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Hi Dr. Kumar: I Started To Ask You About Lyrica/
Question: Hi Dr. Kumar:
I started to ask you about lyrica/pregabalin but wasn't able to continue. I'm struggling with dosing and side effects.
I've been on it for 2 weeks now (50 mgs at night at first and then an additional 25mgs during the day). to ween off the small dose of klonopin I had been taking, thinking it was contributing to increasing irritability and depression.
My mood, irritability, anxiety, apathy, etc. seemed to improve almost instantly when I started the pregabalin. albeit with a little bit and confusion. Two weeks later, the confusion and dizziness seems to have worsened a lot, whereas the mood/anxiety effects are fading. I feel like I am taking an opiod pain killer.
I am also taking 100mgs on Lamictal and have been on this drug for years. Traditionally I have been very sensitive to the cognitive effects of Lamictal. In fact this has been the case with all the anticonvulsant type drugs I have tried (trileptal, topomax, gabapentin). Unfortunately they have also been the most effective with my symptoms.
Is it possible that taking both drugs is causing this? Should I expect the side effects to decrease even though they seem to be getting worse?
At this point I am needing to take a small amount of ritalin to offset the confusion and dizziness. It helps a little. I also take 5mgs celexa at night for the past couple of years.
Thanks
I started to ask you about lyrica/pregabalin but wasn't able to continue. I'm struggling with dosing and side effects.
I've been on it for 2 weeks now (50 mgs at night at first and then an additional 25mgs during the day). to ween off the small dose of klonopin I had been taking, thinking it was contributing to increasing irritability and depression.
My mood, irritability, anxiety, apathy, etc. seemed to improve almost instantly when I started the pregabalin. albeit with a little bit and confusion. Two weeks later, the confusion and dizziness seems to have worsened a lot, whereas the mood/anxiety effects are fading. I feel like I am taking an opiod pain killer.
I am also taking 100mgs on Lamictal and have been on this drug for years. Traditionally I have been very sensitive to the cognitive effects of Lamictal. In fact this has been the case with all the anticonvulsant type drugs I have tried (trileptal, topomax, gabapentin). Unfortunately they have also been the most effective with my symptoms.
Is it possible that taking both drugs is causing this? Should I expect the side effects to decrease even though they seem to be getting worse?
At this point I am needing to take a small amount of ritalin to offset the confusion and dizziness. It helps a little. I also take 5mgs celexa at night for the past couple of years.
Thanks
Hi Dr. Kumar:
I started to ask you about lyrica/pregabalin but wasn't able to continue. I'm struggling with dosing and side effects.
I've been on it for 2 weeks now (50 mgs at night at first and then an additional 25mgs during the day). to ween off the small dose of klonopin I had been taking, thinking it was contributing to increasing irritability and depression.
My mood, irritability, anxiety, apathy, etc. seemed to improve almost instantly when I started the pregabalin. albeit with a little bit and confusion. Two weeks later, the confusion and dizziness seems to have worsened a lot, whereas the mood/anxiety effects are fading. I feel like I am taking an opiod pain killer.
I am also taking 100mgs on Lamictal and have been on this drug for years. Traditionally I have been very sensitive to the cognitive effects of Lamictal. In fact this has been the case with all the anticonvulsant type drugs I have tried (trileptal, topomax, gabapentin). Unfortunately they have also been the most effective with my symptoms.
Is it possible that taking both drugs is causing this? Should I expect the side effects to decrease even though they seem to be getting worse?
At this point I am needing to take a small amount of ritalin to offset the confusion and dizziness. It helps a little. I also take 5mgs celexa at night for the past couple of years.
Thanks
I started to ask you about lyrica/pregabalin but wasn't able to continue. I'm struggling with dosing and side effects.
I've been on it for 2 weeks now (50 mgs at night at first and then an additional 25mgs during the day). to ween off the small dose of klonopin I had been taking, thinking it was contributing to increasing irritability and depression.
My mood, irritability, anxiety, apathy, etc. seemed to improve almost instantly when I started the pregabalin. albeit with a little bit and confusion. Two weeks later, the confusion and dizziness seems to have worsened a lot, whereas the mood/anxiety effects are fading. I feel like I am taking an opiod pain killer.
I am also taking 100mgs on Lamictal and have been on this drug for years. Traditionally I have been very sensitive to the cognitive effects of Lamictal. In fact this has been the case with all the anticonvulsant type drugs I have tried (trileptal, topomax, gabapentin). Unfortunately they have also been the most effective with my symptoms.
Is it possible that taking both drugs is causing this? Should I expect the side effects to decrease even though they seem to be getting worse?
At this point I am needing to take a small amount of ritalin to offset the confusion and dizziness. It helps a little. I also take 5mgs celexa at night for the past couple of years.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
First of all I like to inform you that prescribed dose is well within the starting dose range an there is little chance that an average individual gets confusion and dizziness at 75 mg per day. Having said this I feel either there is contribution from the other medications (lamictal) or you are too sensitive to side effects of pregabalin.
