Depression Forums
General => Medication => Topic started by: Beetzart on July 05, 2012, 10:45:12 AM
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I thought I would give updates now and then with how I get on with this newish drug for anxiety. I don't know if anyone else takes it here but it might be helpful, or give some idea what it might be like if people wanted to ask their doctor for it. My pdoc said GPs don't like prescribing it due to the cost, but to quote him 'I don't give a f*** about the cost'. Also it seems to have good reviews across the net.
I am on 75 mg twice a day for a week, then 150 mg twice a day.
I took the 1st dose at about 2 pm yesterday and within about 45 minutes I felt quite relaxed, slightly elated, and talkative. I didn't notice any impairment at first but after a couple of hours I got a bit sleepy and had a lie down for an hour.
Took the next dose at around 8.30 pm and had similar effects. I took 45 mg mirtazapine at 11 pm and by midnight I was out of it; foggy feeling, dizzy, but not unpleasent so I went to bed. Before I fell asleep I started to see images with my eyes shut and heard voices, but it wasn't disturbing. Just quick sentences with voices saying stuff like 'what shall we do today?', or 'come over here'. Then I fell asleep, a very good nights sleep I may add. Some of these effects may be due to the combination of pregabalin and mirtazapine. This morning I woke up groggy but that soon passed and I feel quite relaxed and positive. Looking good so far.
It is meant to take a week before real benefits are noticed so I'll keep posting.
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Well after four days I have felt great then dipped a bit. There is definitely a mild sense of elation and calmness after taking them, plus a bit of a 'couldn't give a f***' attitude mixed in as well. I haven't felt dizzy or sleepy but may do when I go up to 300 mg a day. Yet today I have been really irritable and getting wound up one minute then the next I'm all calm again; could be the depression of course. Also, I feel more focused on things and seem to be seeing things in a more positive light. My appetite has increased a tad and my sleep is better, plus I don't feel groggy in the morning, well not for very long anyway.
So far quite impressed, no serious side effects and most importantly I do feel markedly less anxious.
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Sounds good - I think I want some :)
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That sounds really positive $%$.
S x x x x
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Kate, it is licensed to treat GAD in the UK. My pdoc said GPs don't like prescribing it due to the cost, no generic available you see. But that might not be the case everywhere. The great thing about it is it works on the same part of the brain that alcohol and benzos target, yet, it has a very low potential for abuse. Also, I haven't found myself wanting to gobble more down, like you might do with diazepam say, and have strictly stuck to the prescribing instructions. But it works almost as quick as benzos. Having one 75 mg capsule made me very chatty and relaxed within an hour, a bit like after 2 or 3 pints but without the bloated feel you get when drinking. And another great thing is that you can get it on repeat indefinitely, unlike benzos which GPs will mostly only give for a short time. The maximum dose is 600 mg a day in three separate doses. This is a drug that I used to hope would be discovered; like a benzo but not as addictive, and still makes you feel good (by eliminating anxiety), and quickly! Could be, or is, a wonder drug for anxiety. No, I don't work for Pfizer either!
I'll be honest; I can't wait till wednesday when my dose gets doubled! :P
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Hi Beetzart,
It is very nice to hear that you are deriving some pleasure out of something, I know how awfully low you have been, so it is wonderful to see you more positive.
However, I do find it somewhat concerning that you are exhibiting a drug/addictive using personality (something we have in common and no negative connotation intended)...you enjoy the highs and you are looking forward to having the dose upped so you can get more high more frequently. I'm not suggesting addiction is around the corner, but do bear in mind that temporary feelings of elation are no cure, and its easy to get lost in the world the drug induced pleasantries and to ignore your actual problems. However, lets hope the more longer term effects of the drug prove to be a suitable solution to your anxiety. Perhaps the highs well soon plateau out.
I hope pregabalin works well for you and that its proves to be a success. My new medication is helping me immensely and I hope yours does too.
Take care,
Steve
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Hi Steve
I know what you are saying. Although because I have been anxious for so long, chronically, having relief is wonderful. I can leave the house without panic and I'm not fretting about everything, and I'm calmer but focused. Thank you for your concern though, and of course addiction does enter my mind. I can get hooked on stuff like benzos but never have trouble getting off them.
Beet
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I can understand what you are saying Beet. I would have taken anything if it made me feel better. Just glad you are getting some relief from your anxiety. S x x x x
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That's right, Shaz. Sometimes the anxiety can get so bad that you become irrational. Do you beg a doctor for help or throw yourself of a cliff?
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You beg the doctor for help.
I am glad you are feeling so much better.
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Went up to 300 mg a day yesterday, and it feels like I am drunk. I'm wobbling all over the place, but it is not a nasty feeling, just content. The main thing I am not anxious so this may the nearest thing to a wonder drug. Fingers crossed!
