To ask about gabapentin and nerve pain/sciatica success stories?

Hey there, I totally get what you're going through — sciatic nerve pain can be absolutely debilitating. I’ve been in a very similar situation, and I just wanted to share that Neurontin (gabapentin) has genuinely helped me. I also get mine from curecarry.com — they’re reliable and the quality has been great, so I’ve stuck with them.

For me, gabapentin really started to kick in after about a week of taking it regularly. I take 300mg three times a day — morning, mid-afternoon, and before bed. The first few days were a little foggy (a bit sleepy and woozy), but that settled quickly. What I noticed most was how the sharp, electric, stabbing kind of nerve pain dulled significantly. It didn’t totally vanish overnight, but within 2 weeks I could walk without relying on a cane, and sleep without waking up from shooting leg pain.

I’m still doing physio and stretches daily, and I think the combination of both is key — but gabapentin gave me the relief I needed to start moving again. Everyone’s different, but don’t lose hope — it really can work. Sending you strength and healing. 💛

Anyone had success with Anitriptyline and/or codeine?

Thanks thats really interesting and useful to know. My osteo thinks mine is due to a compressed disc... But i will definitely keep this in mind.

The problem with sciatica is the neuro pain is caused by the nerve being trapped along its course usually by one of the muscles in the buttock or hip. It can be caused by bulging disc and surgery is usually indicated for this.
Baclofen is a new way of treating it by stopping the muscle spasms. When the the nerve is trapped it becomes inflamed and causes the muscles to go into spasm so the pain becomes an evil circle. Anti inflammatories with muscle relaxant is usual drug combination but after prolonged spasm it is difficult to get the muscle to simply relax.
Neurological drugs can cause severe drowsiness and depress the neuro system. Although Baclofen causes initial drowsiness the side effects wear of quickly. One of the more interesting side effects is that it can control impulsive behaviour and has been used in addiction. I have found that it has aided weight loss because I don’t seem to crave some of my go to comfort foods.
Baclofen is being used increasingly for chronic back problems.

GP prescribed amitriptyline. Really hope it helps.

ah I see its a muscle relaxant. osteo def recommended something for nerve pain.

thanks so much oralengineer I'm so pleased for you that the Baclofen worked.

will be off to Google...

If i can get the pain under control I know i could exercise more which did the job before.

It is a truly awful pain isn't it.

I have had two episodes of sciatica this year. Painkillers and diazepam didn’t touch the most recent. My hamstrings and calf muscles were in constant spasm. I wasn’t keen to go on gabapentin so GP suggested Baclofen. It took a week to start working but has been fantastic. The first week I was totally spaced out but after 3 weeks of agony, no sleep and being unable to stand or walk I didn’t really care. After a week the side effects wore off and by week 3 of taking it I was no longer needing painkillers.
I will have to stay on it for a while because the withdrawal symptoms are problematic but after 6weeks I have reduced the dose. I have been back at work ( the sciatica is the result of long term working position so I have modified my posture and work position) and although having a little aching in the other leg I am managing really well. It will be a while until we are able to work at full capacity so the extra time for recovery is a bonus.
The loss off feeling in my foot is returning but no pain and although I am still limping slightly I can do 2-3 miles with the dog without pain.
I have suffered from chronic sciatica since I was a young adult but I’ve only had a handful of severe episodes. The last two were definitely the worst. I have a very high pain threshold having suffered with endometriosis since my mid twenties but sciatica pain if the worst pain I’ve experienced.
I have managed to lose 10kg since Xmas so hopefully this will help and plan to start swimming regularly when pools open. The worst thing is that walking is often the best way the exercise it but it’s the very last thing you feel you can do.

hi I've had horrendous sciatica for the last week, agonising pain in bum hip and right leg.

I've had a touch of this in the past which I've been able to resolve with osteo and yoga.

So much worse this time. osteo is recommending prescription for something to treat nerve pain. bit freaked by the reports on gabapentin.

But I've got to do something. Can barely walk without yelping. bearable lying on back but I'm also aware I need to keep mobile. osteopaths stretches help at the time.

