Discectomy - After the Operation

[CANUK]

Hi All,

I am a newbie to this forum and have been very interested in all your comments.

I have been suffering with pain for 4 wks now which increased when I was away in Poland. This resulted in a 4 day stay in hospital and a CT scan which diagonised a complete prolapsed disc of L5/S1 and herniation of 2 others.

I returned to England and undertook a MRI scan at my local hospital and received the results very recently. I have been told I have a "significant" protusion of the L5/S1 and the Consultant wants to see me again in 2 wks time. He has said if I am still suffering particularly from the pain down my right leg he will operate.

This is very scary and I know I am very lucky in comparision to many of you. The pain is incredible and just want the disc out so I can get back on my feet and my life back on track.

Thank you to everybody for this forum - it does help!

 

[esparker]

Hi

I haven't posted for some time, just trying to get on with the daily pain, but I do still keep an eye on the forum.

I just wanted to wish Tracey all the very best for the upcoming op in September and hope that it works out well for you. I can't believe that your employers have terminated your contract but you must try to focus on getting through all of this. I must say they are a great advert for the NHS (not)!

I have been told that my next op will have to be a fusion, but I am struggling on for as long as I can, hoping that some other options will become available.

I will keep an eye on your future postings and wish you well x

 

[E B]

Hi Tracey

Been following your story on here, I know everyone always says a fusion should be that last resort and I genuinely think this is the very best option for you. To be rid of the dreaded disk!!My best friend has a fusion at 6 levels 9 years ago and she is now going into the met. By far the best decision she has ever made!!and a man who is 82 in my Village had a fusion 30+ years ago as he was a fireman and a hose swung around and hit him in the back leaving his leg numb due to awful prolapse at L4 he has a fusion and he was a carpenter after and I see him in hes garden digging all the time!

This will be you!I will be thinking of you on the day. Keep us updated with your recovery. No one has to tell you but take it as easy as possible u going to do just great!!

Carly xxxxxxxx

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hey all,

Tracey, i will reply to your e mail, sorry hun, had loads on.

Well the 4th nerve root block hasn't worked, dammit!!!

Well, thats it as far as surgical type procedures go now, i am screwed,
Rollocks.


Hope u guys are all doing well and improving

 

[Leah Weldezolot]

oh Ali, I'm so so sorry. Gosh, just don't know what else to say. I hope there are some other options out there for you. xx

 

[Poopy Puss]

hi, its 3 months now since my L4/L5 discectomy and i have started to get pins and needle like numbeness in both my left leg and now my right its not constant but it seems to happen every time i do my exercises the physio gave me and also when iam sitting and lean forward, iam also in extreme pain at night if i try to turn over, saw the gp today and he said it looks like the op has not worked and to get an appointment with the specialist, i just rang and he is fully booked until the end of the year so it looks like thi is it , anyone else had this problem ??

 

[blue317]

Hi bmw, I am also struggling 10 weeks on from my L4/L5 discectomy. I have been having a lot of nerve pain in my left leg and buttock/hip, particularly when trying to exercise and at night when trying to sleep. The only thing I find helps is reusable ice packs that I bought from Boots. I have booked a follow up with my consultant privately (£110) as mine too has a 5 month waiting list. I am hoping that it is just that the nerve is taking a long time to recover but I too am starting to worry that the op hasnt worked. Has anyone else any tips on coping with nerve pain ?

Mrs Thomas

 

[Beckie]

Hi Mrs Thomas,

Sorry to hear your are still in pain.
Two weeks following my L5 S1 discectomy, I was in pain until I changed my NHS physiotherapist as my exercises were nowhere near intense enough which was around the 11 or 12 weeks post op mark for me. My pain included when I was sleeping, I could only sleep on my front or right hand side as I suffered left leg sciatica for eight months prior to the op.
You did not say whether you are seeing a NHS physio regularly or not. Ideally you should be and try to keep mobile although you do not want to aggravate your recovery.
You are not alone in how you feel. I certainly felt the same at some stage post op and would never want anyone to feel like that.
Hope you get to see your surgeon soon.

dalep115

 

[Mythical Free Agent]

bmw1,

Have you told your physio how your are feeling?
I would hope their input would be beneficial to you.
I do hope you recovery improves.

dalep115

 

[Reg]

Hi Dalep115

Yes, I am under a private physio every two weeks so trying to do all the right things. I am keeping mobile just around the house but the pain is really getting me down. I am seeing my surgeoon Monday though so hoping for some answers. I first had my back problem 6 years ago and have had sciatica on and off since then but seriously since beginning of the year

Any tips on coping with the sciatica ?

