Pregabalin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Sir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 1, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered with severe anxiety and depression for years. I tried 6 different antidepressants as well as benzodiazepines, and all did nothing for me or any help. Eventually, I was put on Pregabalin by a Psychiatrist, and it was very helpful, almost from day one. We increased my dose until I take the maximum of 300mg twice a day. At this dose, my anxiety has been pretty much eliminated. I am happy and now an active person. However, a word of warning to anybody taking this medicine for a long time: DO NOT allow yourself to suddenly withdraw from it. I recently had to go a week without it, and it was a living hell for me. Withdrawal symptoms for me were as follows: severe anxiety and depression, suicidal ideation, inability to sleep, nausea, and vomiting."

• G-M...
• January 29, 2013

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "This is my first ever review on this site, but felt it was necessary. I have Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis, and I am only 21 years old. I have been on Lyrica for about 2 months, best 2 months of my life. I have tried every medicine you could think of, minus painkillers. I am no longer constantly fatigued, anxiety and paranoia. Pain levels drastically dropped, for the first time in my life, I actually have thoughts racing through my brain. Not one single panic attack, the list goes on. I know a lot of people want to hear this, I have LOST weight like crazy, and have the same sex drive. Try this before ANY antidepressant. Talking is sometimes harder for me, small price to pay though. I couldn't be happier with my life."

• aca...
• May 13, 2017

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "It's sad when people write a drug off because their experience was negative. With nerve pain of any kind, there are different levels of pain in which the body can get to. Sometimes I have muscle spasms with and without pain, in my face, my legs, my back, neck, and shoulders, and my eyes too. I even vomit as a result of severe pain. My vision is blurred, my breathing and anxiety levels are greatly affected. Lyrica makes most of this go away. Please understand not all meds suit every individual, so you have to try different things till one works for you. I also took Lyrica in pregnancy and have a healthy chubby little baby boy, 100% okay. This med gave me part of my life back. Living with pain is crucifying, but living with Lyrica is a solution!!! For me, anyway."

• Sne...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 7, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Beware of this drug. I’ve taken it for over 12 years now and have been tapering off it for well over a year and a half. Withdrawal from this drug can be a life-altering, career-destroying experience. The anxiety and depression can be extreme. Horrible brain fog, severe insomnia, paranoia, severe mood swings, and anger that approaches rage. My research indicates that severe withdrawal is fairly uncommon, but there is no way to know if you’ll be a victim. And the after-effects can last for years, trying the patience of loved ones, your employer, doctors, and friends. If you are considering going on Lyrica or have been on it for only a short time, consider stopping as soon as you can. But beware - even short-term exposure can lead to nasty, long-lasting withdrawals. I’ve read one person's account of only taking it for two weeks, and she still spent a year in withdrawal."

• anx...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 17, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I had GAD for over 30 years, tried all medications, pregabalin works the best, better than Valium. I still get side effects, I can get paranoid, dizzy, and my eyes can hurt slightly. However, it has allowed me to work and feel less depressed. I can get out and do things. I only take a small dose, try to take the smallest dose that works. A higher dose could be no more effective than a lower dose, in my experience."

• NIC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2018

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "So far it has been GREAT!! I have been on it for 3 weeks now and I finally have pain relief. I was able to get up off of the floor while playing with the kids with no help. So far I have had little side effects that are bad. Not sure if it is the medicine or just that I feel so much better but I have more energy and have been able to do things for long periods of time. I have lost 4 pounds and it curbs my appetite. I no longer feel hungry at bedtime and I sleep so much better. I do feel like I am a bit wired all the time but it doesn't affect me badly."

• Gaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Finally started pregabalin 2 days ago. I suffered terrible anxiety, it’s unreal how fast it works. Its excellent calmness is now the norm. I take 15 mg of Lexapro as well. I live in England, and more and more people are now given pregabalin as a first defense toward stopping anxiety."

• lgz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Great medicine that gives a benzodiazepine effect for anxiety, but without the bad side effects such as memory loss or addiction. You can't stop taking pregabalin cold turkey, however, because there are some withdrawal effects such as increased anxiety, insomnia, and depression in my experience."