Beet
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My fingers are crossed for you too Beet xx
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Mine too Beet.
S x x x x
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Sounds good Beetzart, think I want some :) you know its bad when you can't leave the house without painkillers because you are 'scared of what pains you might get while you are out' and you can't walk down a highstreet on your own because you feel like everyone is looking at you. Plus the fact I wake up feeling groggy every morning anyway so it probably won't make any difference to me :-\
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It is a good drug, Icelolly, but strong. It does feel like you are drunk but all your anxiety just disappears.
With regards to this doctor coming out tomorrow, well I feel a bit hemmed in. He is getting paid by the company to assess me so I wonder how impartial he will be. But then again I don't care anymore, I really don't. I've absolutely buggered my life up because of my inability to get along with people. It's just been a pretence all these years trying to be something I'm not. I make enemies wherever I go and that's not because I actively try to do that but it just seems to happen. Must be because I am shy; noisy people don't like shy people because they can't suss them out, always think we're up to something. I love quiet people. There is a sense of mystery about them, what goes on in their head that we'll never hear. So yes I like being a mystery to people. Noisy people are easy to work out, you only have to be in their company for 5 mins to get them. They're boring as well, always yacking and trying to be the centre of attention, questioning everyone's motives, and always looking for the slightest fault in something. My mum, who is quiet, always said empty vessels make the most noise, quite true. I don't like noisy people.
Here's to all the quiet, shy, people, of the planet. Silent, maybe, but the best thinkers the World will ever have! $%$
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I can't agree with any of that beetzart. You have assigned a list of negative traits to people who speak a lot but it isn't so much true as it is the way that you are viewing them. I don't think you can make judgements like that based upon the amount of noise people make. Of course the people you describe really do exist, but it isn't accurate to be so general.
Also, like I said the other day, you may be perceiving threats when they are not really there and so it is possible that you feel people are calling your judgement into question when they are holding normal conversation. Perhaps you do work with a bunch of morons who are like this, but is isn't correct to say people who are outgoing will call your judgement into question, and I wouldn't assume they tell you everything either because there could be a lot they are not telling you.
I really do think this is something therapy can help you with because viewing people in this way is part of your difficulty with social situations. It is a cycle, and your perceptions of others are being reinforced by your isolation, which leads to further isolation.
Non of this is your fault, your depression must be a major factor in this.
Take care mate,
Steve
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Yeah I know you are right, Steve, but that is what my mind does. It is a negative feedback loop that just gets worse, always has done, and this time it has snapped and I'm just hiding away. It is me, not them, I keep telling myself that. I'm the problem, always have been. I'm fed up with pretending, and I've realised when all that is stripped away I'm an empty shell. Sorry to rant, I'm...I don't know anymore!
Thank you for your honest post, Steve, it helps.
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Beet, if ranting helps rant away. xx
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Thank you, Zaf. xx
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Thats the good thing about this forum, we can rant, so rant away Beet.
S x x x x
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Hi mate,
I realised when I made the post that I risked making it sound like you was the problem. You suffer from major depression and you have been working in a job which does not satisfy you and with people who do not appreciate your interests - Personally I do not see you as the problem, I see your situation as been one resulting from many factors, but I certainly wouldn't attribute the blame to yourself. In reality you are caring, you have a family and you are accomplished in many ways, I don't think it is the truth that you are a problem. With your depression and anxiety it must be difficult to stand up and be confident about the person who you are, but again, this isn't a fault.
Steve
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Thank you Steve and Shaz.
I'm just worried about the doctor tomorrow, I didn't think I would be. Again it is the depression talking, but a highly qualified, experienced doctor getting paid by the company is coming to my grubby little house. And who is he seeing, some wretched lowlife who can't get out of bed and spends all day surfing the net. Some pleb who is fat and does a job anyone could do and would be easily forgotten if thrown down the memory hole. He won't be on my side, as all he'll try and see is the bottom line. Then again he might be a smashing chap!
Sorry for the self pity but that has been going through my mind all day.
All I want is a break, some lucky endeavour where everything falls into place, to a certain degree. Ideally I'd love to be a writer. Work from home, hours to suit. I've got loads of stories in my head but not confident to put them down on paper. But I am doing a creative writing course in the autumn with the OU so hopefully that will be the incentive I need.
Thanks again
Beet
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I would be the same Beet, thinking of all the bad things that could happen. So you are not alone. I do hope it goes well and will be thinking of you.
I do hope you can fulfill your dream of becoming a writer, the OU courses are very good and I am sure you will pass with flying colours $%$.
S x x x x
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Depression makes us think all sorts of things about ourselves unfortunately. I had my first breakdown when I was a Civil Servant and had a visit from a welfare officer a couple of times, I know its not the same as an OT but I felt very nervous and worried but it wasnt nearly as bad as I expected.
