Hi Amanda
I feel your pain, i woke up at 3am this morning in agony couldnt find any position that was able to get me back to sleep.I went down stairs to try and find pain killers, i was so tired and angry god only knows what i took, i think it was about 4x 10mg diazepam and 2x 300mg gabbapentin. Ive also found sleeping with my legs up rested on an elevated position such as lying on the couch with your legs on the arm rests to take the pressure of the lower back. It also helps putting a cushion under your lower back and head whilst doing this to keep the body straight. Ive just ordered one of those wedge pillows off ebay to see if it makes things a bit easier.
Hope your pain eases up a bit Amanda
Kind Regards Aidan.
Feel for you both, have been at the same pain levels for 2.5 years now (previously just back pain and sciatica, now nerve issues affecting both feet and left leg). Tried everything and still think surgery would help, but NHS won't do it. One thing I'd say Aidan is that that's a very high level of diazepam, please be careful, it slows your breathing and can stop your heart. I'm on max dose of everything now but still won't take more, even when in agony, the risk of all of them combined is huge. Wishing you both some recovery, a reduction in pain, or answers, other than the right pillows/cushions/TENS/heat and cold packs I can't suggest more as tried nerve blocks, epidural injections, physio, acupuncture and didn't personally work for me, but may be worth a go if either of you haven't tried all of those? How about an SCS? Not easy to get, recommended to me by the surgeon but nowhere near even talking to the pain clinic about one as yet, work great for some, not for others, but it is a surgery of sorts with recovery and invasive x
Hi Karen
The only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is the meds such as solpaol, diazepam and gabbapentin. I feel as if all the other procedures are just masking the pain temporarily. Im pretty certain im booking a neurosurgeon in the next few weeks, i feel as if im missing out on the best years of my twins lives.
Kind Regards Aidan.
Hi Karen
I just got home from osteopath who suggested Neurological Rehabilitation . It's a kind of physiotherapy that works specifically on nerve function. I'm going to give it a shot.
I really do understand, but please be careful. I also take diaz, but not near that amount, plus gaba, naproxen and highest dose solf. Trying 5-HTP soon, it's supposed to help relax for sleep, will see if it does any good at all. Must admit, given the choice I'd jump at surgery too, but it's off the table, so to speak. Have had a relative go through every surgery just about and none of them helped her. Made her worse, that's worth bearing in mind, it's not a solution for everyone. Failed back surgery can knacker you in for life. Just a consideration. For your twins, please be careful with diaz, at those levels, I know it's hard. Wishing you all the best with it all.
Hi Maggie, that sounds interesting, not heard of it before. I'm more affected by the nerve pain so trying all I can to reduce that, the back pain is secondary. If I get to the pain clinic I'll mention it thanks. Wishing you the best.
p.s how long has it been Aidan? Since all this started. If it's only been months, hold fire!! Plenty of time for you to try loads of different treatments. If it's been years, that's different.
Hi Karen/ Maggie
I am also going to an osteopath right now as we we speak, he is a bit of a butcher lol, its been going on for about 7 months now, we have a family business and im really needed back at work so thats why im also trying to find a quick solution. I actually have to try and source the diazepam from other places as the GP will only give me 6 tablets a week which is a joke really.
Kind Regards Aidan.
Hi again Aidan. I have come off gabapentin last night as doing nothing apart from making me feel nauseous and tired (only on 100 mg x 3 daily, and only been on it 5 days). Tbh am not sure if gabapentin has made it worse or if its the stretches as standing is horrendous now. I have to keep moving. My back does not feel too bad its the bilateral leg pain, buttocks thighs and calfs, it is only eased when I lay down and am still. When laying if I want to move onto my side my thighs and buttocks almost go into cramps. Im going back to the gp tomorrow. They will not send me for another MRI. X
Quick update for any one that’s interested, went back to the the consultant who done the MRI he’s reffered me to a surgeon next week, Ive been feeling great in the house, been working from the house on the laptop.
Went a big walk today and sciatica is kiling me down right leg, Seems the only way i will get back to physical work is surgery sadly.
Regards Aidan
Big walk and you’re considering surgery?! If you can do that amount of activity... think twice. Surgery is not a cure all... in saying that, all the best Aiden.
Hi Karen
The problem is i cant go back to my normal physical job where i am required, im lucky enough i work in a family business that just now i can help out with some of the office work. That cant go on for much longer though, we have too many large jobs starting where i will be a working supervisor. I am also worried if i do get the surgery i will be immobile for even longer for recovery.
Regards Aidan
So went to the private neurosurgeon today he agreeed i needed surgery, i asked how much it would cost he said it would cost £10,000 and could do it next week. Other options are wait on NHS waiting list for god knows how long. Or just hope it gets better itself 😀 So feeling a bit crap today and having a few beers feeling a bit peed off right now. It would be the same surgeon that carries out the procedure NHS, private or not thats what pees me off the most. Rant over, hope every one else is feeling a bit better!
Regards Aidan
OMG Aidan £10 grand. That,s a lot of money and there is no 100% guarantee it will fix it for good i bet. I would have to go on NHS waiting list . I am still in agony with my sciatica. my physio also advised me not to go to a chiro but, i am in such a lot of pain. I have been using a tens machine as well as naproxen and gabapentin but, still in pain ;( x
Adrian, I’ve been in severe debilitating pain for 2.5 years (+10 years before that with just back pain). NHS won’t operate and I rarely leave the house (nerve pain, both feet, 1leg) even I wouldn’t have rushed into surgery. It’s not a quick fix. It fails. You’ve had your sciatica for not very long in the context of things and haven’t tried all of the options yet...
Hi Amanda
He said 10k like it was nothing too, as his porsche sits outside in the car park.
Just keep going back to your GP and tell them the medication they have you isnt working and try something else, never know other meds work better on different people.
Hope you get better.
Regards Aidan.
Hi Karen
Im not prepared to wait years to get better, i dont want to waste the best years of my life suffering and i need to get back to work and help my kids. I also tried several other options and every “Specialist” I’ve spoken to has said something different. Ive read too many stories about people suffering for such a long time. The neurosurgeon said he could get me on the NHS waiting list and get the procedure done within 2-6 months. Possibly less if there is any cancellations so fingers crossed.
Regards Aidan.
Right more info now! Ive been feeling great the last week with no sciaticac pain down my leg at all, just slight pain in my back, ive still been off my work this full time so rest has been definitely a help, all doctors, GP’s etc ive spoken to say gabbapentin takes a few weeks to get in to your system, i feel as if thats the difference now as ive been taking about 2400mg a day now for the last week on top of the 900mg a day for 2 weeks before that. My question is what happens now? When do i know to stop taking the gabbapentin so i can go back to work.
Thanks for any advice in advance
Hi Amanda
I just was reading your replies and I'm in same condition as you ,
Unable to sleep ,sit, walk I have another appointment in 20 days
I have no life other than this awful pain , I was just wondering did u manage to get help or find something for the pain .I tried chiropractor a few times now and on the day it feels a little less painful then by night it's the same ..
Hope you are ok
Hi Mimm14
You need to try Gabbapentin, ive tried basically every thing else and its the only thing thats helped. It’s worked so good im afraid to stop taking it incase the pain comes back. The sciatica down my leg is completely gone, I just have slight pain where my bulging disk is.
Hope you get better!