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Awaiting MRI for sciatica type symptoms, now on Gabapentin

Posted , 21 users are following.

craig26478
craig26478

Hi all and thanks for reading this. I have suffered with back pain for many years but what i thought was standard aches and pains. I have quite an arched back and am quite tall, working a desk job, so put it down to this. At the start of this year, things changed and i started to get shooting pains in my leg leg. To cut a long story short i was diagnosed with sciatica. I have been to physio, seen a private chiropractor and also another specialist physio who referred me for an MRI. Up until then, i had only been prescribed standard painkillers which did nothing. The specialist recommended Gabapentin to the GP and i have been on them since Tuesday. Just one 300mg capsule has made me feel quite spaced out and about 90 mins later when trying to speak with clients on the phone at my work, i lost my train of thought and struggled. I am worried about the long term effects and given that i am still in pain, i feel like i don't know what to do for the best? Do i stick with them, it's obviously very early days? Should the pain be gone? Range of movememt is no better. I'm strong willed but this is really starting to get to me. Any info / advice is appreciated and welcomed.

Regards to all, Craig.

1 like, 76 replies

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  • maureen74876
    maureen74876 craig26478

    Posted

    Hi Thomas. 

    Many thanks for your kind and encouraging words. I certainly haven't ruled out a higher dose of Gabapentin and I did try Amitryptyline separately, though it did make me very dopey! I have my MRI today and hope something shows up. I did have back surgery 8 years ago after similar ssymptoms and, although I don't really want to go under the knife again, I would if I could get relief.

    Thanks again for taking the time to send me encouragement when you obviously have plenty to deal with yourself.

    All the best. Maureen

    (Here's hoping Craig's surgery goes well today!)

  • george30343
    george30343 craig26478

    Posted

    Hi Craig, I am new to this site and new to Gabapentin. I dont seem to be suffering anywhere near as much as some other members. My GP put me on Gabapentin 100mg  3 months ago for neuropathic pain in my legs, I am 78 years old.  I take one capsule at bedtime every night. in the morning when I wake my legs ache like mad, but after geting up and showering and being on the move a while the aches and pains dissapear. I live on my own  and after doing housework or spending time working in the garden I often fall asleep in the chair, again after waking up my legs ache like mad. I am begining to think the aches and pains are connected to me closing my eyes. I was wondering if any other forum member has had similar experence.
    • ThomasBell89
      ThomasBell89 george30343

      Posted

      Hello George,

      I wonder if it's your posture whilst you are asleep.  Does the bed support you well and do you slump in your chair.  Posture is so important to the back.  It's similar to bending only the other way and either can be very damaging to a back sufferer.  Your doseage is very low would your GP considering upping it a bit? but good that moving about helps.  We don't improve with age do we? I hit the big 70 next year and wonder if I am still around what 80 will bring.  But onward and upward, the dogs are calling me.

      Kind regards,

  • craig26478
    craig26478

    Posted

    Hello everyone.

    Well I'm posting this from my hospital bed. Had the surgery and been out of the recovery room a few hours. 

    The pain is bad but morphine etc is helping! Haven't spoken to the surgeon yet so no idea of whether it was a success or any other info. I have been up to go for a wee...ouch but needed and managed. 

    Will keep you all posted 

    • Jayive
      Jayive craig26478

      Posted

      Hi Craig, well the worst is over and now you need rest and recuperation. Don't try to do any more than your body allows, don't listen to your mind it will tell you that you can do more, your body will tell you how much is right for you. Take care my friend, I'm hoping that you make a swift recovery and look forward to hearing how you go.
    • craig26478
      craig26478 Jayive

      Posted

      Thank you for your kind words. I took things a lot slower after this post...I think the morphiene was still in my system giving me courage! New post is on this page with a progress update. Best wishes to you 
  • ron02907
    ron02907 craig26478

