Discectomy - After the Operation

[Rock Firestorm]

Hello there from another facebook addict! I love it!!

There is also another group which is humourously entitled...'AAARRRGGGHH...I FREAKIN' HATE HAVING SCIATICA!!!'
Its full of stories from people with back/disc problems.

Subi...wow thats amazing about that olympic rower!
Glad you are having a giggle with old G&S and Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson is such a smug git, but he is funny!
Gavin and Stacey series 2 is hilarious!! I like Nessa the best, she is just so deadpan lol!!!

Claire2212, Well done for getting your shopping done, was your hubby getting shouted at by you or other shoppers?
My daughter was very much like your 8 year old, she is 7, and i am on my own with her so everything was tipped upside down for her and her routine was very much disrupted.
She cried everytime i was in hospital (has been several times this year)and has also seen me taken off in ambulances. Its very upsetting for them and us when we see them upset.
Thankfully, she settled well when i came home from hospital.
My friends were amazing, they took her out for the days to parks, treated her to McDonalds, just did anything that could occupy her.
If i was up to it, she was brought in to visit, which was really good, because she could see that i was ok. She was like my little nursey and would cover me up with my blankets and fluff up my pillows!!!
I arranged for her to be given a little present when i got home for being brave, which helped because she felt like a big grown up girl!
These little things can be so good in giving them a positive focus and have something exciting to look forward to. It worked for my daughter, i hope they help your son
Maybe try these and also let the school know so they can be extra watchful over him and support him if he gets upset. The school were brilliant with my daughter and very caring.
I have you in my thoughts and prayers hun, the sooner the op is over, the sooner you get home with your family.
Much Love from Ali xxx

 

[Hippie Homo]

Claire I wish you all the best with your surgery, as I've said before, the surgery isn't very pleasant but for me it was better than I feared. Nothing is ever as bad as you think it's going to be. Just remember this little hero finally at the hospital and not being able to stop tears flowing from my eyes....I'm sure it's all normal. And I'm even worse when my children have had surgery!

Ali, I had my meeting with the benefits advisor this week and asked about the disability living allowance. She said there were stringent requirements which I didn't fit into....so I'll cross that one off. I had a good old whinge about seeing this person but actually found her very helpful, it seems that if you are claiming incapacity for several weeks you get a payment of £40 a week for 52 weeks on your return to work...tax free! There are also organisations to help you get back into work that I shall be using. I have a job now but reluctant to work for such nasty people after all this, and I need to work full time now that children are pretty much independent. So for once I think I'm on the winning side. Did I speak too soon? That big appointment tomorrow (southampton), dreading them saying they can't do anything to help me, but also not thrilled about further surgery...hum de dum!

And as for online shopping, what torture! I was almost cross eyed by the time I finished. But I think I have got some decent present for my big cherubs this year, they will be thrilled. Using my rainy day savings for this as I have decided it is persisting it down out there.

Oh yes, my recovery. Still going well but my progress takes me by surprise sometimes. Yesterday I realised I almost skipped up the steps to my flat rather than the usual hauling myself up with the handrail. Still have nerve irritation but not sure if thats from top or bottom spine. Got into a proper routine with back strengthening exercises as well, I think they are really important to prevent further problems ( I hope). Neck still aching like mad though, even with the diazepam. Tomorrow should put a little understanding to all this if nothing else.

Love and best wishes

Melza

PS I'm glad my deep fear of this all going wrong is shared by ollie....I blame Ali and Tracey! Not seriously, but your stories have certainly made me extra cautious. x

 

[MaskBamma]

Ha ha Melza, i wasn't and i am sure i can speak for Tracey too(!)...wasn't meant to put the frighteners on anyone!!
As you, said, our experiences will help you be cautious!
The moral of my story was that last time, because i had my surgery and felt heaps better, took it as solid after the 6 week recovery period, that i was all better and launched myself back into my normal activities (a 40 hour working week, driving here there and everywhere, socialising all the time and wearing heels!)....this time however, it will be much more a work in progress.
I work part time (have done since March of this year), and am choosing my socialising dates and times, using more thought and caution!!....And DEFINETELY NO HEELS for a long time!!!!
Am being MUCH more cautious and not being over eager to get back to normal (if thats possible...normal that is!!!)

I have made my application for disability benefit, am awaiting a response.
Is it worth going down the incapacity benefit route though, as i imagine that by the end of the 6 week recovery period, that i should be back at work (slowly, and on very light duties, but should be.)
I have the disability element of my working tax credits award, so thats been a help. I am not sure if people only claiming the child element are entitled to it, but those who claim it, make some enquiries, you never know. I certainly find the extra bit of cash helpful.

