Hi, I am new here.
I am 43yr old female diagnosed with degenerated disc at L4-L5 as a result of having twice a big herniated disc at that level, operated on in 2006 and again in 2007. I have had back pain flare ups many time since, but not very severe. But after having bad back pain flare up this January (accompanied with pain in both my legs) I was diagnosed with degenerated disc in March after having an MRI taken. The surgeon I met said that the only solution to fix this was a fusion but that he did not recommended it as a solution before I had tried everything else. And I do agree. But from 25th of January I´ve had 14 back pain episodes with severe muscle spasms. The worst episodes have left me unable to turn myself in the bed for about 12 hours. During these episodes that last from 8-24 hours I am unable to stand up without help or to walk without support from someone. The pain is in my lower back, hips, and down both legs. I also have some muscle weakness, tingling and shooting pain in my right leg, but the surgeon said it was because I had some nerve damage after the herniated disc so he had no worries because of that. The pain ranges from being just plain bad to being nearly unbearable. I have been having these “episodes” every 5 -10 days now. The pain between the flare ups is manageable, but just so and I have been taken 28 days off sick from work these last four months. I work at an office. There is a 10 months waiting list for getting an appointment with a Pain Management doctor (at least). I have been taken muscle relaxants and pain killers with little help. I am also taking ibuprofen every day. Now my doctor wants me to try Gapentin in an attempt to try to stop these back spasms flare ups. Has anyone here experienced similar close together back pain flare ups and then for how long time?
And also, has anyone had any experience with Gapentin?
(P.s. please pardon my broken English)