Have now been on Gabapentin 300mg x 3 times a day now for 4 weeks but no improvement whatsoever to my back pain, still cannot walk very far, painful at bedtime, what now??!! Back to the GP I suppose.
I have had tramadol, pregabalin, co-codamol, injections and surgery non of which have helped a little bit, last visit to the hospital I was told that I would have to live with it!!
Hi... Just read your post and thought how similar your condition is to mine... I have had blocker operation all the meds you have had I also suffer with depression and anxiety so those meds supposidly should help... But they don't I had another MRI scan... Then all the world changed with covid outbreak so I am waiting to hear back... But the surgeon said to me a similar thing... I lose the feeling in my right leg and sometimes fall over and now it's in the left side I was told the op was for pain abd and not the leg etc and yes basically I was told I had to live with it I tried a TENs machine which helps my spine while it's on... So really I can't give you good news.. But keep going back use this website too if you try new meds ask people about them... Good luck... Stay Safe
I lived with severe back pain for nearly 30 years. An MRI showed severe changes in my lumbar spine, a lot of old damage but now I'm (almost) pain free.
How I fixed it was by focusing on how I used my body, learning to use the right muscles - the "5 main muscles of movement" to take the strain off my back muscles and regain my natural range of movement.
It wasn't a quick fix, it takes time and effort to learn to use the body correctly. Painkillers won't help to correct the problem and as you adjust to avoid the pain the more imbalanced and misaligned you'll become - the pain spreads and worsens.
All movement should be supported by the Base-Line muscles.
Pelvic floor "Base" of the body.
rectus abdominis "Line" - up the front of the abdomen from pelvis to chest.
These muscles are central to healthy movement. "Our core pillar of strength", supporting the rest of the body. From where all movement should originate.
Where to start:
Do a search for images to help you picture the anatomy. Find the muscles on your body and keep thinking about how you use them.
▹Breathe in and up through your nostrils.
▹Breathe out through your mouth.
▹Engage your Base-Line muscles as you inhale.
∗ Begin with your Base pelvic floor muscles.
→ Take as many breaths as you need to feel your pelvic floor muscles engaging.
The solid base from where all movement should stem.
∗ Then focus on your mid-Line muscles.
→ As you breathe in and up through your nostrils, focus on each section of the rectus abdominis muscles activating and extending in sequence, from your pelvis to your chest.
Like a stack of panels to be switched on in sequence, use your hands over the muscles to help focus on the right muscles.
Think: Longer and stronger with every breath in.
Take as many breaths as you need to engage and elongate your Base-Line.
I found it easiest to work on my breathing whilst standing (in a relaxed manner) or lying on my back. Do whatever feels good for you.
The main movement during my recovery was the roll-down.
I found myself using the roll-down action again and again.
It felt good.
- Only do what feels right to you, don't force anything.
The standing roll-down is the best way to start, giving the greatest degree of freedom to move with your Base-Line.
How to Roll-Down
:
Stand in a comfortable position. Don't worry about where your feet are to start - remember you are working from your Base-Line outwards.
Take as many breaths as you need to activate and lengthen your Base-Line from pelvis to chest, breathing in and up through your nostrils. Adjust your stance and move as feels natural.
Exhale through your mouth and begin to roll-down from 'top to bottom', lowering your head towards your feet whilst feeling the support coming from your Base-Line.
Roll-down as far as comfortable. Pause and re-activate your Base-Line over a few breaths, relaxing the rest of your body as much as you can.
Breathe.
Move your body as it feels right to do so-
Gently swing your arms, stretch and wiggle your fingers. Move your legs, bend your knees, flex your ankles and toes. Shift your weight on your feet - heel to toe, side to side. Open and close your mouth, move your jaw, roll your eyes, pull faces, stick your tongue out. Whatever feels good! The possibilities are endless.
Let the tension go.
You may start to experience 'releases' allowing you to melt down a little further. These feel good. There may be cracks/pops and other sounds and sensations. Relax, keep breathing and focus on your Base-Line.
There's no rush. Never force anything.
Stand up when you are ready, however feels comfortable. (Rolling up is good - only when you can do it!)
Move around. Feel for the relative positions of the other main muscles of movement - gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, trapezius muscles. Aim for a balance between left and right sides.
Repeat the roll-down. Where and whenever you can.
Enjoy it. Gain a little more freedom each time.
It takes practice and concentration to engage the right muscles if you are not used to using them. Long-standing bad habits take time to rectify so you must keep working at it.
You may not be able to move very far at first and are likely to encounter areas of tension. You may start to notice how your body adjusts itself to avoid certain positions as you roll-down.
Do what you can and every day you'll be able to do a little more.
Use the roll-down action in other positions when you feel ready - sitting, kneeling, whatever feels right.
But everything stems from finding your Base-Line muscles. Pelvic floor Base, rectus abdominis Line.
It's a lot to take in at once but if you have questions I'm happy to answer.
Finding my Base-Line has changed my life, finally ridding myself of the pain after decades of suffering was amazing.
Spoke to my GP today and he suggests we try an increase dose, 3 times a day 600mg each dose for two weeks and see if there is any improvement.
Yuck. I am so sorry. As you may have been asked this before, if so, I apologize because I know getting the same questions over and over can get exhausting, but have you been to physical therapy?
Also, what is it that you have that’s causing the extreme pain in your back? If you don’t mind me asking.
I have been referred to Physical Therapy but there was no hands on as years ago when I had a problem with my shoulder, I got a few sheets of A4 with directions for a few exercises but non seemed to improve matters.
Scoliosis and arthritis and all of which is causing the nerves leaving the spinal cord to have little room to do so, therefore causing back pain, pain down my right leg and pins and needles/numbness in both feet.
Oh man, I’m sorry about the physical therapy! And I’m sorry about the pain! That sounds terrible!!
Have you ever tried back yoga for scoliosis? You can search this on YouTube. I have some back issues, not to the extent of yours, but I too have scoliosis w/o arthritis (which I’m sure with arthritis makes it so miserable). But I’ve done plenty of scoliosis kinda of yoga, and have found some relief. And trust me, very easy and manageable positions. If it seemed to hurt in any way, (which rarely this happened) you just modify it for your own needs. I also have severe neck pain and chronic migraines, and I do neck yoga for this and it does bring temporary relief. Which honestly, if you have any chronic pain, even temporary relief is so nice. Such a nice break from being in so much pain. I’ve noticed, yoga will bring longer lasting effects when you do it every day, or even a few times a day as needed. And 30 days later, you can feel the “longer lasting” relief.
Just a suggestion that’s helped me, and my mother with sciatica pain and arthritis, tremendously.
I hope you find some relief soon! 💕
Couple days on increased dose and suffering from body aches and stomach cramps, not sure if this is side effects, anyone else had these?
Have you discussed a fusion of the L1S5 that’s what fixed my issues which were what you are describing
Has been mentioned but not thought to really help.
You are on a fairly low dose of Gabapentin. (I take 2200 mg/day). Ask your doctor if he'll increase the dose.
I'm on 1800mg a day now, how long will it be before I should feel that they are helping with the pain?
Back pain for a month now.
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