As for the online shopping, i am seeing the fruits of my cyber labour dropping through the door! One of my daughter's pressies arrived today, which is exciting!!! Only 8 or so more deliveries to go!!!

As for my recovery, well....Since i was told to remove my corset last friday, it hurts loads. I felt safe and supported with it on and so am very careful without it. I almost feel vulnerable, particularly when collecting my little angel from school, the kids are lethal, its like they are the ball and the parents are the skittles!!! I have been knocked a few times and find it terrifying!! Thankfully, no damage done, but those kids, once out of school run amok!!!!
I had my first physio today, i have a very nice lady. I explained that the last one (as handsome as he was!), wasn't much cop. It was like he couldnt be bothered, he just handed me a sheet of paper with exercises on and told me to do them at home. Then, when i went back, i had to show him that i could do them, then he would increase the reps.
I asked her if she would do more stretching with me, and she was most lovely and said she would, and would see me every week.. She said its more work with a revised microdiscectomy anyhow, so i am happy with the treatment i am going to receive. Happy days!
I was very achy when i got there, but not so much now.

Melza, i will be thinking of you tomorrow. I will be praying it will be good news for you my dear
I understand that you dont want to go back to working for a bunch of uncaring misery gutses, but hope that a happy solution will come about for you.

Hi Claire, how are you feeling today? I hope your son is ok today. I do have you all in my thoughts and prayers

Anyhow, i am going to have a rest up now, then stretch some more in a little while. God bless you all xxxxx

 

[HelpMee]

Hello again to you all. Read through your most recent postings and can see that you are all doing so well which is great to hear. Claire, just wanted to say best of luck with the operation, I can only imagine what you are feeling right now but I'm sure it will be worth it. Will look for your post op stuff to see how you go.
I've been in bits for past 48 hrs, hardly slept, pain mostly at the point of being unbearable. Dr has changed me from Diclofenac to Naproxen, and introduced Amitriptyline (an anti depressant apparently good for treating nerve pain), along with the codine and tummy tablets that I am already taking, I feel like a junkie, and have had to go sick from work, feeling really low, my poor hubbie is kept up all night with me tossing and turning, crying and whinging! I have certainly made my mind up and will definately be having the op.
Sending my best wishes to you all. Take care. x

 

[asdf]

Hello Monty,

I'm so sorry to hear that you are having a bad time of it, and glad that you have decided to have the op.
I hope that they can get you in quick, so you can start to look forward again, instead of being stuck in awful pain 24/7.
Your GP can put the squeezers on the hospital to speed things up, and i rang the hospital on an almost daily basis to get shoved up the list.
I really hope things move quickly for you

 

[s.i.l.l.y. s.a.r.a.h]

Hi,
Lol........ I agree with Ali, I didn't intend to put the frighteners on anyone regarding their ops!!!!
Anyway the clips are out & although it wasn't the most pleasant of experiences it wasn't half as painful as last time. I've had steristrips put on as there is a little thats opened up.
Whilst there my surgeon comes walking in to see why I ma still on crutches. Durrrrrrrrr ........ because I was told to stay on them until I start physio next week & besides its still bloody uncomfortable if i try to walk more than about 20 yards!!! So we had a chat & I explained about the tingling & burning in my leg & he explained this is probably due to nerve damage. Now i've also picked up this cold thats going about & everytime I cough or sneeze I could cry as my leg feels as though its going to give way. He replied 'thats not good!!!' (honestly the mans a \@*% head) & he's now prescribed me medication for the nerve pain. Not bad after 12 months of pain & 2 lots of surgery.
I apologise for moaning but i'm a little bit fed up!!!!!
Tracey x

 

[Kiles]

Hey Tracey, Its annoying when doctors who (supposedly) know what they are doing ask ridiculously stupid questions! When i was in hospital all those times when i was an emergency admission, the first thing they said was 'so, whats the problem'!!! I thought'WHAT'??? READ THE NOTES MAN!!! LOL!
I hope that your pain settles soon hun, and you can start recovering comfortably
I was still on the crutches the first few times i went out post-op, for safety. They were like my security blanket!! Bit like my surgical corset!
I am still getting nerve ache too, but hopefully with the physio, it'll settle down. I was a bit of a dimwit about half an hour ago, i got on my bed and felt something 'pull' at the top of my right thigh and now my leg is hurting...oowwwww!!!!! What a lemon i am!!!!!!!!

