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

Haha Spam that would have been interesting!!

I’m wondering if I was also wrong about the naproxen - I’m in more pain today than yesterday (I took my last pill yesterday morning). I might ask for more when I see GP on Thursday. Also want to talk about upping my pregabalin and finding an alternative to codeine that I can breastfeed on - someone has mentioned dihydrocodeine being a potential?

kitkat thinking of your and your mother - I hope she gets the relief she needs. Have a read through of the whole thread for other ideas e.g. TENS machines etc xxx

I cannot believe this thread has popped up today of all days. This is so reassuring. My mother was admitted to hospital on Thursday due to falls and sciatica pain. Yesterday they have started her on gabapentin.
I'm currently living back at home as I need to care for my elderly dad and autistic brother. But this thread has given me hope that mums pain can improve and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you

I've got a Revitive unit, we got it cheap as it was an unwanted present. I find tens machines are really good for back pain, or any pain really. Just make sure you get one that goes from 1 to 100, with different settings.

The Revitive is something you put your feet on to help circulation etc. It's good for diabetic neuropathy, swelling, essentially to zap stuff into working. There are different elements you can get depending what your problem is, like knee pads, gloves etc.

I honestly love it. Another good thing, most pads are universal, so I've got big pads on my back now zapping away.

It has really helped my dad. He went from being immobile with pain to being able to function almost normally while he waited for back surgery to resolve his sciatica.

If you have been in pain for three months can I suggest you ask your GP to send you for an MRI scan? I had pain so bad that I cried, couldn't walk more than a few yards and after trying everything including steroid injections I went privately to see a specialist who sent me for an MRI that day. Turned out I had two prolapsed discs and no amount of drugs was ever going to cure it. I had the surgery and (touch wood) have been completely pain free ever since. Don't wait for a miracle...

@EggbertHeartsTina I had the indignity 4 times before they decided it was cauda equina

*cauda equina not acids!!!

Spam - already been weeing in the bath

I can do cobra but can not touch my toes - I can’t bend that way due to the pain. But yes I do have some stretches for the Piriformis and lower back - I’ve been doing a lot of them in the bath as I’m basically pain-free in the bath (as long as water is scalding!!!)

YesQ I was in a&e when the pain got to its worst and they put a finger up my bum then in case of acids equina :( to be fair I only gave birth 3 weeks ago so my dignity went out the window then and hasn’t yet returned

Daft I know what you mean, my 3 year old keeps finding me on the floor crying, he tries to kiss it better or stroke me, and it’s heartbreaking. I keep having to send him to nursery even tho I’m on maternity leave - I’d hoped to keep him back a couple days and week and do something fun with him and the baby but no way at the moment

The problem is that all the codeine based stuff is constipating, which doesn’t help at all. Baths are a distant dream for me - as I can’t get in or lie down in them. I’ve got a separate shower, thank goodness.

And yes to laxatives/lactulose. Trust me the last thing you want is more fingers stuck up your bum voice of bitter experience

Omg YesQueen! That’s not the kind of wrong you want!!

I agree about seeing a different gp, I refuse to go back to him after today. My MRI results will go to him but I will push for someone else.

I’ve just struggled to put my little boy to bed so I think it’s time I try the Gabapentin as he can’t contun to see me like this as I know he is worried about me & he’s only 5 😥

Starting dose is 300mg a day & gp said to go gradually up to 1800 a day over 2 weeks & if it hadn’t worked by then it won’t.

Thanks for your support. It means a lot.

Hope everyone manages to get some good rest tonight!

@SpamChaudFroid I remember thinking there had best be something bloody wrong on this MRI
A&E "yeah we are calling a neurosurgeon ASAP"
Me "oh fuck. I didn't mean really wrong"
😂😂😂😂😂

That GP sounds awful. I remember going in to see my GP, it was my birthday and a week before I went off work with the pain. She saw me walk in and went "oh god" and started typing up a prescription for diazepam, codeine and anything else she could throw at me. A week later I was on morphine too

The one stretch that did help before I herniated the disc more, was the McKenzie stretch, basically a v v gentle low cobra. Might be worth a google

Thanks everyone I’m really looking forward to getting the mri to be honest.

The lactose is a good tip too

I’m surprised by the crouching too. I find lying down or on my side the only real relief. I’ll have to try crouching

daft I am sorry your GP is unsympathetic. Can you see someone else? Interesting those who crouch down to ease the spasm. That’s one thing that would definitely set it off for me.

Get Lactulose for warding off constipation. My GP suggested this when I first hurt my back. She said she’d seen people get in an terrible state with constipation caused by pack pain and sciatica.

Also I’m glad you’re going for an MRI daft - as that will show the extent of the problem. Perhaps they will offer you steroid injections; I’ve heard positive stories about those.

Missed your post daft before posting mine - I’m so sorry your GP was so flippant . I can only speak for pregabalin which is an alternative to Gabapentin - it didn’t make me sick. I think it will take a few days to actually take effect but hopefully it will make the pain dull enough to get moving more.

To be honest I’ve tried so much therapy (osteo, chiro, physio, acupuncture) and taken so many drugs in a short space of time (about 4 weeks) I don’t know what it is that has started my improvements.