• Pjs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed Lyrica at a dose of 75 mg a day for neuropathic pain and chronic daily migraine, which seemed to help with the pain. But I had an anxious feeling like nerves were charged. My doctor upped my dosage to 150 mg in the morning and 75 mg at bedtime to be upped to 150 mg if tolerated. My first day at 150 mg felt like my nerves were super charged. I was tired and fatigued, walking around like a zombie, unable to think properly. I was also emotional. It was awful. I continued the next day with the same result. I am going to discontinue 150 mg and get off this medication as soon as possible. It may work for some people, but not for me."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2010

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "About four hours after taking the first dose, I felt years of anxiety just fade away like mist in the morning. The next day I was free of pathological anxiety, and have been the same ever since. So, full marks from me. Yes, there are side effects, but they're nothing compared with anxiety that attaches itself to all aspects of your life."

• Sne...
• September 2, 2015

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I feel the need to warn everybody about the side effects and how difficult it can be to get off this drug. I've been on it for approximately 8 years before the side effects really started kicking in. It began as morning anxiety attacks, severe GI upset, mood swings, and low to mid-level depression. I tried changing the schedule from twice a day to three times a day. It helped at first, but about two months later my body began anticipating the new schedule and the side effects would start kicking in about an hour before the next dose. It's taken me 8 months to get the dosage down from 225 mg a day to 75 mg a day, and every step down has been sheer hell. Every step down leads to a period of depression, and it gets worse the closer you get to zero."

• pey...
• September 30, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on pregabalin for 5 months. It has been amazing with regard to eliminating the crippling anxiety, but I still have problems at night. I cannot get to sleep because of crowded thoughts, I keep waking during the night in nightmare scenarios, and I wake very early with my mind in turmoil again. Does anyone else suffer this way? I am wondering whether to increase from 75mg x 2 a day."

• Ric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2022

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Terrible, this med. Caused 20 different things to me, including shaking hands, impotence, bad balance, forgetfulness, memory loss, dizziness, weight gain, bad eyesight, among other things. When I was trying to get off of it, I had real bad anxiety. As far as I’m concerned, it is poison. I was on it for 8 months but didn’t realize that it was causing all of these problems until I got off of it, and all of the problems went away. I actually thought that I was getting to the end of my life."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2015

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I've had fibromyalgia for about 30 years - I am 43. Endometriosis from ages 13-36, (a hysterectomy 'fixed' that); clinical depression from about 16, (break down at 28); anxiety disorder; insomnia and/or severely disturbed sleep cycles for 15-20 years. AND I've needed a cane to walk for the last 2-3 years. FMS and depression compete for the title of 'most debilitating.' I've tried almost everything, (Cymbalta was useless.) The last 2 months I've been taking slowly increased doses of Lyrica. Currently on 150 mg a day, (2× 75 mg,) with a view to 300-400 mg. I've had zero relief from pain, BUT nasty side effects. Almost no sleep. Worsened depression and anxiety. Terrible FMS type 'fog.' Flatulence! Cannot see this continuing or improving. (Available on PBS in Australia.)"

• MoA...
• November 6, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed pregabalin about 8 years ago and have been taking it ever since. I suffer quite badly from anxiety and agitation, and I can't tell you just how much this medication has helped. Even if I could just about get through the daytime without it, when I am asleep and my mind can follow any path it wishes to, it chooses to go down really bad avenues, and I wake up feeling absolutely dreadful, and this reached a terrible climax 8 years ago and resulted in me not eating at all and therefore losing a frightening amount of weight. However, on my last pharmacy visit, I was given a generic version of the drug, which has not worked at all, and so I am hoping my GP will put me back on Lyrica. If not, I am very fearful for the future."

• Pab...
• October 18, 2019

For Pain "Was put on Pregabalin a week ago after headaches and facial pain due to trigeminal neuralgia. I also have severe anxiety because of this and depression. I have been on another medication, carbamazepine, for over a year, and since switching to Pregabalin - 75mg one in the morning and one at bedtime - my pain has reduced, and my anxiety has reduced completely. Hopefully, this continues. I must also add that I also take sertraline 100mg x 2 daily & amitriptyline 4 at night."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 7, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I take 75 mg at bedtime. I started Lyrica in 2015 when I had shingles. I noticed that I wasn't having crippling anxiety. I was able to stop Klonopin. I went back on Klonopin when we moved out of state. I also started Ambien 5 mg for sleep issues. I thought I could stop Lyrica. That was a big mistake. Last night I didn't take the Lyrica and I am so anxiety-ridden and feel physically sick. I will definitely take the Lyrica tonight."

