Pregabalin

[Keith1231]

Hello again: I am now down to 50mg per day from 275mg reducing by 25mg weekly. Its not been a problem until now. The dizziness and nausea has returned big time, should I go back up again?

Below is a brief history from a couple of months ago that you might want to read .

Thank you.

Keith

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I got to 275mg daily but had to stop as my balance was unbearable and being a stroke survivor that was very concerning. Also the weight gain was huge in a short amount of time. Now I am back down to 150mg daily. My RLS is okay. I intend to reduce to zero over the next month or so.

[SueJohnson]

That happened to you before as I remember. Go back up and then try reducing more slowly or with a smaller amount by cutting the tablets in 2.

[Keith1231 in reply to SueJohnson]

Didn't think of cutting the tablet, thank you.

[amrob123]

25mg per week is too fast. There are two rules of thumb with pregabalin taper. Drop by 10% every 2 to 4 weeks. Or 25mg monthly. I am currently doing my 3rd and hopefully last taper off pregabalin.

Generally the symptoms will last a few days so if you can bear it, it might be worth pushing through. Otherwise go back up 25mg and sit on that for a month or until you feel ready to try again.

[Keith1231 in reply to amrob123]

its been going on for a few days now. I will go back up by 25mg, let it settle and try again, thank you.

[Madlegs1]

Wise man.

Let your body guide you.

[GaryHB]

Hi Keith, I am also tapering off and like Amrob said, I am doing it slowly, about 25mg/month. I am down to the last 25mg tablet and for the last few tapers I've had bad withdrawals. They last a week and then stop. So don't worry - the withdrawals will stop. All the best!

[amrob123 in reply to GaryHB]

If you're having a tough time at the lower doses, people who have been through it recommend doing a water titration for the last 25mg. This means you can reduce more slowly. Apparently people can also experience delayed withdrawal, weeks or months after their last dose. But it really depends on how long you've been on it, and the maximum dose you took. All the best for the rest of it!

[GaryHB in reply to amrob123]

Thanks for the info... appreciated. Can you explain what a water titration is? Interestingly, when I started reducing at 225mg, I had no withdrawals eeduc8ng every 2 weeks, but once i got down to the last 100mg the withdrawals began.l and I had to slow the process down.

[amrob123 in reply to GaryHB]

"Water Titration refers to creating a liquid solution from solid medication, so patients can reduce doses by small amounts thereby keeping withdrawal manageable. This involves mixing capsule contents (or a tablet) of a water-soluble medication with water to allow a precisely measured dose, then slowly reducing the dose every day, week, or other time frame. This method allows your body to adjust to the reductions in a very subtle and gentle way and allows greater control over the rate of the taper."

This method shouldn't be used for extended release pregabalin. Also, it's always advisable to check with your GP if there's any reason you shouldn't do a water titration.

There are guides to water titration online. If you can't find any, PM me and I'll dig one up for you.

[GaryHB in reply to amrob123]

Ok got it - such useful info - thanks!

[Bumble34 in reply to amrob123]

How interesting, I like you have just finished tapering off of Pregab. for the third and definitely the last time having had more probs. then I ever did with coming off Ropinirole, my last step down of three weeks which finished 10 days ago was14/18mg nightly and I achieved this by clipping the end off of a 50mg capsule an dividing it by three, warm water from the kettle instantly dissolving said dose, now I know my regime has a name, Water Titration!

[Firenze1]

Why are you coming off Pregabalin and are you taking anything else instead? I can see you had some side-effects

[Keith1231 in reply to Firenze1]

Yes the side effects didn't go away, I have balance issue from my stroke and pregabalin made it much worse along with weight gain. I have nothing planned for future RLS control. When I started Pregabalin I also stopped taking various other meds and feel they were making my RLS worse. So I will see what happens.