"the first time i used lyrica i experienced an amazingly profound reaction; layers of depression and anxiety that had built up over several years melted away within minutes.  that was years ago and i have since both weaned myself off the drug and restarted taking it again.  one thing i rarely see mentioned is the terrifyingly bad withdrawal effect- missing more than one dose for me throws me into the absolute darkest pits of despair.  has anyone else experienced this?  when i went off the drug the first time i felt like i had performed a miracle; so strong was the feeling that it took a long time for me to convince myself that things were bad enough to warrant going back on.  it still helps, but nothing as miraculous as the first time."