're taking something your body has become used to getting. Think of it as a spoilt kid and don't let the feelings get the better of you, or else all this work would have been a waste of time and you'll have to start over. That said, though, you also don't want to feel so bad that you feel like you're going mad, for want of a better term.

Your foggy head is natural, so is the sluggish awareness with concentration. You'll feel sore and achy so i'm not surprised to hear you have a burning type sensation in your back. The aches and pains are because your nerves are beginning to function again, so expect joint pains and things like that. Also expect your jaw and teeth to ache, and possibly feel loose. If you've injured yourself or do, the pain will also feel worse than it actually is. This is because the pregabalin is losing control over your nerve endings, which is a bad thing for pain, but a good thing because the pregabalin is leaving your body.

I really don't mind helping you, Peter, it actually helps me to know i'm helping someone else, and i really wouldn't mind if you messaged me every few hours or so. If that's what helps you, then that what it takes.

If i can help you, i will.

I know you're worried. This is horrible drug to come off. Like i said, though, if you're having a really hard time of it, maybe some benzos will help. I know they have a bad reputation, but they are actually very useful in a lot of areas, used in the right way...especially this one.

I know i sound like a broken record, but please, try not to worry.

There will be issues with different things, like the fogginess and aches etc, but you're better being off this drug than on it. If you didn't know that we wouldn't be communicating.

Talk to your doctor on tuesday and let him/her know how you're doing and how you're tapering. That will probably make you feel a little more at ease as well.

Please let me know how you're doing and what your doctor says.

And, as always, if you need me just shout! (or message). I'm here if you need me.

Northern Ireland looks like a beautiful place. I used to have a neighbour from there.

No thanks needed and i'll speak to you soon.

Enjoy you're weekend as well.

Take care.

18

Hi trust you are well and your w/e good

thks for your assuring reply

So if i am correct you think it is best that i do not alternate but just when i  am ready to reduce the evening dose of 75mg to now 50mg so that this will then be the same as the morning dose that's how i think you are saying is that correct-have read also is no good to alternate by going down and then up again.

Re the phenergen have stopped taking this since last thurs the 25mg morning only and because have taken this since Aug feel this may be some form of withdrawl i am feeling-think i may be better to start back on the 25mg in the morning and then reduce to 3/4 tab/then 1/2 tab/then 1/4 tab-maybe that is what i should have done initially

or am i being over worried?

take care and have a good week-rgds=Peter+++. 

19

Hi Peter.

I'm good, thanks and the weekend was okay, too. I hope all's the same your way as well.

How is everything? Are you doing okay?

Yes, you're correct in the way i think you should taper.

If you alternate, it will mess with your body and head, but if you cut down and stay on that dose for a bit, then it gives your body time to adjust to that lower dose and it'll stop expecting more and not go haywire on the days it doesn't.

As for the phenergan. Why were you taking it? I forgot to ask about it before. It shouldn't cause you withdrawals as it's mainly used for nausea or as an anti-histimine, although can be useful as a sleep aid. It's also used as a sedation in minor surgeries.

My advice about this med is take it if and/or as you need it. I take one every morning for hayfever and don't suffer drowsiness, but it causes it in some people.

You should be able to stop this without problems or symptoms if you want to, but keep in mind that it could be a help in sleep and a "bit" of pain relief from some of what the lowering of pregabalin brings.

I think what you are feeling is more from the pregabalin cut down than from cutting down your phenergan.

I hope that makes sense.

If i don't hear from you again tonight, i hope all goes well at the doctor's tomorrow.

All the best.

20

Hi again

thks for your  assuring reply.

was taking the phenergen prescribed by the Doctors to be taken when taking the preg i just wondered because i had taken this since Aug i perhaps was getting withdrawls by suddenly not taking the morn dose

have a good evening-take care-rgds=p+++.