Discectomy - After the Operation

[Hardrock]

Hey all,


Well i have been to physio and showed her the copy of the scan report, and the scar tissue is pressing down on my nerve hence all my aggro.
She is going to get tough with my treatment and see me every week, then when i am a bit stronger, refer me to her 'core strength' group and they have equipment and stuff. I guess the point is to get more flexible, alleviating the pressure on my nerve.

A bit of hope.....

 

[Pompal 09.]

Melza i totally agree with you, unless my consultant has xray vision a false positive result of spondylosis from an xray can be given. (If i sound like I know what i'm talking about its only because i did some research last night) I have made an apointment to see my GP on friday morning to discuss a referal for second opinion. I am going to ask if I can see a neurosurgeon, based on your experiences too.
Ali- I have a blue badge. It infuriates me how many people park in the spaces without a badge (to use the cash point, etc) & also how many you see jumping out of the car, skipping along & its obvious the badge is meant for someone else!!!! Grrrrrrrrr! Glad your physio was able to give you some positives. I am not allowed to do physio at the moment (according to the consultant) Enough said about that man.
Tracey x

 

[Smile Jesus Loves You]

Poor Ali

Felt so sorry for you after all you have been though. I do hope your physio can make you feel better in time. Try to keep your chin up and think positive. We are all behind you.


RETURN TO WORK

I had a gradual return - 2 days for 3 weeks then 3 and 4 and they were only part days to begin with. I have to say I was very lucky and had a sympathetic manager and it was probably because she was suufering with the same thing!! I changes roles from one which meant sitting all day to one which involves me standing and I find that much better. I have what I can only describe as a prop because its not a chair but I can just lean on it and take the weight off my feet without actually sitting. It is brill.

Just make sure you get others to do your heavy lifting for you or you will regret it!


Take care all

pennylane

 

[awesome!]

ali.... so sorry to hear about your latest news. i so admire you because you always can find a positive no matter how crappy things are. don't ever lose that!

have you ever tried accupuncture? i saw a crazy chinese medicine man before my op - he was recommended by a professional dancer who has had back probs and success with the chinese medicine man. i call him crazy because not only did he stick needles in me, but he also wired them up to electricity so there was a current running through the needles along the 'energy channel'. didn't do a thing to help me and was agony cos i had to lie on my front when the disc bulge was at its worst. but i do remember him saying that it could help if the nerve was scarred and i should go back after my op if i still had pain (was too traumatised to consider it though).

also, my consultant talked to me about the risk of scarring and said there was an op that neurosurgeons can do in which they scrape the scar tissue off the nerve. he said however that he would rarely do this because the scraping can cause more scarring. duhhh...doesn't take a genius to figure that out. so i guess i was thinking that if you are offered a scraping op, consider very carefully. as i know you will.

and finally...i have a very informed friend who swears by the weird enzyme-y things for lots of ailments. they aren't too expensive either so definitely worth a go i reckon. and remember the folic acid too...

lots of love xx

 

[Modestos]

Hey Jess!

Aw thank for your kind words....though think i will give the acupuncture a swerve!!

I am going to go to my next appointment with the surgeons on 1st May, they will tell me what i already know, and if they offer nerve blocks or scraping surgery i shall (don't know if it will be too politely lol!) tell em to shove it!! After all, if they had just stopped mucking about with bloody microsurgery and fused my disc up to start with, then i am sure that i wouldn't be in this position. The same disc popped out again within 8 weeks of my first op, its not rocket science!!!
And then tell them to discharge me, i feel like i am in safe hands with my physio, she is lovely. She is also the senior physiotherapist so she knows her stuff. I don't see the point in staying under the surgical team anymore, don't like them anyway!!

I am going to look into that enzyme thing though 'Serrapeptase', someone here mentioned it too.

Gotta keep strong, gotta keep positive, s**t happens in life whether i like it or not so just gotta deal with it. I got an 8 year old daughter who needs her mummy, crocked or not!!
I got lots of help too from social services, got my mobility benefits, lots of lovely friends, blue parking badge and free car tax....what more could i need?!!

