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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tensor on November 25, 2009, at 1:02:05
I'm not against benzos, not at all. But if you for some reasons would like to stop, Lyrica seems to be another agent that can ease the process. Although this study is funded by Pfizer.
http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867A8525763500677879/tensor
Posted by SLS on November 25, 2009, at 6:55:31
In reply to Lyrica and BZD discontinuation, posted by tensor on November 25, 2009, at 1:02:05
> I'm not against benzos, not at all. But if you for some reasons would like to stop, Lyrica seems to be another agent that can ease the process. Although this study is funded by Pfizer.
> http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867A8525763500677879
>
> /tensor
This was a good find.Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2009, at 11:17:13
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation, posted by SLS on November 25, 2009, at 6:55:31
I've heard though that lyrica can cause swelling, weight gain, and is more addictive than benzos? Right now my body is rejecting my 40 years of use with no escalation lower I go tirder I get. Strange? Love Phillipa
Posted by tensor on November 25, 2009, at 11:35:17
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation, posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2009, at 11:17:13
> I've heard though that lyrica can cause swelling, weight gain, and is more addictive than benzos? Right now my body is rejecting my 40 years of use with no escalation lower I go tirder I get. Strange? Love Phillipa
Every psychotropic medication causes side effects. Lyrica is generally well-tolerated. Have you actually read about the addiction, if so, where?
/tensor
Posted by linkadge on November 25, 2009, at 18:38:00
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » Phillipa, posted by tensor on November 25, 2009, at 11:35:17
Wow, this is incredable. Also, if you don't mind me noting, I think I may have read a study where the benzodiazapine lorazepam was effective in reducing the withdrawl symptoms of lyrica.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2009, at 20:33:22
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » Phillipa, posted by tensor on November 25, 2009, at 11:35:17
Tensor read it here. Maybe google archieves? Phillipa
Posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 4:05:26
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » tensor, posted by Phillipa on November 25, 2009, at 20:33:22
> Tensor read it here. Maybe google archieves? Phillipa
And google what? "Phillipa heard something"? I was thinking of something more scientific that you have perhaps read somewhere and that you could provide me with a link. Never mind.
Posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 4:10:09
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation, posted by linkadge on November 25, 2009, at 18:38:00
> Also, if you don't mind me noting
> LinkadgeYes, I do mind. If your only contribution is sarcasm, refrain from posting.
/tensor
Posted by SLS on November 26, 2009, at 6:56:36
In reply to Lyrica and BZD discontinuation, posted by tensor on November 25, 2009, at 1:02:05
> I'm not against benzos, not at all. But if you for some reasons would like to stop, Lyrica seems to be another agent that can ease the process. Although this study is funded by Pfizer.
> http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867A8525763500677879
>
> /tensor
Another drug with some evidence of helping with benzodiazepine withdrawal is Trileptal (oxcarbazepine). I'm big on the use of anticonvulsants to treat BZD, SRI, and alcohol withdrawals. Of course, Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anticovulsant, too. I just don't know why it never occurred to me that it be a candidate for treating withdrawal.You might want to take a quick look at a thread I started a few years ago. Don't worry. It's not required reading. :-)
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050214/msgs/460726.html
- Scott
Posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 7:14:46
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » tensor, posted by SLS on November 26, 2009, at 6:56:36
> Another drug with some evidence of helping with benzodiazepine withdrawal is Trileptal (oxcarbazepine). I'm big on the use of anticonvulsants to treat BZD, SRI, and alcohol withdrawals. Of course, Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anticovulsant, too. I just don't know why it never occurred to me that it be a candidate for treating withdrawal.
>
> You might want to take a quick look at a thread I started a few years ago. Don't worry. It's not required reading. :-)
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050214/msgs/460726.html
>
>
> - Scott
>Hi Scott!
Yes, I'm aware of Trileptal. It seems like several anticonvulsants are effective, but what about Lamictal? I have taken Lamictal in the past and I tolerated it well and I would not be reluctant to use it again. Only question is if it is as effective as Trileptal, not much information on it on the internet. Given their similar mechanisms of action, one would think it should be a viable choice. I could also benefit from Lamictal in other ways.
