Weening off Lyrica

Hi

I was looking for a bit of advice/support on this. I have been weening off all my medications over the last few months due to sexual side effects I was getting. I weened off my anti-depressant, nortriptyline, and finished completely in mid-January. I came off it very slowly, from 50mg to nothing over about 8 weeks. My mood was relatively stable (I tend to be a bit up and down anyway) though I'd have some anxious periods.

Over the last few weeks I have been now reducing Lyrica. I was given it originally for chronic abdominal pain and anxiety, though it didn't seem to do much for the pain unfortunately. I was on 500mg last year and weened down to 200mg last October. I'm now going down from 200mg by 50mg per week.

Is it normal to experience problems with weening off this kind of dose? I thought I would be ok given it isn't a dose to treat anxiety, and I am going slowly, but a couple of weeks ago I suddenly started panicking a bit when I was trying to sleep. I seemed a bit better after a day or two but I have felt quite nervous in general ever since.

Over the last few days my pain has been getting worse (I don't think this is related to the reduction in Lyrica, it often gets worse if I'm not extremely careful with my diet) and it had been bothering me, getting me a bit down. Last night I reduced from 100mg to 50mg Lyrica for the first time. This morning I woke up and felt some twinges in my abdomen. The pain is definitely worse and I have diarhhea (the two usually come together) but I am also feeling nauseated and very anxious. The pain is getting to me a lot more than usual and I am very down.

Is this normal when coming off this medication? How long before this kind of thing settles. I wasn't feeling great yesterday either but that hadn't coincided with any reduction in medication so I'm wondering if it's one of those things.

I'm finding the pain pretty rough at the moment. It is really getting to me. I think I may be best going on a new AD but I wanted to come off Lyrica first as I'm worried some symptoms I had before that nortriptyline and Lyrica helped will return.

Hi, Andy! You really do need to check in with your primary care doctor. I'm assuming that's who put you on these medications. You should never wean off medications without your doctor's knowledge. Plus, they can help you with suggestions as to how to wean properly with various medications.

I see you generally post in the depression forum so you do suffer from depression. It's not a good idea to take yourself off the depression medication. Nortriptaline (Pamelor) is a good medication. I have a friend who has been on it for 40 years and is doing well on it. If you didn't like this medication, you can discuss this with your doctor and explain why you didn't like it. There easily could be something that works about the same without the side effects you didn't like.

Obviously Lyrica does help you. You are taking it for abdominal pain and anxiety and, now that you are down to a lower dosage, your symptoms are coming back. Again, a good visit with your doctor, with a list of questions and comments, would be the best and safest way to handle this. You don't want to end up starting at zero again.

Here is another suggestion. Get an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Your symptoms resemble irritable bowel syndrome. You have cramping, pain, and food can affect this illness. Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic about irritable bowel syndrome. If it sounds like you, then get checked out. You might not need the Lyrica after all.

/www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016

But, please Andy, do see a doctor. We want you to feel better all the way around. We are not doctors here. You want someone with the right knowledge to help you. Do let us know what you find out. We do care about you.

Sherrine

Andy, it sounds like you don't have good doctors. Remember...you are paying them to take care of you! Only spending five minutes with you is ridiculous! They don't mind taking your money for this lousy service, do they! My board certified Internist spends at least 20 minutes with me and never leaves until all of my questions and concerns are answered.

Also, pain is not all in your head! We have had members treated the same way with fibromyalgia. Some have even been sent to psychiatrists! When you have pain, it's your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. Don't give up trying to find out what is going on.

I suggest you find a good board certified doctor. I use an Internist because they have a little more schooling. You should also see a board certified gastroenterologist. If these doctors are diplomates, that's even better. According to my doctor up north, diplomates have to take tests periodically on all the new things in medicine in order to keep the title of diplomate. These doctors usually take time with you, care about you, and hopefully find out the reason you are having these symptoms. It is not in your head!

I wish you luck in getting good medical care.

Yes, I agree you should be on some type of antidepressant. Discuss with the doctor the negative symptoms you were having on the other medication. There could be other similar medications out there that can help you without those side effects.

Do let us know how you are doing and what you have found out.

Sherrine

Hi Andy,

I also get stomach pain but mine comes from food sensitivities. I watch what I eat and see how I feel later. And also if I happen to overeat my stomach will bother me. Perhaps you should drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fiber. But we're far from doctors here, so I'm glad you'll be seeing yours. Oh and try not to eat during the span of 3 hours before bedtime.

The nutritionist and author JJ Virgin wrote a book about avoiding 7 food groups for 3 weeks then trying them again 1 at a time and see how they affect you. Doing this really helped me to recognize which foods I should stay away from.

Participating in this diet is suppose to help a person lose weight and help them with their pain level. It worked for me.

The foods or food groups are:

Sugar or sugar substitutes
Peanuts
Dairy
Soy products
Eggs
Corn
Gluten

I also have to stay away from caffiene, so no chocolate for me.

Let us know how you're doing. Good luck to you.

Post Edited (almost medfree) : 2/6/2018 1:27:11 PM (GMT-7)