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

[SpamChaudFroid]

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

Hey @SpamChaudFroid sorry to hear of negative side effects of the medication. Maybe it will level out?

No I wasn’t offered the injection route first. When my surgeon saw the MRI results and the size of the bulge he just said it wasn’t worth it as the injections only treat symptoms, they Don’t treat the root cause of the problem. I also spoke with one of my colleagues who had had a similar disc problem, she was told the same thing after an MRI i.e. injections wouldn’t help her however she decided to request the injections and she said on reflection she wished she had just gone for the surgery straightaway as they didn’t do anything for her.

Hope the MRI goes okay and that you get the results of it soon.

@SpamChaudFroid so sorry to hear of the side effects on your mental health I hope you’re ok. Do you have people to talk to and things to keep you busy?

I’ve had a bad few days myself. This is very outing if anyone who knows me comes across this thread. On Sunday I went to another concert - with the whole family this time. Leg has been doing much better, and I was having a good time.

On the way home I tripped over whilst running for a bus. My baby was in the carrier on my front. We both hit the floor - my knees and hands, and unfortunately, baby’s head. I went straight to a&e and after 4 hours monitoring they decided baby was fine.

Since the incident I have been in a heightened state of major anxiety; pregabalin is supposed to treat anxiety; but I’m wondering if it could also make me anxious as I become dependent on it??? I haven’t felt like this since I had a panic attack two years ago and thought I’d punctured my lung

As for the leg, the fall injured my knee on my good leg and my pelvis seemed to take some of the force as it now hurts. Mornings I wake up in a lot of pain but once I’m moving it’s still so much better than it was.

MSK physio next week. I’m hoping they may offer some massage as I am SUPER tense. I am thinking I perhaps need to see someone about my mental health too.

Sorry for the moany post, I just feel all at odds at the moment and like I’m the worst mother ever!

@EggbertHeartsTina oh my goodness poor you. Those sort of falls can really shake you up even if no major injuries. Good to hear you have an appointment next week to discuss and fingers crossed for a bit of massage

Eggbert! How terrifying, no wonder you're in a heightened state of anxiety.

I had my NHS MSK physio appointment today. I saw a lovely therapist. Because I’m doing a lot better (due to pain meds) they want me to remain on them whilst I work through exercises. Again they say I’m not at the point where we look at MRI / injections, which i do understand as I clearly am improving, I’m just keen to get off the drugs. That is our agreed goal for the physio therapy. They have referred me to a gym programme where they work with me on the equipment to get me back to how I was.

@EggbertHeartsTina!! (sorry to shouty namecheck like that, but I doubt you're checking the thread anymore.) I'm so glad you're improving. Weirdly, I mentioned your plight to my GP, (who gave birth a while ago herself) and she said women usually heal from sciatica without needing a medical intervention. I really felt for you after reading about your fall.

Had my MRI, (which wasn't without its own challenges, due to my inability to lie flat) and I will hear of the boards decision in 3 - 4 weeks. The pain hasn't improved, is worsening in fact, as I suppose gradually the drugs become less efficient. If they don't offer an alternative to current treatment, well I'll cross that bridge as and when.

women usually heal from sciatica without needing a medical intervention. Fuck me, yay for that! I meant she opined that sciatica after childbirth usually resolves itself.

Worked amazingly for my cervicogenic headaches

Ah thank you @SpamChaudFroid for thinking of me and passing that on from your GP - gives me hope. I am tempted to try a day without medication to see how much improved I really am. I can certainly stand a while without a crescendo of burning occurring, and I can walk places - this was always the crux for me, as the inability to walk more than a few paces was mentally crushing.

I struggle very much to put the two kids in their car seats, and I still can’t find many comfortable breastfeeding positions but I must remember how much better I am than I was at the beginning. It’s 15 weeks tomorrow since it all kicked off when my back went at the end of pregnancy. My osteopath is actually a little cross on my behalf that the NHS still aren’t looking at further investigation and just throwing physio at it, because I’m still in pain and it’s still affecting my day to day life. But hey ho there you go. My friend had serious back issues and ended up paying for her own MRI. When the scan results were rushed to her GP that evening she had already started with cauda equina symptoms and was rushed into emergency surgery - so they do seem reluctant to go to MRIs as many of you have discovered !

I am so sorry to hear your pain is getting worse Spam. Surely they cannot continue with pain meds only, you need something else! And not being able to lie down in the scanner . I hope the scan shows something obvious - not because I want you to have a problem but because that way hopefully there will be a definitive course of action. Did the GP offer any hope of other meds or courses of action she could help with?

Following the MRI, I've been placed on a waiting list for a nerve root block. I don't really see the point though, as the injection only gives 2 weeks pain relief. What about after that?

I hope you're still feeling positive Eggbert.

