Discectomy - After the Operation

[PCTAF]

Hi, First post on this forum (started a new thread by mistake but thanks to Subi i think I'm on the right track now! LOL), Hoping to maybe speak to some like minded people before i completely loose the plot! I am 2 weeks post microdiscectomy, have been off work for 5 months now and have had a recurring lower back problem for 15 years.

2 weeks before my surgery the sciatica and leg pain dissapeared but my neurosurgeon still decided to do the operation anyway as he could still see a large chunk of disc centrally herniated on the CT scan. I hoped that the op woud give me more movement in my back, especially in bed where I could not roll over at all and hopefully stop the spasms at all othertimes. After the op I had more movement in my back(could roll over) but had sciatica down both legs and became very depressed (apparently due to hormone changes that occur when you have an oeration,which no-one told me about). I felt butchered, felt like I had made a mistake and suprise, suprise... could only find negative stories about the op on the internet. Before the op all I could find were the postive ones. What an amazing capacity we have for the selective filtering of information to suit our needs!

Anyway, the sciatica has lessened now and I am able to walk normally and do so for about 2 miles everyday. The major problem I seem to have now though is severe lower back pain especially on lying down and getting up, with intense hip joint pain,(at the top of the thigh) meaning I find it painful to lie on my side but equally find it painful to lie on my back, resulting in really bad sleeps. I am now starting to find it difficult to roll or move again and I'm terrified another piece of disc has herniated although I suspect I may have burstitis or some athritic problems also. I have been given no meds, no physio and the only follow up I have is an appointment with my surgeon in 6 weeeks for an assessment. I take ibrupofen for pain relief. I feel down a lot, very alone and 'ungrounded' as i go beteween trying to be positive and believe that i will be fully recovered and pain free one day again to 'being real' in accepting that i will have to learn to live with a degree of pain and immobility in my life. I also find it hard to deal with other people's dissapointement (family & friends etc) that this was not a miracle cure and for the most part I seem to be a little worse than I was before the op. I have also had to pospone trying to get pregnant all of this year becase of this and at 39 you may imagine my frustration which is only compounded by the weight I have put on!!!! aaaghhhhh. LOL. Sorry for ranting and probaby sounding a bit sorry for myself - thanks to anyone in advance for listening -I feel a little better already just getting it off my chest.
If there is one thing I can ask it would be - does anyone have lower backpain after the op -particulary on lying down and turning? (and ps I'm having a bit of a crappy day today, I can be more positive than this!)

PPS -dying for a bath 2!

Tracy x

 

[Paige(Tokio Hotel <3)]

Ah yes Melza, but as i said....i wasnt SUPPOSED to have a bath, its just i broke their rule. I dont really feel any worse off for it though, still got pain in my right butt cheek, and behind knee, nothing new.
Its the first time i tried, i wont make a habit of it though, i wont risk any further injury, trust me!!!
But no Melza, I wouldnt advise you to rule break, just because i was ok this time, doesnt mean that i will be so lucky next time (hence why i said i wont make a habit of it!), and risk any injury to your good self. (Or mine!)
I think I should just behave myself now and do as i am told!....And be smelly ha ha ha!!! Its a good job i dont have a fella at the moment ha ha!!!

I did mention it (sciatic pain) to my GP today, and she isnt overly concerned, she said that its because my nerve was crushed for so long and actually needed pulling off the disc (revolting!), that its badly bashed up and thus, is causing me pain.

I have now got me some diclofenac 75mg slow release tablets, and have started the morphine weaning process today, am cutting down by 2.5mls every week, so will be off it in 4 weeks with minimal withdrawal symptoms....was quite funny actually, cos she said that i will be a bit grouchy and grumpy, what woman isnt???? HO HO HO!!! Especially at THAT time of the month!!!! I am on a ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, i am going to shut up now!

Tracey, if you are hearing us....how are you my dearest?
Melza, i agree, the initial post op is the worst. I am not too bad, have had just niggly pain over the last few days, things seem to be settling nicely (apart from the sciatic pain, but thats only a worry, not a hindrance in terms of my recovery, I will be mentioning the pain to our mate Mr hilton when i see him on the 9th January anyhoo.)
And congrats on your first night of relatively peaceful slumber!

