Rash After Quitting Lyrica (Top voted first)

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I took Lyrica (150mg daily) for 2 years. The medicine helped reduce my leg and hip gain greatly. In January I started working out daily and dieting and lost 30 pounds. I gradually have quit taking Lyrica and am having only a small amount of discomfort at times. The problem is that upon quitting the Lyrica the back of my knees started itching and welps appeared after I scratched them. It has been 3 weeks since I stopped taking Lyrica and I am still itchy. Has this happened to anyone else? Could this be a result of nerve damage?

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14

I am having a bad rash after quitting Lyrica (150mg for 2 years). It's behind my knees, down my legs, and on my elbows. Looks like really bad mosquito bites. And my whole body feels like little needles are being pricked into my skin. Itchy. And I am very anxious. It's been about 1.5 weeks now. I have tried everything and only Bayer aspirin seems to help the itchiness. I hope this goes away soon. I hate Lyrica!!

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18

taking Lyrica for a month for terrible leg neuropathic pain - itching started to get worse until it became unbearable. Now off Lyrica for four days cold turkey - unbearable itching all over body - particularly bad on chest and arms - but also legs, ears, eyelids, scalp. Cannot sleep, cannot function ! Worst medicine I have ever been on - had I any inkling of this side effect I would definitely never have started it - pain is almost more acceptable than the itching. Nothing seems to work to alleviate it - any suggestions?

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20

Chelsea, Lyrica definitely does have severe itching as a possible side effect despite what your doctor says. It has taken over a month since quitting Lyrica for the itching to reduce to a manageable level - although I was then put on Nexium due to internal bleeding and this exacerbated the itching again, to even more horrendous levels - alleviated only by ingesting large quantities of Pirotin which was the only thing that seemed to give any temporary relief. I am now told that I am hypersensitive to a number of drugs and will just have to try to put up with the ailments, as the 'cure' is almost worse than the problem. My pharmacist informs me that such an allergic reaction to Lyrica is rare in his thirty-three years experience, but when it does happen, it tends to be extremely severe. I am now using meditation with quite good results ! Good luck - I wouldn't wish that itch on my worst enemy !

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6

I take lyrica bow 50mg only at night I have a rash that resembles ring worm but I had it checked its not I am going to a dermatoligist Monday but after reading yours now I know how I got it rash or pain and weakness

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4

My rash occurred after I stopped taking the Lyrica. It continued for about 2 months. Nothing made it stop itching but Hydrocorterizone Cream 2 percent helped the most. It has stopped now, thank goodness, so just hold on.

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5

well, i had only taken this medication 4 times, and had been really itchey the whole time. i decided to stop based on the itch alone, and 3-4 days later developed an itchey rach on my left shoulder, and pectoral, which is now, a week later, very painful. there is no itch now, it is more of a painful burn. i havent taken the medication in 8 days, and the rash shows no signs of getting any better, and almost seems to be spreading to other places. i dont know what to do at this point, ive used anti-itch creams, but now its painful instead of itchy. DO NOT TAKE THIS

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43

Hi Allotment girl - yes, the anxiety you are experiencing is one of the symptoms of withdrawal from Lyrica. I too experienced awful anxiety, insomnia, little hive like spots that itch beyond belief, twitching, shakiness and the list goes on. Pfizer is such an evil company, think they give two s**** about your long term health!? I agree with one of the previous posts that this Lyrica caused nerve damage and that many new nerve cells required for neurogenisis (new memories, learning, etc) were inhibited and now they're spawning and creating some symptoms. You have to remember that your body will always maintain homeostasis and the chemicals lyrica blocked are chemicals that excite the brain and body so they're now rebounding back pretty extreme. I pray for you all and please stay away from the drug, the FDA is well aware of the sometimes permanent side effects that ruin lives, marriages, employment, everything but its all about money, makes me sick. God bless.

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7

I have been just prescribed Lyrica for my long-term pain. At present I am on 75mg daily increasing to 150mg daily. After a couple of days I started to experience severe itching all over my body, (ears, nose, eyelids, my back, etc). It is very uncomfortable and has become intolerable. I don’t have a rash at the moment but at the rate I’m scratching myself I soon will. I was desperate and very anxious, as I didn’t associate this problem with Lyrica. In fact I thought I was loosing my mind. I am so happy I found this site. I’m going to get my doctor to take me off Lyrica and find something else.

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11

My rash has FINALLY gone AWAY after STOPPING the Lyrica...took about 1-2 weeks. I recommend that anyone itching should stop the Lyrica. Also, Humira causes a horrible, itchy rash all over too...I pray my rash doesn't come back! God bless you all...