I hope the writing course gives you the confidence to get your stories down on paper
Z xx
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Thank you both so much xxx Coming here makes a huge difference for the better! =+-
Beet xx
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If he is highly qualified then is should recognise the fact that you are depressed.
I don't think you should worry about appearing self pitying, this is a good place you voice your negative thoughts without judgement. I know for sure that when I am depressed I become very melancholic.
I am glad that you are making good plans for the future. The creative writing course sounds like a good idea to me.
Steve
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I swear again that pregabalin is getting close to a wonder drug. I haven't developed any tolerance at all at nearly a month on it. If you get anxious and have trouble going out I would recommend you ask your doctor about it.
Benefits (from my perspective):
No tolerance (as yet)
No sedation, unless you want to sleep then you might do but I have found it more activating.
Markedly less anxiety.
Improved confidence.
Increased talking, feelings of well being.
No significant interaction issues with other meds.
No memory problems like blackouts you may get with diazepam.
It is not a controlled drug in the UK, unlike the USA where it is.
It is indicated for anxiety, unlike in the USA.
Increased appreciation of music, art, etc.
Downside:
Increased OCD behaviour.
Stimulation, wanting to move about more, agitation at times.
Racing mind.
Irritation.
Myriad of side effects in PI sheet which may put people off.
GPs may be reluctant to prescribe it because of the cost, and no generic available till 2018.
Mood swings.
NB I just want to make it clear that these are my experiences with pregabalin. Others may or may not have the same effects. I have found it a 'wonder drug' for me, from how it has helped me to leave the house without awful panic. Obviously, I am not a qualified clinician but I just wanted to share my experiences of a drug that perhaps should be used more to help people who suffer with terrible anxiety.
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Very interesting Beet... I've just read through this diary. I had similar effects on Quetiapine at the start, especially those you describe at the beginning. Unfortunately these wore off very quickly due to high tolerance.
Is it an AD or mood stabilizer?
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Hi Catb
It is indicated for three conditions: GAD, as an adjunct for epilepsy, and neuropathic pain. I haven't developed any tolerance as yet. Also the effects can take 1-4 hours to work after taking it, and then feelings of well being come in waves. Hard to describe and I wouldn't say you get euphoric, but just relief from anxiety. It feels like you have had a few beers; I stumble about and that.
Beet
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That's even more interesting as I have just been prescribed a high dose of Gabapentin for nerve injury/pain. That drug is also used to treat epilepsy. I wonder if Pregabalin might help deal with my anxiety and paranoia at the same time as easing relentless leg pain. I'll talk that one over with the Psychiatrists in a few weeks time.
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Just a quick update on Pregabalin. I am still taking 150 mg twice a day and have built up no tolerance, it works exactly the same all the time. It is quite an incredible drug.
Colin
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Thats good to hear Beet =+-
Z xx
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It's great to hear that it's working for you Beet.
Xxx
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Good you have found something that gives you some relief from your anxiety.
I should take 2-3 x 75mg per day for neuropathic pain , but generally try to stick to one before bed. I'm more wary of developing a dependence, both physically and mentally, from Pregabalin that anything else I use; Codeine, Quetiapine, Mirtazapine and occasionally Zodafem for sleeping and cannabis for chilling. TBH, I wasn't too impressed with the Patient Info leaflet; suggesting dependence symptoms on discontinuing, plus advising patients to inform Doc of past alcohol or drug dependence.
Lately, I've had a problem with anxiety and irritability. The last few days have been particularly bad, until I remember I haven't used Pregabalin for 3-4days . I've taken one tonight and feel a lot better. I'm thinking it wise to always keep them handy for whenever my anxiety and paranoia is at its worst.
$%$
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Dependence doesn't worry me. I missed one dose of venlafaxine the other week and nearly killed myself, when I have missed pregabalin I just feel fed up/pissed off. I'm going to keep taking these for life in need be, just like a diabetic would take insulin so getting hooked isn't an issue. And this is different from people who got/get hooked on benzos or sleepers because you have the tolerance issues and quick pooping out at certain doses. Pregabalin works as well now as it did when I was first prescribed it.
Cat, if it helps you and it isn't classed as an habit forming drug or is classified then I would just keep taking them as prescribed. That's just my advice though.
Colin
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Yes, Beetzart, you are talking sense, I understand what you mean. I would never suggest for a minute that you stop or even worry about dependence. I agree, if it is working for you, then it is right for you to continue.
Today I was terrible with anxiety, trembling, the lot. I took a Pregabalin again and felt a lot calmer. I also noticed when I went out with the dog, my paranoia was not as ridiculous. In light of what you say, I will be taking one in the daytime and one before bed. That low dose is known to be beneficial for neuro pain and even healing and, if it helps calm me down, then that's a bonus.
Many thanks... hope you're well