Lyrica & Lithium? anybody mixed these? what happened?

[Guest Dipsy Doodle]

I'm on 600mg Lyrica per day for neuropathic pain (might this be agrivating my wappy days, i.e. I'm-going-write-a-book-start-a-new-business-become-a-famous-artist-make-a-film-run-miles-god's-stopped-it raining-so-I-can-do-this-oh-why-is everyone-so-stupid-that-they-don't-understand-what-I'm-talking-about episodes? But, less anxiety / no panic atacks for a while)

Just about to go on Lithium (Scared shitless over this - been told I'll become a zombie, by family) psych-Dr has not told me that I'm BP - she just drew a SIN wave, telling me that a mood-stabilizer would level these highs and lows. Been told I have 'depression with agitation' by previous psych-Dr (will post another message asking advice on all of this on another forum, but any feedback appreciated- don't know what the hell is going on).

How might they react in combination? (I'd have thought an alternative anti-convulsant would be better for me than lithium because of pain?!!! hey-ho...). Will I be able to get on with ANYTHING (I've a thesis to submit in a few weeks - SHIT!!!)? Lyrica makes me very stupid - what was I saying... oh yes... huh?

BTW: WARNING! don't stop taking lyrica suddendly on this dose - especially if you are also coming off ADs! (unless you'd REALLY like to crawl the walls and not sleep AT ALL for several days!). Mitazapine + Lyrica = 16hrs sleep per night, hence withdrawal of former (it don't work as an AD for me either!).

K

[Penny Century]

hi there

i don't know about the lithium, but i wanted to ask how long have you been on the lyrica? i'm only on 1/2 your dose but my duh's seem to have evened out. do you take it 2 or 3 times a day? i find the 3 times works out better for me.

[Dipsy Doodle]

Hi,

I've been on Lyrica for over 2 years, though there've been periods when I've not taken it. This is mainly because it makes me put on weight.

I should now be taking 2 doses (one capsule 300mg, morning & night), but I'm only taking the night-time dose - just because it helps me sleep whilst coming off Mirtazapine (weight still an issue - I guess much of this is water-retention, though I'm hungry all of the time and have to snack to stop feeling sick: I've put on 10lbs in 3 days; the Mirtazapine exacerbates this).

I'm trying to come off the Lyrica anyway, as I'm going to try and pursuade my psychiatrist to put me on another anti-convulsant, rather than going on Lithium.

The Lyrica now doesn't help much with the neuropathic pain (this has gone on for nearly 5 years), anyway (I'm at the max dose, I think).

Does anyone find that codine helps with neuro pain? I find that if I take 300mg Lyrica, then this about 15 mins later, it boosts the efficacy of each medicine - even though I've been told that opiate-based pain-relief doesn't help with this sort of pain (dentist mangled jaw-nerve during his many root-filling attempts - the joys of NHS!).

K

[Penny Century]

i can't find a citation right now, but i know that my cousin's neuro told him that neurontin increases the efficacy of narcotic pain relievers. as lyrica is related to neurontin, it would make sense that lyrica would also increase the strength of your pain meds.

sorry i can't find a citation.

what AC are you thinking of switching to?

[Dipsy Doodle]

what AC are you thinking of switching to?

Thanks for the feedback re. codine / ACs

the Dr is just planning to put me on lithium, no idea if she'll even consider putting me onto another AC instead (I'm seeing her tomorrow - she's not the sort of person that takes kindly to receiving suggestions: Dr knows best...).

Come across any successful mood-stabilizer-come-pain-relief ACs? (I know they work differently for each person, but information is power etc., etc.)

K