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

I mean paramol is a brand name of a tablet which blends paracetamol and something else which was the only thing that fixed my dh. You can only buy it over the counter.

Paramol is paracetamol and dihydrocodiene

@SpamChaudFroid As for mouth dryness, I found this settled over the first few months. I just keep a bottle of water to hand at all times.

Pregabalin changed my life. Tried most other drugs mentioned, but pregabalin was the only one to take the edge off the horrible nerve pain.

I've just managed a slow shuffle around the block with the puppy! Without gurning and shrieking in agony! Could they be working already? This has happened before though, the pain dulls for half a day and I think, yay, it's getting better! Followed by pain and disappointment.

I've been drinking tons more water since I read the post about the spine rehydrating at night.

It’s ok, thank me later, SpamChaudFroid & of course, best of luck with the spine regeneration!

I would go with what’s been recommended and wishing you pain relief

Can I ask are you in parallel doing physio , and are you overweight ? If not - disregard but what fixed my ongoing lower back was daily physio and weight loss . I had to ask as it wasn’t until a kind NP told me I was 2 stone heavier that the penny dropped

And naproxen saves me
In bad days

Yes stopfucking to both your questions - weight has crept up to a 16 (thanks meno ) and I am under a physio who at first prescribed some exercises but told me to stop everything but side bends at our last consultation until I can see his colleague for a second opinion in early June. I feel heavier still, due to being pretty much immobile for the last couple of months where the pain has made walking into a bit of a challenge. Also been comfort eating as a distraction. And I find cannabis helps with the pain/sleeping, so at first until I got used to it, had raging munchies all the time.

I really do feel like the gabapentin is beginning to work though, and I'm only on the tiniest dose (200mg daily) so far. Or maybe my back is just healing as many do after about 3 months? Am hopeful anyway.

I'm glad I found this thread, I am in the same position but on day 3 of my first try at Gabapentin.

I've decided to stop taking it.

I don't like how it's making me feel and I especially don't like what I keep reading about coming off it.

I'm booked for an MRI and spinal physio and I'm praying that shows what's wrong/helps.

Good luck to you OP, I'll be following. (I'm the one hobbling around trying to pretend is not hurting)

I had it because I was getting a tingling in the skin in my upper arms, so much so that I could only wear soft fabrics or it felt like I was being scratched by my clothes.
The Gabapentin cleared it up, I think, but during and after I had the most frightening memory loss and i wonder how permanent the effects are. I remember at the time going in a shop and not knowing what shop I’d been in moments before. I stopped the treatment early and asked the gp about the memory loss. He was very blasé about it, explaining that yes, it’s well known that it causes memory loss. Wish I’d known that in advance.

OP I hope you get the pain meds you need and get it under control

But I then seriously urge you to consider the exercise and diet options . As these were not Mentioned to me , but ultimately really helped . And on that note will go and do some Core exercises myself ?

I’ve been drinking loads more water - thanks to whoever suggested that. It certainly makes sense about rehydration - and had my first session of hydrotherapy. Getting to the hospital was an ordeal in itself. But the journey home was lots easier. I was warned that it would start to feel sore again in the afternoon and next couple of days, and it is, but it’s actually not agonising, more like I’ve been kicked by the proverbial mule. I’m not overweight, so I can’t do anything in that direction. I wonder how common hydrotherapy is. Has anyone else been offered that? I get four sessions before I start physiotherapy proper.

I'm not experiencing any memory loss yet, but will keep a weather eye on it. From reading this thread it's apparent how different it affects each different person. Tbf, my memory can be a bit fuzzy around the edges anyway, (again, thanks meno).

Dolly I'm on day 7, increasing to 3 x 100 mg today. I was actually able to push a vacuum around the house yesterday, (OK, with lots of breaks and did some sitting down, but still...) I'm to ring my GP tomorrow about the next increase.

SFSAM, I will definitely start with pilates to strengthen the core once the pain is a little more manageable. I haven't been offered hydrotherapy, but will ask GP if she can recommend one. That would be ideal I think, strengthening muscles whilst taking the pressure off spine. Do you mind me asking daisypond, is that private or on NHS?

......different LY, sorry.

DH bought me a TENS machine. I tried it today and Oh God, it feels lovely.

I'd recommend trying it if you haven't already.

My doctor wanted me to take 300mg 3 x a day. Maybe the dose was too high and I would have been ok on a lower one.

spam hydrotherapy is NHS at the hospital. Then it will be physio, also NHS, at the hospital.

Why are you guys not getting surgery for herniated discs?

I had crippling sciatica and after following the painkiller/physio route which didn't work, I had surgery to remove the offending disc - which did work. I have been pain free for 15 years (with the odd sciatic flare up because I did something stupid and hurt my back).

I understand that not all back pain can be cured by surgery and that pain meds and physio can be a cure - but by taking away the offending object (disc) the recovery can be much swifter.

@Jappydooda - my thoughts exactly.

Had mine 20 yrs ago and, like you, only the occasional flare ups. Rather that than opioids any day.

Jappydooda I will most definitely take surgery if offered. I guess GPs prefer to exhaust all other routes first.

Can a tens machine be worn while moving about Dolly ? Because I'm relatively pain free whilst immobile. Crikey, your GP started you on 900mg? 3 times my starting dose. I bet you were high as a kite! If you're still in pain perhaps try again on a lower starting dose?

daisy, I'm already in receipt of physio, water therapy hasn't been mentioned, so I'll ask. Perhaps not available on NHS in my area, because then I'd have been offered it before physio, like you have been.

They won’t do surgery if there is a chance it will heal on it’s own and that can take 3 months
And first they would try an injection
I was offered both and I chose the injection which worked for me

I loved my TENS it really helps distract you

I wore my tens all day but didn’t always have it turned on. I had it on it I was out and about
Otherwise if you keep peeling the pads off it will cost you a fortune they don’t stay sticky forever

@Jappydooda waiting lists and they don't like operating. I waited weeks in screaming pain with a disc that wasn't going anywhere without surgery
Plus often you can't get an MRI. I had sciatica for a decade before a non NHS physio sent me for an MRI

Have just ordered a TENS machine. For some reason I thought one needed to keep still whilst using it, and that it would be a lot more expensive than it was.

@SpamChaudFroid I hope it helps, it's a bargain price to pay if it does!

Didn't work for me. Surgery worked in the end. You need an mri if you can't walk without a stick.