Discectomy - After the Operation

[Real Reds the world power]

hi all... so sorry to hear how much pain some of you are still in. i feel so fortunate to have come through the discectomy so well (so far...touch wood and all that!!). your stories really do make me appreciate that...small consolation i'm sure, but you all continue to help and inspire me with the good and the bad.

i was watching a random documentary the other night on bbc2 about medical cannabis use for pain relief and the same thought occurred to both my husband and i.......good job i didn't see that prog a few months back cos i would have tried anything!!! i am absolutely not condoning or recommending illegal drug use, but a short trip across the atlantic or into the netherlands could provide us with some useful research if anyone's interested...!!

also wanted to let you know that i went back to my ballet class at scottish ballet last night!!! have relgated myself to the adult beginners, but i really enjoyed it and can still walk today

take care, stay strong and stay positive!
much love,
jess xx

 

[Meech Hoover]

Hello all, i have come for a moan!!!
Am having an achy day, actually, an achy few days....Boo!
Was waiting in the pharmacy for my prescription today and i was leaning over the counter like a drunken old lush!! Its cos i didn't want to sit down cos that hurts, and i was having trouble standing unsupported cos that hurts too!!!

Oooooo.....I just remembered i still got a heat patch...gonna put that on.


Hope you are all having a good and relatively comfortable day xxx

 

[matt !]

Scottish ballet?

I'm still having my bad few days, neck and shoulders this time. Just spent an hour and a half leaning on the massage cushion, not supposed to keep it on for that long I don't think. How wonderful it would be to have a pain free day....a whole 24 hours! I suppose it wouldn't take me long to take it for granted though. Woke up at 3ish this morning and not slept since.

Did I tell you I heard back from Southampton, seems they haven't got the results to the CT scan yet (nearly 3 weeks?) but will contact me when they have. Not very good with my french but the word deja vu comes to mind, even if it isn't spelt properly.

Referring to an earlier post, my life is far too miserable as it is and I will take any opportunity to improve my back problems. I know there are risks but I'd rather take them than live like this. My sister kindly mentioned the risk of paralysis, I quickly replied that at least that wouldn't be painful. Not the most intelligent answer but you know how it is.....I hope, and I know paralysis would be devastating and never want to deal with that myself. I hope I haven't wished that on myself now. Eek!

We can get through this folks, I just know we can! xxxx

 

[Nadia Ragimova]

hi everyone, sorry to hear how much pain ali and melza are suffering at the moment, i hope the pain soon settles down for you both and that it becomes a bit more bearable for you both very soon.

things seem to be going from bad to worse for me at the moment, and not just pain wise. i was hoping to go back to work on a part time basis, in the next few months, but after going into work today, i have been told by my employer that i will not be able to go back, (due to the credit crunch), they are having to cut back. i was looking forward to getting back to work, as it would have been a step back to normality for me. still i am trying not to let it get me down, and will just try and recover more before i attempt to look for another job.

seeing my physio next week, and i am hoping she will say that i can try some swimming, (as i have read somewhere that it is one of the best exercises for the lower back), which will give me something to look forward to. before the op i would swim 2 to 3 times a week and i have really missed it.

thanks for everyone who has sent me messages over the last 2 weeks, this forum has been a big help to me, and i appreciate all of your replies and advice, just wish i had found this site earlier.

take care everyone, love tracy x x

 

[jimbo]

Hi Tracey

Swimming is brilliant for strengthening the back, but please be aware that you need to build up to it slowly, and I would suggest plenty of gentle exercise in the water before moving onto swimming.

I speak from experience as I am unable to swim at the moment (as much as I would love to) and have been given a series of excercises to do in a hydrotherapy pool by my physiotherapist.

Whilst swimming is a very good all round exercise, you must be careful as some strokes can aggravate a pre existing condition.

I can't wait to swim properly again and wish you well too.

I am unable to use the majority of swimming pools, as the water temperature affects my back, causing it to go into spasm if it is not sufficiently heated.

Good luck. My heart goes out to all of you suffering at present. My own condition is currently stable (thank you God), but just weeks ago I was at the end of my tether with the continued pain.