I'm probably bleating into the ether, but I did say at the start of the thread that I was going to keep a diary of sorts here.

Just spoken with my (amazing) GP who actually exclaimed, "Oh gosh, it is bad isn't it" when she saw my MRI results. 3 ruptured discs, L3 - L5 I think. That's causing the sheath of the nerve to be irritated. It's quite a relief that there is actually something visibly wrong there to treat.

Asked GP about the injection I've been offered and she said that it's procedure to try that before operating and that it's fairly obvious an operation is needed. In her opinion it won't be an age before surgery is offered to me on the NHS. She was also happy to refer to to go private, (which is an eye watering £10000) but stressed that the NHS would see this as a priority, due to the state of my back.

I hope all you erstwhile sciatica sisters are dancing and prancing your way through summer, (god I miss dancing )

I'm so sorry I've been awol. I'd absolutely love to say it's because I made a miraculous recovery and I'm all better but unfortunately that's not the case.

Spam I'm so sorry to see your update and that you are still suffering so much. 3 discs sounds absolutely awful! You poor thing 😔 did they give you any idea of timescales? Just unknown waiting list? I regret so much not having private health insurance. I do love the nhs but I wonder how different all our situations would be. Remind me, are you seeing a physio too? I hope the injection works (can't believe it's only 2 weeks!) but at least for you to get some relief.

Egbert I'm sorry you are still in pain and struggling with day to day tasks. I really hope the physio is helping, are you feeling any better?

@Bloodybackpain how are you getting on? Recovered completely I hope!

Let's see, where did I leave it..oh gosh I haven't posted for a month. I really am sorry, life just got in the way. We are having an extension built and the builders started last week. It was unexpectedly bought forward (they had a cancellation) so it was an absolute nightmare trying to prepare the house (packing it all up) without actually being able to bend down and lift anything 🤦🏽‍♀️ thank goodness my mum and dad came to my rescue and I just told them where to put things and they just did it. We also went on a big family holiday which just made me feel so sad. I should have been enjoying every second but it was just clouded by my constant pain and every little thing was a constant reminder of how debilitating it is. Getting in and out of the pool, walking back to the hotel, getting into a rubber ring on this lazy river ride, just waiting around in queues at the airport etc were just agony.
I've FINALLY got my appointment tomorrow with the specialist physio and pain specialist nurse. I don't know what to expect. I'm on an increased dose of amitryptaline (40mg) and it doesn't really do anything for the pain, it just makes me ridiculously drowsy so I can actually sleep at night. I think I'll ask for the injection. Even if it is just 2 weeks relief it will be worth it.

Even though I haven't posted, I have always been thinking of you all and hoping that your pain has eased.

Hello!
This dropped off my active threads list and I didn’t know how to find it again.
Injections... everything I hear of them suggests they only provide short term relief. In fact my insurance company said they would only fund a couple of times as they feel surgery often better. It’s so silly that the nhs tries to go for the short term cheap option when in reality it’s unlikely to work.

I am now nearly six weeks post microdiscectomy. No sciatica but my lower back and glute and hip still very achey at the end of the day, really having to pace myself - am naturally very active so it’s tricky.
The physio did say I could swim though which has been great. She may not have meant sea and river swimming on holiday last week though ...

I worked at home the week before hols and tomorrow is my first day back in office (London ), feeling quite nervous... am going with a bag stuffed with painkillers!

@EggbertHeartsTina I’m glad to hear things are improving a little bit.
@SpamChaudFroid good to hear you have a sensible gp, hopefully she will fight on your behalf. I looked at the billing details for my treatment... each consultation with surgeon was around £150, operation fee itself was £800 and 2 night hospital stay was £5k (am guessing that includes drugs and anesthestist fee), so £10k seems a lot?!

And @avocuddl I hope tomorrow’s appointment goes ok. Hurray for your parents and boo re the holiday, even though last week I could swim there were quite a few things I’d normally do that I couldn’t

I've had sciatica off and on since I was 20 following an accident. The things that really helped me (and it's been nearly 5 years gone) was:
Osteopath
Acupuncture
Yoga
If I stop the yoga I can feel it stirring. has to be a slow stretchy yoga like ashtanga not a head standing type!

Hello all

Avo, I'm so sorry you're still in agony. You're right, the pain clouds everything because when not actually in pain, you're sizing up potential situations and mentally calculating how painful it'll be. My DSis came to stay, and I felt guilty that I couldn't do more while she was here. IRT the injection, (root block) I've been placed on a fast track waiting list, so between 6-8 weeks. The physio stopped ages ago because it was too painful. I'm sure they just give physio in the first few months just to see how it'll play out -ie. if the back gets better with physio, it would likely have healed on its own anyway. But those are just my thoughts! Is there a reason they're not prescribing gabapentin or pregablin to you Avo? Amitryptiline didn't help me at all, just stuck my tongue to the roof of my mouth. I do hope your appointment is helpful today. It's such a (very) painfully slow process isn't it.

