Don't like pregablin what else can I try

[herniated]

I have a herniated disc, think it's l5 something and its caused me endless shit, I get lower back pain, sciatica that goes all the way down my leg to my ankle and now it has decided to intermittently switch sides! Sometimes at the same time, it becomes awful. One wrong move and my back goes into spasm. I don't know if my back pain is unrelated to the disc.

I've tried amytryptyline and recently pregablin, the latter I do not like I felt drunk and my limbs were all weak !!
What else can I try ?

You could try asking a doctor.

Gabapebtin, nortriptyline, duloxetine, doxepin and milnacipran are all used for chronic pain in some countries and are options you could discuss with your GP. The two you've been given so far are what they usually start with and tend to be more effective. Personally if the issue is side effects I'd talk to GP about dropping back then increasing dose more slowly. Side effects often fade as the body gets used to the medication. Pregabalin may be what works for you and I wouldn't want to move on to something else without giving it a chance to find that out.

Meowww

Thanks! This was on the lowest dose of 25mg, I was told to take 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. I have 2 under two at home and there is no way I could look after them normally while I felt that way

I would have thought you might need an op ultimately. Are you on a waiting list?

Meantime duloxetine and venlafaxine are somewhat effective and have a different mechanism (whereas gabapentin is very similar to pregabalin and nortriptyline very similar to amitriptyline) so I'd give one of those a try first

No, no where near that stage and wouldn't really like to have one to be honest ! It is a major problem for me though, I'm only 34 so pretty young but plagued by this pain. Sometimes my back goes into spasm and I cannot move, the last time it happened was on holiday so it was a total nightmare involving a local doctor, tramadol, diazepam and a antiflammatory injection!

I already take an antidepressant so not sure I'd be able to take those ?

I had a horrible reaction to Cymbalta, dizziness, virtego, couldn't stand up or move, this was when my youngest was a toddler, never took them again. I'd be loathe to not trial lyrica though if it's possible to do so safely. Could you try a single daily dose but wait till the weekend so kids dad is home?

I recently had a bad reaction to a completely different medication, took me a couple weeks to work up the nerve to try again and I waited till kids were at their dads and took a much lower dose. I had to go up really slowly and had side effects for every increase for a few days, but that medication is helping me now and I'm glad I tried it again. There really aren't many effective treatments for chronic/nerve pain. If you don't feel able to try it again right now you might want to come back to it at some stage. I hope you find something that helps.

I take duloxetine and amitriptyline which works to some extent. Gabapentin and pregabalin worked best for me but the weight gain was awful. The side effects do settle down as your body adjusts

Most of the treatments for nerve pain are anti depressants or epilepsy medications. It will depend on which one you take and dosage and whether your GP feels comfortable managing use of two antidepressants at once. If there's inflammation involved have they tried anti inflamatories at all?

That's the sIde effect amitriptyline causes for me, lots of weight gain, but its the only way I can get any sleep.

I've had chronic pain and inflammation but in my arms and whilst you are taking the painkillers and having treatment I really recommend taking a high does of fish oil, 2000mg and above and turmeric. Very helpful with anti inflammatory and made me quite resilient when I had pain. Just a thought in case you hadn't tried it. I now take it every day and notice when I miss a day

Hi op I'm going through exactly the same. Sound just like my shit. It's really affecting my mh. I have had reactions to meds and some trigger reflux so trying the health herbal route.
I've noticed symptoms easing (but not going away totally ) with the below things... Just wanted to help.

High strength vit d
Manuka honey 2 tsp daily
Msm forumla
Cbd oil from simply cbd aqua

I'm also looking into other things. British supplements are good.

Sending love and hugs

I had bad side effects with gabapentin and amitriptyline. I started pregablin a couple of weeks ago.
I was advised 25mg every alternate evening for a week, then 25mg every eve for a week.
im now adding in 25mg every alternate morning for a week, then every morning for a week.
then I’ll v gradually add in another 25mg.
So every time I increase it’s only on alternate days.
You ask your prescriber about this.