Pregabalin for anxiety

[Catsservant]

Hi all does anyone take pregabalin for anxiety, if so how soon does it take to work. I’m on citalopram but it isn’t doing anything. Psychiatrist suggests I have depression manifesting as physical anxiety symptoms. Plan to try pregabalin first then change to venlafaxine he thinks I have treatment resistant depression thanks

I take Pregabalin but not for anxiety. It's not something to be taken lightly - I do fine but many people suffer with uncomfortable side effects. I'd say if there's another option, try that first.

Thanks I am due to switch to venlafaxine shortly. I’m just not getting any better I have been ill now since November. Citalopram does nothing, buspirone is useless I tried quetiapine for anxiety that did nothing I’m running out of options. I think I have tried everything else

Anyone else please

Be aware that it has an effect on your appetite. My friend is on it for a different reason and is always craving sweet things; she has experienced noticable weight gain.

Pregabalin is in the news today, might be worth a search

I wouldn’t recommend this. It makes weight gain easy and withdrawal is HARD

Venlafaxine was not for me. The side effects were incredible.

@stargirl1701 What side effects did you experience, did it work for you

Pregablin has changed my life. I am prescribed for anxiety. I can do things I could never do before. It does affect memory and you have to manage the hunger but I am so free now.

@slipperytiger Thank you so much for your helpful comment. I have taken 2 today already anxiety much better. If it can get me through switching from citalopram to venlafaxine I will be very happy!

I’m on 20mg citralopram and 150mg pregab. I feel so much better. I didn’t do well with venlaflaxine but we are all different

@slipperytiger did venlafaxine not work for you or was it the side effects?

horrendous stuff!!!! No longer prescribed in Belfast as it is so addictive, abused and then near impossible to get off. The physical withdrawals are horrific never mind the psychological.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8fc8sXWopBs

It has worked pretty well for me. But the first 3 weeks were horrendous. I was SO hungry and felt like I was on a small boat in a rough sea, I also could not keep my eyes open. I still experience anxious thoughts but they feel dialled down and are not all consuming as they once were.

pregabalin literally changed my life! I was struggling to function, work, parent my anxiety was so bad. I’d had it for years and it just kept getting worse. I was lucky and had a lot of support from the nhs, family and friends. I was put on pregabalin and could actually function. Now I’m positively thriving! It literally gave me my life back!
It has never affected my weight but definitely causes issues with memory. In an ideal world I wouldn’t need it but it’s not and I do

Pregabalin alongside venlafaxine changed my life too. I am actually on what is considered to be a subclinical dose but it works for me, saved my life, I wouldn't be here now without it.

I have just taken my first dose of Pregabalin this morning. I have struggled with dreadful anxiety and agoraphobia for literally decades ( because I have treatment resistant depression according to new psychiatrist)
I am also on Trazadone - I feel quite woozy , does this pass? TY

Yes it does pass. Can’t remember how long I experienced this for but it does pass. I also felt a bit sleepy too initially but again, once my body adjusted it was fine. I wasn’t on Trazadone tho. Hope it work for you

Thank you so much @Girlintheframe x
It's not been as bad today, so hopefully it will go soon.
I really appreciate your reply :-)

I used to take pregabalin for anxiety. Worst drug I've ever had to come off of. I had terrible brain fog and memory with it. Coming off was the most horrendous thing. It took me 2 years in total. Had near constant headaches, dizziness, couldn't function, had time off work nearly every dose drop. Finally a doctor let me have it in liquid form and finally I could reduce it more slowly.
Just be careful with it when you come off.

This has been my experience of it also with service users. All great at first but try and come off or not able to get your dose and it is a nightmare. Just two days missed and vomiting and chest pounding and terrible sweats. Young women petrified that their dose will be reduced.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-37693212

I couldn’t take it, couldn’t cope with the side-effects. Blinding headache, dizzy, spaced out. I need to work and drive abs felt unsafe doing both.