Right now i am laying on my bed, scoffing haribo sweeties and watching Holby City, which is ironic, seeing as i am totally sick of the sight of hospitals!....That and the fact that their doctors are much better looking than mine ho ho ho!!!

 

[Sophie marie Holmessers]

Dear Fed Up Tracey, don't these professionals confuse you! I still have nerve pain and still swear by the 50mg soluble tramadol, it was like a miracle drug.

And now for the laugh of the day, and remembering Ali's last but one post. Little Mel felt so much better she lounged for ages in a hot bath last night, bliss. Then she decided to put cute little boots on for walk into town....the heels were only a little bit higher than my usual ones so what the heck.

I arranged to meet my daughter for her lunch break and went ahead to get a table at out favourite lunch place, I just stepped in the door and SMACK! I forgot about the damned step and fell flat on my face, needless to say the place was packed so it was very embarrassing. Maybe there was a lesson for me there....but the act of living like a 'normal' person was too strong to fight to walk around like a normal person. Bloody shoulder and neck has something to complain about now.

I hope my misfortune gave someone a smile out there, it's the hanging onto ones dignity that is the most difficult.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi guys, haven't read all the posts since my last as there are so many! I hope you are all doing well. Just poped on to say thats me 24 days post op and everything is good, i'm managing to walk to the shops and back no problem, just started to take the dog for short walks too (the dog is very well trained so no fear of her pulling on me etc), great to be out the house again. Getting more confidence in my back each day. Also going to start physio today which i'm pleased about.
I'm able to be mobile for about 1.5hrs before having to rest in bed for a while to recover, but i'm managing a bit more each day. Sticking to the exercises is really helping. I don't know how others do it, but i'm useless at remembering things, so i have set my alarm clock on my phone to go off 4 times a day, which is when i do the exercises without fail.
Also making the dinner again which is great for my wife (as i'm the 'chief' round here! ) and also for me.

Tracey, sorry to hear your having a rough time, hopefully the meds will take effect and ease the pain soon.

Ali, hope your physio is going well, oh and The Natural Confectionery Company is clearly better than Haribo.....

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jakBck78XNE

Made me laugh anyway!

 

[agelpgeast97]

Oh you poor sausage! I hope you dont have any MORE pain now...physical pain, not dented pride pain!!...I did say NO heels!!!
Hot baths rule dont they? I am really finding them helpful.
ANYHOO...I know you are off to southampton today, i sincerely hope its good news for you, you are already halfway there, given that your lumbar disc has been operated on now. I will be thinking of you, and hope your journey isnt too uncomfortable for you. Looking forward to hearing how you got on.


I have caved in and rung the doctors, woke up with nerve painnnn....yowww!!!
Am waiting for them to ring me to tell me what other pills or potions they can give me....but dear Lord, dont let them be addictive ones!!
I have reduced my oramorph again today, 2.5mls for the next week then thats it!!! All finished!!! The sleeping isnt too bad now, still using the pills, but hopefully not after next week.
I have also been told to use my corset when going out in a car, apparently, thats when we are most at risk of more damage. Depends on the (bus) driver...!!! I am SO not getting on any more buses, they think they are Lewis flaming Hamilton!!!!

Dannyk...Glad to hear all is going well, thanks for the vid, made me chuckle too!!!!!!!!!!!
I have had those sweeties before, its funny really though, whenever i am off sick, my friends always buy me bags of haribo's as presents lol!!
Gotta give em a good home hee hee!!!!
Hope all continues well with your recovery.

Claire2212, how are you today honey? My daughter has got her Christmas play today, bless her, she was all excited!
I hope you are feeling positive hun, not long, and then you can hopefully start to look forward again
Am thinking of you,

Love Ali xxx

 

[Really Billy]

Hi ALiH78 thank you for asking after me ,im not to good today feeling really tearful and just keep crying i had 3-4 hours sleep last night due to pain and am feeling really sad and low .i hope your daughters christmas play is lovely, my son is very excited about his tomorrow but is also beginning to show signs of being upset about me as this morning he had a headache !!!! but didnt want calpol and wednesday is his best day as they go swimming .I know that this op is needed but i wish i could just chill out x x x p.s hope your nerve pain gets sorted with some pills

 

[Baby Huey]

Hi All,

Well silly buzzing feeling in my foot is still there about 85-90% of the time. I think i am going to try and see the physio a bit earlier than planed. Its hard to tell whats going on. I know that the nerve can take a long time to recover but why cannot it recover pain free??

I'm still thinking if i am going to be able to handle being on the fire engines for too long, i think it may be better for me to try and get a less active job in the brigade.

