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Elton 
I have lived with backpain for many years. It is from my sciatic nerve being pinched by my L5 vertebrae.
The pain runs from the L5 down my hip, knee, and ends with numbness in my toes.(a doc once told me there was no such thing as numbness and pain) thats BS.
The pain gets so bad sometimes that I have sat down ine middle of the aisle at walmart many times to relieve the pain/pressure.
I have a good family doctor that has worked with me for several years prescribing pain meds(that all just make me sick) and nerve meds such as neurotin that nearly killed me. Oh wait, I said he was a good doctor.
Anyway, he really has tried to help. He told me thats why they call it "Practicing" medicine and I understand what he means. There is not one medicine that works the same on everyone. Of course he says I probably should have the bone fusion surgery, but most people I know say it didnt help, or even made it worse.
Last week Doc gave me some Lyrica to try and I gotta say it has really helped. I have heard many people on this forum trashing the stuff, but it seems to work for me. My pain is much better. The pain remains at the damaged L5. I could live with that if I didnt have to work. Lifting, pushing, reaching up brings on the pain big time.
I have some puffiness in my feet and hands, but BIG DEAL!
If thats it I`ll take it. Just have to wait and see..........
Comments
Hi! I have a problem at L5 too! I've had this problem since I was 15, so 7 years now. It's only gotten worse, but that's another story. I agree with you on surgery, I was offered surgery, but I declined because I know I couldn't live with myself if it made me worse. But also remember, the people who had surgeries that worked aren't on this site because they are out living normal lives. And also, don't believe everything that you read on here, not all of it is accurate. But again, I agree with you on the surgery subject. As for the pain meds, maybe the dose was too high, or maybe you could take something to help you with nauseousness, like Reglan. It helped me when I was sick from a surgery for a bleeding cyst and my appendix. I couldn't eat and was throwing up, but 30 minutes after taking it, I could eat and I felt great, not sick at all. So maybe taking this a bit before a pain med would help, that way you could have more pain relief without being sick. From my understanding, it's pretty safe to take on a regular basis. I've never heard of anyone having side effects from it (other than no nauseousness!) unless they were allergic to it, which is rare. I'm happy to have you as a friend, I hope we can help each other!!!
Much love,
Lisa
LisaNeedsHelp
Well, I am sorry to have to add this to to my journal, because I thought I had found some relief for my sciatic back pain.
I am weaning myself off Lyrica. It seemd to give me "some" relief at first, but it is not doing anything now except swelling me up more. The swelling was ok when it was giving me some relief, but I dont need it just for the swelling! LOL
I read that I cant just quit taking it because it could cause me seizures. I must slowly ease off, so here goes, thats what I`m doing. CRAP!
Elton