Sciatica and pregabalin

[Bertoldbrecht]

I’ve probably got sciatica. Have had issues with my back for years but no formal investigations, just presumed it was normal wear and tear due to my job ( involves lots of manual handling) and self medicated with painkillers as and when required.
About 3 weeks ago I started to have twinges in my right lower back, radiating down my rt leg, also noticed some numbness/ altered feeling to the top of my foot.
I had a phone consultation with my gp who has now started me on pregabalin. Having read a lot about the drug I’m a bit wary of taking it. I’m on codeine and paracetamol which take the edge off it but I’m really trying to limit taking them to once a day due to fears about dependency and the constipation that goes with them.
At the moment the main issue is the odd sensation in my foot, the back ache has essentially gone. I can walk but it tends to be more hobbling first thing until my painkillers have kicked in.
Has anyone had these symptoms with it, are we supposed to rest or keep active ? I’m trying to do stretches which help a bit, take the dog out for a slow walk but don’t want to make things worse...I’m also off work so worried about that.

I was taking Pregablin for nerve pain originating from my lower back, affecting both my legs at night. I am not medically trained but my opinion and only my opinion would be to advise anyone not to take it. Following a letter I received about this drug, It says it has now been classed as a strictly limited drug and advice was to stop taking it, but I was told by my gp I could still take it, even after I told him that since starting taking it I had 3 bumps in the car in 2 and a half months, after never having so much as a bump in 35 years driving! I didn't think it was affecting me but it obviously was and so I changed to another drug which I take on a night which does not have the same dangerous effects as Pregablin.