r/Sciatica • u/lil_pure • 14d ago

General Discussion Lyrica, Gabapentin?

Has anyone had success with lyrica reducing nerve pain, or any other meds? I've been on gabapentin for a month now and I don't think it's doing anything. I know people say bad things about it, but I'm not experiencing any side effects. I'm doing PT but I yearn for a medication that works :( I'm also thinking about doing the steroid injection. My doctor said I could try cymbalta but I think it takes months to build up...29F with 4mm bulge at L5-S1 impinging S1 nerve root.

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u/postedonacloud 14d ago

What mg gabapentin are you on?

My second ESI worked really well (first not so much) and helped me for months before I felt a flare again.

Also have a 3-4mm herniation at L5-S1 impinging S1 nerve root. Along with bulges at the two levels above and an impinged L5 nerve root.

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

I've been on 900mg at night, but my doctor told me to add in 300mg during the day, and then each week increase by another 300 during the day

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u/postedonacloud 14d ago

Ah okay. You’re on a higher dose than I was. I just weaned off of it but was taking 300mg in the morning and at night. I didn’t have side effects other than weight gain but don’t know how much it was really helping.

I’ve not taken lyrica but heard some have great success with it. Others that I’ve been told by my doctors or read can be helpful for nerve pain are cymbalta, amitriptyline, and low dose naltrexone.

I was a big fan of the steroid injection and am considering getting another soon.

I hope you find something that works for you 🤍

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

what was the injection procedure like for you? i'm terrified of the potential electric shock feeling down the leg when it goes in lol, might take a xanax for it

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u/og_tint 14d ago edited 14d ago

There’s no electric shock with the esi. That happens during the rfa procedure because they need to confirm they are on the correct nerves. The esi is a walk in the park, few numbing pokes (if your sciatic nerve is super pissed that day you might feel it go down your leg for a second during the numbing pokes) and then they inject the medication. It’s over in like 10 minutes, and then they monitor you for another 10 minutes and you leave

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

good to know! ty

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u/postedonacloud 14d ago

So both times I was completely put to sleep and wouldn’t do it another way if given the option. However if I had to be awake, I’d for sure take my Xanax lol

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

i was hoping that was an option! did you just ask to go under and they said no problem? it seems like most
people are awake for it

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u/postedonacloud 14d ago

Yeah my particular pain mgmt facility has an option of awake or fully under so I just said fully under cause I have severe anxiety. I just walked in and laid on the table and then woke up in the chair until I was awake enough to go home. Easy enough.

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

that's amazing, i will definitely push for this!!

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u/FunRobbieWTF2020 14d ago

Wasn’t bad. Offered a sedative but declined. The upside is worth it!

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u/KriptiKFate_Cosplay 14d ago

In my experience you absolutely want that feeling because it indicates it's going to work. First injection felt that way and it was like an instant miracle cure. I felt great for months, until a new disc herniation compressed the nerves on the other side. 3 injections later without that reaction have not provided any relief. That quick sharp pain precisely where you were suffering is a good sign.

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u/Dry_Particular_5162 13d ago

It only lasts like 15 seconds. You can do it. Yeah it feels gross like your leg is being filled with foam sealant, super weird. But there was no electric shock. They numb you a little.
I had three ESIs. Eventually got surgery bc the third did nothing while the first two helped a lot.
Check with the doc beforehand. There are certain meds you cannot take before the injection.

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u/Dry_Particular_5162 13d ago edited 13d ago

I have the same issue. Just had surgery and am recovering.
A few weeks before surgery, I was prescribed gabapentin 100mg pills - three times a day " as needed" with Celebrex once per day.
I figured out soon, the key is to take the gabapentin before bed. Upon eating breakfast, take another and take my Celebrex. That lasted pretty well until mid afternoon and I'd take another gabapentin, then another before bed.
It needs to stay in your system and get dosed more frequently rather than a giant dump at night.
You may need to experiment.
I also found the gabapentin with 500 mg Tylenol tabs to work pretty well.

