Discectomy - After the Operation

[crayzblonde]

Tracy, so very sorry to hear of your condition and hope things get better for you soon.

 

[Mocha]

Spinelf...I can't afford any alternative treatment but a physio once did some work on my neck. She got a bit freaked out because the nerves all down my body went crazy and refused to touch me again.

I have one or two disc bulges in my cervical spine but I was meant to have a laminectomy to ease the pressure on my spinal cord. Is there hope for me?

Tracey my dear, we're all coming to party at yours...don't think we'll need any booze! x

 

[Redsawdom]

Two weeks post op L/4 L/5discectomy. Went for a follow up, still gave some unresolved problems. My surgeon didn't seem very concerned though. He set me me up for pool therapy, lumbar stabilization, and stretching. Is this a pretty normal course of action? Also what is lumbar stabilization and had it helped anyone?

 

[TEL BOY]

I can't realy afford Osteopathy either Melza, but it is the best use of £30 a month that I ever spend!!

I think Physios are a bunch of 'whooses', a little pain didn't hurt anyone, ah, manyone, ah, you know what I mean!!
They are taught and instructed that they must not cause any pain in their procedures, mainly because of the 'blame & sue' culture in the NHS.
A good Therapist will expect & accept some pain as a matter of course, as long as they know your medical history and are sure that their manipulations will 'yeild positive results' for you in the long term!

The bulges in your cervical spine could be as a consequence of your lumber issues, a good therapist should be able to (at least) release 'some' the compression symptoms by manipulation and massage.

Spend the money Melza, its kept me going for 18 years!!

SPINELF

 

[odujaeky]

Hi there, I have read all the posts with interest and it seems everybody is slightly different.
I have had sciatica now for nearly a year. Originally I went to an Osetopath for 3 months and nothing helped - it didn't get worse but no better. Then I went to a back specialist surgeon (I am fortunate I am on private health care through work) so I had the injections - although they sort of worked and enabled me to carry on and get some sleep I had the last lot 2 weeks ago (my third) and unfortunately hasn't helped at all. My Consultant thinks the protruding disc is too big to now go back on its own and I will need the operation. This is now the last resort for me as I really really didn't want to go this route. He has told me the risks and that I will be off work for 3 weeks - I do have a desk job and I am worried after reading posts here whether or not this is too optimisitc? I am 56 years old - not particularly fit and I have over an hour's commute on the London Underground. I am not prepared to live with this pain anymore - although I don't really get the back pain the ache and pins and needles in my leg drives me insane - I can't remember the last time I had a proper nights sleep - I don't even sleep in the same room as my hubbie as I am like a contortionist trying to get comfortable!!! After reading these posts I am stunned they there are a lot of you a lot lot worse than me and you have my deepest sympathies.
For those of you that have had the op was it worth it and what is the real recovery time - I don't want to run the Marathon but I do want to be able to sit on a plane, do the hoovering (well maybe not) a bit of gardening and long walks..... some sound advice would be much appreciated thankyou

 

[Savanna]

I had the operation on 26th November. I returned to my desk job on 4th January on a "phased return" - 3 hours per day first week, 4 hours per day second week etc. Yesterday I did my first "full day" and I was shattered - but I would have been much worst if I'd jumped straight into it. I see the surgeon for my follow up appointment later today so I will find out exactly what he did. I think the operation was worth it though - even though I'm not pain free yet and the early days were difficult. Good luck

 

[Mr Beaker]

melaniecomp.....I am also in my fifties and only advise you to give yourself lots of recovery time. I had a relapse with my discectomy four months after the op and it's very disappointing to revisit all that misery. The op is a good option but I'm sure the more grown up people (?) need to take extra care.

Plus, I must tell everyone about the miracle cure I had for nerve irritation. Burning, throbbing legs make my nights a misery but just one Tramadol (and only one) soothes it all down. Its the only thing that worked, and I've tried most, and only for nightime. I have to get out of bed when my legs start burning because shuffling around the bed aggravates it even more, I take this miracle drug and after a short while I can settle down again. Bliss!