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16

Yes I was perscribed lyrica and only took it 3 times in a 3day period i have a terrible rash all over and it itches real bad!!!!!!!!!!!! wth

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25

Hi,

I did not take Lyrica for very long, it was just starting to take my pain away. But, I then broke out in a rash from my knucles down to my ankles elbows and on my spine to the end of my tailbone. I stopped taking it right away. That was in Oct. I was sent to a dermatologist and he gave me kenalog shots which started to simmer it down. It never went away, it was still on my elbows and spine. It is still there today. I was then sent to an allergist and he confirmed it was from Lyrica. He said that is why antihistimes will not work as it is coming from the inside out. So it will have to take time for my body to get through this, in the mean time I am to take the kenalog shots. I hope this helps you and others. My heart goes out to all with this problem.

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1

Lyrica contains the active ingredient Pregabalin, it is an anticonvulsant that has also been shown to help with certain types of nerve pain.

It sounds like what you may be experiencing is a common withdrawal effect from your body trying to readjust to not having the medication.

Even when you aren't abusing a medication, some withdrawal symptoms are normal when you stop taking it, after a prolonged period of use.

Have you tried consulting your doctor in regards to this matter?

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Lyrica/­

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9

i too have a rash that started when i took one injection of Humira, but I am also on Lyrica. i stopped the Lyrica and the rash went away, started it again and now I have the rash again on my face, eyelids, chest and arms. it is horribly itching, unbearable, and i just took another 50 mg. pill and thought i would google itchy rash from Lyrica. i pray it will go away when i stop the Lyrica again...i can take my RA and neuropathy better than this itch. is anyone else on Humira also? and please, someone, how can i stop this? it does look like scabs and is worse when i am in the sun or get warm. please help and God bless you all

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10

OMG I only taken lyrica 3 days and been itching over a month also found a bit of blood when I wiped and I'm starting to freak out I believe the govt put something in that lyrica. That's why they no longer want to prescribe hydrocodone something that really helps pain and with a lot less side effects and they want to take hydrocodone away to get us on garbage like lyrica to ruin our lives please stay away from lyrica.

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13

Verwon, you must be a doctor. I don't think we would all have a rash many months after stopping the drug. My theory is it screwed up our immune system some how. To you others...try Red Clover tea...it is tasty and has seemed to help me when I was at my worst. I also brew FRESH Essiac tea, and then pour some in a bowl with ice cubes and soak paper towels with this and put it right on my rash...this seems to help as well. I also drink the Essiac tea and take a Natural Detox supplement...seems I am improving. Good luck to you all.

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22

Chelsea, delighted to report that I am now itch free after maybe 8 weeks . At some stages I thought I would go crazy the itching was so bad and it got worse after I stopped taking the Lyrica - it seemed to take forever to clear out of my system. I will put up with the pain rather than ever again endure the itching and ripping up my skin ! Amazingly, since losing the itch I am having a pretty good period - pain not too bad - and being able to sleep at night helps immeasurably - very important to try to get 6-8 hours if possible. I never believed before how important sleep was - but I am now totally convinced. I hope you get things sorted out - you have my sympathy - that rash is unbearable - but the relief when it stops makes life appear so much better - and I had a great Christmas - something I was dreading just a month previously - so hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel for you. Good luck.

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27

I have been taking Lyrica for about four months. I feel it's the worst drug I have ever taken. I started taking 300 mg TDS & then increased to 400 mg TDS - by that time I was a zombie. I had a horrible reaction to the drug almost straight away. The itching was initially not bad but when I started the reducing scale to stop taking the drug the itching got worse & I have an odd tingling sensation all over that goes with it. I was put on the drug for anxiety but it did nothing much for that. It just gave me a lot of undesirable side effects. I have now stopped taking the drug, am sorry I ever started taking it it the first place. Avoid quitting the drug cold turkey, the side effects can be horrendous.

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28

Make sure you gradually get off this drug, it is dangerous if you just quit it. I am still have the rash on my back and elbows. I stopped taking the kenalog because it is also very bad for me. I saw the allergist, and he told me nothing will help except Kenalog. But, I am just dealing with it. He said, it is reacting from the inside out from the Lyrica. I am now clear heading and feeling better! Do not take this drug, it is not worth this!

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32

My husband has been on Lyrica for about 3 mos. and two days ago broke out in what looks like small bug bites starting on his legs and ankles.. and is spreading to other areas. Does your rash look like bug bites or are the spots smaller? thanks

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33

I have been off it "Lyrica" for a 6 days now its horrid. I to cant even sleep because as soon as I relax to go to sleep the itchiness starts. I am going to try benedrill to see if it helps. I think what is happening ? Or at least feel like what is happening is that Lyrica shuts down to some degree the sensation to every nerve in the body and for the duration of Lyrica use all the small sensors in our body becomes numb to a small degree and after stopping the Lyrica those sensors "small nerves" are waking up and feels like fine little needle pokes that are itchy. Its horrifying from head to toe. Your skin feels like its overly sensitive to every tiny hair movement on your body and every tiny nerve inside our body. It is horrid. If the Benedrill don't help ?? I to am hoping someone else has found something that does. "My eyes are seeing better, my writing is getting better Now I was to stop itching so I can sleep.

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