Discectomy - After the Operation

[tsiaivvb]

gregdfc best of luck for your operation.

Good news that you are doing so well Jess.

Melza - So sorry to hear things are not going so well for you. I can only wish you best of luck and hope that somewhere, somehow, there is something that can help you with your pain. I agree degenerative problems are hard to deal with - I empathise somewhat, as I deal with degenerative problems too. Fingers crossed very hard for you.

 

[Reagebis]

Gregdfc, sending you best wishes for a quick and pain free recovery, I really do hope it all goes ok for you.

Ski, your symptoms sound very similar to my own. I had my op on 7th April and although I appreciate it is still very early days, I seem to be deteriorating with pain and mobility. I have never experienced pain like I get now, even having 3 kids does not compare to this agony. My GP spoke to my surgeon yesterday who stated it is probably swelling and it should ease in time, in the mean time I am fast turning into a Morphine junkie... never touched the stuff pre op!!!

I am lucky to have a very supportive family and a brilliant husband.

Sending love to you all,

Michelle

 

[toxetleCime]

Thank you Chiddy, how are you getting on? Are you still getting the pains in your claves?.. sorry I meant Calves...!! Morphine !!

I do hope that you are recovering well.

Best wishes x

 

[Chill Out]

thats me home from the the op , which i had on friday, but still have pain in the left leg but not in the right anymore. quite sore , but pain killers do !
will post more soon, need to rest now !

 

[Pat the Bat Burrell]

Well done Gregdfc, I too had leg pain following the operation... still do three weeks post op but am told it is nerves/swelling etc. Hang on in there and take it easy...

Michelle

 

[Alyssa D]

Went into hosp on Thu. but no beds for me so go put in ENT Ward. had op on friday and 8.30am. About 3pm really needed to do a pee so stood up and walked very slowly with a nurse and fainted in the toilet. so got rushed back to the bed. On Saturday the doctors came round and said they trimmed back one of the discs and took another one out. They said i could go home if i can walk up stairs, which i did. Walking ok but very slow. Pain killers are great ! My left leg is sore , but the pain in the right has gone !
Would recommend any one for this !

One thing i noticed is my posture is great now ! even taller !

 

[vwvw30]

well done Gregdfc. Glad you are feeling so well.

 

[jessica t]

Just thought id say hi,

i've just been given my op date for the 15th May - discectomy on L5 / S1 and i won't deny that im properly scared.

You read all the stories on here but all i seem to remember is the horror stories, if i can get through the op i'll be happy.

I do have the advantage of running a Gym (great advert i know) so have access to aid recovery etc.

I wish everyone well on here, the hardest thing i find is talkin to family about it, my Mum who's running my business and is tired and worried about me, my fiancee who's tryin to hold it all together with an 11mth old boy an an 8 year old girl.

So just tryin to put a brave face on.

Good luck everyone you have my thoughts

Stu

 

[Bad Apple]

Hi Stu

Being afraid of the unknown is natural.

My own experience of having the same op (L5/S1) was of immense relief. I had some discomfort following the procedure but it didn't compare with the pain I had before the op.

It was like being given a new lease of life, though you have to be sensible and listen to your body.

Good luck with your procedure and I am pleased to hear that you have a good support network!

 

[calamari144]

Having my micro-discectomy (L5/S1) next Thursday. Fortunate enough to have Bupa, however I'm still awfully concerned! I've spoken to a few people who have had it done and read all the reports on here and that has given my some confidence, so I'm a bit happier. Hope that the disc isnt degenerating, because if it is, he says he will remove the whole thing & not just chop off the bulge & clean out the fluid. The thought of bone on bone isn't very nice.... Just can't wait to get it over & done with now.

