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

@EggbertHeartsTina I had the indignity 4 times before they decided it was cauda equina

If you have been in pain for three months can I suggest you ask your GP to send you for an MRI scan? I had pain so bad that I cried, couldn't walk more than a few yards and after trying everything including steroid injections I went privately to see a specialist who sent me for an MRI that day. Turned out I had two prolapsed discs and no amount of drugs was ever going to cure it. I had the surgery and (touch wood) have been completely pain free ever since. Don't wait for a miracle...

I think I was wrong about the naproxen - I didn't take any yesterday and was in lots more pain when I got out of bed. It's giving me squits though. Hopefully the codeine will balance it out. I hate having a squitty bum!

Allow me to wish everybody a pain free day.

I didn't realise it was a typo Eggbert, and thought it must mean a medical student trying to stuff a litmus paper up the bum to gauge "cauda acids".

It has really helped my dad. He went from being immobile with pain to being able to function almost normally while he waited for back surgery to resolve his sciatica.

I've got a Revitive unit, we got it cheap as it was an unwanted present. I find tens machines are really good for back pain, or any pain really. Just make sure you get one that goes from 1 to 100, with different settings.

The Revitive is something you put your feet on to help circulation etc. It's good for diabetic neuropathy, swelling, essentially to zap stuff into working. There are different elements you can get depending what your problem is, like knee pads, gloves etc.

I honestly love it. Another good thing, most pads are universal, so I've got big pads on my back now zapping away.

I cannot believe this thread has popped up today of all days. This is so reassuring. My mother was admitted to hospital on Thursday due to falls and sciatica pain. Yesterday they have started her on gabapentin.
I'm currently living back at home as I need to care for my elderly dad and autistic brother. But this thread has given me hope that mums pain can improve and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you

Haha Spam that would have been interesting!!

I’m wondering if I was also wrong about the naproxen - I’m in more pain today than yesterday (I took my last pill yesterday morning). I might ask for more when I see GP on Thursday. Also want to talk about upping my pregabalin and finding an alternative to codeine that I can breastfeed on - someone has mentioned dihydrocodeine being a potential?

kitkat thinking of your and your mother - I hope she gets the relief she needs. Have a read through of the whole thread for other ideas e.g. TENS machines etc xxx

Yay Kitkat, there is hope here amongst the pain! In AIBU of all places!

I'm thinking it's because the naproxen is slow acting Eggbert, so you dont' get the short burst of pain relief like you get from other pain killers? And absolutely ask the GP to up your dose if you feel like you'd benefit from more. You're not on a particularly high dose are you? I'm on 900 for comparison.

I'm feeling so much better, still painful, but the old black dog was calling because the pain had got so unmanageable, (I was sobbing into my various pets fur nearly every day) but the depression I'd feared has got back into its box. I was beginning to feel very numb emotionally and apathetic. Not today, Satan!

Ah un-mumsnetty hugs to you spam. I too am feeling happier day by day, I can’t believe how low I felt, and totally unable to comprehend that I would improve.

Just to clarify I don’t want to increase my dose of naproxen, I want to up my dose of pregabalin (similar to Gabapentin). I’m on a very low dose (75mg twice a day which I am reliably informed by google is incredibly low). Just called the doc but they have no phone consultations left today so I might have to wait 48 hours and be in pain today / tomorrow. However I have more acupuncture tomorrow so that will hopefully work miracles again!

Had osteo this morning and my posture, pelvis, sacrum etc. are all buggered - because I’ve been walking funny and compensating, and because of the labouring on my back in stirrups . I think total recovery will be a while - and more ££££££

Thanks Eggbert I'm glad you're getting back on the happy train too. Pain just clouds everything and sucks the joy out of life, doesn't it? I'd just adopted a 4 month old puppy from Spain when the pain started. I felt awful for a while about his life not being as fun-filled as a puppy's life should be, and even considered re-homing. But friends and neighbours have helped with dog walking, plus his dog walker.

Sorry Eggbert, that was really unclear what I wrote about doses. I did mean gabapentin/pregabalin. Did you decide to keep taking naproxen? I have. My digestive system isn't too happy about that.

The walking funny - it's tiring as well isn't it? Because your body has to adapt to moving around bent into a different shape than it's used to. The muscles in my lower back get tired really fast, because they're so clenched up so hard to balance. The stick helps me stand straighter I think, I was creeping about like the hunchback of Notre Dame for ages until I got given the stick.

Ah I see spam - I’m only on 150mg a day of pregabalin. My pain is now more of a burning than a stabbing. Still struggling to walk more than say 100 yards without sitting.

Just had second acupuncture session and this time the relief has not been as forthcoming, which is disappointing. Perhaps later. I am just sitting down after hobbling up and down the high street!

Am also finding myself getting into hunchback of ND pose as it’s more comfortable, but not good for my back obviously. I do have some crutches, perhaps I need to use one when walking longer distances.

