Pregabalin for generalised anxiety disorder/ social anxiety

[Kiwi_87]

It would be interesting to hear from others who have also tried pregabalin for generalised anxiety disorder. (I also suffer from social anxiety, to complicate things)

I started on 75mg x2 per day, on day 8 (yesterday), I bumped up to 225mg. When my psychiatrist gets back from holiday on Tuesday, will be increasing to 300mg (as per his advice).

I found the initial effects of these meds very pleasant and euphoric, on about day 4 I felt quite euphoric, but the euphoric effect somehow made me feel quite strange/ uncomfortable about interacting with people (more so than usual that is).

At about day 6/7 the euphoric effects passed and I just felt very flat, I could tell the effects of the meds had petered out, but this also made my mood feel quite flat, and then in turn lowered my mood, so after the first week I was keen to increase the dose as suggested.

Yesterday I increased to 225mg and I am feeling a bit better. Today (day 9) has probably been the best day for me, looking and feeling a lot better than the starting phase of these tablets, feeling a lot less weird about being around people and basic interacting. Mood has definitely lifted a bit since the increase yesterday.

(Not sure whether it is the pregabalin increase that's slightly lifted my mood or the fact that I've had 2 decent nights' sleep in a row from taking quetiapine? or may be both factors?).

I'm just thinking though, even when I increase to 300mg on Tuesday, its not that much of an increase from 225mg... maybe I'll feel a lot better after a week on 300mg, but I just feel like I need to be on a much higher dose to really knock out my anxiety, especially my social anxiety, because that is very high. Don't get me wrong I don't want to feel whacked out, but its definitely not working on my SA so far. At all.


Anyway, my main questions are the following:

1) -How long did it take before the spaced out, flat feeling completely went for you?

2) -How long did it take you to start seeing good results on this med?

3) -What is the maximum dose of pregabalin for generalised anxiety disorder? (Is there still scope to increase past 300mg?)

4) -Is anyone else here taking quetiapine for sleep with pregabalin?

[Anne1221]

If that is Lyrica, which I believe it is, that is usually not one of the medications used to treat anxiety/depression, unless you have something like fibromyalgia pain.

[Kiwi_87]

Fibromyalgia is only one of the conditions it's used to treat. It's also widely prescribed for generalised anxiety disorder.

[Boo Bass]

If that is Lyrica, which I believe it is, that is usually not one of the medications used to treat anxiety/depression, unless you have something like fibromyalgia pain.

Hi Anne

I think youre wrong here. Lyrica seems to be an effective remedy for GAD judging from reports on other forums. Im on it myself on 50 mg daily and I think it is already helping.

[Boo Bass]

It would be interesting to hear from others who have also tried pregabalin for generalised anxiety disorder. (I also suffer from social anxiety, to complicate things)

I started on 75mg x2 per day, on day 8 (yesterday), I bumped up to 225mg. When my psychiatrist gets back from holiday on Tuesday, will be increasing to 300mg (as per his advice).

I found the initial effects of these meds very pleasant and euphoric, on about day 4 I felt quite euphoric, but the euphoric effect somehow made me feel quite strange/ uncomfortable about interacting with people (more so than usual that is).

At about day 6/7 the euphoric effects passed and I just felt very flat, I could tell the effects of the meds had petered out, but this also made my mood feel quite flat, and then in turn lowered my mood, so after the first week I was keen to increase the dose as suggested.

Yesterday I increased to 225mg and I am feeling a bit better. Today (day 9) has probably been the best day for me, looking and feeling a lot better than the starting phase of these tablets, feeling a lot less weird about being around people and basic interacting. Mood has definitely lifted a bit since the increase yesterday.

(Not sure whether it is the pregabalin increase that's slightly lifted my mood or the fact that I've had 2 decent nights' sleep in a row from taking quetiapine? or may be both factors?).

I'm just thinking though, even when I increase to 300mg on Tuesday, its not that much of an increase from 225mg... maybe I'll feel a lot better after a week on 300mg, but I just feel like I need to be on a much higher dose to really knock out my anxiety, especially my social anxiety, because that is very high. Don't get me wrong I don't want to feel whacked out, but its definitely not working on my SA so far. At all.


Anyway, my main questions are the following:

1) -How long did it take before the spaced out, flat feeling completely went for you?

2) -How long did it take you to start seeing good results on this med?

3) -What is the maximum dose of pregabalin for generalised anxiety disorder? (Is there still scope to increase past 300mg?)

4) -Is anyone else here taking quetiapine for sleep with pregabalin?

Hey Kiwi

Im taking 75 mg of quetiapine for sleep with pregabalin. No interaction problems.

[Kiwi_87]

Hey Boo Bass, thanks for commenting :) glad its working for you at such a low dose, and not interfering with the quetiapine.

are you able to answer any of my questions at all?

Kiwi X x

[Anne1221]

I did some reading and found out it is indeed used to treat GAD. I know so many people who take it for the pain of fibromyalgia, I was surprised it is used to treat GAD. A government website (NIH.GOV) says it takes "several weeks or longer before you feel the full benefits." Also, it appears 300 mg is the highest dosage it comes in.

[Boo Bass]

Hi Kiwi

I cant answer your other questions because only been on for 5 days. 300 would appear to be maximum.

[Kiwi_87]

that's confusing, I've spotted quite a few other sources saying 600 is the max :/

[Anne1221]

This is a tricky one because the website I use for dosages, drugs.com, lists different dosages for different problems being treated
with the Lyrica. It lists neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia but does not list GAD. So as you can see from what I've copied, when treating one problem, 300 is the max, but when treating another different problem, you can go up to 600 mg:

Neuropathic Pain Associated with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The maximum recommended dose of LYRICA is 100 mg three times a day (300 mg/day) in patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. Begin dosing at 50 mg three times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 300 mg/day within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability. Because LYRICA is eliminated primarily by renal excretion, adjust the dose in patients with reduced renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Although LYRICA was also studied at 600 mg/day, there is no evidence that this dose confers additional significant benefit and this dose was less well tolerated. In view of the dose-dependent adverse reactions, treatment with doses above 300 mg/day is not recommended [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Postherpetic Neuralgia

The recommended dose of LYRICA is 75 to 150 mg two times a day, or 50 to 100 mg three times a day (150 to 300 mg/day) in patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. Begin dosing at 75 mg two times a day, or 50 mg three times a day (150 mg/day). The dose may be increased to 300 mg/day within 1 week based on efficacy and tolerability. Because LYRICA is eliminated primarily by renal excretion, adjust the dose in patients with reduced renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)].

Patients who do not experience sufficient pain relief following 2 to 4 weeks of treatment with 300 mg/day, and who are able to tolerate LYRICA, may be treated with up to 300 mg two times a day, or 200 mg three times a day (600 mg/day). In view of the dose-dependent adverse reactions and the higher rate of treatment discontinuation due to adverse reactions, reserve dosing above 300 mg/day for those patients who have on-going pain and are tolerating 300 mg daily [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

[Kiwi_87]

yeah Ive double checked on other sites and its generally 600mg max for anxiety

[Kiwi_87]

would be good to hear from someone whos been on this med longer term for anxiety who can maybe give us all a bit more detail on this med! Xx

[Boo Bass]

Yep its confusing but Anne has probably cracked it. At least you know its not dangerous to take 600 even if it makes no difference to 300

[Jazzums]

Pregabalin does have some research behind it as an anxiolytic (anxiety-reducer). Whether it's superior to benzos, it seems to be kind of a toss-up. But if it works for you, then I say go for it!