Abusing lyrica and don't know how to stop

[sonicwhite]

I'm going to run out early because i can't stop taking pregabalin like I'm not supposed to. My doctor gave this to me for anxiety and mood but it really does nothing for me......I'm scared of the hellish withdrawals I'm going to have....I have klonopin but, really there is no data that suggest that that stuff even helps with this type of withdrawal. I really want to stop this med.....It is ruining my life and putting everything on hold because i can't seem just to take it right.....I have tried letting people hold onto them to other measures and i just cannot seem to grasp that I am addicted to this med and need intervention. Normal dos is 75mg three times a day but i take like 600 mg all at once. I'm just at the end of my rope with this..


I have been thru a massive psychosis so everytime I have ever had to withdrawal from something it kinda makes me feel like I'm going thru one all over again and oh the dreams are just horrible.

 

[sonicwhite]

Anyone?

 

[Vaya]

This caught my eye; I've been there, man.

You're going to have to taper yourself off; it's your only bet at not having to suffer brought the withdrawals.

600mg is a pretty high dose, but it's not to the point where you're going to need to be concerned about seizures or anything like that. I've had to taper myself off of 2.5 g/day, and it was a lengthy and difficult process. When I was done, however, wow, man! did I ever feel better!

Seriously; when I awoke one morning and I wasn't in that pregabalin fog, it felt like I was reborn. There is soooo much you have to look forward to; just stick with it, and focus on the journey - rather than the destination.

Much love and best wishes,

~ Vaya

 

[sonicwhite]

It's just I can't trust myself enough to wean......I get a wild hair up my butt and beg my roommate when I asked him to hold onto them. It becomes draining that he just gives in.......The only way I see myself getting off this is in patient. And, even if I did get off of them my roommate takes his for his feet......Ugh panic overwhelming me......I wished I was in heaven no longer worrying about this petty crap.

 

[Corazon]

It's good that you are quitting. Do not refill them. I know it's difficult.

A lot of people take many times the dosage of gabapentin and lyrica to abuse them. Doctors even prescribe doses that are extremely high. The result is fucking with the balance of chemicals in your brain. For some people with nerve pain or something, I could see taking a small dosage regularly. I was prescribed gabapentin along with stronger medications for my spinal cord problem, and I would occasionally skip doses and then take more gabapentin than prescribed. It was really stupid of me. I value my brain too much for that shit. I don't even drink.
Put that shit behind you.

 

[Vaya]

It is indeed a difficult thing to do. Difficulty provokes anxiety - I would be concerned if you werent anxious. It means that you're viewing your situation realistically.
Your anxiety and frustration is real; allow yourself those emotions.

So, circumstantially, you feel that inpatient rehab is your best bet. Okay - admit yourself. What are you waiting for? If it becomes clear that you can't do this on your own - and it definitely seems as though you have tried and it isn't working - then it's time to turn your gut feeling into something actionable.

I really do applaud you for being willing to take such a big and scary step towards freedom from this insidious chemical dependency. Be proud of yourself, dude. Rest assured, this will get better.



~ Vaya

 

[Vaya]

How are you holding up today, OP?

 

[pro re nata]

I myself am tapering off of lyrica right now too... .. I have done it a few times and if you can set up and in your case have someone give them to you daily it really is not all that bad. I was prescribed 300mg twice a day so I know the step from 600mg. My current dose has been 300mg/day. Can you ask your doctor for a script or free samples of 25mg or 50mg?

What has ended up working for me is to do two - three day steps, then a boost and then back to the two - three day steps. So for example starting from 300mg/day is go down to 250mg/day for those two to three days then one day back at 300mg. Then 200mg for the next two days then that boost day at 250mg then on down to 150mg.... . And so on. Once you get down below100 you might want to drop that boost day. I have found one I am past 200-150 it is pretty smooth if you can follow the taper.

You can do this! Shit we are both doing it, high-5! It sounds like you really do want to make it through this and making the adjustments in your behaviors to do so is going to give you sooooooOOoo much more than lyrica.

 

[sonicwhite]

Been taking it right......I have had kratom for the last few days but not enough to throw me into withdrawals when I stop today.....I sure hope the effexor keeps the gloomy days at bay. Thanks everyone for the support........I know this drug can make you feel so on top of things but it's not worth going insane for it.

 

[herbavore]

I hope the effexor gives you some relief.

 

[Joshua123]

I take lyrica for a serious seizure condition. I have been on it for a long time. My doctor has me on 600 mg am and 600 mg pm. I have found an alternate supply of lyrica and since have become overly dependent on the medicine to make myself feel more enlightened through out the day. so in the last 7 months my dose has turned to 1200mg am 1200mg pm. The withdrawal is killer. I understand its hard to go through. You really need to find something to stimulate your mind during that time and just lay there and watch tv. let time pass. try to eat light. Your stomach will be messed up as well. YOU know its hard in the first place so have a back up plan. If you cannot handle the withdrawal then taper. I know its hard not to pop your drug of choice when its right in front of you, but its more hard to sweat it out at the end. Trust me I have had to sweat out 2400mg daily before a few times. I wont even describe that hell to you.