Another thing, I seem to get a pulling feeling in the back of my left leg (Same leg with foot buzzing) when i bend over or stand up too quick. Does anyone else get this, I am worried the scar tissue maybe touching the nerve.

Olli.

 

[Mr. Fantastic]

Hi Olli

I'm having the same problems as you described, mine seemed to improve significantly over a month or so after the op, but not it is really deteriorating - I am getting the same compression nerve pain as before, although not as intense, and it just doesnt seem to be getting any better, if anything its getting worse by the day

I'm back to see the consultant on Tuesday - he keeps telling me to 'do lots of walking' which I am but I'm convinced now there is something wrong again.

Anyway I'll keep you posted, and Olli you sound like you are progressing pretty well overall given you have been doing such a manual job so quickly. I guess you need to take it easy for a little? But its always worth double checking with the consultant.

Ben

 

[ichthusfish]

Benny,

How long ago did you have your op. I am now 7 months post op.

I know that sometimes you seem to take 2 steps forward and 1 step back but this time it seems as if i have taken about 4 steps back.

I had a bi-lateral op so both my legs were giving me jip. I have sorted out the right leg with needles so i think i need to get some stabs in the left leg.

olli

 

[Mate]

olli...sorry to hear the foot buzzing is still there. is it painful? or just annoying? i sometimes get a weird feeling in my foot, as if it's resting on a vibrating mobile phone - so much so that i often check to see if it is! my physio is of the opinion that this all relates to the pain receptors in the brain getting dodgy untrue messages and gives me that old mantra of 'just because something hurts/feels weird does not mean i am damaging myself'. some days i am better at believing this than others.

as for the active job....perhaps it was a little too soon to be back. who knows. the crazy thing about this injury is that you only know when you've done too much when it hurts! and trying to explain that to other people is so hard! i keep getting advised to do preventative stuff, but how can i know how long is too long to sit til i have sat too long and it hurts?! please god let that make sense to someone on here!!!

anyways...i have a friend who is a professional dancer, so pretty much one of the most active and physically demanding jobs possible. she had a microdiscectomy and 4 months later was performing again. important to note she had the briefest of waits for surgery after the onset of symptoms (around 4 weeks) so nerve damage would have been minimal. at around 8 months post-op she had a wee scare, but a year post-op said she was feeling totally recovered and while she still gets sore and achy, feels that her back is now better than it was before the op. so i hope that gives you some hope that an active job is totally possible after this op and it may be that you just need more time for the nerves and ligaments and muscles to fully recover. plus the worst thing for backs is sitting, sitting, sitting. i too was warned about car travel cos car seats are angled badly and in fact that was when my leg pain was at its worst pre-op. had to have the passenger seat all the way back so i could lie on my side!! i have found a little memory foam cushion from brookstones in the states to be invaluable in the car....soooo much more comfy. i will see if i can find an equivalent from a uk shop.

anyways...why can i never write a short post on here?! keep all your news coming, good and bad. melza, how did it go???

lots of love,
jess xx

 

[Mari Sunjara]

Hi Olli,

Know what you feel like with the old '2 steps forward, one back'! Reading other posts, this seems to be the way it is & answers from the docs always seem pretty vague. I'm now 14 weeks post-op and have taken a step forward in as much as I'm able to exercise pretty well now & feel great when I do.....but taken a step back in as much as this is my first week back full-time at a desk (after a gradual return) and 8 hours on my backside (on a cr*p chair!) brings back lots of nerve pain in my leg & aching in my back. So being 'back to normal' on the work front has meant I'm back on the diazepam, amitryptiline & pain killers at night!

I remain positive though because I know these things take a long time to heal, but it freaks me out too when old pain returns.

Best wishes to all the posters out there - reading everyone's posts really has helped put my own aches & pains into perspective!

 

[boo you whore =D]

Hey All,

Olli, I have had that buzzing thing post op, but very intermittently. I can only imagine how annoying/worrying it is for you.
I hope your physio can see you as quick as possible.

When i hurt myself getting onto my bed last night, i felt a weird 'pop' in the lower middle of my back and its been really bad since.
I'm sure no real damage has been done, it just hurts so bad!!!!!
I am very upset though, I have been waiting for my GP surgery to ring me since 8:15am this morning, rung them twice to see whats happening and i have still not spoken to them.
In sheer desperation, i have just necked 2 tramadol and hoping they do something or i fear i will just cry.
Its my daughters christmas play in half an hour, and am dreading sitting all that time.