I got my wound check tomorrow morning, I cant wait to see it!!....I am so GROSS!!!!!!!!!!! Ha Haaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!........Hmmmm....Maybe the 2.5mls less morphine is affecting me after all!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laters!!!!!! xxxxxxx

 

[kavekarst]

Hi everyone.
Sorry not posted for a while. Feeling a bit better in general. New meds have helped lots and im managing to sleep lots! Still have no foot or toe moevement and pain when standing and walking but my physio didnt seem too concerned and explained my nerves were trapped for so long they need time to recover blah blah.

Started taking short walks around where i live. Makes my ankle swell up HUGE and makes me uncomfortable afterwards and the next morning but i just hope its all helping my recovery.

I worry though, constantly, every niggle, every pain, every twinge that its blown again and ill have to go back and do it all again! How successful are microdiscectomys exactly?

Anyway, hope youre all doing well! Each day we get through is another day closer to 'normality'!

Thanks again to everyone!
x

 

[jnehiuzwizsiqdenf]

Hello Traceyback (did I do the name right), you have come to the right place my dear and welcome. Coincidentally myself and AliH are both 2 weeks post op, although Ali's surgery was far more gruesome than mine. I too had a centrally herniated disc and had a lot of disc taken out, so we have similarities. Only one question....are you really walking 2 miles a day?!?!

My surgeon told me he was operating at the right side of my spine and I find that area gets tender if I do too much, especially when lying on my side, and it goes to the top of my hip. I guess thats what you're feeling now but do you think you might be doing too much exercise. I'm glad I was told how long it takes to build your legs up again as I feel like a jelly fish at the moment, even though I was a fit and active person before this! I was also told that this op doesn't improve any back pain you have, it benefits people with leg pain but not back pain.

Now for my daily whinge. Oh god!!!! What an awful night! Nerves in my legs went crazy and wouldn't calm down no matter what pills I swallowed. And my back was painful again....I'm assuming this is all normal as post op nerve problems have been aired on here regularly. So have I been doing too much or too little? Answers please.

Ali my dear, I shall be sending an anonymous letter to the great man Hilton to tell him you broke the rules...and I hope you can face the consequences!

Now, do I keep busy or curl up in a ball somewhere?

 

[froggie88]

Hi All. Hello Tracyback. Replying to your other thread saved me temporarily from watching bad 80s soapies that happened to be on tv at 3am when I was awake last night. So thank you for that temporary and well needed distraction!

As you will see from the posts on this thread that some have found more 'success' than others from this op. Speaking for myself (cautiously, as I'm still only 3 weeks post-op) I would say the op so far has been a definite success for me. The pain I was experiencing prior to surgery has reduced enormously. Even though I am now being super careful about how I move, I can feel my range of motion is already better. And NO MORE SCIATICA for me since the op. That's an incredible relief. Just the odd tiny twinge and then it's all gone. There's more to do on the recovery and rebuilding strength etc side of course but when I look at how life was for me before the op and after the op, I would definitely say I am much better off now, post-op. So, for me, I'd say it's been a success.

Of course there's lots of factors at work as to how people respond to their surgery but I wonder if there is a link between how long people have had to wait for their ops and the recovery process? I see some of you poor people on here have been waiting a loooong time for your operations and your poor bodies have been suffering all that time.

Good to hear you are feeling a little better Monkeywaffle.

 

[Clint]

Microdiscectomy 11 November 2008

Thank you for your replies lovely ladies! Its nice to find others out there going through their own journeys also. Had my wound checked at the nurse today and it seems to be healing very nicely. She says i can go to the swiming baths next week. I never had any stiches or dressing on the outside just the glue stuff which has all now come away taking the scab with it and left what looks like will be a neat scar.

