Sciatica and Gabapentin

[Sukiling]

Hi, I've been diagnosed with sciatica and have all the classics of pain all the way down left leg, occasional pins and needles, worse when bending etc. Doc has prescribed Gabapentin, but physio is sceptical about their usefulness. Added to this, I don't like the long list of side effects. Has anyone had experience of this drug, please?

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, I am sorry you have sciatica. It is a very painful thing I have it too. We are a fibro forum and while many here may have used or use this drug it is often given for the use of fibro. And please bare in mind what may be ok for some may not be ok for others. The only way You will know if it is right for you is if you try it. Did the physio say why he is going against your GPs advice ? And what alternative is he offering you instead ? I guess it's down to who's advice you feel more happy to follow.

when my sciatic flares up I use OTC antiflams and prescribed muscle relaxants couple with gentle leg stretches. I hope it settle down soon.

Momo

[Sukiling in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you. The physio thinks that the tablet only masks the pain and doesn't get to the cause. I've had the pain since December - some days are better than others - and I do the the physio stretches daily. At the moment, I'm being seen at physio fortnightly and she did say that the team decide if an MRI is needed even if the doc refers you for the scan.

[25rosclare in reply to Dizzytwo]

Hi, I have been on Gabapentin for about 8 years and I use it for Fibromyalgia Pain, which for me is muscular and nerve pain. It took some getting used to as I felt slightly 'detached' from the world to begin with but it is brilliant for me . Gabapentin relieves my pain but doesn't cure it and never will. I think what your physio is trying to say is that you may have a physical reason for the pain still being present & you should have more tests Tell your doctor what the physio has said and then tell the doctor you are now very confused

Good luck in getting something sorted

Lesley x

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to 25rosclare]

Hi Lesley, I think your reply was meant for the OP not me?

[25rosclare in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thanks. I hope this isn't the start of 'one of those weeks

x

[CM1EDSUK]

As mentioned, some people with fibro find Gabapentin helpful, but looking at sciatica on its own, the NICE guidelines say about opiods such as Gabapentin,

'There was no evidence on the use of opioids for sciatica. Given the lack of evidence and the committee's knowledge of potential harms when used long term, the committee agreed to recommend against the use of opioids for chronic sciatica. However, the committee discussed whether opioids might be effective when used short term for acute sciatica, so made a research recommendation on this topic.'

Please see: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng59/c...

[Sukiling in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Thank you, that's interesting.

[golly123]

Hi. I'm on pregabalin which is similar to gabapentin. I'm trying to come off it due to serious weight gain. I've put on over a stone in 7 months. That's the only side effect I have experienced although on 150mg twice a day, I feel like a zombie in the morning. I don't take the morning tablet anymore. Just the one at night. I'm on Nefopam too which I do take. It's another painkiller which I don't have a problem with. This is just my experience but I think the two drugs are pretty similar. Pregabalin has give me a sweet tooth which I don't normally have and I am alway ravenous. Hope this helps.

Have a good day. Best wishes Golly

[Sukiling in reply to golly123]

Thank you. I have an underactive thyroid which has caused me to gain a lot of weight so I sympathise.

[moo196]

sciatica is relatively easily to manage /cure with yoga/physio exercises 20 minutes 5 times a day.Personally I prefer this to drugs

[DoubleMalibu in reply to moo196]

depends what is causing the sciatica, mine was up there with childbirth pain at its worst, all down my right side.

the exercises the physio recommended didn’t help, after MSK recommended I had a scan, it showed a cyst compressing the sciatic nerve, I’m waiting on seeing a spine surgeon in May.

Good if you have found something that helps your sciatica though👍🏻

[Sukiling in reply to moo196]

I have physio, but due to work, I can't fit in the right amount each day.

[DerbyshireDragon1975]

Hi, My body has reacted well to Gabapentin and I don't suffer the bad side effects. Pain management is trial and error, and what works for me might not work for someone else. I always read the medication advice leaflets when I start a new medication, but I don't let the side effects worry me.

A combination of medication and supplements, physiotherapy, gentle exercises (Yoga, Pilates, Swimming, Walking etc..), Acupressure sessions and a balanced diet/water will make life much easier.

[Elaine200756]

Hi Sukiling, I have been taking gabapentin for some time. I find it really helps with nerve pain, in combination with Tramadol. Your sciatica is the nerve so it should be beneficial for you. I have had no side effects from gabapentin either. Hope you find this useful. Take care, love and prayers xx

[BreezyGeezer]

Hi Sukiling,. I have been taking Gabapentin for 10 years. It does help with nerve pain but I wish I had never started it. It is very addictive and I have found it hard to completely wean from it. Once it is in your system missing a dose causes you withdrawal issues. I get burning in my eyes. I would avoid starting this if I was newly prescribed and knew what I know now. I hope you find something to help your problem. RegardsRob 🙂

[Sukiling in reply to BreezyGeezer]

Thank you. I haven't taken any yet and think that the cons are outweighing the pros at the moment. Also, I take BP and thyroid tabs so didn't really want to take more.

[Lesblackbox]

I have been on gabapentin approx 12/18 months. It helps me great with the pain but it also knocks me out so I have to restrict my dosage down to 2 per day so I can drive to wrk..I also have arthritis in my bk so am awaiting injections for my bk/sciatica but am still waiting for those. I am in agony and the fatigue is off the scale! Good luck. X

[Sukiling in reply to Lesblackbox]

Thank you.

[E8L8dh]

Good Morning, Sukiling

Speaking from personal experience Gabapentin did nothing for my Sciatica. What did help was Piroxicam Gel which is a cold anti inflammatory rub, prescribed by my G.P also Tens machine plus massaging with Sudo cream. At first it was really painful even touching the areas but after quite a few times it really did help. It might not work for everybody but anything is worth a try.

[Sukiling in reply to E8L8dh]

Thank you.

[ANJI-UK]

im on it for nerve damage have been awhile now and im fine with it, i dont look at the list of side affects until something actually happens, like i start chucking up, cant stay of the loo, my head starts spinning lol. THEN i check side effects of the newest drug im on, if none tally with whats happening to me THEN i ask the Dr. Some folk read all the side effects and somehow imagine they have them. Not saying u will do the same but some do and dont even realise it,you can but try it if its not working after a month, report back to Dr,

[Sukiling in reply to ANJI-UK]

Thank you.