Is it normal to suffer increased nerve tightness and excitability while coming off a drug like Gabapentin?

Hello doctor,

I suffered from traumatic myelopathy six months ago when I was hit by a car. I had severe arthritis at C6, so the whiplash contused my spinal cord. I do not have motor deficits. I have sensory deficits, mainly in the hips, legs, and feet (back of my arms). The neurologist said I could expect gradual remission over 12 to 24 months. My broken bones have healed well (arm and leg), but I do not think the tightness (spasticity) and numbness have subsided in any great length. What signs should I look for when recovering sensations and spasticity? Is there anything I can do to speed it along? Does recovery take this long? I have been taking the tablet Gabapentin, but I am tapering off so I can try the tablet Lyrica. The doctor says I have to completely stop the tablet GABA for three days before taking the tablet Lyrica. Is that true? Also, today is the first day of no tablet Gabapentin, and all my nerves have been super excitable and tight, and I feel a bit unwell. Is this typical when tapering off a drug? Please help.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response.

I have one more question. What do you suggest is the best way to treat, resolve, or get relief from spasticity? There is a nerve that runs through my buttocks and alongside my genitalia area that is particularly uncomfortable and tight. It has always been that way since my accident. Please help.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Is it bad that I have not seen any decrease in my numbness, tingling, and spasticity in the last six months? I expected some decrease in symptoms though it be gradual. It seems that it just changes, moves around, there are good days, bad days, etc. and the spasticity seems to have increased the more I exercise trying to get stronger. I do not have pain so I think I might not take the tablet Lyrica and just take the tablet Baclofen. What do you think? I do not think Gabapentin or Lyrica is helping with the altered sensations in anyway. My doctor thinks that I have made significant improvement since my accident, but I am worried. Kindly help.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response.

Should some of these symptoms have gone away by now? Is it normal at six months to still have these nerve symptoms with not much decrease in them? I have been exercising, walking, and doing yoga. Am I making things worse? Is there anything I can do to help my recovery? Please help.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your response.

My spasticity has gotten strong. My doctor thought it was triggered by heat, but he said a follow-up MRI of my neck should be done. Should I be worried? My injury happened about eight months ago, and I had no surgery. Is spasticity reflective of more compression, or is it a symptom of my existing injury? What could be worsening my spasticity this time? Please help.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I am getting the MRI done by next week. The tightness in my legs is pretty stiff, especially in the leg where I had a tib or fib ORIF (right leg). It is not painful, but it is uncomfortable. My walk is very stiff, and I can still bend so that I may give a score of 6 or 7. I get a few cramps. It is preventing me from walking correctly. I am taking tablet Baclofen 10 mg thrice a day, stretching each day, and walking for 20 to 25 minutes. I bought some CBD gummies but have yet to take any of them. Tablet Baclofen does not offer much relief, but stretching helps temporarily. I still go for physical therapy, but they are not really focused on my spasticity. I should not actually keep surfing the internet, but I recently browsed about syrinx.

However, I do not have those symptoms. But I feel scared to think that something like syrinx could happen after an injury, but no one mentioned that to me. My MRI taken five months back showed that I had adequate room in my spinal canal, so I did not require any surgery. It was told to me that I had arthritis, and when I whiplashed, it bruised my cord. In that accident, which happened last year, I also fractured my pelvis. I still have extreme tightness, burning, and numbness in my buttocks near the piriformis, and I have the feeling as if I am sitting on something. Also, I feel as if something is wrapping around my private parts (anus etc). Could this be causing the flare-up of spasticity, as my buttocks seem more sore lately? I am also getting a pelvic MRI done as well next week. What is your opinion on this?

Thanks.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

My cervical MRI shows no significant change from the last MRI, which is good news. My pelvis MRI showed some deformity and chronic fractures, as you see in the report. Would any of these findings cause increased spasticity, numbness in the buttocks, or a feeling like you are sitting on something that puts pressure on the anus and genius area? If so, what can be the remedy?

Thanks.

Hi doctor,

Thank you very much.

The most challenging part of this recovery is the changes. Myelopathy is constantly changing. I am hoping recovery is happening even though I do not see it. As I recover normal sensations, will the spasticity eventually recover as well? Also, I do not want to go back on Gabapentin with the Baclofen, but do you think a low dose would help at all? I am not willing to take high doses because of side effects.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I wish I could say I am not losing hope, but I still have spasticity and tingling or numbness at 11 months now. Every day is a challenge. I have some burning prickling and do not know how much more strength I have to keep pushing. I am now doing some aquatic exercises. Please give me hope that I can still recover from these horrible symptoms. I have this nerve that is so tight in my buttocks that it wraps around my genitals. My rehab doctor ordered an epidural pain injection in my lower back two weeks ago, and I think it’s making my symptoms worse. Is that possible? Maybe I irritated the sciatica nerve?

Thanks.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I only take 10 mg of Baclofen in the morning., 15 mg in the afternoon, and 15 mg at night. I do not take Gabapentin anymore because I am teaching, and it makes me fuzzy-headed. How high of a dose would I have to take? Can all these excitable nerves be regenerated and recovered? I have heard this. I have also been exercising in the pool, which is more exercise than usual. Will I still recover? My rehab doctor mentioned following up with the spine surgeon, but surgery was not recommended, and nothing has changed in the most recent MRI and flexion or extension X-ray. Both looked good. I have been told I have enough latency in my cord. I was told 12 to 24 months to recover gradually, and it has been 11 months. I hoped to have a normal sensation by now, or at least better. Maybe it will take more time?

Thanks.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

Here is a picture of my injury if you want to see it. How about a PEMF mat? What is this feeling of numbness and tightness in my buttock or lower back that feels like I am sitting on something that runs against my genitals? Is there any nerve entrapment? Or is it just part of nerve damage from injury? Will this heal as well? Is there a way to test and see what can be done? This feeling has been there since day one. I will change insurance at the beginning of the year and see if I can get a doctor who can provide better care. Does any yoga pose I should avoid?

Thanks.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I will stop forward folds in yoga. I hope I did not hurt myself. How much Gabapentin is needed for the neuropathy in the legs and feet? I know I am anxious, but this has been hard for me to live with. I pray hard every day this will get better very soon.

Thanks.