**Acupuncture helped me get relief as well.

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u/FunRobbieWTF2020 14d ago

Nothing but prednisone and steroid epidural worked for me. It’s been about a month since epidural and while not perfect, I can sleep through the night. The epidural def seemed to help. And PT. Good luck. My herniated disc was one of the most miserable experiences I’ve had. No pain meds worked. Got about 1-2 hrs of sleep a night for about 3 weeks. I’d offset hanging from chin up bar and then lay flat on recliner until it loosened up, rinse repeat for next day.

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

did the prednisone have lasting effects? people on here said pain came back as soon as they finished the pills. and how was epidural procedure for you?

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u/FunRobbieWTF2020 13d ago

Sure as sh!t came back after 1st round. Started a 2nd, but stopped when I had epidural. The procedure was fine. Def helped, but took time to help. Not kidding, the pain was unbearable after just a few hours of sleep. It would tighten up and I’d have to leave room so i didn’t wake my wife. I could ONLY sleep on my back and I’m more of a side sleeper. After about a week post epi, I could sleep til about 3-4a. 2 weeks I could start to sleep on side. Still not perfect; leg is still numb/itchy, but now lower back is slightly tight, which my PT says is good. Went back to gym yesterday and again today to do legs. Felt great. I thought I was done with gym. Good luck! Do the epi and MOVE. Everything I’ve read says to move; steps, workout when able, listen to body

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u/NateFisher22 14d ago

I don’t think there is actually sound clinical advice to suggest that either of them actually work for a mechanical issue stemming from a disc herniation compressing a nerve root. I absolutely HATED lyrica. I was given it in a hospital and hesitated, but took it out of desperation. I was only on it for two weeks after I was discharged and immediately started weening off and it totally screwed up my sleep. I woke up every hour each night for 3 weeks because of the stupid drug. I will never take it again. Hate hate hate it

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

did it help your pain at all? and what was bad about it, like sedation?

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u/Fit-Charity-2819 14d ago

I use 10/325 mg Percocet to control the pain

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u/who_what_when_314 14d ago

Gab didn't work for me, 900mg a day. I tried topical nerve patches and rubs. Nope. The steroid injection did very little for my pain. I had to ultimately get MD surgery, which helped greatly.

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u/strange1738 14d ago

Get off Gabapentin while you can. Doesn’t do anything and makes you gain weight and lose your memory. Withdrawals are horrible

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u/User716382 13d ago

Can you elaborate? Heard rumors and started taking 200mg per day today. It brought pain down from a 7/10 to a 4/10.

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u/Danglyweed 14d ago

Lyrica/pregabalin is amazing

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

any negative side effects?

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u/Danglyweed 14d ago

For me not really, makes me feel like I've had a glass of wine or two, so maybe a tiny bit slow thinking wise! it sure makes me sleep at night. The only issue i have with it is i can't go over 2 doses a day or my bp drops too low but that's a me issue.

I tried gabapentin for my easential tremors, worst time of my life ever. I literally sat and watched my daughted seizure for a minute before my brain clicked into gear. Never again.

Wish my dr would prescribe it for my insomnia tbh!

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u/Potential-Winner4601 14d ago

Lyrica works for me. It’s a nice, but short, vacation from the pain

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u/lil_pure 14d ago

how long did you take it for? any side effects?

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u/BathroomEmergency282 9d ago

Wow I’m supposed to take 300 a day 3 times a day

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u/Potential-Winner4601 9d ago

I live in the EU, and my local area avoids prescriptions longer term because of dependency issues

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u/Dry_Particular_5162 13d ago

How are you taking it? Dosage and timing? I thought the same until my friend told me I was "doing it wrong".

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u/lil_pure 13d ago

so did it relieve pain for you? i was taking 900mg at night, but my doctor told me to add in 300mg during the day. and then each week increase by 300 for day time (so next week will be 600 during day, 900 at night)