Under both the assumptions I feel either lowering the dose (either lamictal or pregabalin) or waiting for couple of weeks is acceptable strategy. Depending on the situations and impact of confusion and dizziness on functioning an appropriate decision can be taken.
In regard to decrease effect over various symptoms it is common observation that initial effect loses after few weeks but in most cases it reappears after short period of time. Considering this I feel we need to remain optimistic as initial effect is generally placebo effect while the slow onset effect is more specific to prescribe medication.
I hope this answers you further.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
First of all I like to inform you that prescribed dose is well within the starting dose range an there is little chance that an average individual gets confusion and dizziness at 75 mg per day. Having said this I feel either there is contribution from the other medications (lamictal) or you are too sensitive to side effects of pregabalin.
Under both the assumptions I feel either lowering the dose (either lamictal or pregabalin) or waiting for couple of weeks is acceptable strategy. Depending on the situations and impact of confusion and dizziness on functioning an appropriate decision can be taken.
In regard to decrease effect over various symptoms it is common observation that initial effect loses after few weeks but in most cases it reappears after short period of time. Considering this I feel we need to remain optimistic as initial effect is generally placebo effect while the slow onset effect is more specific to prescribe medication.
I hope this answers you further.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
First of all I like to inform you that prescribed dose is well within the starting dose range an there is little chance that an average individual gets confusion and dizziness at 75 mg per day. Having said this I feel either there is contribution from the other medications (lamictal) or you are too sensitive to side effects of pregabalin.
Under both the assumptions I feel either lowering the dose (either lamictal or pregabalin) or waiting for couple of weeks is acceptable strategy. Depending on the situations and impact of confusion and dizziness on functioning an appropriate decision can be taken.
In regard to decrease effect over various symptoms it is common observation that initial effect loses after few weeks but in most cases it reappears after short period of time. Considering this I feel we need to remain optimistic as initial effect is generally placebo effect while the slow onset effect is more specific to prescribe medication.
I hope this answers you further.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
First of all I like to inform you that prescribed dose is well within the starting dose range an there is little chance that an average individual gets confusion and dizziness at 75 mg per day. Having said this I feel either there is contribution from the other medications (lamictal) or you are too sensitive to side effects of pregabalin.
Under both the assumptions I feel either lowering the dose (either lamictal or pregabalin) or waiting for couple of weeks is acceptable strategy. Depending on the situations and impact of confusion and dizziness on functioning an appropriate decision can be taken.
In regard to decrease effect over various symptoms it is common observation that initial effect loses after few weeks but in most cases it reappears after short period of time. Considering this I feel we need to remain optimistic as initial effect is generally placebo effect while the slow onset effect is more specific to prescribe medication.
I hope this answers you further.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
thank you. I have been having trouble driving safely and forgetting where I am occasionally, so I decided last night to taper off the pregabalin. I had this at higher doses of lamictal, and with some of the other antiseizure meds. I had to stop taking gabapentin for nearly identical reasons.
I also have an increased occurance of this weird "seizure" type thing where I begin shaking violently and feel a jolt of electricity going through my chest and arms. This also seems to be linked to brand name lamictal somehow. It became worse when I started the lyrica.
Could I be at risk for some underlying neurological condition? My father developed early onset parkinsons and some earlier seizure type symptoms he believed was linked to his medications. I agree the dosages are too low for such bad side effects so I am concerned.
I also have an increased occurance of this weird "seizure" type thing where I begin shaking violently and feel a jolt of electricity going through my chest and arms. This also seems to be linked to brand name lamictal somehow. It became worse when I started the lyrica.
Could I be at risk for some underlying neurological condition? My father developed early onset parkinsons and some earlier seizure type symptoms he believed was linked to his medications. I agree the dosages are too low for such bad side effects so I am concerned.
thank you. I have been having trouble driving safely and forgetting where I am occasionally, so I decided last night to taper off the pregabalin. I had this at higher doses of lamictal, and with some of the other antiseizure meds. I had to stop taking gabapentin for nearly identical reasons.
I also have an increased occurance of this weird "seizure" type thing where I begin shaking violently and feel a jolt of electricity going through my chest and arms. This also seems to be linked to brand name lamictal somehow. It became worse when I started the lyrica.
Could I be at risk for some underlying neurological condition? My father developed early onset parkinsons and some earlier seizure type symptoms he believed was linked to his medications. I agree the dosages are too low for such bad side effects so I am concerned.
I also have an increased occurance of this weird "seizure" type thing where I begin shaking violently and feel a jolt of electricity going through my chest and arms. This also seems to be linked to brand name lamictal somehow. It became worse when I started the lyrica.
Could I be at risk for some underlying neurological condition? My father developed early onset parkinsons and some earlier seizure type symptoms he believed was linked to his medications. I agree the dosages are too low for such bad side effects so I am concerned.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
First of all I feel we need atleast four to five days of cooling period after starting any new medication especially psychotropics and anticonvulsants. In case that cooling period is over it is right decision to decrease dose of pregabalin.
