Back Pain Community

hi and welcome to the support group -

I have permanent nerve damage in both legs - had EMG and NERVE CONDUCTION TEST done to confirm this - it also shows which discs are affecting the nerve issues.

Have you had this done? If not it may need to be done to check and see what is going on.

Also, to me, your gabapentin dose seems low to treat the issues you have. this med usually starts out on low dose bout 300mg daily then slowly increased until a therapeutic dose has been established. I am now taking 3600 mg daily of gabapentin and it does help with the numbness/tingling/sharp/stabbing/rubber band twinge effects.
A good PHYSIATRIST PAIN MANAGEMENT physician can help with properly treating the pains you are having as they do have numerous treatment options designed for the patient.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/what-physiatrist

I had my back surgery 2/08 Anterior Lumbar Fusion L5-S1 - I fused 100% and bone is growing back. the surgery was a success as the surgeon stated he would fix my disc which he did, however my pains are worse now than before. I have chronic low/mid back pain and the nerve damage in both legs. so I do know what you are going thru.

I don't know how long it's been since you have seen a spine specialist (maybe get different opinions) and see what is going on - a new MRI/CT Scan may need to be done to see what's going on - also seeing the PHYSIATRIST Pain doc too - they can refer you to a good spine specialist.

hope this helps - please keep us posted - take care - Joy

I do need to have the emg/nerve conduction tests, I have just heard they hurt, I am being a total wimp about more pain. It has been a year since I have seen my neurosurgeon. He is good but told me what I have left is what it is, so I have just given up. I don't have much hope. I understand now what the neuro pain is but I didn't realize that before surgery. It probably wouldn't have changed the need for surgery as I did have 2 large herniated discs. I do see my regular md, who just works with my meds. But we really don't change. I don't know what a physiatrist is, but i will check it out! Thank you.
Are you working? Have you gained alot of weight on that much gabapentin? Maybe I do need more idk.....I will look into that.
Brenda

Hi Brenda -

first regarding the EMG/Nerve Conduction Test - yes it hurts, but only for a moment. Just about the same as getting an injection in the back.

Second - no I'm not working - 100% disabled as I cannot sit/stand/walk for very long periods of time.

I have not gained any weight with the Gabapentin - I've been taking the generic form for about two years now and was taking the brand name for about a year.

Though I'm still in pain 24/7 and my apatite a lot to where I'm not very hungry at all.

hope this helps - take care - Joy

Thank you so much for the info. It helps to know others in the same boat. I am trying to go up a bit with the gabapentin. I take generics. brand name affects me the same. That is amazing how much you take. Doesn't it make you fuzzy wuzzy? I am really fatigued just taking one more tab. I take 1/2 tab extra here and there and that helps but knocks me out. Another tab, I end up on another planet. Afraid to drive....But I don't hurt so much. I am up and down depending on what I do with the pain. I hope I do get disability as of now I am waiting. But I sure can't sit or stand for long hours. I can stand a couple of hours, depends on pain. Sitting hurts more.... I have pain and go numb in my left hiney. Do you live in the US?
thanks again for your help!
Brenda