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Trapped sciatic nerve lower spine

Posted , 5 users are following.

beverley30447
beverley30447

Hi I have had a trapped nerve since August 2014, I had a cortisone injection which did nothing.  Cortisone tablets help but you can only take them short term due to side effects.  I have tried different meds but the only one helping is Lyrica.  I have been on it for a month now, 75mg nightly, 50mg in the morning.  It has stopped the burning in my calf muscle, but done nothing for the gripping pain that starts in my groin and travels down behind my knee.  This happens when I walk for any short distance.  I also take baclofen which is a muscle relaxant for a condition called Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia which weakens and tightens the leg muscles.  I have a very mild case but it means my calf muscles are very tight. Am thinking of upping the Lyrica dose to see if it helps, only problem is I am a bit groggy with only 50mg in the morning.  I think the only thing to do is try the hight dose and hope I'm not a zombie.  Anyone out there with a similar problem.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • patricia4866
    patricia4866 beverley30447

    Posted

    Hi Beverley my name is Patricia. Lyrica is a controlled substance and although specifically for nerve pain, it is pretty strong. I would advise your

    physician that you would like to up the dose and see what is said. My

    symptoms were very much like yours...pelvic pain and also pain that ran down the back from the buttock to the back of the knees. I had stenosis and then prolapsed the disc...all at L4-L5. Standing/walking was painful and I wasn't able to stand in one spot. Leaning forward eased the pain

    sitting as well as walking. I was fortunate that Ibuprophen 600 mg was

    enough to make my pain at least comfortable. I took it evety 6 hrs. Ice

    packs and a back brace helped too. Epidural steroids didn't help. Good news is that my pain was gone as soon as I haD a Laminectomy,

    disectomy and fusion 4 months ago.

    I hope this has helped. Please give your Physician a call about the

    Lyrica and I wish you well.

    Patricia

    • beverley30447
      beverley30447 patricia4866

      Posted

      Patricia, 

      Thanks for your comments, yes my doctor knows about the Lyrica increase.  I started on 75mg twice daily for a few days, zombie like side effects, really fuzzy but they went away Have increased to 225mg now and side effects nearly gone I can function.  I am able to go to 300mg a day.  I must say it has helped with the pain, I am also exercising my back to try and lengthen the muscles.

  • Mjm99i
    Mjm99i beverley30447

    Posted

    I had exactly the same prob, sciatica for 7/8 mths ended up on controlled drugs oxycodone, Gabapentin and diazapam, aswel as the usual paracetamol naproxen etc! I have shortened hamstring muscles too! Nothing was showing up on normal back X-ray, it wasn't til they sent me for a CT scan on my back they realised I has 2 slipped discs L4-L5 and they had slipped invertedly so were pressing on my spinal canal and lessening the flow of spinal fluid and trapping nerves . I slept on reclining sofa for

    1ths til I had L4

    Removed and L5 chipped away! Demand a CTscan! I've never once regretted my operation, I only wish I had scan sooner because now I'm addicted to controlled meds and having to wean myself off them and believe me that's not the route you wanna end up going unless absolutely nessisary!!!

    • beverley30447
      beverley30447 Mjm99i

      Posted

      Thanks for your comments, yes I have had a CT Scan but my neurologist doesn't think a surgeon would operate as the scan doesn't look that bad.  Shame the pain is.  Also my sister had spinal fusion a few years back and unfortunately contracted golden staph in the wound which meant 6 weeks in hospital with no rehab so now here spine is twisted.  So am a bit scared to go that way.  Will keep increasing Lyrica as my doctor says I can go to 300mg a day and do sciatic exercises.
  • alaya48751
    alaya48751 beverley30447