    Posted

    Ron to Craig, I have had spinal stenosis for years and it is getting worse my legs pain and the left one goes to sleep if standing for a few minutes, I have been useing volteran pills for the past 20 years they have done a good job but the doctor thinks they may be hard on kidneys .He put me on gabapentin 1x 300 gm night and morning now up to 3 x 300 gms night and morning, I have been taking gabapentin for about 6 weeks now and at first I thought it was a waste of time, made me a little dizzy and tired I sure slept well. The next time I went to the doctor I was going to have him take me off gabapentin. and stay with volteren. But just the last couple of days I think I can feel improvment in my legs I'll keep my fingers crossed. So don't give up yet craig. 
    • craig26478
      craig26478 ron02907

      Posted

      Yes I agree, was awful at the start with gabapentin but they have really helped me. I'm now starting the process to reduce and should be off them in full in a couple weeks. All the best to you 
  • william65598
    william65598 craig26478

    Posted

    have been taking Gaberpentin for most of the year, until I was able to get steroid injection three weeks ago. Had severe nerve pain from hip to foot, Gaberpentin did help make that pain more manageable until I was off a blood thinner to receive injection. Since injection, pain gone, (inflamation) for how long, who knows?
    • craig26478
      craig26478 william65598

      Posted

      Fingers crossed the injection holds out for you and provides a relief for time come! Best wishes 
  • duracell_dave
    duracell_dave craig26478

    Posted

    Morning craig,al I can say is I have severe nerve pains in both legs and although the start on gabapentin is wierd to say the least try and stick with it , you get used to the side affects that after a few months and they tone down a bit,I have been on alsorts but in my mind gabapentin is my life saver for many years now,that awful pain in your back or legs which you find hard to explain but hurts like hell against a little spaced out in the evening and forgetfulness plus a few others its a no brainer,I am able, walk,hold conversation, basically a normal life thats been adjusted slightly, I take 2400mg gabapentin and 200mg tramadol, my life is not pain free but of good quality.often I say to my wife ..I take all these drugs I want a normal life, she says...hows your pain,I say...much better,her answer is..then stop moaning lol, I nearly forgot a big part of this is talking,uploading on someone who cares and trys to understand,even writing in this blog,you'll feel a bit better. smile

    good luck.

    • craig26478
      craig26478 duracell_dave

      Posted

      You're right, this blog does help and the support of everyone on here has helped a great deal this year. Thank you and best wishes 
  • maureen74876
    maureen74876 craig26478

    Posted

    Hi Craig.

    Three weeks on and am hoping your surgery has been a success. Do let us know how your recovery is.

    Following the efforts of my wonderful GP, I had an MRI within 2 weeks of speaking to her and she called me in less than a week later. There were issues so she referred me to the consultant (who did my first op) and I saw him on Saturday - must admit I resorted to a private consultation! I have 4 collapsing discs apparently and am hopefully being fast tracked to have surgery. He can't deal with all 4 but will sort out the 2 worst ones with something called a coflex implant - metal 'spacers' which open up the space between the vertibrae to relieve pressure on the nerves. I think it's a relatively new approach so fingers crossed. It would be nice to walk again! 

    Look forward to hearing how you're progressing. All the best. Maureen

    • craig26478
      craig26478 maureen74876

      Posted

      Thank you, Maureen.

      i wish you all the very best with your surgery, it sounds like a lot but very positive news, especially with new procedures - it's amazing what can be done these days.

      regards, Craig 

    • maureen74876
      maureen74876 craig26478

      Posted

      So pleased to hear of your progress. The stiffness should ease with time. I can recommend back exercises to improve and maintain flexibility. I have done them since my first surgery 8 years ago. They were shown to me by the physio and use some pilates moves and breathing - well worth a look. I know I now have to have further treatment but I still think they're a help. I hope they'll also help my recovery. I'm seeing the consultant on 1st December to be transferred to the  NHS then hoping it won't be too long.

      Once again, great to hear of your recovery. Look forward to hearing it continues - gives us all hope!

       

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