Posted by Sydney on November 9, 2004, at 11:34:01
In reply to Re: Pregabalin (Lyrica) for Social Phobia, posted by SLS on November 8, 2004, at 7:25:54
In the December 2003 journal of PAIN, Chesler EJ, Ritchie J, Kokayeff A, Lariviere WR, Wilson SG and Mogil JS studied and observed significantly different responses to Pregabalin which depended upon which strain of mice were used. They argue this shows sensitivity to Pregabalin is heritable.
>>Abstract available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14659515<<;
So, hypothetically, one could pick three strains of mice, strain "A" being proven responders, and strains "B" amd "C" being proven non-responders. A double-blind survey of such mice would show little to no response- overall- despite clear, a priori evidence that pregabalin yielded a positive response amongst strain "A".
To state the point in reverse, all the data in the world didn't help me respond to Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Cymbalta, etc... Yet pregablin's pre-cursor, Neurontin, prescribed to me following back-surgery, had the serendipitous effect of strongly- but fleetingly- relieving my anxiety. Likewise, even at high doses I experienced zero side-effects despite many complaints by others.
In other words, it is clear that some medications which are intolerable to some and without effect for others will provide god-sent relief to others. We may not know enough about the mind to predict who will benefit from a drug and who won't, but accepting generalized results as dogma risks throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
For treatment resistant individuals such as myself, we are forced to look beyond the generic conclusions and instead attempt to discern the *possibility* that a medication will provide some relief. So... Pregablin *may* be a waste of time for most people, but for those who have exhausted the more obvious possibilities, it's weak but demonstratable efficacy in treating anxiety still provides a compelling reason for a personal trial.Fortunately with Pregabalin, it looks like efficacy and tolerability take about a week to show themselves.
poster:Sydney
thread:412679
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/413796.html