The pain only occurs when sitting. Does anyone have experience taking this drug for sciatica pain?
I have just been prescribed gabapentin 300mg for sciatica nerve pain in my leg?
Question posted by Martinka4601 on 13 July 2016
Last updated on 23 October 2020 by RetiredLynda
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11 Answers
RetiredLynda
23 Oct 2020
I have had sciatica for years now- comes and goes. They say it is from crushed discs and surgery would be the best. When my sciatica would act up I could hardly sit, lay down, walk etc. I laid over a large exercise ball chair, I used ice and the pain was awful no matter what I did, but for sure at
73 I really don't want to go thru surgery. It was starting to really be bad and getting an appointment with the specialist was 2 weeks out, I just wanted to die it hurt so bad nothing worked to relieve the pain, so 2 years ago I had the "pain injection" an Epidural... it was supposed to last 3-6 months. Mine lasted 3 weeks!!! And I know the doc hit the nerve because I had a knee jerk type reaction, he injected and my leg just kicked up and almost got him in the face, his comment was "well looks like I got it in the right place" After the shot both my legs were numb and I could not walk for almost 2 hours.
Then the disappointment of the shot only lasting 3 weeks was horrible. My MD then prescribed gabapentin 300mg 3x a day. It took a day or so to really kick in, but once it did WOW, the pain in my R buttocks and down the front of my right leg were almost gone. I took it faithfully for 2 months, then the pain went away. So I stopped. Started seeing a chiropractor who when the sciatica flares up I see him and a masseuse if it is still acting up like it started yesterday, I go back on gabapentin. I took one 300mg this morning around 6am
and now at 9am there is hardly any pain. I will take another one before bedtime and probably for a few days until it is totally gone. Luckily for me the only side effects were it slows me down, I am very energetic and busy all the time... which makes people think I am in my 50's not my 70's, so when I take the gabapentin and it slows me down it is not really a bad thing. I do recommend taking gabapentin. I asked my MD for a lower dose, so as I taper off I start 300mg at night, and a 100mg the next day, 100mg that night, 100 mg next day then I stop.
I AM NOT A DOCTOR, AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND STARTING OR STOPPING THIS MEDICATION WITHOUT ASKING YOUR PRESCRIBING PHYSICIAN. I DISCUSSED EVERYTHING I SAID ABOVE WITH MY MD BEFORE I DID ANYTHING... PLEASE DO WHAT YOUR MD SAYS, NOT JUST WHAT YOU READ, EVERY BODY IS DIFFERENT AND NEEDS TO BE TREATED INDIVIDUALLY.
Abracadaver
9 Feb 2019
Hi! I know this is old, but I know people still read these threads seeking help. So, I’m a 25 year old female.. I was in class the other day and had severe pain in my lower back, left side... it shot down my leg and made my toes numb, so I left class and went to the hospital. I was diagnosed with sciatica with no known cause as of now, but I was put on mobic, Gabapentin, and a strong NSAID. The mobic and gab make me really sleepy, but the pain is pretty much gone. In fact, after taking the mobic, the pain was gone by time my 6 pill dose was taken by bedtime that night. I take the gab at night before bed, and the NSAID before breakfast. The only time my back hurts me at this point, is when I bend over for long periods of time, like trying to shave my legs. Otherwise, this combination of meds for this seem to work magic on me.
Arsmet
2 Nov 2018
I have been living with sciatic nerve pain due to a L5-S1 disc herniation for almost 6 years. I've been through multiple rounds of PT with little luck. Surgery isn't an option because the bulge doesn't present during an MRI, and no surgeon will take the risk. To this point the only relief I have gotten is from nerve blocks. They work pretty good for about 6 months and then ok for about another 6 months. 2 years ago I had one that did not go well and left me never wanting another injection. I "dealt" with the pain trying to get used to my "new normal" for another year. I finally gave in about a month ago and scheduled an appointment with my doctor. After talking for a while about options, the injection seemed to be the best, but he prescribed 300mg gabapentin just to see if it would help. WOW, this stuff is amazing so far. It did take an hour or so to kick in, but when it did the pain was gone, completely gone.