Thank you all for your support, it means a lot and i luv y'all loads xxx

 

[Evollalay]

Have just returned from my apt with my GP. Luckily she is in total agreement with me regarding a second opinion although she does want to hang fire until I have been seen by the rheumatologist on the 15th. I can live with that!!
Ali - Glad to see you are being so positive. I'll be glad to start physio again in the hope I get some improvement with my symptoms but they won't touch me until they know exactly whats going on & without an MRI that could be some way off
Tracey xx

 

[Laurie]

Hi All,

Well my mother has just had the same op as everyone hear. She is doing ok but i feel that it is going to take a long time to recover because of her age (65). It has taken me about 10 months to say that i am recovered to the degree that i can get on with most things and not think about my back. Is there anyone on this forum who is about the same age as my mum and has had the op. If so how was/is your recover and what have you done in your recovery??

Olli

 

[Smoked Ham]

Hey all,

This might sound stupid, but i got this friend, who thinks i should be jumping for joy that my scan shows i have scar tissue and not another disc prolapse.
I have tried to explain to her that the scar tissue is untreatable medically or surgically and that physio is my only hope, and i told her how upset i was about my scan result and she could not for the life of her understand why i was upset!

She thought i was being negative and yes i was then....but now i am facing this head on and getting on with the physio....i just am upset that she seemed unsupportive and unsympathetic that my worst case scenario had come to be real.
She asked me why i was still on my crutches too, i told her that the scar tissue is pressing on my nerve causing all my problems.

Am i being overly dramatic about my situation? Do i need a big slap round the chops with a wet fish and need to wake up and smell the coffee or do i have someone with no history of back problems/sciatica who just doesn't understand how quite bad (although may get better) my current situation is? I am quite upset about this.

Aaaarrrhhhh....i am feeling like i am sounding ridiculous....am i??? Please help!!

 

[NeedASurgery]

Hi Ollie, sorry to hear your mum has had to suffer the disc problem too, poor lady. I just thought I'd mention that people over their 40's are unlikely to suffer a disc prolapse because the discs get dehydrated and brittle, and so unlikely to slip. Like me she is very unlucky (50's person), does she have any arthritis in her back? Don't know what lifestyle she has at present but I would guess that demands on her body are more limited now. Hopefullly she isn't climbing ladders or hauling heavy weights around, I think that if she concentrates on keeping her back supple/flexible she will be fine. She is forbidden, by me, to carry her laundry or shopping around for several months. That was my main downfall, but then I gave myself multiple disc abnormalities, I fancied a bit of drama.

Ali, you have all my sympathy and more. Had a row with our hospital physio (staff member) this morning. The desk has been adapted and he was showing me how to sit on my chair properly, I shouldn't twist my body under any circumstances. Not easy when I work in a oval shaped nurses station. Anyway, I was seated as demonstrated when the phone rang...it was right in front of me. I lifted my arm and reached for the phone, he...HE looked at everyone else and said 'She's twisting again!' With an expression of disbelief because of my stupidity, I was furious and yelled that perhaps he should get a stick to shove down my back to stop me moving. Unfortunately the caller was deafened in the process. It's just impossible being at work cause someone is always pointing out any false moves I make....aaargh! Your friend was being unsympathetic and only you know how much pain you're feeling, it's early days yet and there are still chances for you to improve. She's just being a wee bit premature in her judgement. Remember to return her kindness when she runs into health problems of her own.

 

[servmal]

Ali, you have my full sympathy too. People who have never experienced nerve pain will never have any idea quite how painful and constant the pain is and because its not visable and in their face they tend not too be so sympathic. Even when friends do sympathise I still don't feel they full understand how it effects your whole life. Have you looked into Bowen treatment (sorry if I'm suggesting something you have already looked into). I know it is suppose to be good for sciatica but not sure it will help your scarring problem. I really do hope you find something to help manage the pain (other than drugs).

