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Original poster

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

433 replies

SpamChaudFroid · 24/05/2019 07:10

After nearly 3 months of sciatic pain, (it's bad, I need a stick to be able to walk, well shuffle really) and many different drugs, (codiene, amitriptyline, diazepam) my GP has prescribed gabapentin. I am seeing a physio who has made an appointment for a second opinion as to whether it needs further invstigation, (eg. steroid injections or material removed).

Has this worked for anyone? please someone tell me it works

OP posts:
user1496259972 · 24/05/2019 07:59

I was very ill using gabapentine. Pre-gabaline is better (its a newer drug so “cleaner”)

Would also recommend looking into CBD oil from CBD brothers. This worked better for me for nerve pain than gabapentine, pregabaline and amytriptyline.

StillMedusa · 24/05/2019 07:56

It was an absolute game changer for me!
Mine was Trigminal Neuralgia and the pain was excruciating. I was on 2400 at first like a pp, and was totally zombied for a couple of weeks (not safe to drive) but then it stopped the pain and while I am still on it, I'm on a very small dose now in comparison.

And contrary to some stories I didn't gain wait or any other side effects.. it just stopped the pain. It's definitely worth trying, but be aware it may make you dopey at first!

MinervaVause · 24/05/2019 07:48

I’m on 2400mg gabapentin a day (over 3 doses) for back and nerve pain. It definitely works enough for me to function properly and carry on working but I still end up pacing the driveway, barefoot at 3am a couple of times a month in pain.

So it hasn’t completely worked but it’s definitely more tolerable. I do find it works a lot better when I take 2 paracetamol with it than not.

When the injury first happened (herniated disc) I had amitriptyline as well as the gabapentin and paracetamol and that was brilliant at managing the pain. I stopped taking the amitriptyline after a while though. I had 3 corticosteroids injections too but they were pretty useless to be honest.

It’s worth a try though and I hope it works for you.

LakieLady · 24/05/2019 07:47

I was prescribed it when I suddenly developed arthritic pain in my hands. My hands are a bit better, but it's improved my sciatic pain massively.

It also made me feel a big high for the first few days, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sadly, that side-effect wore off after a few days. [

Original poster
SpamChaudFroid · 24/05/2019 07:43

domtom, thanks. Had the GP tried other routes, ie. amitriptylene, before prescribing the gabapentin? Ooh, and how long was it until you felt it working? NHS website says a couple of weeks. I'm on my starting dose of one a night which will increase to 3 a day.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpamChaudFroid · 24/05/2019 07:39

Thanks Prosecco, that's v. reassuring. Smile This is only the second time as an adult that I've actually cried tears of pain! I have no idea how people with permanent chronic pain manage, it's so draining and bloody depressing.

OP posts:
domton · 24/05/2019 07:38

Worked for my nerve pain. :) good luck xx

Proseccoinamug · 24/05/2019 07:32

It has made a huge difference to my best friend’s sciatica. Other things weren’t touching it. I really hope it works for you.