For the first time in years I had no pain.. I slept through the whole night for the first time in a long time. When I woke up in the morning the pain was still gone, I cried. I hadn't realized how much pain I was in until it was gone. I did feel dizzy and drunkish, but that faded after being awake for a while. It doesn't last all day and I can't take it during the day because of the side effects, but it allows me to sleep at night. I'm hoping after taking it for a while the side effects get better and I can take it during the day. Good luck to anyone trying this option.
Mclarke060
20 Sep 2018
Hi, I'm ex UK military soldier and suffered from sciatica for around 20 yrs. Being very active and mainly training in crossfit style workouts the functional training kept me mobile and free from pain. Now I have a desk job in civilian life and getting older, 46, my sciatica has just flared up. I have been prescribed 3 x 300mg tablets per day of gabapentin to manage the pain. Since the flare up last week I have only slept for around 2hrs per day and can't sit/ drive at all and in very bad pain down right hand side. Hopefully gabapentin will help. Will keep you all posted. All the best to all
danitag39
8 Aug 2018
I was in severe pain for months and my doctor prescribed gabapentin for me for sciatica. I was finally able to get a good nights sleep and able to finally sit in a chair.. I called her back to thank her if that tells you how much relief I had. I highly recommend trying this.
ScottMcCarron
6 Oct 2017
I take it and I’m not getting any relief. I’ve had 4 surgeries. I’ve had a spinal fusion from my t-11 to L-3 , a kyphoplasty of my L-1 , A laminectomy/dissectomy of my L-4,L-5 and S-1 . I also have a spinal Stimulater implant and I’m still suffering with sciatic pain . I go to therapy 3 times a week also. Back injuries are horrible. Good luck to us all . God bless
CorgiFan
26 Oct 2017
@ScottMcCarron - My word, you have been through a lot. What does kyphoplasty do and how do they do it? My doc has suggested installation of the spinal stimulator by Medtronic. I was really hoping that would take care of the nerve pain down my legs and into my heels. Sciatica is an inflammation of the muscle and nerve. I have found certain yoga exercises are quite helpful for the sciatica. Did you find the laminectomy helped at all?
LisaAnneRita
16 July 2018
Just want to say hope all is lol better.
AuntieSarcasEm
13 June 2017
At 34 I've dealt with a lot of Heath issues/pain. Sciatica nerve pain is horrible, I feel for you all. This can be hell, I just started this medication again, and intend on trying to soldier through the side effects this time, as it's bilateral sciatica now. I hope you're all better and hopefully this helps me too for the meantime. I know back/neck/shoulder (not sure what they'll want to do exactly) surgery is in my future. I have bad reactions to surgery, technically the anestethic. Until then I hope for the best, but this is do depressing on top of my severe anxiety and other depression and Heath issues. Knowing we are aren't alone can help, thank for the information posted here. Good luck to you all!
Yesser04
18 July 2016
To be honest with you the pain will never go away but the gabapentin does eliminate some of the pain making more manageable trust me I take 900mg 3time a day one u start it and ever run out or choose not to take because of the side effects u will see the difference trust me
Martinka4601
18 July 2016
Thank you, Yesser04. I took the first dose (300mg) on Saturday night. I have no pain lying down, but the side effect stories scared me! I slept great, but had severe pain all day Sunday. So I took my dose this morning and was sleepy and felt "loopy" for 5-6 hours afterward. Now it has been 9 hours since I took the med. and the pain has returned. I can't see taking more than one pill a day... I will be a zombie. Disappointed.
Lisa01
19 July 2016
Give it about 2 weeks for your body to become used to the medication. You'll probably find that the side effects have greatly lessened or completely disappeared.
Martinka4601
19 July 2016
Thank you, Lisa01. I guess I am being a bit impatient! Just needed someone who shares the same discomfort to bring me back to earth. I have never had any health issues and now at 68 I have nerve damage and just diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I just retired and can't enjoy it ... yet!
Lisa01
19 July 2016
Bless your heart! Things never seem to work out quite the way we picture them. I have hypothyroidism. It took a while, but when we finally got my levels back to normal, I did end up feeling much better. I don't have nerve damage, but I do have pretty severe osteoarthritis so I understand the pain levels. Since your thyroid controls almost every system in your body, it's no wonder you're feeling crappy. But now they know what's going on, you'll get your levels back in line and start to feel much better. Just tell yourself that you're not going to let this control your entire life and it could be much worse. Just imagine you're walking along and all of a sudden your head falls off - now that would put you in a real pickle!