Melza -I may be overdoing it a bit with the walking, just back from a big day out again left at 9.30 this morning and have just arrived home at 3pm.(really gentle wandering around really). Generally after I've done this though I'll have a rest day the next day. I think it is different for me though because before the op i had no leg pain and was walking fine. Sleeping - still the same amount of pain and cant seem to find a comfortable postion at all. I'm not too bad once I'm up but generally still have a tightness in my left calf, seering hip pain and a very sore& tight lower back that is prone to spasms. I'm hoping that a lot of this will clear up when I start swimming and excercising my lower back a bit more.

Was anyone given any lower back stretches or excercises?

My instructions were as follows : Small walks for first 3 weeks - at 3 weeks I can go to the swimming baths and very gently start to build up. At 6 weeks I can go to pilates or yoga and hopefully go back to work. At 6 weeks I have to have a follow up with the surgeon to see if i need physio atthat stage (which ifelt was a bit odd) No baths for 6 weeks! Nothing else at all.

What was anyone else told? Tracy x

 

[* *]

Another hurdle overcome! My first walk into town and a walk around the shops....I was waiting for my son to come home and escort me, if I fell over he could share the embarrassment I thought. Feel so much more confident now I''ve done that, loved the fresh air and exercise. My main goal is to walk a mile and a half to the beach....and maybe walk back again (ambitious I know), once thats done I shall know I'm fully recovered. I think its okay to take this bit nice and steady, and I certainly dont want to get in this mess again. Colds gone, upper back has settled down.....and I'm ready to roll.

Your advice sounds similar to mine TraceyBack, I was referred to physio from the hospital but I declined their services, last christmas I was virtually immobile after a visit to them...never again!

Now for some action!

 

[arman]

Hey Melza....First of all, I am really pleased that things have been settling down for you! And its excellent that you are able to finally get out and walk.

I had my wound check this morning, but before i went, i had the most awful sciatic pain in my buttock and calf. It settled a little with pain killers, but it has gone from just being a 'worry' to big concern (I was trying to be brave about it!).
I saw the nurse, my wound was fine, but i asked to see Mr Hilton, if only to put my mind at ease. He said, that because my nerve is so badly scarred, that he cannot even guarantee that my surgery will work.
And also, if any more adhesions form, and the disc is fine, then i just have to shut up and put up with the scar tissue, nothing can be done about it.
I was told to just keep moving around and do leg stretches in the hope that the nerve can move more freely and not get stuck down again.
I am hopefully starting physio next week, so will be able to do something hopefully. I am using the word hopefully a lot....I was gutted when he said that my op might not have worked. HOPEFULLY....he was wrong, and with time and physio, things will be A OK.

Tracey...I was referred by the hospital for physio, but this was to start 2 weeks post-surgery.
Also, I was given simple stretches to do until then.

One was, i think its called the 'pelvic tilt', where you lie flat, raise up your legs, place your hands under your bottom and gently rock your pelvis. This is 5 reps.

The second was, the 'leg lift', you can do this sitting or standing.
You lift your leg up until you feel a 'pull', hold it to the count of 5, then lower. This is 5 reps.

Then the 3rd was the 'roll'. This one is best done with leg lifts and ideally before you get up, as you will be stiff and can help loosen things up.
You lie on your back, raise both legs, and roll them from side to side. 5 reps for each side.

Then as these get easier, you can increase the reps. These were just simple ones from the ward physio that can be done as soon as you arrive back on the ward post op, so they arent too taxing!
I have been doing these, as i just cannot bear the thought of prolapse No.3!...Its PMA (Positive mental attitude all the way for me!!!)
I have been feeling a bit teary today, panicking with the leg pains, but I will faithfully do my exercises!!

I hope this will help you Tracey, they are me

Love Ali xxx

P.S. Melza, i dobbed myself in and told them i had a bath, the nurse didnt seem that fussed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roll on next week, dressing will be off and its a full on bubbly bath for Aliiiiii!!!
And i can ditch the corset...woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Harmon Cooper]

I worry though, constantly, every niggle, every pain, every twinge that its blown again and ill have to go back and do it all again! How successful are microdiscectomys exactly?

