Mental Health Lyrica - Why such a wide range of experiences for anxiety?

[1nn1nn]

I know there are several threads on this, but it seems like depending on the thread, you either get one of two consensuses - "Yes, Lyrica continued to work after years for anxiety." or "No, Lyrica stopped working after a few weeks." I'm hoping to have both sides of the camp chime in.

I was prescribed Lyrica for social anxiety (150 mg twice a day. I actually take both at the same time usually.). It has been nothing short of a miracle in my life. When I can feel its effects, I feel like I can do anything, conquer anything, and talk to anyone. I've tried to take it as-needed, which in the beginning was every couple of days. It worked amazing every single time. Now I am finding that I've built up a life with so many new social interactions (thanks to the Lyrica!), that at some point, I will need to be taking it daily as the doctor suggests.

1) I find when I can 'feel' the Lyrica's effects (drunk-like feeling), I'm most relaxed in social situations. If I take Lyrica daily, I know this feeling will go away. Does Lyrica's anxiolytic properties remain even if the more 'recreational' aspects disappear? Placebo (both active and sugar pill) controlled studies suggest it does, but there's so many people here who suggest otherwise.

2) Is it a matter of finding the right dose? Right now I take 300 mg in one shot. If I do 150 mg twice a day, daily, and that doesn't work after some time, is it possible that upping to 600 mg/day will be the 'sweet spot' and tolerance won't be an issue?

3) Lyrica seems to have such a wide array of experiences, both recreationally and for mental health, from what I've read moreso than other drugs. Any ideas as to why this is the case?

This is the first time in my life I've found something that can make me so outgoing and enjoy life so much. Way, way beyond anything that benzos have done for me. I don't know if I should slow down on the socializing so I can take Lyrica every few days (not ideal, but if it's between that and the Lyrica not working...). Or if I should give the doctors suggestion a try.

 

[benzoman12345]

I am prescribed Gabepentin 600mgs 3x per day, Lyricas young brother, not for anxiety, for back pain, I get 25mgs Valium per day as well and that's for anxiety,

I take them together in the hope that they will potentiate each other as I have a massive benzo tolerance, I can not say I have noticed any change in my anxiety , I still have a tremor all the time, and all the usual symptoms, the only thing it has really done for me is take away the muscle cramps in my legs and feet that I used to get every single day taking anxiety attacks very painfull,

Have you ever been on Gabapentin ? I'm glad to hear the Lyrica is working for you, I abused my Gabapentin last night because I was pissed off and even tho I felt sober I was staggering all over the place, like drunk but not drunk lol, I may ask my Doc for Lyrica, I am just curious to the difference between Lyrica and Gabapentin , I know Lyrica is stronger, but actual differences in the drug itself ? I ask this because I suffer from bad anxiety and while I'm getting these meds for pain if they could take my anxiety away I would be over the moon, kill 2 birds with the 1 stone !

 

[1nn1nn]

I tried gabapentin for a few days; even in the higher doses, I didn't really notice a lot. I probably needed more. Definitely a drunk-like feeling, and perhaps anxiety dissipation, so it certainly could be useful. At the time, I was already taking Lyrica, so it was in comparison to that. I can take Lyrica at prescribed doses and feel the anxiety just melt away, the mood boost come on strong, and the feeling like I can conquer anything comes over me. You should ask your doctor. It's not FDA-approved for GAD or SAD, but some psychiatrists know that it can be helpful for some people. I would definitely not abuse it, because your tolerance will shoot through the roof and the medication will become useless unless taken in ridiculously large doses.

I'd love to get a prescription for benzos, just for an 'emergency' (i.e. social event that pops up that I didn't expect). Lyrica takes almost two hours to take effect. If you're taking it only when you need it, it can be hard to time it right. That's why I'm asking on these forums if I take it daily like the doctor suggested, if the anxiety relief will stick around even when the recreational effects might disappear.