I have l5-s1 herniated disc with year long left calf pain.emg/nerve study result was normal. i took gabapentin for the first time and the calf pain is gone. does it mean my pain is from nerve? if so,how to fix nerve damage that doesn't show on test?

A herniated disc does not necessarily result in nerve issues. The calf pain is not necessarily related to nerve pain from a herniated disc. There are many etiologies of calf pain and gabapentin can help with other types of pain besides nerve pain. It is good that the gabapentin helped with the pain. Good luck to you!

A damaged or ruptured disc can be responsible for back pain and even referred pain down a leg without focal nerve root compression. The EMG would confirm the lack of an electrical radiculopathy. Since the gabapentin seems successful, suggest this be continued for about 2-3 months at least.