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NSHN Forum Support & On Topic Forums. Some additional boards are viewable to members only => Survivor Room => Topic started by: phoebe_monkey on May 10, 2012, 09:34:52 PM

Title: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: phoebe_monkey on May 10, 2012, 09:34:52 PM
I've been really struggling for the past couple of weeks... my anxiety is much worse than usual, I'm constantly agitated and keep getting panic attacks and I keep feeling like its not safe to leave my room. I think it's due to a combination of things happening at the same time that I'm not really coping with- my mum's ill, my uncle has incurable rare cancer, my art workshop I go to has lost funding + is closing down, I'm finishing at college and I have my final appointment with my Uni counsellor (who I've seen for 4 years) next Friday. It's all a bit much to cope with.

My cpn is on holiday for three weeks (brilliant timing!) so I went to see my GP this morning. Managed to explain a bit about the overwhelming anxiety and she said she wants me to take an anti-anxiety medication called Pregabalin. Apparently it's used for general anxiety disorder. I've never heard of it so I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience of taking it?
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Faded~Lady on May 10, 2012, 10:49:00 PM
I'm on it helps my anxiety loads
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: squiggle on May 10, 2012, 11:10:10 PM
i was on it, it didn't help me at all.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: katj on May 11, 2012, 05:23:06 PM
My friend took it for anxiety and found it really helped her.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Bea on May 11, 2012, 05:54:09 PM
I take it for both pain & anxiety.  Along with my other meds (ADs & painkillers) they have made a difference, but it has been a long haul, with lots of tweaking of amounts.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Faded~Lady on May 11, 2012, 06:24:30 PM
I had mine increased over the last 5 months psych also told me it has stabilising properties
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Savannah on May 11, 2012, 06:30:35 PM
I'm about to start it for chronic pain and it's an anti-epileptic. I know it's used for MS, ME, epilepsy etc but didn't realise it was anxiety too. Hope it works for you.

Any side effects?
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: phoebe_monkey on May 11, 2012, 07:10:18 PM
Thanks for all the replies. I'm waiting on my GP/pharmacist finding it as a non-coloured liquid (I'm allergic to colourings and can't swallow tablets so they love me!) before I can start taking it.

I'm quite interested that its used for pain too... I have plenty of that due to weird and wonderful injuries from trampolining as well as sciatica, various joint pains and being a clutz and constantly walking into things! Maybe that will be an added benefit.

Seems to be that it doesn't work for everyone, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Faded~Lady on May 11, 2012, 07:27:10 PM
It helps my sciatica :)
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Nightowl on May 17, 2012, 06:06:11 PM
My consultant is writing to my GP to get this prescribed for me, he's told my SW to tell me that possible side effects include irritability and weight gain but I'm going to give it a go.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: phoebe_monkey on May 17, 2012, 11:21:08 PM
I finally got my prescription today. It was special ordered as liquid, but what they've done is just crush up the capsules and made them into a syrup with no flavouring so it tastes disgusting! *sigh* I hope it helps.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: greenday on May 18, 2012, 07:38:15 PM
ya my parents r on it  :shoc:
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Broken Wings on May 22, 2012, 04:19:59 PM
Just started on this today,what's the best time of day to take it?,he's given me a lowish dose to take once a day
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: phoebe_monkey on May 22, 2012, 05:13:25 PM
Hmm I'm not sure really since I take it both in the morning and evening. Since it might make you sleepy maybe evening would be better?
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Broken Wings on May 22, 2012, 05:27:29 PM
Thx hun,great minds think alike,i googled and found out about the sleepy part so i'd already decided eve was best xx
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: greenday on May 22, 2012, 09:37:45 PM
thats great  :penguinswirl:
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Bluegirl27 on May 23, 2012, 09:58:38 PM
I have been on this for about a fortnight.  I think it has helped with my anxiety somewhat.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: greenday on May 24, 2012, 08:42:52 AM
hay i think they r good  :yahooo:
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Broken Wings on May 24, 2012, 11:09:18 AM
Been taking it for two days feel its sent my anixety soaring.

Can it do that? Make it worse before it helps?
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: phoebe_monkey on May 24, 2012, 01:11:15 PM
Hmm I dunno. Don't think it's meant to do that. Maybe ask your gp/whoever gave you it?

I think it's helped my anxiety quite a bit, but I'm not really sure.
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: Broken Wings on May 24, 2012, 01:24:55 PM
Thx will speak to gp,seeing her tomorrow she didn't prescibe it but she should know.

Glad to hear you feel its helping you xx
Title: Re: Pregabalin for anxiety
Post by: greenday on May 24, 2012, 03:35:31 PM
my dad thinks its not working but i dont now  :sb: