Discectomy - After the Operation

[Alfonzo]

Just read Davids entry which did nothing to inspire me at all I'm afraid. Bearing in mind that my 'problems' started in June 2007 I'm just a little bit hacked off with it all now. My sister often told me I should think positive, I replied that I do and if I didn't I'd have finished myself off by now. Been lectured about the need for physio but very glad I didn't go if they twist you around a lot. I'm still doing stretching stuff and was trying the back strengthening exercises but, believe me, they caused so much pain in my upper back I had to stop.

Now dieting (the time has come) and taking all exercise that doesn't involve neck and arms. So you see, I am trying to get through this and prepare for the life I'll have when it's all over. And guess what? I have another bloody cold, are these germs getting short of people to infect!

My mind is focused on Southampton appointment and being told that everything can be fixed up very very soon. Little dreamer.

Hi Ali and all, does this back problem get on your nerves or what!

 

[M C]

Hello,

Have you used the cross trainer machine without using the arm bits. It works lower back and legs which should help with recovery and build a bit of strength. It may not not work for you or put you in more pain but if you haven't tried it you can always give it ago.

Another exercise which i have found good is to hold onto the side when in a pool and kick your legs back (I used to do it when learning to swim) for a bit.

Hope these help

Olli

 

[???h??x.]

Hi guys

thought i'd post an update as haven't posted for a while.

Ali, sounds like me and you are having the same problem:

Am now 5 months post discectomy L5/S1, recovery has been very slow, last month has been nightmare and am back in considerable daily pain on pain meds (by the way I find Neurofen Plus better than Diclofenac).

WEnt back to see my consultant on Thursday, he is concerned but is very very very (words he used!) confident that I don't need another operation. Straight to MRI on friday for a new post-op scan with contrast solution injected. Prelimenary thought is that I am suffering from bad scar tissue - the reason being because I left it so long to have the op (1yr9months to be exact). Resaon it was left so long? - fobbed off by NHS for a year and a half before they took me seriously.

I think what I am realising for all those of you who are suffering with severe sciatica over longer than 8 weeks like I did - if you have had an MRI and it shows a prolapsed disc, the chances of a full recovery are very much improved the sooner you have your operation (if you choose to go that path - I am not saying everyoone with a herniated disc should have a discectomy, but if it is serious enough and you have tried everything). I know that many of you have had the same experience as I did with the NHS meaning we aren't offered the operation soon enough. I asked my consultant about this (who btw is a private consultant and very well respected in the field - I highly recommend him if you are in London area) and he basically said that back problems like ours are such a shady area with GPs and NHS - 70% of people that go into GP do not have a structural problem (usually psycological/postural/muscular) and therefore us 30% who have serious problems do not get treated quickly enough (it took them 6 months to offer me an MRI by which time the damage was done).

Anyway, I have a follow up on Thursday morning to find out results of MRI - just keep you fingers crossed that I don't need more surgery and there isnt a recurrent herniation. If it is just scar tissue, will be interesting what my options are - anyone else had scar tissue problems post-op?

David - stories like yours are an inspiration and just show how remarkable human body is. My aunt had the same operation as me and 5 years later was doing triathlons every month.

It's a long long road to recovery, but we WILL all get there in the end!

Ben

 

[aaron 27]

Hey Benny...too true, i was suffering for over a year before i was referred to a surgeon, and even then the rheumatologist didn't want to refer me(that was first time round, it was a year from the symptoms returning until the 2nd op). I think it was because of my age though, was only 27 at the time and am now 30. But also shows that the docs don't know everything!!

Scar tissue is a big problem in the lumbar regions, my surgeon said that the 2nd prolapse i had wasn't the biggest he had seen but the scar tissue from the first op really messed things up.
Apparently though, keeping up with the physio can reduce problems from scar tissue and prevent it causing too many problems post-op.

Nurofen is a blessing in very expensive disguise, it really helped when the diclofenac didn't!
I think though, that if you are tolerant with anti-inflammatories, then change them every so often as taking one for a long period of time will stop working after a while. This is what i have found. Chop and change them regularly, and they should help.
I am still a great believer in heat therapy though, hot baths help sooooo much, i didn't really notice until i was able to bath after the 2nd lot of surgery, but its a real love when things ache!!!

 

[Medic]

Hi Ali

Interesting about your age - I am 26 now, so same sort of age as when yours first happened. It scares me to think that I'm going to have to put up with this sort of pain for the rest of my life, although my surgeon doesnt think that I will have to...

do you really think physio helps? I find stretching the nerve exremely painful, do you think stretching it over a period of time would reliove some of the pain? I haven't really done much physio work apart from core strengthening since the op in August and a lot of walking...

 

[numidodurne]

Hi, posted on here once a few weeks after my microdiscectomy on the 21st of Oct, at that time i was still in alot of pain and in a bit of a mess mentaly. Now i have much improved from the pain post op but i still have the leg pain in the same areas with no new things such as pins and needles, which i was expecting as a sign of the nerve getting better. i do have a numbness on my right hip but it is no bother.

I had a follow up appointment with the neurosugeon last week and they were pleased with my progress but are sending me for another MRI (another waiting list) as i still have the leg pain, i was told there is a chance that another part of the disc could have come away and that could be causing it but i have been reading on here about the scar tissue and wonder about that? When i wake in the morning and i am sitting on a chair and i bend my head over to my chest the pain shoots down my leg which was the same before, any advise would be great.

I did read before i had my op that the quicker is is done the best chance of sucsess but i waited a year and a half for my op, waiting to be reffered to consultalts, waiting list for MRI, waiting list to see consutants, waiting list for surgery.

It has been a great help reading all of your posts, has kept me going

 

[gina68]

Hi folks
Have been keeping up with all your threads although I havn't posted much myself as I didn't want to seem all doom & gloom wjen you are all doing so well.
My recovery isn't going as well as hoped the slight nerve pain I had after op is still getting worse to the extent now that I can no longer get into the bath. My limp is back as are the back spasms at night. Oh yeah & that bloody tremor whenever I turn over is driving me insane. I am shattered!!!! I also still have urinary incontinence which my surgeon said is down to having 4 children. (maybe, but the last 1 was born 12 years ago & have never had a problem until my disc went the 2nd time)
I even have to have help with the cooking now as if i lift a pan it feels as if i've got someone pushing down on my shoulders & into my back.
At least I do have a positive. My wound has healed lovely, no infection this time!!
I had a fall the other day as my leg just suddenly went from under me - has anyone else had this?
Oh yeah, & just to top it off i've got another bloody cold so every time I cough or sneeze the pain is something else!!!!!!!!
Sorry for moaning folks but I really needed to let off steam as my poor hubby is getting at all. Better go as i've got physio later & an appointment with the consultant tomorrow
Tracey

 

[Honest guy]

Sorry things aren't going so well for you right now Tracey. Fingers crossed for good progess soon. And same goes for all of you experiencing difficulties with your recoveries.

davidh - wow, I'm impressed! You and I had our operations at about the same time, so I am glad to hear you are going so well - it gives me hope. Good for you Hope you keep up the good work.

 

[Mr.Boss]

Thanks Subi. I was a lot more positive this time too. Still hopefully its just scar tissue. Have just returned from physio. Didn't do any work on me today as he's concerned I may have another disc prolapse!!! I'm now on a walking stick & have to see the consultant tomorrow & return to see physio on friday to report what the consultants plan is.
I'll keep you all posted x

 

[yas47]

happy new year everyone! hope you're all having a good 2009 so far and continuing to see improvements post-op. i have started to realise that it can be hard to see any change on a day-to-day basis, but looking back a month at a time, it is clear to see how much more i can do and how much less pain and discomfort i have.

hopefully it will be inspiration to you all that at 4 1/2 months post op i survived two 11 hour flights (was up and down like a yoyo...definitely need an aisle seat!) and lots of driving, walking and shopping. apart from the serious financial implications, all is well. still some pins and needles occasionally and an achy leg at the end of a long day, but that's all. final physio appt on thurs!

keep all your news and stories coming!!!
jess xx

ps...i am now officially the fattest i have ever been and desperately unhappy with my new pie status. so can anyone recommend cardio exercise that might not aggravate the back stuff?? other than swimming...doesn't seem to make much difference. i used to run, but don't want to do that anymore cos of the strain it puts on joints. would really appreciate any suggestions!

 

[alizemuffin]

Hey Jess,

Try Wii fit if you have it. I use it and the yoga is fab for stretching and toning, there are a few muscle workouts that aren't too taxing too!

Tracey-1....Sorry to hear that you are suffering hun, and more so that you may have another prolapse. I hope that its not and they can fix you up soon.

I have suffered with bad back and leg pain over the weekend, funnily enough though, after an hour or 3 at work today it kind of eased up.
Do need to go back to the docs though, have become immune to the tramadol!!!

 

[What here i am]

thanks ali! i got a wii fit for my birthday in august (i.e. husband bought himself one). i have found the yoga and muscle exercises great, but can't help but take offence at the little computer person telling me i weigh more than last time and am venturing into the 'overweight' category!! i will persevere though and maybe try out some of the cardio stuff on there.

just realised that while others are achieving great things like walking for miles and firefighting, i was on here yesterday celebrating the fact that i sat on my arse for two 11 hour plane trips. understanding a little more about why i am getting fatter!!!...

 

[Cat Ofcats]

jess22 - walking both 'normally' and in the water is good. When your back can cope with it, running in the water is a good exercise too. You sort of run on the spot moving your arms and legs as if you were running on the land in deep water - your feet don't touch the bottom of the pool. Hope that makes sense.

 

[AGlyloalia]

Benny

I beleive physio really helps. My surgeon told me that I would have to my exercises every day for the rest of my life to avoid having the same problems again. The thought of that has inspired me to do them every single day at least once but usually twice. He said best time to do them was first think in the morning when you least feel like doing them and he told me not to worry about them 'hurting' the nerve and that I really needed push it for them to stop post op problems. I swim as well and I have tried the walking in the water and it is really good. Exercise is the best thing for me I find.

Jess

Am due to fly to Mexico end Feb and it is gooto know you survived the flights ok. I was a bit worried about that!


Davidh

You inspire me. Well done.


bye for now

pennylane

 

[fiebhuipisnifxefq]

pennylane...glad to hear you're doing well. i'm sure mexico will be fab! a well-earned reward. just out of interest - what exercises are you doing daily? i don't have any at all and kind of wish i did. the pins and needles and ache in my leg have been increasing and i feel so powerless to do anything about them. i think if i had exercises to do i would feel a bit more like i was in control. if that makes any sense!

thanks for the suggestion subi...love anything that makes me look ridiculous in a public place will give it a try next time i'm at the pool. have just started series 2 of gavin and stacey and have been thinking of you!!

jess xx

 

[J. K]

Gavin and Stacey was Ali's wonderful idea. Thanks Ali! The IT Crowd is worth a look as well - always makes me laugh. And yes, of course any exercise that makes one look ridiculous in public is well worth doing. Fortunately people can't see you 'running' below the water (unless they are in the water too and have their goggles on!)

I started doing pilates today with my physio and all is going well. I am back to riding my horse a couple of times a week, and still walking and swimming. Plus loads of core strengthening exercises. The back isn't perfect but is holding up pretty well to all the activity. The most painful and difficult thing is sitting at work, so I try to get up often and move around as much as I can.

benny - good luck for your follow up appointment today. Hope all goes well.

 

[Krazy]

Hello you busy people, I had my long awaited Southampton appointment today. The plan was for an X Ray, CT scan and then consultant review. Unfortunately the consultant did his round while I was being CT'd so eventually (2 hours later) his registrar came to talk to me. I thought I had a good idea what was happening when I last saw the consultant but this chap was talking about something completely different...I haven't got a clue now! Well, thats a fib because I know I shall be having a surgical procedure, I just don't know what it is....amputation perhaps????

I checked the back strengthening excercises through google to make sure they were the ones I'm doing myself, luckily they are. I was doing those when I had originally, according to the expert, suffered a slipped disc. They say everyone should be doing this sort of exercise as back muscles tend to get ignored in exercise regimes.....so have back strengthening parties for friends and family. I wish I'd been aware of them many years before this episode.

Had a splitting headache all day, neck was agony and thanks to another dose of the cold bug I feel like I'm dying. I was in the right mood when the registrar told me the surgery he suggested could make me better or perhaps make things worse, I told him it either gets better or I jump off the cliff....poor young thing looked a bit startled when I said that, but it was how I felt at the time so there.

Lovely to see everyone is progressing, even if it is with (justified) caution at times.
The light at the end of the tunnel, we hope!

Love to all

 

[robertsechenfen]

Hey all,

I have finally realised why i have such an aversion to housework.....it nearly killed me yesterday!!
I needed to have a clean, because my house was starting to resemble the local landfill site so did it....wasn't strenuous, but dear Lord, 2 hours later i could hardly move!!! I rested for 2 hours and then had to pick up my little lady from school and i hadn't had pain like that since 1 day post op!!
Suffered terribly today as well, and the 'buzzing' feeling that everyone has been talking about, well i am getting it too now, at the bottom of my right leg which is the affected side.
I have been to get checked over by the doc after work, and she kindly gave me some more tramadol, which, after just 2 capsules, i felt heaps better!

I had only paracetamol, nurofen and a heat patch to get me through today at work, every step i took felt like i was walking through quicksand.
Thankfully my job isn't terribly physically taxing! I did quite a bit of driving, but the heat patch really helped!
The ones i use are the nurofen back pain self heating patches, i used them when i was first time round pre-op and they are very good.
I am such a fan of heat therapy....it has been wonderful for me both pre and post-op.


Subi and Jess...Gavin and Stacey totally rules, i have watched every episode several times, and am still amused by them all!!
Have you seen the christmas special? Absolutely hilarious!!!

Melza....Glad to hear they are going to fix your upper back as well now, just sorry you have yet more germs!!

Claire...How are you doing hun? I know you were suffering from your other condition as well as being post-op.
I hope things are better for you hun

 

[Deaner 2.0]

Hi everyone ,I did the same as you Ali needed to have a tidy and about an hour after i finished the pain kicked in hope you are ok ,have been feeling really down lately as my fibro conditition has got worse and i have started to feel more buzzing in the leg and to top it all off my husband is off with man flu !!!! should'nt really call him as in easter 2007 when i was pregnant and had raging hormones he started with flu symptoms and i told him he only had a cold and to stop feeling sorry for himself several moans to him later about being a wuss and we were in an ambulance on our way to hospital with pneumonia ,so everytime some one mentions man flu he goes through the whole story about how i was horrible to him and that i went shopping when he was dying (we did have to eat it was food not clothes shopping !)hope everyone is ok claire x x

 

[gssssampath]

Ha ha!!! Aw bless him Claire!
Seriously though, that must've been scary! Man flu is better than pneumonia!
Sorry to hear you are still suffering hun, thought things might have settled down for you by now. Hope your kids are being sympathetic to your plight, my little lady said the other day 'I want to be just like you mummy....but without the bad back!!!' I didn't know what to say to that!!

My back and leg pain is giving me a bit of grief today, not as much as the previous 2 days though, i thought the tramadol wasn't doing anything, but when i ran out I knew about it!
I have done the washing up today....very cautiously!!!