Bloody, not jealous of you and your fancy new surgically enhanced back swimming in exotic locations, oh no! I've only looked at the BMI private hospital price list in my area, and it's a few quid off 10k. I guess it's something I could even have done abroad? I have a sibling in Spain, where the private healthcare is very good. I hope your first day back at work is OK.

Hello Yestermo , yoga and pilates will be my new addiction once all the leaky bits are sliced out!

Hello all! @SpamChaudFroid you’re definitely not bleating into the ether, I’m still here! So sorry to hear your discs are so bad - on the positive side at least they’re bad enough that things are happening I suppose??

I’ve a friend who had more than two weeks’ relief from an injection (her very bad sciatica went away) - but that could’ve been a steroid injection as opposed to the blocker? Anyway fingers crossed for you Spam and hoping that an op gets pushed for you.

@avocuddl how was your appointment? Did the pain nurse discuss better options than the amitriptaline?

@Bloodybackpain how was day 1 at work?? I know what you mean about not being able to do what you could before; this time last year I was at half marathon level. Today I braved a little running shuffle - only managed a very slow mile.

I am admittedly and thankfully a lot better but the pain is still there. I feel like I’ve ended up with slight foot drop as I can feel it not lifting properly when I try and run.

Yoga and post-natal fitness classes have helped immensely so I’m continuing with those. When I remember how I was initially I feel a bit emotional that I’m even upright!

I’m now experiencing nerve pain in my left shoulder (I’m a leftie) - I think it is from holding the baby so much (and he’s a big one) and possibly from weird movements thanks to my leg. I don’t know. Something to keep an eye on.

Love to all!

@EggbertHeartsTina survived three days back at work (1 in office 2 at home). Lovely to see everyone. My back wasn’t too keen on it all, pretty stiff - in part from the stress of thinking about work! Should be getting a standing desk next week which will be good

It’s interesting what you say about post natal healthy and shoulders from carrying babies. I always used to put the DCs on my left shoulder and that’s the side where I had all the sciatic symptoms- as well as Achilles from running. Maybe a left sided weakness.

How is everyone? Long time no speak.

Im still here, still suffering 🙄 had my appointment with a consultant about the injection. There was an 'administrative error' which meant that he couldn't view my mri images so couldn't make a decision without seeing them. I have to wait for another appointment to be available with him, which could be 2 weeks but most likely 4 weeks and then he will make a recommendation. He said it's only 50% chance of it working.

He said surgery would be a good option however there would be a high risk of it happening again due to the location of the other bulged discs in my back so that would need to be considered.

Also my reflex in my ankle which had come back has now gone again, so all in all, still shite.

I hope everyone else is doing well and fully recovered from this nightmare!!!

@Bloodybackpain @EggbertHeartsTina @SpamChaudFroid Been thinking of you all!

@avocuddl oh no how frustrating re the appointment.
I think the microdiscectomy surgery never really is a total guarantee of it not happening again, I’ve got two other dodgy discs in my back plus apparently the remaining disc material in my l4/l5 that was operated on could bulge out.

Anyway, all pretty ok here, just trying to find the fine line between not totally wrapping myself in cotton wool and not overdoing it! Nearly 3 months post surgery, I’ll in theory be able to start running again soon

Hi fellow pain suffered!

I posted right at the beginning of this thread, under a different name, to say I was 2700mg gabapentin, , 90mg MST, 25mg amitriptline, 8 x zapain and oramorph. I’ve had 4 rounds of injections in my spine (2 different kinds), and have been like it for 8 years. As you will all know, you take the tablets but it never takes away your pain100%.

I have bad days still, where I’m clinging to the doorframe sobbing and then being sick from the pain, but also good days. I actually started going to the gym 3 weeks ago, I’m going 4-5 times a week, I’m not pushing myself, the trainers in the gym know my medical history so advice on what to do and what not to, especially if I am experiencing pain. But the best part is, of all the 3 and 1/2 stone I put on when I started all the medication, I have already lost 12lb in 3 weeks!!!

I just wanted to share my happy moment you!

@IsobelRae23 hurray for gym and happinesses! Are you still taking the same meds?

Well done @IsobelRae23! Although I’m so gutted for you that you’ve been suffering so long.

Hope everyone is doing ok. My pain has significantly receded now, to the point where I would call it a “niggle” at most. I attribute this to the fitness and yoga classes I’ve been taking, and my osteopath, and also time.

Some days I feel a sharper pain in my butt and I am terrified of it returning to the level it was, so I’m continuing with the osteopath in a bid to straighten my posture and increase core strength.