Hey Monkeywaffle, i have been thinking where you had gone and if you were ok! Nice to hear from you

I am like that at the moment. Because this is my 2nd Microdiscectomy, any pain or niggle absolutely terrifies me! And its because back pain isnt just physical, its psychological as Its depressing when you cant live life normally due to pain and discomfort 24/7. So i completely understand where you are coming from, as well as most people here on this forum.

Anyways, to answer your question...Microdiscectomy is successful in 85-90% of cases. There is going to be the unlucky 10-15% where a second prolapses occur (I am one of them!!!).
HOWEVER....It takes about a year to feel the full effects of surgery. I only knew the 1st op didnt work due to returning sciatica, but as i said, i was unlucky.

Have you been referred to physio? Or been told to do simple stretch exercises?

 

[Stank]

Thanks for posting those exercises ALiH78. I do hope that things will get better for you and that your surgery will prove to have been beneficial. As you say, hopefully with time and the right exercises you will be feeling much, much better soon.

That first walk out feels like a huge achievement, doesn't it Melza? Like a 'victory walk'!

My post op 'exercise' instructions were gentle walking, building up gradually each day and some core strengthening exercises. The Physio I saw in hospital explained how I had to get in and out of bed, how to do the core muscle exercises and she accompanied me on my walks. She also made sure I could walk up stairs as my house has 60 stairs in it (probably a blessing in disguise, extra exercise!)

 

[shadow95340]

Thank you Subi, for your kind wishes...I hope your recovery continues well. It sounds like things are going well post op for you, thats really good news.

Well, I found it strange that people werent given those stretches by ward physio's. They never leave me alone! They are dragging me out of bed at any given opportunity every time i'm in hospital!!!

I started going out Tuesday, just the school run, and built my time out up each day, its hard when it starts hurting though, there's nowhere to lay down (sitting is still pretty much a no no!) When i was waiting for my appointment at the hospital today, they took so long, my calf puffed up!...And i jolly well cannot lay down on the floor, well i could, would just look rather demented!!!...Hang on....Thats normal for me!!! Hee hee....I really have a warped sense of humour at the moment!!!
I think i am just using humour to get through all this, the alternative is cracking up!

I have been walking and doing stretches ALL day and now i'm all stretched and walked out...and HURTING!!!!!!!!!!!! I am laying on my sofa, laptop (on my lap as it says on the tin!)....and buying up loads of choonage on iTunes!!! I JUST LUV IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me and My daughter have just watched i'm a celeb and got our reality TV fix!!! I love fridays, we dont have to get up for the school run tomorrow!!! Yippee!!!

 

[Sleepen Sexy]

AAAGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
5am and still wide awake!!! And the ache...the constant ache!

Thats all i can say right now.

 

[Belledandies]

Hi Monkeywaffle, are you asleep now?

I know what you mean, i was awake until the wee hours myself. I think its the withdrawal from the morphine, plus aching. I can just put up with the insomnia, its far better than sweats, violent vomming and fidgety legs!

I asked in an earlier post if you had minor stretches to do. I have been doing them, and although it does hurt, it does settle after a while. I have listed them in a post. They really are easy to do and should help, i hope they help you my friend

Melza, hows you today my dear? Are you off on your marathon walk today? I hope that you are ok afterwards!

Subi, I saw the post from the newbie Claire, I hope she comes on here and is able to come over to this forum and get some good advice that will help put her mind at ease. How are you doing today? Hope things are still continuing well for you.

Tracy, I hope that you find the minor stretches helpful, and that things will settle down for you.

Tracey...Where are you my lovely? Are you ok?

Dannyk, Hows things going for you?

I am off to my lovely friends in a bit, she only lives across the road from me (thank goodness!)....she has just come home from Tenerife, now THATS a nice idea for recovery. Swimming pool, hot sun....mmmm....am daydreaming now!!!!