Thanks

Mrs T

 

[annmic]

Evening Mrs T,

Ask your physio if they do hydrotherapy for their clients.
Both the NHS and private physio I have seen previously provide this service.
I have always been able to go into a swimming pool even when I suffered left leg sciatica for eight months.
What does your phsyio say regarding your recovery time from the op?
You may be able to go to swimming lessons as well, ask your physio again.
I have been going to swimming lessons for around twelve months now. If you find a good teacher who understands your pain, this can be a great benefit to you.
I found a teacher who had the same op as me but her prolapse was far worse than mine.
I would say as you have suffered with sciatica on and off for a number of years, you recovery will take a while unfortunately.
I still get a pain in my left buttock now and again but it seems to be going.
My surgeon told me my recovery could take up to a year. This did not cheer me up at all just like it would not do anyone.
I do hope you are able to consider hydrotherapy and swimming.
Try and stay positive.

dalep115

 

[Q&A]

Hi Mrs. Thomas & BMW1

Sorry to hear about your troubles, hang in there.
After my first op it took me about 8-9 months to feel that I was okay, it will take some time.
Unfortunately either due to my own neglect or bad luck I have had two more ops which have been unsuccessful, however my new medication (gabapentin) and 3 days a week physio including hydropool I do now get the odd day per week which is nearly normal.
As I said earlier hang in there and hopefully you will start to feel better soon.

Hi Ali

Sorry to hear about the latest procedure not working, let's hope the future will bring a miracle cure.

Thinking of you all

Andrew

 

[Queen of Sheba]

Thanks Andrew06, very kind of you, i hope so too.

Am back on the big guns (oramorph), the only thing thats working at the moment....just being wary, dont want to end up hooked again!!

 

[Dr House in the house.]

Hi
sent you a private message

Bonnie10

 

[EtternaEtta]

Hi Tracey
just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your impending operation. I am really rooting for you girl.
Like you and Ali I have had two microdiscectomies in a very short space of time (Jan 08 and May 09) at the same level (L4/L5) I am 16 weeks post second op and still not convinced all is well yet the consultant wont entertain a follow up MRI and discharged me. I still have leg pain and back pain - all be it its not as bad as pre op, but this whole nightmare has developed into an obsession, I obsess over every ache and twinge down my leg and I am embarrassed to admit that I am depressed - I dont know how to move on.

Anyway - best of luck, keep us all posted on your recovery - I will be following your progress.

Bonnie10 x

 

[Dory]

hi, i had my discectomy 3 months ago before the op my left leg and foot were numb but the pain was managable since the op the pain in my right hip is terrible i still have numbness in left leg and foot but now iam also getting tingling and numbness down my right leg it only last a few seconds but iam becoming more concerned icannot see consultant till next year because he is only seeing 10 follow ups a week the gp said it looks like the op did not work but it not only did not work but i have problems with my right side now, any one else in this state iam so fed up.

 

[cjepoulviyiifhepp]

Hi
sounds very frustrating when the pain moves from one leg into the other - and very worrying. Its a pretty poor service when you have to wait months for a follow up - the majority are done six weeks post op. If you know you have to wait so long can you not convince your GP to send you for another MRI scan. Three months post op with ongoing and new problems should be explored. If I were you I would badger the gp to get the ball rolling again, at least you will "feel" that something is being done whilst you have to wait. You never know if you find you have a new problem you may get seen again sooner.

 

[Ol?v? ?]

Just popped in to see how everyone is getting on and felt that old anger boiling up inside me again.....why is the treatment for spinal problems so shoddy! MikiPay my heart goes out to you for being in that lonely place where everyone seems to have forgotten you. I don't think I have anything helpful to tell you except try and keep positive....and I get pretty fed up with people telling me that. At least now you know you're not on your own, and it makes me very sad that people have to suffer so much for so long.

I had nerve damage in my legs before and after the op, I was told that 'quite a bit' of my disc had been taken away, so maybe it wasn't surprising when the disc went again 4 months later. I'm afraid I've been a bit of a rebel and ignored physio's, although I don't recommend that for everyone. My last assessment concluded that my muscles are in good shape and so I just mix my days with gentle activity and resting (although I tend to do too much activity frequently). And on sick leave again.

No chance of seeing a consultant though until my surgery has been completed in my upper back, and how long have I been waiting for that folks? You will be pleased to hear that Southampton have given me a surgery date, Oct 5th.....and the stinger....I have to be there for 7am. Ho ho ho! Its about 80 miles away and I don't have any transport (or anyone else to drive me) , I am so tempted to tell them to shove it and stay as I am.....that's how fed up I am! In the 2 years and 3 months I have been dealing with all this theres only one word the health professionals haven't used yet....' Beg!' but I'm sure its going to arrive at some stage.

Hello to fellow sufferers, I know I'm being mean but I'm so glad you're suffering with me....I hate to be alone. Take care x

 

[kenC]

Well I went to see the surgeon yesterday and he feels that the op has worked as I have good days and bad days. The nerve pain which can be all day for days at a time during flare up is taking longer than expected to settle, although it's better than pre op.

So I am going to have facet joint and nerve block injections again tomorrow to see if that will give me some pain relief. Has anyone had them post op? And if so, how long after having them can I expect some relief so I can get back to work ?

Thanks

Mrs T

 

[Imani]

hi, all still suffering just taking each day as it comes ,i was thinking with all the people on here who are suffering quite badly, are there any that are successful, because me and hubby both had same op L4/L5 and we both suffer his was 5 years this month and still gets a lot of pain and leg giving way etc, now mine 3 months ago i know its early days but to be told by gp it looks like it did not work and for me to contact surgeon for a follow up, to be told he cannot see me till next year is pretty poor service i bet if i had paid i would have had a follow up by now, anyway i will take the advice by bonnie10 and i will try to get my gp to arrange an mri do not know how long this will take but i have no choice.