Hi Melza, how did you go today hun? Hope its good news

Jess...Your post made total sense my dear, when someone asks 'how long can you sit', i give them the age old 'how long is a piece of string'!
We know when its time to get up when the pain sets in, and thats that!

Anyway, i am going to try to stretch a little to attempt my hobble to the school and help those lil old tramadols along......ta ta for now xxx

 

[Ethen]

The deed is done! I was collected at 8am by hospital transport and got to southampton at 10.30, after picking up other patients. The appointment was an hour late on top of that so I feel my day has been exhausting. And what do you think the Neurosurgeon said??? I hope you're all sitting down. He told me that he can't give me too much information without a CT scan because that will give more precise information for him to work on. I have to go back for a CT scan on the same day as his clinic so he can discuss what he plans to do to help me.

He did tell me that if it was only neck pain he wouldn't have treated it but because my arms are affected he wants more information. He can relieve the compression on my spinal cord (forgotten how) and will check whether a vertabrae slipping out of place as that can also be fixed. Plus, the prolapsed disc identified on the MRI scan may be something completely different and needs to be looked at more closely.

I made that journey without food or drink and got back at 3pm, will I never learn to take supplies with me! So Hilton my friend, you were bloody wrong offering me the epidural and I am so glad I was able to get another opinion.

And, I shall go to my doctor and ask for a longer course of Diazepam to keep my muscles relaxed and to hell with addiction! I don't care if I get addicted!!!!

Not happy about my trip yet but I'm glad I went and got more info

PS, nothing can beat sherbert fountains and flying saucers....yum! I suppose I'm showing my age now.

 

[Lilah]

Hi Olli

Sorry to hear about your problems after returning to work. I still watch your progress with interest following my op on 29th july 08. I still suffer with stiffness and aching in the back and if i sit for too long in a comfy chair it is bad. i try to keep moving and have returned to some of my fitness classes although I don't do them with any impact. Have my physio out every 4 weeks as back keep getting knotted and he really helps - it is money well spent.

I do hope the symptoms your are experiencing soon go again. I know exactly how you feel when something like that happens because I really panic if i get unusual twinges. I suppose it only natural to think 'Oh my God it is all going pearshaped' expecially when so many have had to have a 2nd op.

Keep your chin up and congratulations on the expected baby!

pennylane

 

[Cruz C]

Mmmmm...flying saucers, i am laying here with yet another bag of haribo's, they are my comfort sweets whe i am in a mizzy mood.

Melza, you made it through the journey, i bet that was difficult for you, exacerbated by the absence of food and drink, you poor thing.
I am pleased for you that you got the 2nd opinion and it appears to be one that is pleasing to you, but sorry that you have go through that journey all over again! When did they say they will do the CT scan?
Lets hope that its soon eh?
Oh and from one junkie to a potential one!!.....It aint pleasant getting off these things hun, but i appreciate that being in awful pain 24/7 ain't no picnic in the park either. I would just hate for you to have to go through crap to get off the tablets on top of everything else.


My doctor rang me (eventually, i hasten to add) after waiting roughly 10 hours for the call!!!!!!!!.....However, it was one of the nice lady doctors.
She and I think that not only is it the mischief i did myself last night that is causing me pain, but also i have reduced my oramorph as well, and so the pain is seemingly becoming more obvious and intense. Which i find strange really, seeing as i felt no relief when i was on the full whacking dose, but ne'er mind. Along with an appointment to see her tomorrow, she has increased my diclofenac 75mg's to 2 tablets a day, and she said i can carry on to my little heart's content with the tramadol's.
They took a while, but kicked in eventually, and so the pain is a little less severe now, happily!
I sat through my angelic daughter's school nativity, a little painfully, but she was so wonderful it made it ok!!!

Claire2212, I hope that you have a lovely time at your son's nativity, and i am sure that he will be chuffed to bits that you are there.
I know that you are still very anxious and tearful, with your op date approaching, but every step closer to it, it is a step closer to hopefully getting better and getting your life back. Thats how i looked at it.
I cried when in the anaesthetic room, I cried when i arrived on the ward that morning!!! Its very hard and more so when you are trying to be strong for the sake of your children, i know this as well as you do hun.
You are strong you know, its not easy living with back problems, but you are doing it. You may not see it now, but in a few months, when things are a bit better, you will look back and think 'how the heck did i get through that?'....Its because you are a very brave and strong lady. You can totally do this.
And as well, the kids just love the scars, for some reason, they think they are cool....goodness knows my daughter does! She is forever asking to see it, even when i came home 2 days post-op....gruesome!!! Funny little things they are!!!

I hope you can get some good rest tonight,
Lots of luv from Ali xxx