I have been trying to move around as much as possible, and i think its working, because when i eventually lie down, the pain isnt too awful....there's hope yet!!! Am just trying to stay positive

Lots of luv, from Ali xxx

 

[ntqngfji]

Hi all. Well I survived the op & despite feeling like i have had an arguement with a bus (& lost) i'm okay.
Ali - I didn't get the fusion after all, apparently i don't have enough instability in my spine to warrant it.
Well the op seems to have gone well. Although ther little chat between myself & my surgeon made me a little nauseous next morning when he said it was the kind of op you start close your eyes & wish you were on annual leave. I must have looked alarmed as he then went on to explaib it was a bit of a mess in there. (Hmmm, i wonder if he can recall he did the previous surgery,lol)
Wednesday night was horrendous. Firstly there was the pain, then i needed the bed pan at 20 minute intervals & then i kepy knockong the drain & bottle haging out of my back. I was kept awake by 2 (dear) little old ladies. 1 questioning every 10 minutes where her teeth were & the other kept sighing & asking am I in hospital?!
Thursday night was much the same although i no longer had the PCA & when I was asked if i wanted to go home yesterday i didn't need asking twice!!!!
I slept right through the night & other than feeling sick & moving very slowly i seem to be okay.
Well i beter go now as my back is telling me times up. Thanks for your good wishes etc
Chat soon

Tracey x

 

[vandoiyoy]

Tracey! How nice to hear from you!!

It sounds a bit like my op lol Scar tissue, adhesions and sticky disc galore...yucky!
I'm glad that you say that it seems your op went well, was it a microdiscectomy? In a way though, its good that you didnt need a fusion, the lady in the bed next to me in hospital had one and she wasnt good after, i think it was the positioning whilst in surgery. Its the same as us, but the op is longer.

But as we know, we are both 2nd time oppers, and the emotional impact of a recurrent proplapse is devastating.
Lets both just hope, that with doing the stretches and increasing (as our backs allow), mobilising, that this will be it for us, and we can get our lives back to normal...Thats all i want for christmas, and bet you do too!
But thats what my surgeon said to me at an appointment yesterday, that doing the stretches and mobilising as much as possible, will really aid recovery.

Good to hear from you hun, I hope that things settle quickly for you.

Love Ali xxx

 

[Ruatriston]

Yay tracey-1! Operation over. Phew. Sounds like it was not the most straightforward experience for you but I do hope that things progress for you now. Congratulations and best wishes for a good recovery.

 

[Evan M]

Hi All,

I am doing ok at work but i get very sore and my back aches like mad all the time, its even harder to get going when i get a shout at night and i have to jump out of bed. It seems to be be stiffer on my right which is the side that has the damaged nerve.

Some great news to share with you all. My wife is pregnant. It will be our first. She will be due in July 2009. I am very nervous and i hope my back will be able take all the lifting.

I hope everyone is recovering well. A tip i was given by the nurse was to massage E45 into the area of the scar to keep the skin supple and she said that it will reduce the darkness of the scar.

Cheers

Olli

 

[songsjosiah]

Great news, congratulations fireolli!

Hope that your return to work becomes easier over time.

 

[daisyr]

Hiya,
firstly thanks for your best wishes, it makes so much difference this time knowing others are going through the same.
It was a microdiscectomy (although my scar is now about 4'' long) & what a difference this time. I feel totally different to last time. I was up & about the following morning & only need my trusty crutches if i'm going any distance (which won't be for a while yet) As for pain I'm only taking co-codamol. Having a shower later (naughty you for having a bath, tut tut) Wound bled quite badly yesterday but my hubby changed my dressing & other than the 23 clips it looks nice & clean so i stayed on my side last night & that seems to have stopped. I'm not seeing anyone again until the 16th Decemeber to have clips out (I hate that bit)
I had a nose at the letter I was given for my GP last night & apparently my diagnosis is Lumbar Disc Disease, nice to be told eh?!
Glad to hear you are all up & about, its onwards & upwards now.
Congratulations Olli. Another good thing to rub on is Bio oil i've seen some very good results wit that.
My aim is to be off all pain relief by christmas so i can enjoy it properly & have an ice cold glass of Chardonnay!!!!!
Tracey xx

 

[Your Gorgeousness]

congratulations olli!!! that's fantastic news!

here's to a very happy and healthy 2009 for all of us...i think we deserve it!

no new news from my recovery...all still going well. still get sore from lots of sitting and can't seem to lose the post-withdrawal weight but am happy to be pain free and mobile.

take care xx