I have to admit you were all right about returning to work- i did return to work too early. I had two days at work then returned to see my surgeon who was horrified to learn that I had returned to work. He said I should take 3 months off which I dont have a problem with but I wish he had warned me before the operation so that I could have warned work and mentally prepared myself. He is still not sure if I have re-prolased my disc as this week i have been in so much pain. He wants to leave it a couple months and if its not improved he will send me for a MRI - fingers crossed its all ok as I'm 33 and really wanted to start a family last year but we are having to put it onhold until the back is sorted.

Hi Ollie, your poor mum having to go through that - perhaps she should join the forum so we can hear about her experencies - at least she has you who has experienced what she is going through - fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

 

[osciciogiaf]

Thanks guys that helped.

It just seemed that i spent most of the coversation defending my situation as opposed to discussing it as she just didn't get it.
She kept on about this elderly lady we both know, she had the same op as us and is now, following physio, bouncing around like a spring chicken.
I mean thats fantastic, but this lady's first op was successful, mine wasn't and needed another one and therefore thats why i have these adhesions....But that meant nothing to her whatsoever, she's like if the old girl is ok then i should be too. It p***ed me right off, thats why i asked you guys if i was overrreacting or not.

I know that there is no point discussing this further with the person as its all black and white to her and she is like 'get on with the physio and you'll be fine'...I know this but its not gonna be a few sessions and done.
Everyone else has been fantastic and really supportive, its just this one girl, who is meant to be my best friend.

Thanks guys, at least i know i can count on you for support x

 

[Hal Atosis]

Melza

It is very difficult not to twist!!! As I have mentioned before I now stand for most of the day at work but have to work from a drawer on my right and a cupboard (under counter level) on my left and have to constantly turn from one to the other. It used to cause me to have back ache and spasms to begin with but as I am now 8 months post op I am not suffering so much. I have learnt to slow right down and make the moves in a controlled manner and anyone waiting in the queue can just b****y wait!!! My body is more important than getting glared at for being slow.


Oli


I do hope your mum gets on ok with her recovery. I am nearly 56 and my head thinks I am still 36!! I have found walking, Tai Chi and swimming are the best things for me even now 8 mths on. I did try to get back into more energetic classes but I think it was too soon and my back really played up. I am concentrating on strengthening my core before I try them again. I shall have another go in about 2 weeks time but gradually! If your mum was fairly fit before the op that is a bonus and is what has helped me i think.
I agree with Melza about the washing basket because I didn't realise how heavy it was. Bending down to put the washing in the machine is also awkward. Tell your mum to be really careful


pennylane

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hey Jess,

I had a 'google' about these blasted 'epidural adhesions' i have managed to aquire, and found a website about what i think is the scraping surgery you were talking about. This is the link with info.

http://www.painclinic.org/treatment-epiduroscopy.htm

It didn't say anything about a success rate or whether the procedure will need to be repeated.
I am going to mention it to my physio on wednesday, even though i'm not keen, it can't hurt to look at all the options can it?

I have also got a small paragraph about epidural adhesions.....



Following spinal surgery, adhesions sometimes form around the lower lumbar spinal nerve roots. These may be the cause of chronic sciatica due to chronic dural irritation. The presence of adhesions in the epidural space may prevent epidurally injected drugs (local anaesthetic + steroids) from gaining access to the relevant nerve roots. Epiduroscopy may allow the breaking down of these adhesions under direct vision, and may also allow local anaesthetic and steroid to be directly injected around the affected nerve root, improving the success rate. Hopefully people might be a bit more understanding now eh?

 

[systemofadownfan]

Well done Ali, brilliant peace of research! Still sounds gruesome to me though.

Now, do I tell you my latest bit of news....or not. I'm a bit worried that someone will think I'm making this up, but luckily this forum is the place where anything is possible. Okay. I have another muscle spasm in my lumbar spine, very similar to the one at the beginning of this long process, but on the opposite side of the spine. Totally gutted about it as I seem to spend most of my time going backwards rather than forwards. What to do? See doc and get signed off again I suppose. If this is Karma at work I'd like to know what I did that was so bad!

