have antidepressants helped with sciatica?

Posted , 5 users are following.

hi i have had sciatica since May 2018 and get an MRI later this month but, i am not convinced my pain is nerve related. my pain is  middle of lower back just above my buttocks and makes both buttocks very sore, the pain goes down to my right leg and  ankle to the outer foot. The pain in my left leg only is buttock and mid way down my hamstring. Yes i feel very low having had such pain for so long, i am now only on naproxen and occasional co codamol, i was on 900 mg gabapentin which did not help and stopped me thinking straight so weaned off of this. my pain is sharp, burning, and stinging and never leaves me. I have been having physio since jan 2018 which is not doing much as she says if it hurts dont do it but, it all hurts and i feel i am getting tighter. I do try and push myself to hold my stretches longer but, am i depressed as i cry daily because of the pain? would antidepressants help? have antidepressants helped anyone?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Amanda

    I know the constant feeling of pain and not getting comfortable ,

    You can get antidepressants which also help with nerve pain , amitriptyline is one ,I was just given the prescription yesterday for it ,as gabapentin did nothing for me either and I have been referred back to surgeon ,

    I also noticed the more I did the tighter my back and legs feel ..

    Hope you get some help quickly

    Mimm xx

    • Posted

      Thank you for your reply Mimm. I am just so fed up of this pain it is soul destroying, i too have Amitriptyline (not taken it yet)  but, was on this before for pelvic nerve pain and it helped calm my nerves in my pelvic. But, it was horrific to get off of this drug and gave me such anxiety and increased my resting heart rate to 96 bpm whilst on it. I am worried i may have to go back on it but, i am waiting until i have had my MRI and review to see if it is nerve pain or a joint problem. xx  
  • Posted

    Hi Amanda, I'm sorry to hear about your never ending pain. I've never taken antidepressants but I would like to share what I did do for pain. If you can take any part of this, then it's all worth it.

    I've had sciatica, since April of this year. It's finally getting better. I have an L4 and L5 disc bulge. Your MRI will tell all once you get it. I get my sciatic shocks down my buttocks to my outer right knee. I have 1 kidney so I cant take prescription medicine nor over-the-counter meds. All I take is herbal supplements like tumeric, Ginger, alpha lipoic acid, to reduce inflammation and B vitamins etc. My saving grace was acupuncture twice/week. I finally stopped it 1 month ago . I also see a chiropractor and physical therapist. If your physical therapy is aggravating you, Fire them!! Find someone that knows how to treat your individual case, especially once you get your MRI. I greatly recommend seeing a chiropractor to get you properly adjusted. I also walk as much as I can to get the blood flowing to the back. drink lots of water, try to eat well, prey, & stay persistent. We may need to go through the rain to see the rainbow. It's there, you can do this!

    • Posted

      hi mario, i had 7 sessions with a chiro which did not ease my pain. i have considered tumeric but, have gall stones and not allowed with these stones. i walk 2 x daily with my dog and this helps. I am having a shiatsu massage on thursday to hopfully ease my stiff knotted muscles. eagerly waiting for my mri scan to see what is the cause x

  • Posted

    Hi, I had sciacta for a few weeks but I did take the steroid shot and it helped. The pain was so bad before but manageable now. I went for a deep tissue massage Sunday and that helped the tightness in my legs. Good luck and hugs.
    • Posted

      Hi Pam thank you for your reply, i am just so desperate to be pain free. I have an appointment on the 11th for a shiatsu massage hope this helps my tight muscles, i am a little worried he will press on my sciatic nerve as this is so painful. x

    • Posted

      It might hurt at first on the first day but it will feel better the next morning and drink lots of water. I know the pain can be unbearable. Also try magnesium vitamins. The pain will get better within time ❤

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