Does Lyrica have an anti-depressant effect?

Question

I have both type-2 bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia. My bipolar control has been iffy the last year and a half. My MPH is reluctant to play with SSNRIs anymore since I'm on 100 mg of Pristiq -- too worried about serotonin syndrome.

Late last year, my PCP decided fibromyalgia was playing an adverse role in my mental health issues. She Rx'd Lyrica, and the results were nothing short of amazing. Within days I free of achy muscles for the first time in years. My energy level shot up, and I was living quite comfortably North of the Equator. Unless you've spent time in the Wicked Witch of the South's lair, you can't appreciate how awesome it is to live somewhere north of the equator. I actually felt hypomanic for a time, but it receded, and honestly? I'd live in Hypomania-ville for the rest of my life if I could. But the area about 10 degrees north of the Equator is a fine neighborhood.

Lyrica is expensive even with insurance. A month and a half ago, I knew I was going to run out a few days before I had to money to refill the Rx. By the second missed dose, I crashed hard and deep, down to the cold, dark crypt where the Banshees cry and promise an end to the pain. I had to miss work two days because I couldn't get out of bed. My wife, who is, like me, a nurse, was quite alarmed. When I got paid, I was able to refill the Lyrica.

I woke up the next day after restarting raring to go. I felt refreshed, and ever since, I've been full of energy, motivated to do things, looking forward to things. I do not ever want to run out of Lyrica.

Now my question is, does Lyrica have an antidepressant or mood-stabilizing effect? I know it's related to Gabapentin (which I was once on as a mood-stabilizer -- didn't work, made me uber sleepy.) Or is it a simple case of getting my pain under control gave me my life back, which in turn coincidentally lifted me above the Equator?

I'm really curious about this. I'm not above reading the PDR when I'm given a new med, but so far, the only psych use for Lyrica I've come across is Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I'd love some feedback on this.

Thanks!

Answer

I know this is an old question but some people might still be looking for an answer. I have several mental health issues, such as bipolar II, and  social anxiety , blah blah, Of course fibromyalgia. Lyrica at the high dose of 600, puts me in a better mood, i am more tolerable. It really helps with my depression as well. I have acute social withdrawal, and since starting lyrica I'm able to leave my house without worrying about anxiety. Its a nice side effect, although it worsens my insomnia. But the good out ways the bad. Lyrica should be considered for mood disorders.

Answer

I also have been a nurse for 30 yrs and have  rheumatoid arthritis . I have recently had a flare up in all joints and back pain. My doctor gave me Lyrica. I took just one dose and woke up after a good nights sleep, still having pain, but have been in a very good upbeat mood most of the day. I&rsquo;m a little groggy and just feel different in my head, but it&rsquo;s tolerable just being in a good mood. I am unable to take gabapentin or most antidepressants and did not want any pain medication as in opiates and have tried anti-inflammatory meds which I don&rsquo;t tolerate well. I&rsquo;ve only taken one dose. So I will let you know if it gets even better, or if it doesn&rsquo;t! So far though, I am impressed!

Answer

To those who have responded to this question. Is the Lyrica still working? I started it 4 days ago and I feel as if I've been reborn. I suffer from very severe depression, extreme chronic pain & insomnia.
The day after I took it I woke up & felt reborn. I slept the whole night through & woke up refreshed. A first for both in over 10 years. It helped my pain tremendously & I smiled and laughed more the next day than the previous 10 years combined. I actually wanted to live for the first time in a long time. Happy, pain free and sleeping. I'm scared that it's temporary and that they are gonna come and take it back as quick as they have it to me. Is it still working for you guys?

Answer

I know this conversation has been on here for a while, but I found this post while Googling. I've been on Lyrica for 3 months. I started out at 50 mg 2x day. I am now taking 75 mg 3x day. I also have Bipolar Type II and Fibromyalgia. I also have neuropathy in my feet and legs. After about 6 weeks of being on Lyrica, I noticed that my fatigue had lessened, along with the general achiness throughout my body. But the neuropathy still persisted, so my doctor increased my dosage. Prior to Lyrica, I was barely able to move from my chair and could only do light daily tasks. Now, I get out of bed feeling rested and not hurting. My mood has also improved A LOT. I think the change in my mood is probably because I'm not hurting and tired all of the time now. I actually felt happy yesterday, and that is a rarity, and I went on a 2 mile hike with my family. For me, Lyrica has been nothing short of a miracle drug.

Answer

It's been over two years since you posted your question, even so I feel like my experience with Lyrica (generic in Brazil for some years), can be of help, if not to you, maybe others.

I have the kind of bipolar disorder I consider the worst, the one that comes with rapid cycling and mixed states, the kind that makes you feel sad and angry at the same time, a mess if you ask me.

One "good" thing about bipolar with fast/mixed states is that you become very sensitive to anything that has any manic effects, from coffee to stress and medication (same goes to things that make you feel sad). That helps detection easy.

I started Pregabalin as an attempt to control a comorbid disease I have called GAD or generalized anxiety disorder, in addition to my base med that is Depakote ER (1500mg at night, also generic in Brazil as of 2017).

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I started Pregabalin with 150mg at night, adding 75mg at lunch after a few days, trouble came when I reached 300mg (150mg at night and 150 at lunch), I got into a mixed state that lasted almost a week, once again I was very sad to see how much suffering I brought to people around me, namely my wife.

On the other hand, I had no more depression (I could feel CLEAR antidepressant effects with Pregabalin, to the point of becoming hipomanic and entering mixed states, leading to all the pain these conditions bring).

As you, I have a lot of energy, other things that changed :
- Fear (had fear of going out, going to work, etc)
- Psychosomatic effects of anxiety on my body such as heartburn, heart pounding and bruxism are gone (am out of pantoprazole for the first time in years).
- Social anxiety was absolutely controlled.

This is a miracle drug for me, yet as I increased the dosage to 300mg my bipolar become unstable. I will today go back to 75mg twice a day and see how ot goes, I hope I won't have to stop it, I don't want to go back to mysery again. It's such a fine line when you're bipolar.

All the best,
Celso, Brazil

Votes: +1

Answer

I was on it for Fibromyalgia, last summer, before I was also diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. I also have been treated for  depression and anxiety . I did not have the same experience as you. Although I was able to exercise on it (I walked 3 to 5 miles, 3 to 6 times a week- now no exercise), I did not feel fantastic. I've been on so many meds that I can't remember exactly why I went off of it, but it could have been the expense vs. the minimal help that it gave me. I do think it made me gain weight too, if I remember correctly. I do know that I was not cured of my anxiety and depression, although around that time I had been denied a years worth of disability pay. So, I don't know. I hope it continues to work for you! I really do! Good luck!

Answer

It is hard to say as the symptoms are all jumbled together. Yes, Lyrica is related to gabapentin which is used as a mood stabilizer though not as much as use to because we have newer medications. It may well help you with your depressive symptoms if only indirectly by controlling your  chronic pain  which can definitely cause depression. Glad it is working for you.

Does Lyrica have an anti-depressant effect?

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