seeking nerve pain relief from sciatica

[Sciaticaisevil]

hello! I’ve been suffering from sciatica for 5 months now with several very agonising acute phases along the way. It’s caused by a herniated disc L5/S1 which has caused irritation of the sciatic nerve.

I’ve had a nerve root block injection, this helped for about 3 weeks but then wore off and came back with vengeance. It’s starting to improve again so have been advised not to do anything unless it gets acute again and it should resolve itself… in time….but it seems to be taking forever, I’ve already lost 5 months to it. I find that if I do anything more then a gentle walk a few times a day it gets very irritated and I’m back to taking hardcore pain relief - tramadol, naproxen and paracetamol. But before this I was super active at gym, playing sports etc.. I’m even an ex yoga teacher!

I’m currently taking Amitriptyline for the nerve pain, went up to 30mg and it did help but started to get unpleasant side effects: moody, tired all the time, dry mouth, depressed. So im tapering it down but think my nerve pain may be getting worse.

I’ve been offered to try an alternative called Gabapentin and I’m wondering how other people have found this drug? Any insights or experiences would be good to know. I also take Citalapram for anxiety (10mg) and not sure if there is any drug interaction.

[BenHall1]

Hiya,

Mid last year (2024) my GP prescribed me with Amitriptyline for pain relief. Did nothing for my pain, instead gave me quite dramatic diahorrea. She then put me on Gabapentin .... with the same side effects. At that point I gave up and wwnt back to my original pain relief medication - CoCodomol 30/500 (prescription grade).

[Sciaticaisevil in reply to BenHall1]

Oh no I’m sorry to hear that. Are you any better now? I didn’t find codine particularly effective, but tramadol does help to take the edge off the pain especially when it’s the agonising pain when the muscles spasm.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi everyone different The mixture of drugs will be fine, it comes up on the docs computer when prescribing meds to you and their yearly reiview on the computer ,

The

gabepentin

is worth a try ,usually if that does not help they then try

Pregablin

They may help you and they are good for the nerve pain

I got gabepentin it did not really help

Then got the

Pregablin

That helps me

I'm on max dose now

As the dose got increased to max by doc

I got Tramadol halted at same time

Seemingly this is a way of tapering It was fine I did query it but doc said it will be fine along with pain nurse

The gabepentin and Pregablin

Do have side effects unfortunately

Mine was bit t ired

And weight gain

I work on that

If they help they can be good

If docs offering these meds

It is worth a try to see

You usually work the dose up the way to suitble dose to see if helps

Myself was

Gabepentin uoto 2700mg

Pregablin upto 450mg

That's ow max 600mg for me

The pregablin is being rolled out for some with anxiety as well

Everyone is different though Wot suits one may not suit another

They say

The gabepentin and pregablin only helps 1/7

id discuss with doc

Even the pregablin if it did help it may be possible to stop the citalapram

[Hzhr7]

I know exactly how you feel . I had several prolapsed discs in 2013 & had to have an emergency operation as I had Caude Equina syndrome . They did a decompression & laminectomy & fusion. 12 years on despite this operation , trying both Gapapentin & Pregabalin , I still suffer from excruciating sciatica . I have had an epidural injection which made my symptoms worse. Currently I am taking Oramorph & using Buphrenorphine patches that do take the edge off the pain. I am now booked in for guided injections by xray , I'm praying these work. I am a farmer's wife & was extremely active working 12 hour days & swimming 6 days a week . I hope you find pain relief you need as I know how debilitating it is . Everyone is different & what works for one doesn't seem to help another , it's trial & error xx

[Sciaticaisevil in reply to Hzhr7]

I’m so sorry to hear this, I’ve been cautioned many times for the signs to look out for of Caude Equina. Fortunately I’ve not suffered them, but have had a numb/ tingling foot for all this time and for the first 2 months my leg felt like it was being crushed my a house, the pain was unrelenting and unlike anything I’ve felt before. It’s crazy to me how many people suffer from sciatica yet there doesn’t seem to be a simple way to treat it. You’re right, everyone is different, what works for might not for another. I’m weary of getting another injection as I have heard that for some people it does make the pain a lot worse.

I’m surprised that your surgery has not fully treated the issue, do you know why it’s flared up? Could it be another disc that’s herniated perhaps? I was told that disc surgery often means there in more pressure placed on the discs above and below which can eventually herniate for this reason. Really hope you can find some treatment. I will say that amitriptylene has helped me, tho it takes a couple of weeks to work, I just don’t like the side effects. But I’m starting to realise it’s likely any and all meds will give some unpleasant side effects, just got to pick your poison! Best of luck to you, let me know how you get on.