 

[Nevermind]

Hi All,
Thought I would do a google for info after a discectomy and found this site. I am on day 13 after my op and am in more pain now down my leg than before.
After surgery which I had at QMC it was brilliant NO pain at all except the obvious soreness of surgery.
The last 3/4 days though the pain has started down my leg, the numbness isn't as bad as before but the pain in my bum cheek and down the back of the leg is alot worse. I have rang the hospital for advice but can't manage to get anyone to talk to. I am doing my exercises but after reading the posts on here I think I might be sitting too much.
I have found it hard as I am not supposed to bend, stretch or lift but as most people know if you feel ok then it is hard not to do these things but I am trying to be good.
Anyway now I have bored you all I will go and do some exercises.
Nicky

 

[Leksfoersekar]

Hi Nicky,

Glad you found this site, because everyone on here will have experienced things that you have and so hopefully you can get some good advice.

I have had 2 microdiscectomies, so am a bit old hat myself!!

Sitting for long periods will seriously aggravate and cause pain, its only recommended to sit for short periods, i.e. 20 mins or so.
You nerve has been tinkered with during surgery, and was squashed for a fair while prior to surgery, so needs time to recover.
If the leg pain gets worse or is prolonged, then see your GP. It may be that a short course of stronger painkillers is needed, then you may be ok.
I would still bring it up at reviews with your surgeon though.

I hope i have been of some assistance to you!!!


Anyhoo.....Subi, Jess, Tracey, Melza, Olli....How be you guys?

I am trotting off to physio now.
I have decided to opt for the epiduroscopy to rid my poor back of the adhesions. They are seriously interfering with my life and am getting fed up. I am still popping loads of mind bending pills every day.
I have the feeling i may have a fight on my hands, as the last review i had with the surgeon, he practically told me they wont do anything if my scan results turned out to be adhesions. I am ready for them though.....bring it on!!!

 

[Corrienne McCalister]

Hi Nicky,

I had my operation 3 weeks ago, and I was also ok for a few days following the operation and then my leg pain increased and I was in a really bad way for a few days. My GP put me on MST and Oramorph and slowly over the past week I have improved simply by resting up and not doing too much. I am now off the Morphine and doing really well. I still get leg pain but it is much better and each day I am doing more and really starting to feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I guess what I am trying to say is hang on in there. Take the pain killers offered, rest up, small amounts of exercise and most of all as every one else says listen to your body.

Wishing you all the best

Michelle

 

[toffic]

Hi everyone,
I'm three weeks post-op from a L4/L5 discectomy. I had no pain before the operation but had a "big" disc that resulted in foot drop and some bladder problems. The size of the disc, total lack of reflexes, foot drop, bladder troubles, and absence of any pain put me on the urgent list. As I started to move around more after the operation (beginning of the second week), I noticed pressure in my head and some nausea, especially if I was on my feet too long. The more I was upright, the more intense the pressure (at the back of my head and in my jaw up towards my temples) became, as well as increased nausea and dizziness. A trip to my doctor and a call to my neurosurgeon resulted in a diagnosis of CSF (cerebralspinal fluid) leak.

Has anyone else experienced this? My operation went well but my recovery is being compromised by my having to be on complete bed rest while I wait for the leak to heal (hopefully). I was wondering if any of you could recommend a website of exercises that move the spine - but that can be done in bed?

 

[Mum knows best]

ali!!
good to hear from you...i have been thinking of you! sorry to hear things haven't improved and GOOD LUCK with the fight for the epiduroscopy. if anyone can win that one, you can!

things are still going well with me. back doing 2 dance classes and trying to get down to an acceptable size! still get an achy leg quite a lot, but it has usually gone by the morning. occasional pins and needles in my foot too, but nothing that's interfering with every day life.

to everyone who is about to have the op, or in recent recovery....good luck! stay as positive as you can and do what the physios tell you! suza1973 - i know someone else who had a csf leak and had to have complete bed rest too - maybe you should check with your GP whether you should be doing any exercises while resting?? the hospital gave me some basic ones that could be done lying down, but i'm not sure if they might aggravate the healing tear...

hope you all enjoy the long weekend!
jess xx

 

[Pirates915]

Hey Jess!!

Good to hear from you!
Well I saw the surgeon who i like, that was a good start!! lol
I have scar tissue wrapped around my nerve and is squeezing it, and it was already badly damaged during my last op...Muchos painos!!

