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2 weeks after lumbar fusion I have severe sciatica pain, should I take Lyrica?

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Naomitate
Naomitate

Hi everyone, I'm new here.

A bit of background, I'm a 41 year old mum of 4. I'm an artist and an art teacher. I've suffered from my L5S1 for well over a decade. The last time it flared up in October 2015 was the worst ever. I was in completely debilitating pain for 4 days, after which the pain didn't recede to a bearable level...

Long story short I had a posterior spinal fusion done at the L5S1 level, with a cage, 2 weeks ago. 2 days after the surgery I started experiencing very severe sciatic pain down my left leg and into the foot. It has not improved, and now that leg feels quite weak. I saw my surgeon yesterday and I'll be having an MRI tomorrow, but the surgeon wants me to start taking Lyrica immediately for the pain. I've bought it, but after looking up side effects on-line I'm really scared to take it. Has anyone here taken Lyrica for sciatic pain? Has it helped? Have there been bad side effects? I'm really torn, as I know that in order to strengthen my back I need to be walking around as much as possible, and without the Lyrica it's really hard to walk around- my leg pain in too severe, and my leg is too weak...but I'm really worried about the potential side effects. I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on this. Thanks

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • buggsy1000
    buggsy1000 Naomitate

    Posted

    Hi Naomitate

    Firstly sorry to hear you are in pain and that you have had a spinal fusion.

    I had mine for same location as yours back in 2014, I was 35 and had back problems for a number of years like your self.

    I can only share my experience as its different for everyone.

    You are in the very early stages of recovery which I am sure you already know but surgeons from what I was told and Seen by many others give false time frames for healing. Mine told me 6 weeks which was utter rubbish, my leg pains intensified after surgery but I think this is probably expected following major surgery. Due to swelling and the muscles which will take time to start to bind again. Realistically I would say anytime for 6 months to 2 yes to be fully healed and the fusion to take place.

    I was put on lyrica ( I think known as Pregablin in the UK) it did help settle some of the pain in my legs but I put on massive weight gain from it, I was on 300mg X 3 a day ( I think) which is the high dosage ).

    What dosages are you on and are you on other meds for pain relief?? How are you finding sleeping.?

    I agree that you need to be up and mobile, but little and often is better than big steps and pushing beyond what you have been able to to in the past.

    Sadly for me my fusion failed and I have had a couple of other operations since along with all the injections they offer. I am now waiting for a spinal cord stimulator which they hope will ease the pain in legs and back. But this has already been 9 months in the UK and I am told it will be a further year before I get it unless a slot becomes available.

    Not sure how much help my advice is but wanted you to know, and there are loads of people on here in the same boat that give good advice.

    Wish you a speedy recovery

    Keep in touch.

    George (UK)

    • Naomitate
      Naomitate buggsy1000

      Posted

      Hi George,

      Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me, I'm so sorry that your fusion failed and that you're still in pain! It's really helpful hearing about other peoples recoveries. I watched a lot of Vlogs about spinal fusion before the surgery ( I'm doing my own one now as well) and I found them really helpful in having realistic expectations. I know it'll take a long time to feel better, I just didn't expect the sciatica pain to progressively worsen.. I'm on Percocet 5mg, 3 times a day which is adequate for the back pain, it just doesn't help the nerve pain. I take that with zofran ( for sickness). In the night I take Miro to help me sleep ( it's an antidepressant that I started taking to help with that and insomnia) and I take magnesium supplements that help with the constipation caused by the Percocet. I'm really worried about adding Lyrica to the mix, especially as I already have a tendency toward depression. I also really don't want to gain more weight! I've gained already over the past year due to the lack of exercise cos of my back and the antidepressants...

      Did you have other side effects other than weight gain?

      I hope that they find something to help your pain!

      Take care,

      Naomi

    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 Naomitate

      Posted

      Hi Naomi

      Thanks for your kind words, I to hope the spinal cord stimulator will be the magic fix for me, just have to keep fingers crossed. At the moment I just keep going as I am a young man with a 3 and 6 yr old so keep going for them. But I have had times when the pain has been so bad I have had horrible thoughts about not wanting to go on, but luckliy I go back and look at my 2 and that keeps me going.

      The main side effect was the weight gain, I don't totally put it all down to that one drug, as you say we become less active and this surely doesn't help. I have had a few falls and been jittery on occasions and my short term memory had been effected but again I can't really say this is due to this one medication as I am on a whole host of different meds.

      Are you in the USA?? I am not entirely sure about Percocet but have looked it up and I believe it's the same as OxyContin ( opiate based ). My pain consultant put me on to a drug called targignact, they don't like to use this in the NHS very often. But for me it worked well for helping with pain, it is still the same as OxyContin tin but it has the antidote in it, to help you feel less drowsy, no constipation, and just made me feel a little more human. Something you might discuss with your DR.??

      I would give the lyrica a go but start of on small dosages, i think you have nothing to loose, it might not take away the pain but dull it down. If you are really worried ask your Dr about Duloxetine and if this might work better. All these drugs seem to be used for anti depressant meds but all seems to help with nerve pain and especially lower back problems.

      One thing that I found help me as I also found walking caused more pain in the early stages was going to the swimming pool and not swimming but walking against the water and using it for boyancy.

      Hopefully as the weeks go on you will find the leg pain might settle as the swelling and recovery takes place. Remember little steps and don't beat yourself up.