I’m supposed to be seeing the Spice Girls on 15 June, I can’t imagine standing for that long!!!

Can I ask those of you who have a job, how much time, if any, have you had off sick with this? I’ve had two weeks off and I’m technically on leave now, but I don’t see how I can go back next week. My working day including commute is 12 hours long. I’m concerned what my work will say.

@daisypond good question and one I was wondering too. I’m halfway through my second week, and signed off till the middle of next week - so that will be 2.5 weeks total. Whether I go back depends on what happens at my rheumatologist rdv next week.

But I only work part time - 16 hrs a week.

@EggbertHeartsTina

Why do you have crutches and not using them.... Why on earth??That is crazy
You are going to make it worse IMO and give yourself a lot more issues. Don’t try to brave it out, use them

I was able to work because I used crutches, work helped make the environment suitable. I work in the NHS so it was more practical. If I couldn’t drive they let me work from home. I just tried everything but when it got too much I was signed off
But I used crutches all the time, did all the exercises (even if hurt), saw a physio every week, had acupuncture and moved around every hour (to help prevent DVT if nothing else)
You have to stay mobile

Home working isn’t allowed at my place of work so that’s a no-go. I use public transport to get to work, a mix of buses and trains and walking. I’m dreading it and not sure how possible it is going to be.

Hi @PookieDo I’m definitely not trying to brave it out - I asked for the crutches as I thought they would help. However I can’t use them very much - I have a 3 week old baby, I can’t wear him in a carrier as that would exacerbate the back problem, so I need to push him in a buggy. I can’t do this and use crutches at the same time. I’ve been using the buggy as support when walking which does help.

I haven’t really been out without him yet but when I do I will not be afraid to use the crutches if they keep me upright.

I’m doing the exercises, seeing osteo and acupuncturist every week and I’m now able to more consistently walk upright so things are improving.

I am keeping as mobile as possible now I’m over the worst pain - in fact I’ve discovered cycling is relatively pain free.

daisy I’m on maternity leave but I would have had to take at least three weeks off for this as that’s how long it took for me to be able to actually walk further than a few feet!

My mum takes it for the same reasons sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't depend how much pain she's in at the time but good luck OP with getting the help and right meds.

@daisypond I went off at the end of March, had surgery in May and returned end of July

I have taken all of these drugs over a 15 year period for bad pain which began with severe Symphysis pubis disorder which continued for years and was later joined by herniated discs as well as ongoing pelvic and leg pain. I've had a lot of foot surgery for compressed nerves too.

I have gradually weaned myself off the lot as i found side effects / dependence too horrible. I gained a huge amout of weight which it took me 3 years to shift (at least now the HCP's cant blame that!)

But i still have the same amount of pain joined now by really bad 'tailbone pain'. Does anyone else get this??

Oh no Eggbert, how disappointing! I was hoping you would be back-flipping your way home after last weeks results . Did it kick in at all? Could still be helping with balancing, toxins etc.?

I do worry about the addictive nature of the drugs Stripey, and I have to be especially careful because I have a tendency to get addicted to substances, (my GP knows this). However the pain my back's giving me atm is more painful than any physical drug detox (including alcohol) so for me, it's worth it. I spent a lot of time thinking it through - my GP is willing to prescribe benzodiazepams for me, but I decided not to continue with those as I find them a little too more-ish .

Spam I know I was disappointed. However it is very relaxing which I think helps with my muscle spasms (particularly as I’m not taking the diazepam I’ve been prescribed due to breastfeeding).

My pain has changed a lot since the beginning of the sciatica. It’s now less like toothache and more like a burning sensation that builds up as I walk, eventually crescendo-ing to an unbearable level. It’s also moved down my leg, even my ankle hurts now (although that may be due to the way I’ve been walking). Although this burning pain is pretty bad, I do prefer it to the initial toothache-like nerve pain I started with. But ideally I’d like no pain! My biggest issue is the inability to walk. I’d put up with background pain if I could just walk through it, but I can’t.

I asked GP for Tramadol today as it’s ok to breastfeed on but he said no, I’m already on too much he also wouldn’t let me increase my pregabalin.

I am back on naproxen now though. I think on days where I really need to move (e.g. Spice Girls concert!) I’ll take my codeine and give the baby formula for a day.

Hope everyone feeling ok today x

I take pregabalin which is similar. It definitely helps but it never took the pain away completely. Maybe about a 50% reduction.

Your experience with your pain sounds so similar to mine Eggbert, I could have written your description. After moving about a lot, mine's settled in my leg, radiating from the outside of my knee, and it's like cramp that builds up and up the more I stand/walk on it. I can live with the jags of pain. Sadly a TENS machine feels just irritating on the calf. I'm doing the same with the codeine, none yesterday but I have a few things to do now which involve the use of my legs, so will take a couple. Please say it's a seated concert you're going to!