 

[Person XYZ]

MELANIECOMP

I know everyone is different but if it helps I'm happy to email you a copy of my post op diary in which I made a note of how I was feeling every day from surgery to yesterday. It would have helped me a great deal if I had known what to expect after my surgery. It doesn't make great reading and I don't mean to put you off the surgery - on the contrary I'm really pleased now that I went through with it as I'm much better. I have been for my check up today and they are pleased with my progress and impressed with my diary and associated graphs!

Progress was slow - one step forward and four back most of the time however I would not hesitate to go through it all again should the need arise.

Take care

 

[Mister Hat]

thanks so much for wanting to share - I'm not sure I'm ready to read your diary as I am really not sure about the op and I have just persuaded myself its the last resort. The consultant is so matter of fact about it - like its a walk in the park - he does 3 to 4 of these a week!!! Its not the op as much as the recovery - I have a wedding in Australia in October and really want to go - not sure though if I would be ready for such a long flight. What's it like sitting down - because at the moment my worst time is sitting and lying down - walking is fine and actually takes the pain away. Im ok at work most of the time though and can get through the day with help from anti inflam pills (over the counter). I desperately want to stop 'pill popping' and certain pills make me nauseaus and stomach upsets so have to be careful. How long ago did you have yours?

 

[ycnskann]

Before my discectomy I was taking six or more 7.5 hydrocodones just to sleep. Within two weeks after it though I don't need anything to go to sleep. I think i have recovered quickly because I'm only nineteen but, then again I've heard alot of people say they had pain return after a few weeks. I'm just confused.

 

[buildermantn]

me too!!! Obviously everyone has a different problem and recover differently - I hope I'm as lucky as you seem to have been - good luck with it - just to go to sleep and wake up with no pain seems a distant dream!!

 

[Coolyash]

Yes, the op was definitely absolutely worth it for me.
The best definition I can give you for my 'recovery' time is that I didn't feel very normal or pain free for the best part of 12 months. I did make gradual process during that time, and went back to work about 6 weeks post-op, I did a lot of physio, sport and had a life. But I was in a lot of pain most of the time, and the pain would wake me up each morning. But at the 12 month mark, it was like my body went 'ok, time to feel better' and almost overnight, I really made significant improvements. That's just my situation anyway.

 

[mit Pricund]

The op was right for me but took longer than I thought to feel 'normal' again. Had op in July and sat on plane for 9 hours in the following Feb. No problem. Recovery was very frustrating for me as I really wanted to get back to doing my exercise classes and tennis. I feel really good now and the only thing I haven't gone back to is my karate because it is something which can't be done half heartedly and it would be too tempting to 'get stuck in' and undo all the hard work. I wish you well with your decision. I have no regrets as I remenber that nerve pain only too well!
I am 56 if that helps.

kind regard
pennylane

 

[tlkhshkr]

I am sorry that I did not reply to this old post earlier Melza, I missed it!!

I am 'also' sorry for offending you by my comment regarding research!!

My request was not meant to offend anyone, but was a hope, that fellow back pain sufferers, make sure that their requests for detailed information from Surgeons & GP's were met in full, and it was also a plea, for them, not to let 'poor quality' Consultants hide behind vague descriptions of what is (when all is said and done) a very destrutive procedure with very poor clinical outcomes.

In my personal experience and on forums such as this, many back pain sufferers are 'still' not fully aware of the risks associated with these 'outdated' open back procedures and I found many who were blissfully unaware of the low success rates are, until after the procedure was carried out.

I accept as true, your points regarding the lack of choice for sufferers, and the personal effects on these peoples lives, this is why I have joined this forum. Having personally benefited 'greatly' from a minimally invasive, endoscopic, laser spine procedure (not available on the NHS), I am determined to spread the word, and say that I believe that standard & common NHS & private spinal surgical procedures are 'at best' old fashioned, and 'at worst' they can be 'counter produtive'. A potential patient must put large ammount of care and research into accepting these limited options.

I accept this is 'not true' in all cases and I am sure there are many successes, but I think these are usually because of careful, caring and commited Surgeons, rather than the open back procedures themselves.