Maz

 

[KeeCki]

Hi everyone, so I have my opertion on Tuesday, I'm obviously anxcious about it but.. well I have no choice so I'm looking forward to Wednesday. Im going to lay off the research now because I'm giving myself the fear! I will keep posting my post op experiences in the hopes they are of some use to anyone considering a Discectomy (and maybe the veterans can help me out with a little advice as I go). Think positive right!?

Take care, Al

 

[elfreda]

Good luck Alistair, I hope everything goes smoothly. We did mention it's not the most brilliant experience to go through didn't we? And it's not just about thinking positive either....patience is crucial, something I'm sadly lacking.

Despite an uncomfortable night I feel much better now I've put myself through some intensive stretching, I wonder if I shall be any taller after this? Or perhaps I can introduce my legs to my ears for the first time ever! And Alistair, a sense of humour helps too. Will be thinking about you and wishing you well.

Melza

 

[singing]

Alastair

Good luck with theop. I know it is scary bt If it makes the pain go it is worth it. I agree that patience is very important and as i learnt doing too much too soon only sets you back. It is so easy to rush thing post op, Trick is to enjoy the good days but not to see them a green light for overdoing things. It will take time and will probably frustrate the hell out of you but if you are snesibsle you will get there.


Melza and Ali


Sorry you are both having a bad time at the moment. I agree it would be lovely to have 24hours painfree. i have had to rest for the last week but my aching seems to have improved a bit today. I just want to get through my hols and be able to enjoy it more than last year when i was in agony with the old sciatica!!! A bit of sun might do me good.

Take care all


pennylane

 

[kdexyuhfimuiqpels]

hi maz, thanks for the information on swimming, i had heard that breast stroke can aggrivate your back. i only learnt to swim a few years ago and my mother-in-law who taught me, only showed me how to do breast stroke. will have a good chat with my physio next week, and see if she can recommend any options. glad to hear your condition is stable, and that you continue to recover well, and that you will soon be back swimming. best wishes, take care, tracy x

 

[w j]

Hi, im new to this site, im having microdiscectomy in 3 weeks and really nervous, i have been reading some of the posts some good some scarey ! i started with back pain is september 08 and went to the dr explaining that i had bad pain in my lower back, it was going into my bum and down my right leg, she said it was sciatica and told me to take over the counter pain killers, which i did, the following week i was back at the dr's again in more pain, and was given stronger pain killers (tramadoll) and told that sciatica usually goes away in 6-8 weeks.

The tablets did not work and i was back at the dr's again, this time i could bearly walk and was in excruciating pain, crying like a baby the dr put me on some differant tablets (dihydrocodeine) along with some other tablets.
The following week i could not walk, get out of bed, get to the bathroom, i was in so much pain, the spasams in my back and right leg were unbearable, i just wanted someone to cut my leg off !

Eventually the dr came out and gave me oramorph, i tried that with all the other tablets and that was not really any good either, so he put me on mst morphine 60mg twice a day along with, oramorph, paracetamol, Gabapentin, Diclonfenac, Lansoprazole !

He also booked me in for an MRI after my husband had gone a bit mental with him ! i had the scan in November 08, trying to lay still was unbearable but i thought something would show up and it did, my bottom discs, i think he said L5 were together and something was bulging out and pressing on my nerve.

I went to see the specialist who told me there was 2options, to take 21tablets for the rest of my life or have the operation, so iv opted for the operation, which im having 3weeks today.

Iv been told its a long recovery and i wont be able to pick my 2year old son up for at least 6weeks, i will be on crutches for a while and then after 6weeks go for physio.

Im getting quite nervous as the op is getting closer, but i just want rid of this horrid pain that takes my life over every day, i was a very active person and now i cannot do anything, iv had to stop working and dont know if i will go back. sorry for the moaning .

 

[lois]

Hi Alistair - all the best for tomorrow. Its normal to be anxious but as you say think positive. We may not all have had it easy post op on here, although the majority of us (me included) would definately choose to go through with the op if we had to make the decision again.