    Posted

    Hi beverly, I have multilevel cerviacle and lumber stenosis, a trapped sciatic nerve, osteo arthritis to my lumber and ceviacle spine, and scoliosis in my lumber as well, i performed and taught Yoga for twenty years to keep these problems at bay, and it worked, I can tell you in all honesty if it is just the sciatic nerve that is trapped, you can do yoga to alieve the pain, look up on line yoga for a trapped sciatic nerve. I wish and dream of still being able to use my yoga to help me, but I no longer can as my spine and neck are now seriously in trouble, I had a fall from a third story window when i was 18 that caused the injury to my spine and have fought hard all my life to delay this moment, I cannot walk very far atall, and i am house bound, waiting to see the surgeon on the 11 th march. Im really stuggling with the meds they have given me, as I am buddhist and feel like a zombie on them, its horrible, I cannot meditate any more as the meds twist my head up, if there was a way not to take them i would jump at that, try some yoga before you up your meds, i would hate it if you suffer the zombie zone when there is something far more nourishing potentially to take this horrible pain away from you, i wish you well, kindly alaya.
    • beverley30447
      beverley30447 alaya48751

      Posted

      alaya, thanks for your comments.  Yes I did yoga years ago but this condition I have with the tight leg muscles means they are weak also so my balance is really bad.  Can't stand on one leg at all and even laying down I can't lift one leg at a time.  Am doing stretching and sciatic exercises to try and help.  I am increasing the Lyrica and have passed the zombie stage, know what you mean though.  I am giving it till the end of the month then going back to the neurologist to see what else can be done.  Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia is similar to MS.  I have a mild form but my sister is in a wheelchair.  It is a rare disease about 5 in 100,000.  I have to be careful what exercises I do so I don't end up on the floor.  I hope everything goes well for you.

      Bev

  • Baphomet
    Baphomet beverley30447

    Posted

    Hi Beverley, My name is Bane, I have had major issues with my lower spine, L1, L2, and L3 are virtually non existant L4 is perfectly healthy and L5 has herniated, AGAIN.  I had a Microdiscectomy on L5 two years ago but only managed 10 weeks pain free until it herniated again and this time it came back with a vengance.  I likewise am on Lyrica but on 600mg, 300 morning and 300 at night, also on 60mg per day of Morphine and 800mg of Tramadol per day and can still feel the pain and the sciatica down whole of Left leg and into toes.  Am wheelchair bound if I have to go outside with wife but mabnage with two walking sticks in the house.

    Anyways like you I started on a low dose of lyrica but quickly upped it and upped it yes it helps as it not only is a pain relief it also works on the nerves to help them relieve some pain.  Only problem I have now is that 600mg is the maximum dose so heres hoping i can get some surgery again soon.  

    So hang in there with the lyrica it does work.

    Bane 

    • beverley30447
      beverley30447 Baphomet

      Posted

      Bane, thanks for your comments.  The lyrica has controlled the burning pain in lower leg.  What I can't handle is when my leg feels like jelly and I can't put weight on it.  I get a pain in the groin and hip and then bam the jelly feeling.  Going to the doctor tomorrow and back to physio again.

      Bev

  • angie42070
    angie42070 beverley30447

    Posted

    Hi Beverley, I have had a pinched sciatic nerve for over 4 years that was originally successfully managed by steroid injections then epidurals. I take Gabapentin, co codamol and tramadol to help. None of the meds take away the pins and needles. And they only reduce the severity of pain in my left leg. I find swimming therapeutic as  being weightless in the water takes the pressure off. I'm waiting for an operation as this is my only option now. There are some exercises that can help relieve sciatic pain, and I do yoga and Pilates. Hope you find a medication that helps soon. Gabapentin is in the same category as Pre-gabalin (lyrica), and I have got used to it now and it no longer makes me feel sleepy, 
    • beverley30447
      beverley30447 angie42070

      Posted

      Hi Angie, lyrica has controlled the burning feeling in my lower right leg. The thing that was getting me down was the groin pain and the feeling that my leg would collapse.  I had a cortisone injection into L3 last week and so far so good.  I have been told to take it easy for a few weeks as the cortisone's maximum benefit takes between 3-4 weeks.  So fingers crossed.
    • angie42070
      angie42070 beverley30447

      Posted

      Definitely fingers crossed for you. I had a really good response from these injections for around 6 months. 
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