Harm Reduction Lyrica as SSRI replacement?

[FutureReference]

Hey all,

I am sorry I have not been around, I was drowning in alcohol but made NYE the last night of drinking and am 48 hours clean of the garbage. Dealing with life head on now.

My question:

I was recently prescribed Lyrica for pain 50mgx3. I'm going to get it doubled in 2 weeks to 100mg dose. I am on Citalopram (Celexa) 20MG once a day. I take it at night because it affects me in a few weird ways and almost fights the effects of my other medications.

Can I stop taking the Celexa? Will I be okay? I see online Pregabalin many are given for antidepressant properties but don't want to have seizures or withdrawals, etc.

Thanks in advance and God Bless! Happy New Year to all

 

[evo4ever]

Pregabalin is not indicated for Depression but I can see its possible efficacy. Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant so it would lessen ur chances of having a seizure, if ur dose it kept low then acute WD would be mild to non existant.

 

[FutureReference]

Pregabalin is not indicated for Depression but I can see its possible efficacy. Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant so it would lessen ur chances of having a seizure, if ur dose it kept

Pregabalin is not indicated for Depression but I can see its possible efficacy. Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant so it would lessen ur chances of having a seizure, if ur dose it kept low then acute WD would be mild to non existant.

Thanks so much man. I am also on Clonazepam 6MG daily so I can safely kick the Citalopram? I think 10MG is starting dose so i don't believe 20MG is too high just not very knowledgeable on SSRI

 

[evo4ever]

I'd rather u taper ur self off it rather than just abruptly stopping it. And yes ur Clonazepam will help ALOT with any SSRI WDs. Do a rapid taper over 2 weeks.

EDIT: SSRI WDs are no where near as bad as benzo or opioid WD, u might not even get any WD tbh

 

[negrogesic]

I used to take 900mg a day (prescribed) of lyrica for no good reason. I wouldn't describe its effects as being antidepressant like, but rather emotionally blunting. In that regard it does not take the place of an antidepressant.

If you plan on discontinuing the antidepressant do not do so cold turkey. You'll need to reduce it gradually or you will experience withdrawal.

 

[emkee_reinvented]

The above, taper.

Pregabalin is a great anxiolytic, not a antidepressant though.

 

[Shortec Stublue!!]

Gabapentoids work as CCB’s (calcium channel blockers) with a downstream effect on gaba a&b receptor subtypes. This pharmacologically puts them in a category with anxiolytics, here in London the NHS licensed them only a relatively few years ago. There is no action that could substitute for an SSRI. So if your depression Manifests in more of an anxious nature, your Pregabalin should help.

Do however, as others have stated, titrate down with your Citalopram, even if you believe you can jump off with no issues. Also Pregabalin, Gabapntin and Baclofen, are often used in the treatment of alcohol dependence, so win win. Hope this helps .

 

[FutureReference]

Gabapentoids work as CCB’s (calcium channel blockers) with a downstream effect on gaba a&b receptor subtypes. This pharmacologically puts them in a category with anxiolytics, here in London the NHS licensed them only a relatively few years ago. There is no action that could substitute for an SSRI. So if your depression Manifests in more of an anxious nature, your Pregabalin should help.

Do however, as others have stated, titrate down with your Citalopram, even if you believe you can jump off with no issues. Also Pregabalin, Gabapntin and Baclofen, are often used in the treatment of alcohol dependence, so win win. Hope this helps .

Thanks so much man. I know a lot but also know nothing about certain things and I appreciate the explanation brotha. I'm thinking of asking them to up the dose of Lyrica because for some evil reason they want to keep me on 40MG of Oxy instead of just upping it to 60MG. The stigma here has literally ruined my life but I embrace the pain and PTSD and own up to it all

 

[Lucy20]

Taper off celexa slower or you could go mad. I don't think lyrica is an antidepressant but doctors seem to prescribe it without fully knowing how it works.
Lyrica made me manic my first dose before antidepressants

 

[Shortec Stublue!!]

Thanks so much man. I know a lot but also know nothing about certain things and I appreciate the explanation brotha. I'm thinking of asking them to up the dose of Lyrica because for some evil reason they want to keep me on 40MG of Oxy instead of just upping it to 60MG. The stigma here has literally ruined my life but I embrace the pain and PTSD and own up to it all

No probs mate. Are you in the UK?

@Lucy20 They initially started to prescribe gabapentoids alongside a trypical ssri, so people tend to relate the two!!

 

[Wilson Wilson]

You would be best talking to your doctor about this so they can taper you off the SSRI. As others have said, SSRI withdrawal is no joke.

