Pregabalin for Anxiety

[hsamantha]

Hi,
Has anyone been prescribed Pregabalin for Anxiety?

What was your experience like when first taking it and then once taking it for a while?

TIA

It's also worth pointing out I've never needed higher and higher amounts. I get no 'buzz' off pregabalin. There is no feeling I'm chasing .

What it seems to do for me is dampen down my fight or flight response. I still get anxiety but it's around things like starting a new job etc. Prior I was in an extreme, heighten response to literally everything.
This response was both physical and mental. From a racing heart to extremely distorted thoughts.

Pregablin 'resets' my system. It seems to keep me in a 'neutral' rather than up or down.

This is however just my experience and others will have had different effects.

@hsamantha If it's something you want to explore further a private psychiatrist is definitely the way to go. You will be waiting a very long time on the NHS. I saw one quickly but this was years ago and I was in crisis.

The other thing to consider is that many people use damaging coping methods to help them through difficult mental health. This includes alcohol and drugs. Many of the clients I saw when working in addictions had started as a coping mechanism. Better MH services would have prevented many people ending up with co-morbities

It sounds like I'm promoting this drug. I'm not. All drugs have their pros and cons. In an ideal world I wouldn't take this or anything else. What I would say is do your research and make an informed decision. You will find people on both sides of the fence. Only you know how you feel and only you can make the judgment call as to whether this something worth trying.

@hsamantha it wasn't a criticism at all that you are willing to go private, more a reflection of the fact that there is massive reluctance in prescribing communities to prescribe pregablin. Where you "pay your money and take your choice" is very different!

I will happily leave the thread as requested. You asked for people to share experiences which I did. It seems like you just wanted positive experiences, as you are choosing to ignore each point where I said that there is a place for medication and wished you well with your decision, and just hoped you could go into a conversation with your prescriber with a clearer understanding of all the risks, because as others have said, sometimes they aren't routinely shared. This can be even more risky in private prescribing where follow up and aftercare is expensive! On too many occasions I have sat with patients who are devastated and ask "why did no one tell me?" In relation to side effects. And so I shared my experiences with you on that basis and nothing more. I wish you well in your journey

@Girlintheframe

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

I've done lots of research on the various drugs available and whilst Pregabalin has lots of nightmare stories, there are also lots that it has given their life back to.

I also have to question those that have taken this drug that have predisposed addiction tenancies, alcohol etc and then they've ended up in a nightmare.

I have a cupboard with diazepam in and never once have I thought taking those on a daily basis would be a good idea. So I think alot depends on the person doesn't it.

All I'd like to be able to do is take my kids bowling without being crippled with anxiety, shot nerves and in permanent fight or flight. It really is no life for my children let alone for myself.

@hsamantha good luck with whatever you decide to do. I can really empathize with how you feel and I'm sorry your having to go through this. Don't give up hope, things can and do change xx

Hi
I'm just wondering how you got on with pregabalin Op?

I have very similar anxiety symptoms to you. Ive also had the same kind of akathesia type response to antidepressants

Has pregabalin helped? X

@Treetops12

Hi, after further soul searching of my symptoms I said to my GP that I thought it may be down to my hormones, perimenopause.

He said he thought I'd hit the nail on the head. Decided to trial HRT. It's been 6 weeks now, I'm feeling lighter and brighter and sleeping better. So will see what the next few months bring x

I've been taking this for nerve pain however I also have anxiety and am taking prozac for depression.

I wondered if anyone had side effects of breathlessness and fast heart rate? I have discovered I cannot drink at all with this med, even a glass of wine.

They did tell me on prescribing about respiratory depression when combined with certain other things and one of my other pain meds I have is co-codomol.

I have a meds review Thurs but don't want to bring it up too much in case they stop it and it is really helping my pain (which is nasty)

It is also giving me food cravings so any tips on helping that welcome.

I'm on 150mg 3/4 times daily and I'm wondering if it may be a little high but it was increased as the pain was coming back after 3/4 hrs.

Are u taking the pregab?

Are u on pregab?

Hsamantha, are u taking pregab?