Seeing Southampton chap later this week so will mention it to him (not that it will help), if this doesn't get better on its own I have all that referral process and long waits ahead of me....not sure I can do that any more.

Oh flip!

 

[EdittyBed]

Hey Melza!

Aw no, sorry to hear that you are having spinal spasms, you poor thing.
Forwards and backwards? Bit like both of us then!
I just want to curl up some days and want to be left alone, but its hard when i got an 8 year old attention demanding madam!!
I can't really be arsed with it any more, but i just keep on and take it day by day cos i gotta!!

You can keep going Melza, someone said to me only last night that its only when the chips are down that you realise how strong you are....and its very true for many of us on this here forum!
Though we feel rubbish and miserable, we keep going because its what we have to do, thats what makes us strong, because even though we want to, we don't give up and throw in the towel!
And the support we each receive on this forum definitely helps.

Lots of love to you honey, and big hugs xxx

 

[sexy mum43]

oh my goodness. just read the epiduroscopy stuff. impressive research ali and definitely worth asking for an 'expert' opinion (although i would consider people on here far more expert than the highly paid men (haven't found a female consultant yet...anyone else??) with apparently important pieces of paper). found the info all a bit difficult to digest. was very concerned about what was meant by the 'sacral hiatus' - didn't fancy anything being inserted anywhere down there...anyone else scarred by the up-the-bum reflex test? too much info, sorry.

i think having different options gives hope and hope is the most important thing to have in difficult times. have to say i would probably be more in favour of giving the non-invasive stuff a try first...those enzyme things for example.

the latest part to my recovery has consisted of wearing in some mbt shoes - those awful orthopaedic looking things for those of you who haven't seen them. got them 1/2 price in john lewis as they are supposed to help with posture and back probs. apart from looking slightly ridiculous, they seem to be ok. my legs ache lots after wearing them, so they must be doing something!

take care all xx

 

[I Rock Socks]

Funny you should mention the all male orthopaedic teams Jess22, long before my sorry tale started a female orthopaedic registrar came onto our ward. I didn't think anything of it but our consultant and GP's were extremely surprised, it really is a male dominated profession...not many women succeed in that area. Now that explains a lot of our problems doesn't it, a bit like parliament, and we all know what a mess that's in. Shall we start a campaign and hope we get a little more compassion and empathy in a female presence. But then we could get one of those power hungry ice maidens instead, choices, choices.

Done some stretching but muscle spasm doesn't seem to be easing off at all, I am truly fed up with this. I had a few really good weeks with the lumbar spine and now it's all started up again, but must be positive mustn't I.

 

[Fadbfvjxvu]

i'm sure i read somewhere that most orthopaedic surgeons were obsessed with meccano as children and that simply translated into pinning people's bones together in later life. so i think the problem lies in our socialisation of baby girls...down with the dolls and bring on the meccano sets!

hope the spasms ease off soon melza. sounds like you are in need of a good massage. still on the diazepam??

take care xx

 

[Kiwi]

Hi again,
well its been 4weeks since my op and i am still getting bad pains in my leg, im going to physio and they have given me some gentle exercises to do. i am just hoping this is normal to still have pain and i am still getting the cramp/spasams as well. can any1 tell me if they were like this?

hope every1 is well and pain free.

With Love, Jayne x x x

 

[man demon]

Melza - sorry to hear you are suffering spasms. Its awful whem it just seems to be 1 thing after another. This site has been a lifesaver for me. Before this I felt it was just me!!!
Ali - We do keep going & its a bloody good job because the dips**t orthos don't seem to give a damn. I can really relate to you feeling as though you can't be arsed, I have lots of days like that. The same as you I have children & can't just give up.
Jayne - I don't know whats normal anymore, so i'm not really able to advise. Sorry
Tracey xx