Have you taken Trileptal? If so, how are the side effects?/tensor
Posted by SLS on November 26, 2009, at 8:07:42
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » SLS, posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 7:14:46
I know that both Trileptal and Lamictal block or stabilize voltage-gated sodium channels. However, where the two drugs differ is that Trileptal also potentiates GABA receptors. Trileptal also affects second messenger events. I don't think Lamictal does this.
It is important to note that Lamictal was developed and marketed as an add-on to other anticonvulsants. It was meant to combine with drugs like Trileptal. There is no reason why you could not combine them and take advantage of the mood-enhancing effect of Lamictal while taking Trileptal temporarily only during the time of BZD withdrawal.
I found Trileptal to have antidepressant properties. I experienced no side effects. The only caveat is that you need to be careful to check your electolytes every now and then. Trileptal can produce hyponatremia (too little sodium).
Perhaps you could start with the Trileptal and add Lamictal later if Trileptal is not adequately treating the depression.
- Scott
Posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 8:48:59
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » tensor, posted by SLS on November 26, 2009, at 8:07:42
Thanks for the comprehensive explanation. So I guess it boils down to Lyrica and Trileptal then. Will be interesting to hear my pdoc's experiences with them. I did not actually find Lamictal to be antidepressant at all, it made me tired, but perhaps bacause of the clonazepam.
Perhaps Trileptal would be better in this aspect. There seems to be a lot of controversies surrounding Lyrica - many can't stand the s/e while some think it's like a sugar pill, the obvious advantage with Lyrica is the anxiolytic effect which is welcomed during a BZD discontinuation./tensor
> I know that both Trileptal and Lamictal block or stabilize voltage-gated sodium channels. However, where the two drugs differ is that Trileptal also potentiates GABA receptors. Trileptal also affects second messenger events. I don't think Lamictal does this.
>
> It is important to note that Lamictal was developed and marketed as an add-on to other anticonvulsants. It was meant to combine with drugs like Trileptal. There is no reason why you could not combine them and take advantage of the mood-enhancing effect of Lamictal while taking Trileptal temporarily only during the time of BZD withdrawal.
>
> I found Trileptal to have antidepressant properties. I experienced no side effects. The only caveat is that you need to be careful to check your electolytes every now and then. Trileptal can produce hyponatremia (too little sodium).
>
> Perhaps you could start with the Trileptal and add Lamictal later if Trileptal is not adequately treating the depression.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by linkadge on November 26, 2009, at 16:52:36
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » linkadge, posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 4:10:09
Acutally to be honest, it was not sarcasm. I read a few case reports on pub med of lyrica discontinuation syndrome and symptomatic control with lorazepam.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on November 26, 2009, at 16:54:57
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » SLS, posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 8:48:59
I personally had more withdrawl effects from theraputic doses of anticonvulsants than theraputic doses of benzodiazapines. Lamitrigine withdrawl gave me psychotic like symtpoms and depakote withdrawl induced rapid cycling.
Linkadge
Posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 17:17:06
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation, posted by linkadge on November 26, 2009, at 16:52:36
> Acutally to be honest, it was not sarcasm. I read a few case reports on pub med of lyrica discontinuation syndrome and symptomatic control with lorazepam.
>
> LinkadgeOkay, it's cool. My excuses for being a little offensive, I read it before my morning coffee :-) I have too read about Lyrica withdrawal problems, and to be honest I didn't knew about them.
Thank you.
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2009, at 22:20:13
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » linkadge, posted by tensor on November 26, 2009, at 17:17:06
Tensor sorry was gone all day just home. Here's an interesting site ask a patient and their experiences on lyrica as mostly seems for fibromyalgia and not well like it seems. Phillipa
LYRICA: Side effects, ratings, and patient comments
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2009, at 22:23:27
In reply to Re: Lyrica and BZD discontinuation » tensor, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2009, at 22:20:13
Sorry try this one. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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