Pregabalin is prescribed for anxiety in the UK (and the EU) so there is clinical backing to use it as a psych med. Asking to use it in place of an SSRI should be fine. I have GAD and got scripted pregabalin myself after bad SSRI experiences. So one can replace the other no problem. Pregabalin has since been made a controlled drug which tends to make the NHS more cautious about using it, but if they will script you oxy they will up your dose of pregabalin.

As for the oxy dose, the 40mg limit is all GP's are often allowed to prescribe. Most GGC's will not let any GP script above 40mg. You need a referral to a pain specialist if you want your oxy dose to be increased.

 

[FutureReference]

You would be best talking to your doctor about this so they can taper you off the SSRI. As others have said, SSRI withdrawal is no joke.

Pregabalin is prescribed for anxiety in the UK (and the EU) so there is clinical backing to use it as a psych med. Asking to use it in place of an SSRI should be fine. I have GAD and got scripted pregabalin myself after bad SSRI experiences. So one can replace the other no problem. Pregabalin has since been made a controlled drug which tends to make the NHS more cautious about using it, but if they will script you oxy they will up your dose of pregabalin.

As for the oxy dose, the 40mg limit is all GP's are often allowed to prescribe. Most GGC's will not let any GP script above 40mg. You need a referral to a pain specialist if you want your oxy dose to be increased.

Thanks for the reply brother! Unfortunately the Lyrica and Oxy both come directly from a Pain Management Doctor my Psychiatrist is much more understanding but she told me she can't even prescribe Pregabalin in the US anymore! The fake drug war has made everything so complicated

 

[Lucy20]

No probs mate. Are you in the UK?

@Lucy20 They initially started to prescribe gabapentoids alongside a trypical ssri, so people tend to relate the two!!

Its weird because I can take benzos and years ago I took lyrica and felt drunk. Years later my doctor gave it to me and it was like i was on super speed and I almost went nuts. Started raging, couldn't sit and mind going nuts. Ive never heard of anyone having my reaction and it sucks because I got a bottle of 120 300mg

 

[Lucy20]

For ssri discontinuation i cut my mirtazipine from 30mg to 15mg and haven't noticed any difference. But the last 15mg i am reducing 5mg a week. Ive gotten brain zaps from stopping ssri's so im extra careful.
I have clonazepam for any anxiety

 

[Shortec Stublue!!]

Yeah gabapentoids can have many indirect effects, due to opening or closing sub-unit receptor sites. Some can stop an SSRI as some can stop an opioid. Most humans need to reduce sensibly though!!

 

[Wilson Wilson]

Thanks for the reply brother! Unfortunately the Lyrica and Oxy both come directly from a Pain Management Doctor my Psychiatrist is much more understanding but she told me she can't even prescribe Pregabalin in the US anymore! The fake drug war has made everything so complicated

Ah you're in the US? Most of my advice doesn't really apply to you then sorry.

Mad they can't even prescribe pregabalin in the US anymore, why is that? It's not even an opioid, it shouldn't be a focus for the "drug war" in the first place in theory, unless the DEA is just looking at any med indicated for any type of pain as evil now.

 

[Shortec Stublue!!]

Me too @Wilson Wilson we have European knowledge. “Lyrica” is not indicated for anxiety in the US, it is still widely available for the licenses they use though. I don’t think it is connected to abuse status in most states, some obviously!!

 

[Wilson Wilson]

The US is just nuts to me, I've chatted to people on here saying their doctors outright told them that opioids would treat their diagnosed chronic pain best but they still can't write a script. How can you call that healthcare? How is it not a violation of the Hippocratic oath? It's madness over there.

The NHS can be a bit stingy with controlled drugs is nowhere near that bad, as a general rule if someone needs pain relief they'll get it.

 

[pally pete]

The US is just nuts to me, I've chatted to people on here saying their doctors outright told them that opioids would treat their diagnosed chronic pain best but they still can't write a script. How can you call that healthcare? How is it not a violation of the Hippocratic oath? It's madness over there.

The NHS can be a bit stingy with controlled drugs is nowhere near that bad, as a general rule if someone needs pain relief they'll get it.

Part of the problem seems to be 'Healthcare is a privilege and not a right' mentality in the US. It's seen as a business and nothing more.

Luckily for us here in the UK.. it's not like that. Although there has been what is known as 'creeping privitisation'.. Whatever your opinions about the NHS, I believe it's an institution worth keeping. (Even if this is sentimental thinking..)

 

[Shortec Stublue!!]

It is indeed @Wilson Wilson. Absolutely bang on there @pally pete, we are very very lucky in the grand scheme of things. Hence why it is always such a political football for any incoming or outgoing government. Sentimental we are and rightly so.

Even our decent upstanding Yank cousins can’t comprehend this, but If there ever comes a time “creeping” privatisation is rife, there will be protest. Take away our NHS completely and the most intense revolution of modern times will ensue .