Please accept my appologes for the upset caused!!

best wishes


SPINELF

 

[StanKy]

I did not even realize this forum is based out if the uk. I was just researching and found this site. I live in the us, and have found this forum very helpful. U just feel sorry for people relying on the nhs, it sounds not to great. I was lucky to have private insurance. Got my surgery date for two days after deciding to do it, and was able to pick my procedure. I hope we don't adopt national healthcare like it is looking like may happen here soon.

 

[Beliorinda]

Your apology is accepted spinelf, but just bear in mind that many peoples lives are torn apart by back problems and they really don't have many options except what is placed before them. I still can't justify spending £30 on a chiropractor or osteopath, I will again be on Income Support soon and thats a whole £77 pound a week,I think. And I might be the lucky one because I don't have a mortgage or a high rent to pay (or even a car to run).

Jayyjelly, the NHS is tying itself in knots. It has unfortunately been take over by target setting, so if you have heart problems, cancer or some other life threatening illness you'll get treated quite quickly...or should. As spinal problems don't have set targets the departments don't receive as much funding...or resources. And trust me to get the wrong medical condition!

You know I once had an overactive thyroid gland... then found out that if I'd had an underactive thyroid I wouldn't have had to pay for my prescriptions..its the story of my life.

Utopia where are you?

 

[Argus]

Thank you for your kindness Melza!

I take your point regarding private funding problems, and also accept & agree, that too many back pain sufferers are in the same position as you, having to accept procedures from a limited choice!

This is why I believe in and campaign to get, the most up to date, cutting edge, minimally invasive, endoscopic & laser and safer spine surgeries introduced in to the NHS as soon as posible, and made available to all chronicly ill, back pain sufferers, free on the NHS at the point of need.



All the very best.

SPINELF

 

[wizjp]

Hi all, I've been looking for anyone to talk to who has had this surgery and found this forum. I want to briefly share my surgery story in the hopes that someone can give some input and hopefully comfort.

Brief background on me: 32 years old and physically active with basketball and weight lifting. Completed the P90X fitness program. Got in the best shape of my life.

But I hurt my back playing basketball and then after bending over a couple months ago, the nerve pain in my left leg started.

I had a lumbar discectomy 8 days ago (January 29, 2010) for my L5 S1. The neuro surgeon said he removed a large fragment. He also plugged the hole in my disc with a 'funnel' to help prevent reinjury.

For two months I was dormant while I tried physical therapy, but the limitations of the sciata pain down my left leg were just too much for me to bear. I work as a web developer and I had to stand non stop for two months. I had to buy compression socks because my feet were swelling up.

Post operation: After the anasthetic wore off, I could still feel tingliness down my left leg and foot. If I try and raise my left leg while straight, the same nerve flaring up occurs. After eight days, my back is actually healing nicely - not so much jolting when I shift positions, however, I can only sleep on my back and it is really sore and tight by my incision. The main two issues I am wondering about are:

I still have sciata in my left leg - will that go away eventually?
My groin area is very numb - not completely, but the whole area down there just isn't fully functional it seems - is this normal and will it go away?

Hoping anyone can offer some insight. Last night, I didn't fall asleep until 5:30 AM and I now know the torment many I have ready about feel as they cry themselves through the night. Anyhow, thanks for listening.

 

[Tay C]

Hi

I did have nerve pain in my leg for some months after my op but it eased and eventually went. If i over do it i still get a niggle of the nerve which i take as a warning to slow down a bit. I have learned to listen to my body since the op. It took me 11mths to fell 'normal' again and be confident in all my exercise.( See my previous post to see what exercise i do) I religiously still do my post op stretching before i get up a morning as instructed by my surgeon.

It requires a lot of patience and hard work to recover fully.
Obviously we are all different and I don't know how your body is coping but I hope my input has helped.

Kind regards
pennylane

 

[Vibe]

I noticed similar pain that I had before the surgery afterwards, but a few weeks later the pain in my right leg wad gone, but I still have pain in my left leg. The pain is not anywhere as excrutiating as before. The pain mostly occurs when I try to lift my leg when it is straight or if I sneeze or cough, or bend quickly. I hope that the pain lessens as time goes on and I start physical therapy next week. Many are saying it can take a year before a full recovery. I just hope it continues to get better as time goes on. For now I think the surgery was my best option as the doctor claimed that I may loose function of my legs if I injured my back further. Don't know if that was true or not though