Pain pills got rid of sciatica ...but gave me headaches

A FEW months ago I was diagnosed with sciatica after suffering severe pain in my back, hip and leg. My consultant prescribed a course of pregabalin – which worked wonders – and told me to reduce my dose gradually to finish, rather than stop dead. I cut back to one tablet per day and then one every other day. Immediately I developed a continuous headache. I told my consultant, who instructed me to stop completely, but I still have the headache, which has lasted for five weeks. I can’t sleep, and I feel depressed and irritable. My back is better, but how long will these other problems last? PREGABALIN is a specific type of painkiller used for nerve pain, of which sciatica is an example. Originally developed as an antiepilepsy medication, it works on pain messaging within the brain.

Considered to be very effective with nerve pains that have not responded to other medications, it is therefore often used in hospital pain clinics or with specialists.

Medications never come without risks and withdrawal from pregabalin is known to exist, even at low doses.

It is not well documented in scientific literature as yet because pregabalin use is limited to the past decade, but there are many case studies and anecdotes that describe withdrawal symptoms from pregabalin, such as anxiety, mood swings, a racing heartbeat and confusion. Headaches, hallucinations and jitteriness are also recorded. The symptoms are thought to be like withdrawing from benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium.

A withdrawal headache should be less likely to occur if you taper down the medication. Withdrawal symptoms should last only a few days so prolonged headaches or other symptoms should be reviewed with a GP or pain specialist. FOR the last 18 months I’ve suffered from an itchy ear canal, which is interrupting my sleep. My only relief is to insert Canesten cream and rake my ear with a hair grip. I feel this is a silly ailment to bother my GP with. ITCHY ears and other ear canal ailments are very common reasons to see a GP. They are not trivial concerns. As well as being a nuisance, they can affect hearing and cause serious infections.

The ear canal is lined with skin and that can be irritated just like skin in any other area.

Typically within the ears it is wax that causes irritation. Ear wax should be relatively moist so it can pass easily out of the ear, but when it is dry and clogged up, it can lead to itchiness. Softening the wax with pharmacybought drops can relieve the problem. Skin problems within the ear can be treated with careful application of creams such as emollients and steroids directly into the ear canal.

Scratching the ear with clips and cotton buds is best avoided as they graze the skin, making an infection more likely.