Weaning Off Lyrica (Top voted first)

I caused some sort of nerve damage to my knee in May of 2014 by walking the treadmill every other day. I first felt a mild soreness in my knee, but then one night, I was waked up by a huge pain emitting from my knee down my calf. From then on for over 4 months I was in severe pain 24/7. Could not sit in anything but a straight chair and that for maybe 15 minutes. Could not ride in a car for more than a few seconds before a knifing pain took over. I was pretty much bed bound with my leg up on a pillow. Even eating a meal at the table was hard. Went to three different orthopedists, all of whom felt the problem was arthritis. Then I thought, "No way." And I went to a neurologist who immediately put me on 50mg of Lyrica. Then on 100. After a month, about half the pain was gone, then it seemed to "click" and all my nerve pain was gone on 200mg per day, 100 in morning; 100 at night. He took it to 150 morning and 150 night, for some reason. Well, insurance did not pay. So it was $300 per month for that. And I didn't like the idea of being on a drug forever, especially one that worked on my nervous system. So I started weaning off it. My doctor and his nurse just couldn't understand why I would want to! I have had a few odd things happen at each racheting down. Like from 200 down to 150 per day got me 3 days of itching everywhere. I am now taking 50 mg in the morning and no more and am doing well. I plan to go to every other day now for two weeks and then totally off. I think I would have felt a return of the pain before now if I were not going to be able to get off it. I am eager to lose the 20 pounds I gained and not to feel off balance when I walk. Does anyone know how long you have to be off it before all symptoms from it stop?

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I find myself unable to argue. While medication can be beneficial, it is just silly to take one that you don't need.

I really hope things continue to go well for you! Please keep me updated!

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Hello, Roberta! How are you doing? I hope things are still going well.

It may take a couple weeks, before things balance back out and return to normal.

However, you should be aware that the pain could still return, so please be careful.

Other withdrawal effects, as listed by the FDA, may include dizziness, fever, chills, diarrhea, rebound pain and the risk of seizures.

Did you ever get to the root of what the problem was?

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Nope, nobody seems to know what the problem was other than the neurologist said it could just be some small nerve in the knee area. So far so good. His nurse gave me six weeks supply of 50's so if I need to jump back on them, I can. I also have a prescription for 75's if I need it. I just want off! I am grateful there was Lyrica. It gave me back my life. But now I want off it.

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