Nerve pain in leg

I have those symptoms, pain and pins and needles from buttock to toes. GP said that it was probably sciatica, and was referred to physiotherapist, who agreed.

Is the pain just in the calf, because I’m thinking sciatica if it starts in lower back and is peculiar to left leg. Either way if it’s nerve pain, ask your GP if Gabapentin or Pregabalin is appropriate. I have sciatica really badly and Gabapentin really helps.

Highly likely to be SCIATICA -- nothing to do with your leg (yes, I KNOW it seems to hurt there!). Get a recommendation for a good chiropractor near you.

Well, saw the nurse, not a GP.
Take paracetamol, prescribed ibuprofen gel, neither of which, according to Google, are in the slightest bit effective.

trapped nerve pain is evil- I wonder if that's your problem as others have mentioned. When I had one ages ago, I was given some steroid jabs which made a world of difference. Don't be left to suffer - keep going to the gp till you get a referral to someone. Poor you.

inishowen

I've had excruciating pain in my calf since January. I went to Urgent Care because I thought it was a clot. After Xrays and blood tests I was told it was probably nerve pain. I've tried every pain killer I can buy. I've bought things to rub on but nothing helps. The GP only prescribed more pain killers. Has anyone had this? Does it ever heal on its own?

Have you tried Physiotherapy? Available free in NHS here in Scotland, via GP surgeries.

Other wise, I recommend acupuncture.

I take amitriptyline for nerve pain. It does help a lot. The dose can be varied according to need. I take it about 8-9pm and have no side effects. Getting enough sleep is very important to me.

@Nannee49 No I am lucky not to feel that way but I know that others do.

It’s not an easy choice is it? Pain free sleep or grogginess?

Thanks tanith, I'll try taking it earlier. It is strange that it doesn't affect you in that way now, maybe the formula has changed?
And yes, I agree that it's probably worth asking for Amitriptyline inishowen, a short course would at least show whether it could be effective for you, I hope so as nerve pain is such a miserable thing to have to endure.

It’s weird because I was prescribed it years ago while waiting hip-replacement I had to take it in the early evening to avoid the next day ‘hangover’ but when prescribed it recently for the nerve pain it didn’t happen. Strange!

I've been prescribed Amitriptyline 10mg and while it does give me a good night's sleep the "hangover" I get the next day is awful - really brain fogged & feeling very weird.
Do you experience anything like that on it tanith & smintie?

Apart from the above advice I've found ice packs effective. Out of the acute flare up stage TENS and massage helped me.

I have phantom limb pain caused by nerve damage.

My gp prescribed very low dose Amitriptyline (10mg) at night. I can’t take it during the day as it makes me sleepy but it does reduce the nerve pain at night, allowing me to sleep.

Perhaps worth asking?

www.nhs.uk/medicines/amitriptyline-for-pain/about-amitriptyline-for-pain-and-migraine/

Yes, at the moment, especially in the back of the knee. It seemed like a bout of sciatica going down my leg but is worse than I've ever had previously.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen don't touch it.

DH had something similar in his arm. It proved to be a trapped nerve and was resolved by a couple of steroid jabs in his shoulder.

You could consider visiting an osteopath to see if they can halp.

I’ll be interested the this thread.

I’ve had this since September. Saw a physio who ‘pummelled’ it a bit, but said it would just take time. As well as not crossing legs, he warned against wearing leggings (I don’t) or anything tight around the legs. I can manage during the day, although it’s caused a bit of a rolling walk, but at night, I just can’t get it comfortable - it often wakes me with a throbbing pain.

Last year after moving house I was in A&E with nerve pain in my leg and groin caused by spinal impingement i was crying with the pain and had gas and air in the ambulance. It took a few hours but eventually given Amatryptaline oh my goodness the relief was very quick i had a months supply and had some light physio and it healed in 3wks. See your GP and ask for nerve pain relief.

I'm no doctor but this type of pain is often caused by a problem with your lower back. Gentle back exercises like a mock belly dance might help, plus massage. Sitting with your legs crossed can also cause this type of pain.