Which is best for trapped nerve pain in the lower back which causes leg pain, numb/pins & needles in feet.
I have been told by specialist that there is nothing that can be done and that I will have to live with the problem.
Perhaps there are other suggestions for this type of pain.
I would be glad of any help.
Thanks.
They are much the same, pregabalin ( lyrica) gabapentin (neurontin) I took pregabalin years ago, same problem as you, and after laminectomy and spinal fusion was sent to pain clinic, which is where you should be referred to now.
I take gabapentin, and if you can get used to the side effects it does help by dulling the nerve pain. Also taking notrityline, not sure yet if it’s helping or not.
Have you tried a tens, they can be effective?
Surgeons won’t operate unless they are totally sure that they can help, without making things worse, and to be honest, if I could undo my fusion, I would do.
Otherwise, things like cocodamol and heat will help.
Thanks Laura for your quick reply.
Yes I have tried a Tens, but it did not seem to help much, I was also referred to the pain clinic 3 years ago, where I had two different types of injections about 12 months apart, but once again did not improve matters.
Then in Dec/2017 I had decompression surgery which did not work and it was the surgeon who told me that I would have to live with it and signed me off.
Been to NHS physio but after 4 weeks they also did not know what to suggest apart from a Tens.
I've had a few sessions of acupuncture but no improvement in pain especially when walking and standing, thankfully sitting is no problem.
Did anyone suggest a spinal stimulator, the pain clinics fit them if you can get referred back to them. Nerve pain has got to be the worst type of pain. If you can get your back muscles a bit better it would help support yur spine. Swimming helped me a lot, though it’s daunting at first, I got more confidence when I realised I wasn’t going to make myself worse.
I had three lots of spinal injections, one a nerve block, but to be honest they didn’t do much for me either.
I try to keep active although all I feel fit to do is lie down.
Hi
Your problem sounds similar to mine, although I've not had surgery or tried gabapentin or pregabalin. Mainly because I work as a TA in a primary school and don't want to be zonked! Trouble is my leg pain has got worse over the last year. I've had sciatic pain for 10 years, mainly in the calf but this is now in my thigh and buttock straight to my toes. I have developed an antalgic lean away from the pain which has created its own problems. My body is twisted! I'm finding everything an effort now, except sitting and lying which relieves it usually. (Weird because driving is now excruciating). I've cut my hours at work and am waiting to go to the pain clinic for assessment. Denervation had been mentioned?! I'm terrified of surgery making it worse and hav considered minimally invasive spinal surgery( probs not available on NHS tho!) I'm going to have to do something though as chiropractic, acupuncture, Physio, osteo bla bla bla has no effect. Anyway that's me thanks for listening! I hope you find some relief, it's a nightmare of a condition.
Good luck!
Hi Jilly,
Is the minimally invasive thing, radio frequency ablation? If it is I would go for it, and yes it would be available on the NHS, though you would prob have a long wait.
Yes it’s an awful thing to be stuck with.
Hi again Laura
No, it's actual surgery using keyhole. But I am considering the ablation if it's offered at the pain clinic. The idea is they'll give me a nerve block to diagnose and then do the ablation. Have you had this done? How long have you had this problem? I don't know anyone else with it, sometimes think people don't believe me!
I’ve had it for a long time, my daughter has the same problem. What’s the Name of the keyhole procedure.?
I had diagnostic nerve block for a different type of nerve pain, was going to have ablation, but steroids didn’t do anything, just anaesthetic proved where the pain was coming from, ( not sciatic related this time)
Oh yes, I believe you.
Is it LLIF surgery.
Hi Laura
No it's not LLIF. It's called MISS. Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery. Using lasers I think? You can google it, it reduces recovery time and you stay awake. I've been reading about the Spinal Foundation in Kent.
I expect it'll be very expensive though!
Hi Dolgoch Iv been on both...pregabalin made me spaced so now I take gabapentin, I have a failed lumbar fusion which has now caused stress on my SI joint making walking, standing, sitting nearly impossible along with chronic pain, chronic sciatica down both legs constantly, however the meds have helped but I have just been fitted with a back brace which is keeping my spine stable and helping me back on my feet but I would also like to mention about an SI joint belt? I got mine after my back brace was fitted and the extra support it has gave me is amazing £20 Amazon money well spent. Hope this helps.
I would just like to mention that ice is better for you than heat when it comes to nerve pain as it acts like an anti inflamitorie, I wouldn't be without mine, good luck😊
Oh and definitely swimming, Iv just started back again but can only do 10 mins of walking and gentle exercise for now and hoping to strengthen up my back and core muscles but getting in the water was a great relief as it's been the only time I havnt felt pain in years😊
Hi Gabapentin does have some crazy side effects. It can change your petsonality so where you won’t like yourself. Your mood changes are awful. If you are not in tune towards your body, you might not see it, but if you have family, they will sure see it sooner rather than later. I knew something was wrong 2 wks in. Called Dr., saw Dr. Said, “I don’t like myself, snapping at everyone and want to rip someones head off.” They knew. Got off that drug, never to have it enter my body again. To top it off, darn drug never helped the nerve and leg pain.
Pregablin (Lyrica) didn’t work either. Both those drugs are used as either primary or secondary drugs for Epilepsy. I wish you luck. I started using pure CBD oil. Time will,tell. Look up Medterra .com. Also going to try acupuncture.
wish you good luck in your quest for pain relief.
Dee
I think minimally invasive is the way they do it, only a small incision. It’s what they do from then on. They can do disc replacements and fusion from the side now. Mine is a huge hip to hip scar, but things have changed.
Will they do it though, it makes you wonder, if you go down the private route are they more likely to operate because the nhs is in such dire straits they have to prioritise. My daughter asked the consultant she saw if it was a money issue— he said no, but he couldn't really have said, yes maybe I can help, but you aren’t crippled yet, or have cauda eqina, or loss of bladder bowel function. But it makes you wonder if he hadn’t to manage his nhs budget, would the answer stil have been no.
What started off your pain originally?
Hi Laura
It started off gradually 10 years ago in my left leg. Then strangely after about 5 years it switched into the right, but much worse. I managed relatively well until
12 months ago when I noticed the lean to the left, which is
creating pain of its own. In the hip buttock and thigh. It's useless trying to get myself straight, if the underlying trapped nerve issue isn't addressed then my body will just keep pushing away. So nothing triggered it really except maybe wear n tear! I'm 54 by the way. Have you ever had the nerve ablation? Was yours triggered by a particular event?
Hi, I saw your comment about disc replacement and fusions being done from the side now. I had disc replacement done in 2006 with no relief. They went in thru the front. I can find nothing about going in thru the side when I googled it.
Thanks!
Google LLIF you can find videos about it.
HICarolineq8, So happy to hear your doing better. Always think about you and praying that you are in a better place.
Happy your getting your core muscles strong and excellent to hear a update .
Ask about the ALTER-G or zero gravity treadmill. Weight of body is supported by air pressue on special treadmill. Can control weight on joints from 20% to adding body weight to 40%...to adding a gradual body weight up to 100%. Better than water therapy because there is more movement control.
So good to hear your doing better.
Gentle Hugs
Hope
Thank you for that hope I certainly will look into it👍😘
I’ve been taking gabapentin for years and haven’t ripped anyone’s head off...... yet, think it depends on the person, it doesn’t suit everyone.
Thinking about CBD wondering if it works. Am now on Nortriptyline as well.