Melza - Hope you are okay & they get their act together with your scan results

Ali - hope your not too achy.

Tracey r - sorry to hear about your work situation.

Jess - Maybe we should organise a coach trip

I'm thinking maybe my Lyrica isn't all i thought it would be. I'm now having horrendous dreams, i've put on over half a stone in 10 days & have started to feel rather down. Still, i'm seeing my consultant tomorrow so will see what he has to say

Tracey x

 

[Little Dog]

Good luck Alistair, hope all goes ok. Let us know how you get on when you're back home again.

 

[lovelylex]

Hi Alistair good luck for tomorrow ,keep in touch hope it all goes well ,take care x x

 

[Patrick Star]

Hi Jayne, your story is a familiar one, as you probably noticed. You were lucky to have been diagnosed and offered surgery as quickly as you have, at least the damage is fairly limited regarding nerve pain. We all got carried away with wishing Alistair good luck with his surgery recently, maybe you can keep logging on to see how he's getting on post op. He was also very nervous and unsure if he'd made the right decision re surgery, but we assured him that it seemed to be the only option open to him. Recovery does take time and patience, and following the right kind of exercises is important too, but your leg will feel very much better sooner than you think. I was amazed at the range of movement I had and being able to walk instead of my pre op wobbly shuffle. I hope you have someone to care for you post op and maybe some help with your little one, but you'd be surprised how well you can adapt to your limitations. Think more about the benefits of losing that awful pain in your leg and you'll feel more positive.

We all know how awful everything is for you right now and you are more than welcome to come here and let off steam whenever you need to. We know exactly how you feel and you don't ever need to apologise for whingeing!

I'm actually feeling a bit brighter myself....hooray! I've dedicated most of my days to stretching and exercising and feeling much better for it...the nerve irritation has certainly eased off my legs. My shoulders and neck muscles are sore but I'm also teaching myself to keep them relaxed and that seems to help. And I've been gradually cutting out the pills and hope to manage this without them now, ever the optimist!

Hey! Where has Ali gone? I hope everything is going okay with you my dear.

 

[pugpaws2]

Hello, I wondered if anyone could advise. Im writing on behalf of my partner who had an operation on his disc about a year ago. It seemed to have worked and along with religiously doing the exercises given to him by the physio his mobility returned and was able to go on long walks etc without feeling weak and in pain, we even climbed up Snowdon in November !
However, unfortunately about 6 weeks ago he fell on the stairs. Since then Sciatica pain has returned although he says it does feel different to pre-op pain he had, so we are keeping fingers crossed he has only suffered some lighter damage or setback to his recovery, rather than having done the same injury as bad again. But now he is getting burning pain down his leg like before and over the past week or so is also suffering from a cold sensation in his leg. I was worried this may be something more serious ?? He has also had to stop exercises as he was left in more pain after doing them, but he thought if he left it 6-8 weeks any new damage to the disc may have healed enough to continue with exercises again ??
Could anyone offer any advice ??
Hes not taking any painkillers (has a thing about them !) so I had also been looking at some herbal medication for sciatica - does anyone have any experience of having tried this ? http://www.enaturalremedies.co.uk/sciatigon-sciatica-symptoms.htm
Thanks

 

[prajna d]

Hi all,

Had to give in and go to the doctors today. Have been put on gabapentin, along with my other painkillers.
I don't really know whats been making me ache again, strange.
I am sure it will pass eventually, not panicking yet!!

Alistair...Good luck tomorrow mate, may it be the beginning of getting your life back, especially with your little one arriving in a few months!!

Melza...I am here my lovely! Been a miserable so and so the last few days, so thought i would come on here and see how my buddies are doing here!
I too hope they sort out your scan and your upper back asap.

Tracey...How is you? Hows the leg problems you had now?

Hey Pennylane! Its been a while since we last saw you on here! Hope things are going well for you!!!

Shelster...does your partner use heat therapy? I use a hot water bottle, hot baths and heat patches and they do help with pain&stiffness.