Martinka4601
19 July 2016
Lisa01... You have such a positive outlook! So refreshing and uplifting. THANK YOU and best wishes to you.
Lisa01
19 July 2016
Thank you! I think you must be a very kind person. Please use this site on a regular basis. It really can help when nobody else seems to understand what you're going through. Feel better soon!
Martinka4601
19 July 2016
Hi, Lisa01! I do feel better. Hope you do too. Have a spectacular day!
arabianhorselover
6 Oct 2017
Gabapentin is a short-acting drug. It does not stay in the body long, so has to be taken at least 3 times/day.
meegar
17 July 2016
yes it does work
arabianhorselover
14 July 2016
Gabapentin can help with nerve pain. Sciatica is not a problem with the nerve. It is an irritation to the nerve.
ScottMcCarron
6 Oct 2017
If it’s irritation of the nerve, and gabapentin works for nerve relief then how does it not work ? That statement doesn’t make much sense. Haha however it doesn’t work for me neither. Lol
ScottMcCarron
6 Oct 2017
How is nerve pain, and irritation of the nerve not the same thing ? I’m not trying to be a butt head, I’m just trying to understand what you wrote it’s just not making sense to me
arabianhorselover
6 Oct 2017
What I am saying is that the pain is not coming from something actually being wrong with the nerve itself. It is coming from something irritating the (healthy) nerve.
ScottMcCarron
6 Oct 2017
Ok thanks. God bless
ScottMcCarron
6 Oct 2017
Ok thanks. God bless
jschnick
28 Dec 2018
Correct you need an anti inflammatory.
daryld
14 July 2016
I tried this drug (and some other similar ones) for sciatica in my left leg, none helped at all. Eventually, I had lumbar fusion surgery (2 surgeries over 3 days). Now, I'm going to have stem cell therapy.
Martinka4601
14 July 2016
Thank you for your answer. I really hope your upcoming therapy releives your discomfort.
Buttercup2
14 July 2016
Hi Daryld:
I too have severe sciatica pain down my left side. My nuerosurgeon is wanting to do low lumbar fusion. You stated you had two surgeries did it not help take this horrible pain away?
daryld
16 July 2016
I am sorry to say the two low back fusion surgeries (over 3 days) never did really help with the pain and the surgeries and the giant screws they used were instrumental in the rupure of the 3 discs above the fusion. Don't want to unnerve you, but if your doctor is honorable, he will acknowledge this risk.
Buttercup2
16 July 2016
Everyone I have talked to that has had this surgery has told me it did not help with the lower back pain. I have talked to several who have had this done!
Buttercup2
16 July 2016
Everyone I have talked to that has had this surgery has told me it did not help with the lower back pain. I have talked to several who have had this done!
Buttercup2
16 July 2016
Everyone I have talked to that has had this surgery has told me it did not help with the lower back pain. I have talked to several who have had this done!
Buttercup2
16 July 2016
Everyone I have talked to that has had this surgery has told me it did not help with the lower back pain. I have talked to several who have had this done!
Buttercup2
16 July 2016
Everyone I have talked to that has had this surgery has told me it did not help with the lower back pain. I have talked to several who have had this done!
Tpolky1980
19 Jan 2017
I have two herniated disks in my lower lumbar, the pain from my sciatic nerve travels down both legs and I'm rapidly losing feeling and strength in all of my toes and feet. This happens to this extent twice a year.. I take gabapentin and I feel enough relief to stand for more than five mins. I'm not sure how I feel about surgery, I'm sure it's improved quite a bit but most of my family had back surgery and were worse than before. The spine fusing sounds like a horrible idea to me.. I mean if it's more than two you are going to have difficulty bending, sure the sciatic might feel better but over time I think it's going to back fire. My father's spine was fused together although not by surgery. He took it like the soldier he was and when all the cartilage worn out his spine from lower to upper middle fused together on its own. There were many things he could no longer do. Bending was the hardest. I'm not a doctor but In my opinion.. the fusion of the spine sounds terrible and painful to me.
Related topics
pain, neuralgia, sciatica, gabapentin, prescription, drug
Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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