      Best regards

      George :-)

    • Naomitate
      Naomitate buggsy1000

      Posted

      Hi George,

      Thanks for the advice about the different meds, I'll discuss it with my doc. The Percocet is oxycodone and paracetamol together. I'm originally from London, but I live in Israel now. My friend mentioned targin, that's probably what you took. I'll see if I can move over to that. I have the MRI tonight, so hopefully they'll find that the sciatic pain is just due to swelling or something temporary, and that it'll get better without the added meds.

      Feel good,

      Naomi

    • buggsy1000
      buggsy1000 Naomitate

      Posted

      Keeping my fingers crossed for you and hopefully it is just swelling.

      Targinact I found changed me and just made me that little more human, but I don't know how available it is throughout the world.

      Good luck with MRI and let us know how it goes.

      Regards

      George

    • Naomitate
      Naomitate buggsy1000

      Posted

      Thanks George, I'm pretty sure it is available here. I'll send an update after the MRI results are in.

      All the best,

      Naomi

  • scott17436
    scott17436 Naomitate

    Posted

    I'm 3 months post double fusion L4-S1 but in via the front. I've had two posterior spirals in same area as you before as well.

    I am still experiencing numbness and leg pain/buttock pain after 12 weeks as well as two infections.

    I'm still on Amitriptyline and Carbamazepine for the leg pain but it doesn't really do a lot other than to dull it a little.

    You are at 2 weeks, be a little more gentle on yourself. If you need to take meds to function then do so. No need to be in total pain if you can help it.

    It's good that you're getting scanned, at least you'll know if it the op or things need to settle.

    • Naomitate
      Naomitate scott17436

      Posted

      Hi Scott,

      Thanks for your response, I hope that you start feeling better soon!

      I'm taking Percocet for the pain still, but it doesn't help the nerve pain. Lyrica has such bad side effects, I'm really nervous to start taking it..I think I'll wait for the MRI results, and if this looks like it's temporary nerve pain I'll grin and bear it. If not, I guess I'll try the Lyrica.

      Take care,

      Naomi

  • vineyard2020
    vineyard2020 Naomitate

    Posted

    Hi Naomitate. Sorry you are having trouble. I had 5 spine surgeries, 2 discectomy's, one got infected and those two didnt work so i had both fused, L4-S1. 360 fusion. All of them done in a 6 month time frame. I tried lyrica, and it didnt work for me. My side effects were they made me extremely tired, and I have a 6 y/o to chase around. Some people have great a experience with it. I would give it a shot for a week or 2. If it doesnt work, let your doc know and he can try something else. There is nothing worse than chronic nerve pain. I unfortunately just have to deal with it. Nothing works for me in that category and I can't take any narcotics due to being a firefighter/paramedic. I just trust my surgeon that my fusion is solid and will not break and try to deal with the pain by doing A LOT of walking, core strengthening, and stretching. Nighttime is the hardest for me. Again, sorry you have to experience this, I hope this helps.

    • Naomitate
      Naomitate vineyard2020

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for sharing your experience with me. I'm so sorry that you're still in pain after all those surgeries!

      I had chronic debilitating back pain for years and only decided to do the fusion after the last flare up which was the worst I've had. I know it's early days yet, and the Percocet helps with the back pain, just doesn't touch the nerve pain. I'm really scared of Lyrica though.. I think I'll wait a bit and see if the pain improves without it.

      I hope you find something to help with the pain. It's impressive that you're a firefighter-I guess that means that you can run around? I'm really hoping that I'll be able to exercise again once this fusion solidifies! I haven't been able to exercise in years!

      Take care,

      Naomi

    • vineyard2020
      vineyard2020 Naomitate

      Posted

      Hi Naomitate. Thank you for the kind words. It took awhile, and was in extreme pain until one day I decided enough is enough. I forced myself to start moving. And began my workouts. It was very hard, but each week it became easier as I got stronger. The eased a little at at time. I am nowhere near pain free, but my mental health has improved which helps me cope with the pain. I had set backs, but it is best to just put yourhead down and don't stop. You will get there.

    • Naomitate
      Naomitate vineyard2020

      Posted

      Hi again,

      Kudos to you for pushing through that pain and getting moving. I can't wait to get the go ahead from my surgeon to start exercising, it's been so long since I could move around properly!

      Take care,

      Naomi

  • amy966
    amy966 Naomitate

    Posted

    Hi. I'm new too. I'm sorry to hear you are having so much pain. I hope you find relief soon.

    I've taken Lyrica and other anticonvulsants to treat nerve pain in both legs and back. These meds did not help me. However meds work for some and not others. For me if there was a chance to ease 50% of my pain side effects were not even a concern. Follow your docs dosing and if you don't like it/doesn't work you can stop the meds but do it through your doc. You have to taper off this drug.

    Good luck.

    Amy

    S1-L2 fusion 3/2012

    L5decompression 3/2005

    • Naomitate
      Naomitate amy966

      Posted

      Hi Amy,

      Thanks for your advice and kind words. I hope that you've managed to find something to relieve your pain.

      Take care,

      Naomi

  • Naomitate
    Naomitate

    Posted

    Hi everyone, thought I'd give you an update. I've received the results of the MRI, and fortunately, it looks like everything is as it should be. The surgeon thinks the nerve pain is just due to swelling. I'm very relieved that it looks like the hardware is positioned well! I haven't started taking the Lyrica, the sciatica pain is actually less severe than it was, so at the moment I'm managing on the Percocet. Hopefully it will continue to improve! Feel good everyone, Naomi

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