The good news is, he said he doesnt want to give up on me, and is referring me to a pain specialist, who has a special interest in cases such as mine, and knows a bit about epiduroscopies.
He was shocked that i even knew about it, I printed out the research that i had made into it, and he was well impressed!!
So....nuts to the last surgeon i saw who told me that nothing can be done for me if i have adhesions....cos he is wrong wrong wrong!!!

I still might not get the procedure, its still being developed by NICE (National institute for clinical excellence), but the findings of it so far are very positive. I am quite happy to be a guinea pig lol!!
I at least walked out of there happy and with hope, i normally come out of there angry and upset!!!
And he isnt discharging me either, he said he is leaving the door open for me if i want to see him, i thought that was really cool.

So i am a very happy Ali!!


Jess, its great to hear you are managing well, we do have these mishaps, but i totally believe in staying positive. I have my down times, but have a 'Its happened, I just have to deal with it and make the best of it as much as I can' attitude. If it turns out I can't have this procedure, then at least i will have tried eh?

Much love to the rest of you guys both pre and post op too, it can be a long hard slog back to recovery, but you will get there

Much Luv, Ali x

 

[Trevor C]

Hi Monty2,
Sorry it's taken so long to reply i'm the only1 without a computer in our house and so have to beg borrow and steal to get on one..haha
I am still doing well in my recovery, still get some pain in my calves mainly lower but after seeing the physio and report of my op this is explained due to severe nerve damage but I am VERY Thankful to have been informed that the nerve had mainly been sitting on my spinal cord and I am lucky to have any use of my bowel etc, to which Thankgod I have full use and control of, obv I feel very lucky.
I am at physio again on monday and back to my surgeon tuesday so he can give me the all clear to fly on the 11th he was informed before my op that we were going away so fingers x there is no prob, sitting on the plane i'm not looking forward to so i'll have to go walk about throughout.
I hope all is well with you and you are more comfortable and in less pain.
I will keep my fingers x for your full recovery.
Kind Regards and positive thoughts sent your way.xxx

 

[Hannah Steele]

I have been looking everywhere for answers to my op questions. I am so glad im not alone. just before christmas my leg was in agony, I have my own business so had to keep going. Then on the 30 the March after numerous attempts at trying to get someone to believe in my pain and after the hospital told me I had nothing wrong with me I was admitted to A+E. My legs and bum were numb and burning and my back had completely gone. I was rushed to Newcastle General where i was told that if I had the discectomy the worst case scenario was the loss of the use of my legs. If I didnt have the op I would eventually lose my legs, bowels and bladder, some choice! Its been 4 weeks, Thank God my bowels and bladder are in good working order, but the numbness is still there. I cant walk far but I am getting better. I am frustrated more than anything because of my business but mostly because it could have been avoided if the doctors at my hospital had taken the time to see the bulge on my disc. I am not in any pain but I am on excellent pain killers. Not morphine, though not through want of trying haha. I know that the surgeons at Newcastle General will always have my gratitude, I have been told they are the best at what they do and I couldnt have been in a better place.

 

[dancergirl]

Monty 2
I would just like to say plz go back to your doctor and make him listen to you. I dont think you should be in as much pain as you are. My pain post op was non existant and Im not saying that is for everyone but I am still numb and my calves wont take me for the long walks just yet but I am not in the agony I was like before my op! I hope you can get this sorted before you need a detox for the morphine!
Good luck
Joanne

 

[Zavv]

I feel a bit silly really as in the last 5 days I have had a complete turn around. I am completely off ALL prescription pain killers now, detox was not pleasant but only lasted 3 days, still taking Naproxen but only as a precaution. I am very mobile, not experiencing hardly any pain at all now and feel great! I can only say that my 'relapse' following surgery was possibly down to trying to do too much too quickly and/or swelling etc.

Chiddy, glad to hear you are progressing well, bet you are really looking forward to your holiday. We are going away in first week of July and I am really looking forward to it now.

Love and best wishes to everyone...... keep smiling!

Michelle