• Kat...
• March 25, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have started this medication again under a pain specialist. I am very sensitive to meds, so he has started me off on a very low dose of 25 mg, which I will gradually increase over weeks. The first time I took this was a 75 mg dose, and I had memory loss in what felt like blocks of time. It scared me so much I only took it twice. E.g., I would make a cup of tea to sit down and find I had already made one. Lol. I drove to the shopping center and could not remember that I'd just driven there. Last night was the first time in a year that nerve pain in my arm from frozen shoulder eased significantly, also, my anxiousness, which has been gradually getting worse, seems to have eased, and I don't feel stressed about my day ahead going out in public."

• Big...
• May 16, 2017

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "My doctor prescribed Lyrica for fibromyalgia, this was the worst medication I have ever taken! Within a few days, my anxiety levels were through the roof. I had other side effects too, but I can't recall what they were now - it's been a horrendous year."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "After 2.5 years of awfulness from chronic rib pain after liver surgery, I can say Lyrica is a miracle drug for me. The doctor advised starting at 75 mg and doubling after a week, but after reading many bad reviews at high dosages, I decided to start at 75 and see. I needed to increase to 100 mg a day, but the relief is amazing and lifesaving. My pain has been reduced so much - it’s still there, but I can handle it, and from where it was, it’s amazing. Even after 6 weeks, I felt it improve again without upping the dose, so start low and stay with it, and I have had no side effects other than it makes me less anxious and happier - I love it."

• ste...
• January 30, 2011

Pregabalin for Pain "This is a miracle medicine. My pain prior to taking this medicine was so bad. I was having a hard time waking up in the mornings because the pain was just wearing me down. It was harder to function at work too. My imagination started running wild as I started wondering if I was going to end up on Social Security disability. I've had 2 back surgeries C4-C7 and started to have new pain in the T spine below the 3-level fusion. I started taking Neurontin a few months ago for my pain and it did help some, but after a few months, it wasn't helping anymore. My pain was strong and deep. I just didn't have much hope in this medicine, but it is AMAZING! I have my life back. It helped with my anxiety also."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was once a student mental health nurse, wanted to help others because of my experience with depression. Anxiety crippled me on the course even though grades were good, dropped out and ended up cleaning toilets instead. Over the years have worked with learning disabled people and enjoyed it, but the anxiety has been constant. Was put on Gabapentin for severe headaches and noticed brief respite. This year I did a lot of online anxiety tests, all said anxiety was severe. Approached GP about Lyrica, not believing I wouldn't have to see a psychiatrist. Amazingly, she agreed to put me on Lyrica 150 mg x 2 daily, am noting slow, steady improvement over two weeks. Far better than diazepam and the depression is lifting too, have a very stressful job but am finding I can walk away at the end of my day. Anxiety is still present to a degree but is very much under control. Optimistic for the first time in years, will seek to be careful as I don't want to build up tolerance, so far brilliant."

• hap...
• January 18, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I had been experiencing major depressive disorder, and I have an anxiety disorder. I have tried every antidepressant on earth and had suicidal ideation with each one, even after one pill! I have some nerve pain, so I tried gabapentin but didn't really get any relief from it, so I asked my doctor for some Lyrica. The next day, I felt the depression lift, and the anxiety came to a manageable level where I felt I could function well and go out in public. I recently started vaping nicotine, and the anxiety is back. I am going to quit and continue to take the Lyrica. When I feel really anxious, I take 10 mg of Valium with it, and I am in heavenly bliss. No pain, no worries, just normal, albeit a bit sedated, but still very functional."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Have had to stop pregabalin 50 mg x2 a day. Really awful. Caused worse anxiety. Huge panic attack on day 6, when I got up during the night for the toilet. Couldn't get back to sleep again. Was left feeling on the verge of having another attack all day, then had anxiety-induced insomnia that night despite being exhausted. Other daily side effects include feeling disassociated and 'not there' all day, impaired motor skills, and slurred speech. This is my experience, but I can be sensitive to medication. Have ADHD/autism."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2022

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Horrible experience, this drug Lyrica almost made me lose my mind. I was prescribed this back in the spring of 2021 for chronic pain in my neck and shoulders at a low dose. Was on it less than a week when the side effects kicked in-night terrors that made it impossible to sleep, severe anxiety including panic attacks, severe restlessness, paranoia, and abnormal strange thought processes. I stopped the medication after speaking to my doctor around the 2-week mark, but the side effects took another 2-3 weeks to fully disappear. At one point, I remember sitting on the bed, rocking back and forth, humming to myself, unable to get a grip on anything that was happening. Thankfully, I felt like myself again after a few weeks, but at the time, I felt like the med had permanently changed my brain. From what I've heard, this experience is VERY rare, but I feel like it's important to get it out there as a warning nonetheless."