mac: pregabalin (lyrica) information requested

[mac]

Hi,

 

This site has been really useful to me and explained a few things the doctor couldn't. I am curious what the usual last acceptable dose is for people who are tapering off of Lyrica? Also has anyone had any luck doing a quicker taper than 10% a month, if so what? I went from 300mg a day to 50mg very quickly but finding lower than that to be much more difficult to do quickly. Went down to 10mg and had to go back up again.

 

Also can anyone confirm if the worst symptoms for me are due to the drug itself or withdrawal of, I cannot prove these are a direct cause but didn't suffer from the following before the drug and now suffer badly with quick onset from the following:

 

- really bad pins and needles, sweaty palms, numbness - especially left hand and fingers but feeling it in both arms at the moment and hair loss - thinning and receding fast. I can take the depression and crying but the physical side effects are really worrying me, they are worse than what lyrica was supposed to help me with and now I feel I am stuck taking it. It is important I work this out to gauge how much to cut by!

 

I didn't originally attribute them to the drug but have read many similar stories so am a bit more concerned about the link.

 

In other peoples experiences who have had this - are they permanent or will the nerves settle and hair grow back?

 

To help I have stopped drinking, I haven't smoked in over a year, gave up coffee and just drink tea now, take organic supplements filled with dried cold pressed super foods, I am vegetarian and eat salad for lunch, I exercise every night and walk during day. About to start smoothies every morning. What else can I do?

 

I think some of the symptoms, including paresthesia and depression could be alleviated with the use of natural GABA enhancing foods and supplements. This gives me hope, however I worry about the hair loss, I feel this has worsened as I reduced the dose but cannot be sure it may be delayed reaction from taking the drug which only just noticing as it deteriorates quicker. Anybody been through similar?

 

I really cannot work out if withdrawing or the drug itself could be influencing hair loss, initially was told by doctor it may be thyroid initiated by the lyrica.

 

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[Fresh]

Hi mac , welcome to the site. Some of your questions will be answered by members , others you'll have to do some reading to seek the answers.

 

Try reading the following threads for starters:

Tips for tapering off Lyrica (pregabalin) http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2381-tips-for-tapering-off-lyrica-pregabalin/

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2390-dr-joseph-glenmullens-withdrawal-symptom-checklist

Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/

Hair Problems: Hair loss, poor condition, body hair http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9108-hair-problems-hair-loss-poor-condition-body-hair/

 

Could you have a go at filling in your signature , instructions are here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Please click FOLLOW at the top right and you'll receive an email each time someone posts.

 

Best wishes , Fresh

[SquirrellyGirl]

I think another link will help with understanding why it is getting harder the lower you go:

 

 

Why taper? Paper demonstrates importance of gradual change in plasma concentration

 

The jumping off point is a dosage which may need to be determined the closer you get to it.  If you find that 10% cuts as you arrive at a near a jumping off dose cause a lot of upset, then it may be necessary to do dilutions of a liquid version to the point that you don't notice cuts at all.  Look at the graphs in the article, starting on the fourth page. Most doctors would say 1 mg of a drug is such a small amount of a drug, that you should just stop it, but when you look at the graph for your particular drug, the jump from 1 to 0 may represent a huge number of receptors freeing up!  So, the goal is to get most of the healing done while you are reducing, so that there is so little healing left to do when you jump off that it won't cause much of a blip at all.

 

SG

[mac]

Thanks. I love Hyperbole and a half!

 

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