Pregabalin anyone ?

[anxious J]

Hi has any one taking pregabalin and found it effective for there anxiety also is there a tolarance problem or anything ? Thanks J

[insights]

Pregabalin and other such anti seizure meds are being increasingly prescribed for anxiety by doctors unwilling to prescribe benzodiazepines in the mistaken belief they do similar things in the brain. They don't. However, some do report achieving positive results in mild to moderate anxiety. There is some evidence that the most effective dose is 400-450mg/day. Higher doses may be less effective. It may take 3-4 weeks to achieve maximum results, however, some improvement should be apparent after a week.

Tolerance isn't usually an issue, however, you will need to slowly wean off to avoid seizures.

Ian

[anxious J]

Does pregabalin work on gaba rather then serotonin ? & does it lower serotonin as it doesnt really say how it works

[insights]

Does pregabalin work on gaba rather then serotonin ? & does it lower serotonin as it doesnt really say how it works

It inhibits the infux of calcium into cells. A brief explanation: At rest neuron membranes are negatively charged to –70 millivolts. To 'fire' the voltage needs to rise to around –55 millivolts which cells achieve by admitting positively charged ions such as Calcium or Sodium. To inhibit cells firing, GABA receptors open gated ion channels for negatively charged Chlorine ions which makes it harder for a cell to reach the firing voltage.  In contrast, pregabalin achieves the same result by inhibiting the influx of positively charged Calcium ions.

Ian

[anxious J]

Is this a good thing ? I heard tolarance can be a problem with this also ? And how does it compare to benzo withdrawel ? docter for some reason seems happy to prescribe this long term but not clonazepam which works wonders for my anxiety !

[EclecticJoe]

Pregabalin and other such anti seizure meds are being increasingly prescribed for anxiety by doctors unwilling to prescribe benzodiazepines in the mistaken belief they do similar things in the brain. They don't. However, some do report achieving positive results in mild to moderate anxiety. There is some evidence that the most effective dose is 400-450mg/day. Higher doses may be less effective. It may take 3-4 weeks to achieve maximum results, however, some improvement should be apparent after a week.

Tolerance isn't usually an issue, however, you will need to slowly wean off to avoid seizures.

Ian

Do you think that is the same theory behind why I was prescribed Lamictal for OCD and Anxiety? Also, is 100 mg even a big enough dose to achieve those results? That is what I am on.

[anxious J]

Hi joe are u finding lamictal effective for anxiety as iam currently looking for a good alternative to ssri's as they seem to drop my hemogloubin count when i take them which is a shame as i seem to respond to them

[EclecticJoe]

Hi joe are u finding lamictal effective for anxiety as iam currently looking for a good alternative to ssri's as they seem to drop my hemogloubin count when i take them which is a shame as i seem to respond to them

That's the problem. Something is helping but I'm not sure if it is Lexapro and Lamictal since I started them at the same damn time.

You may at least ask your doc. I am interested in what they say as well.

[insights]

Is this a good thing ?

Guess it depends on how you define "good."  It is one way of achieving a result. It doesn't appear to be as effective as benzodiazepines (BZDs), but pregabalin does work well enough for some.

I heard tolarance can be a problem with this also ? And how does it compare to benzo withdrawel ?

Yes, tolerance may develop. Dependence is also an issue, it has become a street drug in Europe, and some report considerable withdrawal effects. However, not all withdrawal effects are necessarily due to chemistry, psychology is also often a factor which probably explains why anxiety patients have a much harder time quitting BZDs than epileptics do.

docter for some reason seems happy to prescribe this long term but not clonazepam which works wonders for my anxiety !

He no doubt is happily prescribing antidepressants too, even though they can be as difficult to quit as BZDs. The whole anti BZD neme is nonsense, but unfortunately, it is one infecting more and more doctors.

Ian

[insights]

Do you think that is the same theory behind why I was prescribed Lamictal for OCD and Anxiety?

Lamactil affecting positively charged sodium and potassium ions in addition to calcium and inhibits the release of glutamate and aspartate neurotransmitters, so has a wider affect than pregabalin.

Also, is 100 mg even a big enough dose to achieve those results? That is what I am on.

Its antidepressive action is stronger at lower doses, so it may be.

Ian