New member - lumbar radiculopathies
 

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I'm so glad I found this site; it's an amazing site and there is a TON of useful information here.

I've been diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy, which for me manifests itself as burning on the tops of the legs as well as pain along the backs of my thighs. This only occurs when sitting. I've had two back surgeries, one a L4-S1 TLIF fusion in 10/2010, but it never fused. I just had a revision on 4/4/13 to change the hardware and to use BMP as the bone graft material to get a successful fusion.

My radiculopathy seems to be caused by prior compression of lumbar nerve roots, from bulging disks. These nerve roots were fully decompressed in late 2010. I'm currently taking 3,600 mg of Gabapentin daily, along with 50 mg of Nucynta when I experience a flare-up. (The Gabapentin only takes the edge off, from like a 6 down to a 4 or 5.) If it gets worse than that, I typically turn to 10/325 Norco. I've been on this level of Gabapentin for over 2 years.

I've had these nerve symptoms since mid 2009. After the first surgery, they were gone until week 5, and they then returned. They have never gone away since.

I'm concerned I may have permanent nerve damage. My latest NCV/EMG from a year ago said the following:

- There are L4-L5 radiculopathies on the left, with past (chronic) axonal damage.
- There is an L5 radiculopathy on the right, with past (chronic) axonal damage.
- There is no evidence of a large fiber sensory polyneuropathy in the legs.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on things that might help (vitamins, supplements, other medications), that would be most appreciated. Thanks for reading my lengthy post! I'm glad I found this site!

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups!
I'll post the links below to several of the forums where you might like to read and perhaps re-post the message you posted here.

Spinal Disorders and Back Pain

Medications & Treatments

Vitamins, Nutrients, Herbs and Supplements

Chronic Pain

I hope you find some answers and support. I'm sure you will.
All the best...

Thanks Lara for the warm welcome! I'll check out the forums you listed and re-post some of my questions over there. Thanks again.

Hi ~ I'm no doctor, but the rule of thumb is that if it has been going on for 18 months or longer, the damage is usually permanent. :(

I've had severe sciatica for 27 years, so obviously the sciatic nerve is permanently damaged. :rolleyes:

I have found personally that Gabapentin is pretty worthless. For one thing, I had to take a very high dosage, and for another I retained loads of water to the point where my ankles and feet were always swollen! Plus it always made me feel "loopy" -- as if I were on a permanent "high." I didn't like that feeliing at all, so I did some research on that kind of drug, and I came up with Topamax. At the time, it was fairly new -- but I asked my doctor if we could try it and he said yes. It has been GREAT and i do NOT have to take a high dosage either! Believe it or not, I'm only on 400mg. per day. Plus, I do not retain water nor do I feel loopy. I have NO burning in the legs, no "zapping", no symptoms at all. It's amazing!

Now since I still have sciatica, I obviously still have the PAIN. But I'm on other medications to help deal with that.

I wish you the very best. Take care and God bless. Hugs, Lee ;)

Leesa,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with sciatica and the meds that have and have not worked for you. I had heard something similar before about nerve damage being permanent if it didn't start improving after about 18 months or so. A bummer indeed. :( During my last visit with my pain doctor, we briefly touched on Topamax as something I could possibly try next. I've tried both Cymbalta and another SSRI called Savella recently, but the issue with those is they keep me awake - like, all night long. I already have some sleeping issues and the SSRI's seem to make it much, much worse.

So, it sounds like you don't take the Gabapentin at all anymore and instead use the Topamax. Is that right? If you don't mind me asking, what other types of meds are you using for the remaining pain you have?

I plan on talking with my pain doctor today/tomorrow about trying out the Topamax. Fingers crossed!

Kevin

Hi Kevin ~ for pain, I take OpanaER 40mg twice a day and Lyrica 75mg twice a day. That combo REALLY helps with the pain!! Plus like I said, the Topamax 200mg twice a day, and also Prozac 20 mg, cause believe me, we all get depressed!!! And when you're depressed, pain can seem worse.

I hope you find some relief -- will you please let me know? I'd REALLY appreciate it. You can post it here, or private message me. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee :)