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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Beckett on May 2, 2014, at 23:47:10
Hi,
I cannot take benzodiazapines nor can I tolerate Gabapentin. No hypnotics (which s*cks). Anti-convulsants only go so far as does buspar. I now realize Lyrica is causing serious edema which is what gabapentin did.
I am treating insomnia in addition to significant social anxiety. (SSRI's destabilize my mood and are only partially effective for SA). I haven't tried the gold standard, Nardil, but doesn't that
create wicked insomnia?I feel like I have tapped out psychiatry.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on May 3, 2014, at 5:11:45
In reply to Need to replace Lyrica for anxiety and sleep, posted by Beckett on May 2, 2014, at 23:47:10
Have you tried mirtazapine or trazodone?
Posted by Beckett on May 3, 2014, at 14:34:18
In reply to Re: Need to replace Lyrica for anxiety and sleep, posted by ed_uk2010 on May 3, 2014, at 5:11:45
Yes. I currently take mirtazapine 30mg at bedtime. I also take 1mg guafacine along with 600mg Lyrica as well. Trazodone makes me feel really terrible the next day.
Does mirtazapine have an effect on anxiety?
Posted by klein on May 4, 2014, at 14:31:31
In reply to Need to replace Lyrica for anxiety and sleep, posted by Beckett on May 2, 2014, at 23:47:10
> Hi,
>
> I cannot take benzodiazapines nor can I tolerate Gabapentin. No hypnotics (which s*cks). Anti-convulsants only go so far as does buspar. I now realize Lyrica is causing serious edema which is what gabapentin did.
>
> I am treating insomnia in addition to significant social anxiety. (SSRI's destabilize my mood and are only partially effective for SA). I haven't tried the gold standard, Nardil, but doesn't that
> create wicked insomnia?
>
> I feel like I have tapped out psychiatry.Hi Beckett,
If Lyrica is working for you, ask your doc, there are a few ways to control the edema. If you decide to come off it, taper off at a reasonable pace.
Do all SSRI's destabilize you? Maybe a teeny dose could help? In certain European countries (Romania I think?? Bulgaria?) the recommended dose of Lexapro for anxiety disorders is only 5mg (starting at 2.5mg). 10mg for depression and that's it. 20mg is considered overkill. I'd agree with them.
Keep us posted, warm regards.
Posted by Beckett on May 4, 2014, at 15:44:02
In reply to Re: Need to replace Lyrica for anxiety and sleep » Beckett, posted by klein on May 4, 2014, at 14:31:31
Hi Klein,
In your opinion, would you think the side effects of 2.5, say, could be avoided such as spaciness or blunting?
Emsam was not destabilizing oddly enough. Or not so odd.
Thanks again :-)
Posted by klein on May 4, 2014, at 16:25:25
In reply to Re: Need to replace Lyrica for anxiety and sleep » klein, posted by Beckett on May 4, 2014, at 15:44:02
> Hi Klein,
>
> In your opinion, would you think the side effects of 2.5, say, could be avoided such as spaciness or blunting?
>
> Emsam was not destabilizing oddly enough. Or not so odd.
>
> Thanks again :-)
>Hey,
Well, I don't think there's any harm in trying? Or any other microdose of an SSRI. I just mentioned Lexapro because it has a track record.
Interestingly enough, Lundbeck/Forest started manufacturing 5mg Lexapro pills quite a few years after introducing Lexapro to the market, originally you could only get 10 or 20mg pills.
Posted by phidippus on May 4, 2014, at 20:42:04
In reply to Need to replace Lyrica for anxiety and sleep, posted by Beckett on May 2, 2014, at 23:47:10
Have you tried Gabitril? Studied for insomnia, GAD and panic disorder with positive results.
Eric
Posted by Beckett on May 5, 2014, at 13:17:32
In reply to Need to replace Lyrica for anxiety and sleep, posted by Beckett on May 2, 2014, at 23:47:10
Sick as a dog. Stopped Lyrica abruptly. I'm waiting for the pharmacy to call back. Now I really hate this stuff.
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2014, at 9:40:43
In reply to Stupid stupid stupid, posted by Beckett on May 5, 2014, at 13:17:32
How are you today? P
Posted by Beckett on May 6, 2014, at 11:17:57
In reply to Re: Stupid stupid stupid » Beckett, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2014, at 9:40:43
Hi Phillipa,
Thank you for asking. Better but not so good. Nausea is gone, but I have the sweats, pressure in my head with a loud ringing in my ears, and no appetite. I need to call my doctor today again-- no call back yesterday. I am really tired of having a psychiatrist, I really am. I was thinking of going through my family doctor for lithium and maybe the lamictal if I keep the lamictal. The rest I'll drop. Oh, and the anxiety has been awful, especially when I wake. Cr*p. My stomach is clenching again. I'm really going on here--thanks for asking. I didn't know stopping would be like this!
Posted by klein on May 6, 2014, at 19:45:24
In reply to Re: Stupid stupid stupid » Phillipa, posted by Beckett on May 6, 2014, at 11:17:57
> Hi Phillipa,
>
> Thank you for asking. Better but not so good. Nausea is gone, but I have the sweats, pressure in my head with a loud ringing in my ears, and no appetite. I need to call my doctor today again-- no call back yesterday. I am really tired of having a psychiatrist, I really am. I was thinking of going through my family doctor for lithium and maybe the lamictal if I keep the lamictal. The rest I'll drop. Oh, and the anxiety has been awful, especially when I wake. Cr*p. My stomach is clenching again. I'm really going on here--thanks for asking. I didn't know stopping would be like this!Hi Beckett,
Lyrica withdrawal is a nightmare =/ I know this first hand. I was finally able to quit taking it by getting a prescription for memantine, which I only took for about 1-2 weeks while tapering off Lyrica. Any chance you can get this?
An alternative really worth trying is taking plenty of magnesium citrate throughout the day while you taper. It should buffer the withdrawal.
I hope you're feeling better soon.
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2014, at 20:37:36
In reply to Re: Stupid stupid stupid » Phillipa, posted by Beckett on May 6, 2014, at 11:17:57
Any better yet? I do hope so and feel for you. Phillipa
Posted by Beckett on May 7, 2014, at 1:58:19
In reply to Re: Stupid stupid stupid » Beckett, posted by klein on May 6, 2014, at 19:45:24
I do feel much better today--like a mild flu. A script finally came through, and I'll talk to psych about titrating. So right now I'm waiting for the Lyrica to kick in and hopefully for the symptoms to abate.
Klein, who knew there'd be withdrawal? At least I know I'm not insane. Is metamine Namanda? I'll look it up. Thanks for your experience!
Posted by klein on May 7, 2014, at 8:32:15
In reply to Re: Stupid stupid stupid » klein, posted by Beckett on May 7, 2014, at 1:58:19
> I do feel much better today--like a mild flu. A script finally came through, and I'll talk to psych about titrating. So right now I'm waiting for the Lyrica to kick in and hopefully for the symptoms to abate.
>
> Klein, who knew there'd be withdrawal? At least I know I'm not insane. Is metamine Namanda? I'll look it up. Thanks for your experience!Weird, I posted an answer but I guess it didn't stick.
Anyway, yeah, memantine is Namenda. It helped me a lot. Any magnesium salt with high bioavailability (magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, NOT mg oxide though) should help.
Also, keep in mind that your withdrawal might be non-eventful if you taper slowly. My withdrawal was a nightmare cos I was taking a very high dose and quit cold turkey, and I'm guessing that's the case for a lot of people who complain about Lyrica withdrawal.
KEep us posted, I'm glad you're feeling better =)
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