[sunnydisposition]

My doc just prescribed me Lyrica for anxiety. And I am ashamed to say that I cannot bring myself about to take it. I read the basic side effect profile after I came home, and they were scary, like a few of them were, swollen lymph nodes, arms, legs, kidney damage, cognitive impairment, weight gain and so on.. I have health anxiety so this is pretty heavy for me to digest. I keep feeling guilt like I'm letting my doctor down and mostly, myself down, by not even trying it. But if I try it I know i'll be in a constant state of panic. Can anybody else relate to this?

I understand. Every time I read the potential side effects of my meds my anxiety goes through the roof. Lithium alone can cause kidney and thyroid problems. I had to have an EKG for an old med due to heart risks. It is scary. In my case though I just cant live without my meds. At least not a happy life. So I take them. If you are anxious speak to your doctor about the risks (the odds are likely small for the major ones) and make your decision from there.

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

I understand. Every time I read the potential side effects of my meds my anxiety goes through the roof. Lithium alone can cause kidney and thyroid problems. I had to have an EKG for an old med due to heart risks. It is scary. In my case though I just cant live without my meds. At least not a happy life. So I take them. If you are anxious speak to your doctor about the risks (the odds are likely small for the major ones) and make your decision from there.

Being a mental health victim is like being dealt a really sh#tty hand, in a game that we cannot quit, with cards that we cannot fold, just gotta keep playing the game somehow..and no one realizes this how hard it gets for us..The only way i CAN take my meds is when i see others take the same med in large numbers.. that lets me know im not alone..Lyrica is rarely seen mentioned in the forums, so the feeling that im alone taking this med scares the hell out of me..No matter how hard i try i cannot deal with that..Im just gonna ask my doc to switch to something harmless like BUspar maybe..and apologize to him for my inability to take Lyrica. God does it have to be this hard, do we have to live in so much fear all the time..

It will be okay. Asking to switch meds is completely reasonable. It is a crappy hand to be delt, but we just have to make the best of it.

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

It will be okay. Asking to switch meds is completely reasonable. It is a crappy hand to be delt, but we just have to make the best of it.

Thank you for listening to me and talking to me. I actually feel better now. Thank you so very much. I hope I can do the same for you someday.
Have a nice Christmas!

Anytime. Merry Christmas!

Man, I cannot stand the way that doctors play fast-and-loose with medications.

I take 900mg of Lyrica daily for neuropathy and nerve damage. I have heard of gabapenten being used as mood stabilizer and for anxiety but this is the first that I have heard of Lyrica being used for anxiety.

Yes, Buspar is an anti-anxiety med. Lyrica is not. Do as recommended and voice your concerns. Not so much concerning the side-effects, but about the difference in the medications.

[Albie]

Docs sometimes perscibe off brand meds meaning the FDA while not officially endorsing a certain drug for a specific treatment, studies show it works or it's still in various clinical trials for treatment. Drug reps can't discuss this but other docs or clinicians can