Any advice please, I cant take this pain much longer

Fail!! avocuddl

Surgery did work on one side but not the other, as both sides were affected - it’s a pain (literally!!). I’ve also had more prolapsed discs since. Thank you acocuddle
Hope everyone else who’s suffering is having a good ish day!

I’ve got pain in my back and my leg, although the first few months it was leg only. I put one pad on my back/arse where I get a distinct stab of pain and another further down the back of my thigh. I think you are supposed to track the nerve down and then the tiny buzzy shocks disrupt the nerve signal or something

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better @Daaps.

Oh dear @WonderTweek sorry your GP is being funny. I don't think it is a good idea to go cold turkey (my gp said about easing off) can you make an emergency appointment tomorrow?

Wow @AlliKaneErikson that sounds intense 😔 presumably the surgery didn't work for you? Or it did and then you had another disc injury? I'm so sorry you've been suffering for so long

I don't think I'm using the tens right. Stupid question but where do you put it?? On the lower back or where the pain is in the leg?!

I’m on 2700mg gabapentin a Dayan addition to tramadol and oramorph; have had numerous herniated discs/surgery and nerve damage. It sort of keeps the pain down, but after 9 years it’s a bit draining. I tried pregabalin but it made me feel like a zombie. I’ve had a bit of weight gain, but nothing massive.

I've been trying to renew my Gabapentin prescription since Friday but I keep being messed around by my GP surgery. I rang them up again yesterday and said that I had actually now run out of meds and got an "awh no, well maybe the GP will renew it soon". It's made me quite anxious as I really don't want to go cold turkey.

On a positive note, I have purchased a Shiatsu massage pillow too and it feels lush. I've also ordered an acupuncture/acupressure pen and I'm looking forward to trying it out. Has anyone used those before? Any luck?

@Daaps, I'm loving my TENS too. It really takes the edge off, doesn't it?

Feeling better but only a few days in with the Gabapentin so not sure it can be that. I bloody love the tens machine though. I’m cutting back on my naproxen because I’m worried getting rid of the inflammatory response means the disc won’t fix itself. That might be a load of crap but I’m managing without (thanks to tens heaven)

@jasjas1973 do you mean shiatsu massage?

Not sure if the meds are doing anything yet, have just been feeling quite dizzy in the evening after taking it. I presume that's normal

How are you doing @Daaps ?

I took 100mg last night and another 100mg tonight. So far no difference but my pain is quite up and down anyway and it’s hard to tell what makes a difference and what doesn’t.

Really struggling to do yoga etc. I can barely bend forwards at all. My whole body seems to want to stay in one position

I had sciatica/back pain for many years, it was terrible and i also suffered from depression due to it.

Pain killers, Physio and many alternative treatments made little difference.

What did work was Shiatsu, it enabled me to do some exercise and i focused on my core and especially posture.

I ve been totally pain free now for over 20 years and can run cycle gardening anything really, well, apart from breast stroke swimming, that seems to aggravate it.

I've just started Gabapentin for my back pain, so I may join this thread. I've been on it for two weeks and I think I can maybe feel a bit of a difference but it's not massive. Hoping it will start to properly kick in soon, if it's going to make a difference. I've also been referred to the pain clinic and I don't know what to expect...

I hope everyone in this thread finds something that works for them. Living with constant pain is so draining. I'm going to read this whole thread and see if i can find hope!

Have many people experienced weight gain with gabapentin. Puts me off

Sorry typos!! Didn't even read it back and correct 🤦🏽‍♀️

How are you today @Daaps ?

Hi @Daaps ! Amitryltaline didn't do anything for me and I too went to get my gapabentin prescription yesterday. The first dose didn't seem to do anything but fingers crossed it works!!

I keep trying tens but doesn't seem to help.. I will keep trying though!

Are they suggesting the injection for you?

I went to yoga on Wednesday night. It was absolute agony 😢 but I'm going to persevere as I'm hopeful it will improve slowly and help.

Hope you others are well!