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

@SpamChaudFroid

The back brace I bought is shown in the picture. Pretty much just a big stretchy belt with stiffeners at the back. I don’t know what Spanx are! But this one is fully adjustable.

I find it very comforting to wear, especially when trying to keep active I.e walking around.

Thanks spam I’m going to call tomorrow for a phone consultation then. I have asked previously but my issue is the breastfeeding- they were reluctant to increase as not much research is available as to how much pregabalin goes into breastmilk.

@hettie and anyone else on pregabalin, could you tell me the dosage he was on? I’m only taking 75mg twice a day and I think it’s very low and I’m still in considerable pain most days

Pre-gabaline was a game changer for dh's sciatic pain....

Can I jump on to ask - did anyone get oedema from And if you did how long did it take to go when you stopped taking it?

I took it for bulging discs in my neck, it definitely helped. But then I got random swelling in my arms and legs. My neck has improved with physio so I agreed to try coming off it but I’m still swollen three weeks later and not convinced it’s that!

Hello everyone who has joined the thread!

Interestingly I’m a half marathon runner too, and last year whilst training I had a few days of manageable sciatic pain that I just ran through. Nothing like now, I can’t imagine running at the moment.

Loobyloo be careful! I’m the sort to run through all sort of pain. Clearly wasn’t the right thing to do here for me

@bloodybackpain interesting our physios said two different things.

I've just come across this thread. I've suffered with sciatica on and off for a couple of years now, I had three months of constant sciatic pain down my right leg, had a MRI scan which showed a massive herniated disc l4/5.
I'm a runner and was told by my physio, also the neurosurgeon agreed, to keep running as it can only help and will definitely not do any more damage as it takes huge force to herniate a disc, so I plodded on and it eventually got better after about three months.
I did see a neurosurgeon who said that the majority of cases right themselves eventually and it isn't the size of the herniated disc that causes the pain, even a tiny herniation can cause huge pain.

Last November it started again but this time it was agony! Like a knife digging Into my hip, I could barely get out of bed in a morning and I hardly slept. In the end I asked my friend if I could borrow some morphine off her (bad I know) I only used a little if it woke me.
Eventually the doctor prescribed me gabipentin and it went away. I still suffer with my back sometimes but overall I'm doing really well. I've done a marathon and few half marathons this year. I'm convinced movement helps though I appreciate it isn't always possible for some of you.

Wishing you all well and a speedy recovery!

Oh dear bit of a shocker at the hospital. Apparently quite a big bulge, probably need a microdiscectomy

Long time mn lurker, occasional poster - I’ve had to revive my mn account after seeing this thread!
I’m in the midst of a nasty sciatic flare up. Usually I’m very active and fit and healthy, busy job, two little dcs. I ran a half marathon 10 days ago, having had some minor back pain and discomfort before that but I’m used to running injuries and niggles and just run through it usually. After the half marathon my back totally locked up, could barely walk and was in agony with pain I’ve never experienced before, especially down my left leg with pins and needles. I started off trying to work from home for a couple of days (lucky enough to have remote working if necessary). Saw a physio who examined me carefully and said I should be on complete rest lying still and doing nothing! I’ve managed to see a spinal surgeon for my health insurance he thinks it is probably a slipped disc or something similar in the L5 vertebrae. I had an MRI at the weekend and I’m going back to see the surgeon this afternoon to get the results of the MRI and talk about treatment. Trying not to panic too much about what he tells me.

Thanks @avocuddl. Hugs back :)

Yes definitely mention steroid injections to the GP next time. Would you be in a position to go private? At least you’ve had the MRI.

Will you have your MRI results for your next chiropractor appointment? That’s good that they are positive. I’m still seeing my osteopath who had problems like this when she was younger, so I feel like she “gets” it.

My physio in one month is face to face which is good. They also sent me the app! So I have exercises to do in the meantime.

Agree to taking each day as it comes. It’s just when I have a good day I’m doubly miserable when I wake up in pain the next morning!

I am on meds including naproxen and pregabalin. And codeine when I’m really bad.

Sending you a very unmumsnetty hug. Things are shit. They must get better right??

Hey @EggbertHeartsTina I'm glad it's not just me who thinks its ridiculous. I wish I had asked GP about steroid injections. I was reading about this last night but I completely forgot to say!! Grr. I suppose I'll try the new meds for a week maybe and then go back if no change? I don't know what else to do. I'd say I've had e-physio... the most ridiculous thing imo. I spoke to someone in the phone and they sent me an app...

The chiropractor has been much more helpful though. I look forward to seeing her again as she said once we get the MRI they can tailor the treatment a bit more too.

I'm sorry you're having a bad day 😔 please don't feel guilty, this is just the worst thing and it's not your fault you're in so much pain.

Maybe we just need to take each day as it comes. Tomorrow is a new day and we can just hope that our pain eases. I was thinking of trying yoga. The pregnancy yoga I did was very gentle and focussed a lot on mindfulness. I feel I need to do something to improve my mood. Just can't stop crying.

Is your face to face with a physio? I'm so annoyed for you that it's a month away!! What did they say for between now and then?? Are you on any meds? Sorry if I've missed that.

spam that’s great you feel able to go out Thursday - I do find it gets better if something is there to distract me. Open mic should definitely do that!!! And good luck with the dosage increase

Oh @avocuddl I’m so sorry your appointment didn’t go the way you planned. It’s so frustrating when you hear that it just takes time. I can’t believe you’re at the point where you’re borderline cauda equina and it’s been 3+ months and they are still throwing “time” and “physio” at you?! I get that physio is obviously great for some people and is preferable to anything invasive but it clearly isn’t working and you have a small child to look after! Has anyone mentioned steroid injections to you? I have a number of friends who resorted to these with great results. Sometimes results are not permanent though. Could be worth mentioning to physio? Are you having regular physio?

I had my phone appointment yesterday, they’ve booked me in for a face to face in a month (that’s the earliest they had!!!) I wish I had pushed for them to consider an MRI referral but I didn’t. I did cry though

Yesterday was a good day, today I woke up in agony and lost it with my husband and DS1 (nearly 4). I have so much mum guilt right now it’s crushing me.

Your night out on Thursday sounds great Spam. I got an orthopaedic back pillow that makes uncomfortable seating a bit more comfy!

Just got out of the appointment. Feel a bit deflated. Just one of those things that gets better with time and to just keep moving...

She was really nice and maybe she's right but I feel like there's no way out. She's prescribed a couple of new drugs to try. Can't remember the names. Something beginning with M and something Amoxy. Will let you know when I've picked them up. She's also going to ask physio to see what more they can do.

I totally bottled talking about how crap I feel too. I just couldn't bring myself to say the words. I know that's pathetic isn't it. So now I'm just crying in the car. Ffs.

Not sciatica but gabapentin is the difference between no pain and constant screaming day and night from shooting nerve pain in paralysed/nerve damaged arm/hand. Good luck!

Hey @EggbertHeartsTina how did your appointment go? Glad you're having a better day! And you had a good night sleep. Hoping for the same tonight! Totally going to try the mindfulness thank you!

How did you appointment go @SpamChaudFroid ? I'm the same with the codeine, I don't bother all the time as i don't feel the benefit and it just makes me more drowsy.

I couldn't get an gp appointment today so got one tomorrow. Good job anyway as the hospital hadn't sent it over so I spoke to 5 different people at the hospital before they finally agreed to send it over for me so my appointment won't be wasted tomorrow! Wish me luck!