This shooting sensation or seizure like weird feeling can be prevented with use of vitamin B 12 in most instances and most individuals report disappearance without any intervention. However the decrease dose of Lyrica will have less chance of this feeling.
It is difficult to predict the future chances of getting neurological disorder but I must inform you that among many of the causes for Parkinsonism familial cause is one among them. No such complications observed with anticonvulsants noted so far.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
First of all I feel we need atleast four to five days of cooling period after starting any new medication especially psychotropics and anticonvulsants. In case that cooling period is over it is right decision to decrease dose of pregabalin.
This shooting sensation or seizure like weird feeling can be prevented with use of vitamin B 12 in most instances and most individuals report disappearance without any intervention. However the decrease dose of Lyrica will have less chance of this feeling.
It is difficult to predict the future chances of getting neurological disorder but I must inform you that among many of the causes for Parkinsonism familial cause is one among them. No such complications observed with anticonvulsants noted so far.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
First of all I feel we need atleast four to five days of cooling period after starting any new medication especially psychotropics and anticonvulsants. In case that cooling period is over it is right decision to decrease dose of pregabalin.
This shooting sensation or seizure like weird feeling can be prevented with use of vitamin B 12 in most instances and most individuals report disappearance without any intervention. However the decrease dose of Lyrica will have less chance of this feeling.
It is difficult to predict the future chances of getting neurological disorder but I must inform you that among many of the causes for Parkinsonism familial cause is one among them. No such complications observed with anticonvulsants noted so far.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
First of all I feel we need atleast four to five days of cooling period after starting any new medication especially psychotropics and anticonvulsants. In case that cooling period is over it is right decision to decrease dose of pregabalin.
This shooting sensation or seizure like weird feeling can be prevented with use of vitamin B 12 in most instances and most individuals report disappearance without any intervention. However the decrease dose of Lyrica will have less chance of this feeling.
It is difficult to predict the future chances of getting neurological disorder but I must inform you that among many of the causes for Parkinsonism familial cause is one among them. No such complications observed with anticonvulsants noted so far.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you. I made this decision after two weeks of worsening confusion. If the symptoms were getting better instead of worse, I would have tried to continue. However the benefits were diminishing and the side effects were starting to endanger being outside the house.
Thank you. I made this decision after two weeks of worsening confusion. If the symptoms were getting better instead of worse, I would have tried to continue. However the benefits were diminishing and the side effects were starting to endanger being outside the house.
Brief Answer:
I understand
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
I understand that there is no point in continuing medication when the risks outweight the benefits over a period of time.
I hope this serves the purpose and hope we find a better molecule suitable for you.
Thanks again.
I understand
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
I understand that there is no point in continuing medication when the risks outweight the benefits over a period of time.
I hope this serves the purpose and hope we find a better molecule suitable for you.
Thanks again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
I understand
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
I understand that there is no point in continuing medication when the risks outweight the benefits over a period of time.
I hope this serves the purpose and hope we find a better molecule suitable for you.
Thanks again.
I understand
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
I understand that there is no point in continuing medication when the risks outweight the benefits over a period of time.
I hope this serves the purpose and hope we find a better molecule suitable for you.
Thanks again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Symptoms were continuing despite weaning off Lyrica on Monday and Tuesday. Out of desperation I took a quarter of a .5mg klonopin and the majority of the symptoms went away. The klonopin must have been doing more in the background than I thought. It was also responsible for some of the depression because the "i'm a little tired of everything and everybody" feeling came back.
Symptoms were continuing despite weaning off Lyrica on Monday and Tuesday. Out of desperation I took a quarter of a .5mg klonopin and the majority of the symptoms went away. The klonopin must have been doing more in the background than I thought. It was also responsible for some of the depression because the "i'm a little tired of everything and everybody" feeling came back.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
From the available description it appears that the confusion and drowsiness were the by product of excessive anxiety or thought process rather than medication alone. Otherwise it is not possible to observe disappearance of all symptoms with administration of Klonopin 0.5 mg.
I hope this helps you to understand the problem in better manner.
Thanks again.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
From the available description it appears that the confusion and drowsiness were the by product of excessive anxiety or thought process rather than medication alone. Otherwise it is not possible to observe disappearance of all symptoms with administration of Klonopin 0.5 mg.
I hope this helps you to understand the problem in better manner.
Thanks again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
From the available description it appears that the confusion and drowsiness were the by product of excessive anxiety or thought process rather than medication alone. Otherwise it is not possible to observe disappearance of all symptoms with administration of Klonopin 0.5 mg.
I hope this helps you to understand the problem in better manner.
Thanks again.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
From the available description it appears that the confusion and drowsiness were the by product of excessive anxiety or thought process rather than medication alone. Otherwise it is not possible to observe disappearance of all symptoms with administration of Klonopin 0.5 mg.
I hope this helps you to understand the problem in better manner.
Thanks again.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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