Jayne....As Melza said, its really good that they have referred you for surgery in a relatively swift time scale. The quicker they operate on you, the better. Its normal to be nervous, i have been through it twice and bricked myself both times!!
I hope that your op really helps you and you can return to work.
Thats what kept me going when i was pre-op, i was getting really depressed and feeling sorry for myself when i was off for a long time, not even knowing when/if i could go back.

I work 16 hours and am fortunate that i can sit&rest if i need to. I don't have a particularly physically demanding job, so have plenty to opportunity to take 5 if needed.

Lots of prayers needing to be said tonight, for those in pain and/or waiting for their surgery...Lots of love, from Ali xx

 

[Erypecrex]

Alistair just wanted to wish you all the best of luck for your op tomorrow. Be positive it will all be ok for you. I am 7 months post op and and going great. I think the recovery for this op is minimum 6 months so all you new post oppers please be patient. My pain is very very minimal and more of an ache than a pain so there is hope for you all.

Fireolli I have been running since november. Very short bursts and not on the roads as too hard. I have sprinted a couple of 200 metres and have been ok after. Go for it Olli!!!

Jayne 69
So sorry you are suffering but well done for getting an op date so quickly.
It is a very scary thing to do but it sounds like you have made the right decision to have it. I would do it again if I ever needed to. Welcome to the site and keep in touch with your progress.

Sorry to hear you are on strong painkillers ALI, lets hope they do the trick and you feel ok soon.

To everyone else I hope you are all ok and conditions improving!!

Take care
xxxxxx

 

[mtxhsdyp]

Hi all,

I've been following everyone's progress (& suffering!) since last summer.

Jayne69, I'd say go for the op too. I'm now 5 months post op and after hardly being able to walk last August am now (slowly!) getting back into running. Going for the op was the best thing I did after several years of back problems/injections/acupuncture & hundreds of pounds spent at the chiropractor! I also have more aches rather than actual pains now...in fact sitting at my desk all day hurts me more than any amount of post-op running or exercise I've done.

My only negatives are - The side of my foot & 3 toes are still numb and I've been told that this may/may not go away, but it doesn't affect me day to day and I think this is a small price to pay for the massive increase in my quality of life.
- I still have pretty bad sleep problems, due to the reduction in medication rather than pain (they don't tell you how bad that stuff is when they prescribe it!)

Of course some do continue to suffer (poor Ali, melza, Tracey etc), but just thought I'd share what I think is a really successful outcome for me.

Alistair - good luck for the op tomorrow - think positive!

Best wishes to all - especially those who are still suffering x

 

[Jose Myth]

Hi every1, I would just like to say a big thank you to all the posts i got from you, its really nice to know there are poeple out there that know what im going through, i have felt so alone at times even though my husband has been great, but i know it gets him down when there is nothing he can do to take away the pain.

I am also trying to reduce the morphine as the surgeon was shocked at the amount i was taking, and wants me to reduce it as much as i can before the op, i have managed to reduce it by half but the pain is coming back and im having a bit of a struggle with day to day tasks, i cannot go out of the house as i cannot manage to get my 2yr old in the car as lifting him is a no no, its really strange as i can drive no problem and have no pain, but cannot walk is any1 else liks this?

Best wishes Al for your op tomorrow, and take care everyone else.

With love, Jayne xxx

 

[Amanda :D]

Hi jayne 69 i had a microdiscectomy in december 08 ,i have fibromyalgia which i have suffered with since 2002 but in sep 08 i had much more pain and different to the norm afer visting my gp going to physio and endless pain killers i was sent to a consultant who said my disc had prolapsed L4/L5 the op was the best solution .I have an 8 yr old and an 18 month old and not being able to pick him up after the op was the worst but i couldnt do anything before the op ,having the op was the best decision i made ,to not have that awful pain in my leg and strong painkillers is great i still have slight pain but after the op my consultant said the prolapse was bigger than he though and the sciatic nerve very raw and because of my other condition healing will be slow .My advice is after the op to take things slow (i know it isnt easy with a toddler)it wasnt half as bad as i thought the whole experience would be and i and my family were surprised i quick i recovered ,if you want to ask any questions or advice feel free, take care claire x x