Prolapse Disc - Operation time or not?

[Eric Du]

Hi,

I've just found this site after doing hours of research on prolapse disc problems and I must say - WELL DONE! Some great help and advice on here.

I would love some thoughts and advice from some 'veteran sufferers' and anyone else with experience in this area. I'm 28 and have been suffering with a prolapsed disc since February (nearly 7months). I am quite lucky to be covered by private health care and so I got an MRI in April after the pain would not go away and the physio had stopped treating me because I was showing no improvement at all.

I have had an epidural injection 2 months ago, which helped for about 4 weeks, but now the pain is back and as bad as ever! The neuro surgeon has offered to operate and my own GP has advised my that I should go and do it, because he's been prescribing me the strongest painkillers he can for 5months now.

So... here's my thoughts. I am due to Marry in August 2010 and I really want to be right by then as there are days when I can't even walk at present. I am going to ask the surgeon for another epidural this week in the hope that this one may do better than the last... BUT at the same time ask to be booked in for the operation in January so that if it doesn't work, I can be straight in after Christmas and (hopefully) recovered by my wedding in August. Now I know there will be ups and downs and nothing ever goes perfectly, but I am trying my best to keep a positive outlook on everything.

I have read tales on here about people who have suffered for years before having an operation and I don't want that. Likewise I do not want to be rushing into the Operation if there is something obvious I should be trying beforehand.

Basically, I would love to hear some honest opinions on whether I am doing the right thing, rushing into the Op too soon or just prolonging the inevitable. Thank you in advance people!

 

[Tinesha</3]

Hi gettingwed
my advice is go and get the op done, you have been suffering for seven months already which will have had an impact on your nerve. if you have had physio and tried the epidural and you only got short term relief then the likelihood is a second one will not be much better. the general rule of thumb is that if the disc is going to be absorbed by the body and take the pressure off the nerve then it generally does so within 6-12 weeks - personally i think you are putting of the inevitable and if you are lucky enough to be covered by private health insurance you could be in next week and back up on your feet getting on with your life by xmas 09 not Aug 2010.

I have had two prolapses at the same disc space l4/l5 - the pain was just mind numbing, and I have had two lots of surgery to remove the herniations. Its a scary prospect having someone digging around inside your spine but its a very general operation these days. If your surgeon and your GP is recommending it then go for it - dont loose any more time.

hope that helps

Bonnie 10

 

[brandon garland]

From someone who completely recovered from 10 years of back pain hell, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE (physios, injections were useless for me too).
See what they say about the operation.

 

[I LOVE NOODLES]

Hi I have a prolapsed lumbar disc and had severe sciatica for months - coulndn't sit down or anything. I took up kung fu (i know it sounds like an unlikely cure!) the first lesson i was in agony and could hardly do any of the fitness training - i thought i wouldn't be able to carry on but i really wanted to so i started exercising as much as i could. I went jogging every morning only for about 15 mins but better than nothing and tried to do the crunches and press ups, i think that combined with going through the form every day helped my posture and strengthened my core muscles and sorted my back out pretty much. It was almost better within a couple of months and its never come back properly. I've stopped training now (I've hurt my hand this time!) but i do some yoga or chi gong in the morning and this seems to keep it in check.

I know they say you shouldn't run with a bad back but i'm just saying what helped me. I've heard a doctor say they no longer recommend the steriod injections so i would definately discontinue that, i've never tried the Alexander technique but that may help.... most of all believe you will get better!

Oh and as for the operation i would definately leave that as a last resort - the doctors kept saying i should have the op but i'm so glad i didn't now. I was speaking to a guy a few weeks ago and he said he had that operation and 5 years on he still has trouble with it - he has to have a special chair at work and can't lean over the bath or anything without getting pain and worse still he has been told he will probably have to have it done again after a few years! It will always be a weak spot (probably what ever you do) but i would rather do it the natural way than have someone mess around with my spine.
Get better soon

 

[foebpasse]

Hi gettingwed2010, a couple of my clients have had the operation, after trying the other avenues, they were glad that they did, like you they were unsure, they asked lots of questions, chose the surgeon on recommendation, and never looked back. They have a very neat scar, and thats it.

Therapist1960uk

 

[oneof5]

hi gettingwed2010,

I have had severe back problems for the last 5/6 years, always managed with chiropractic treatments, massages and physio which kept me on track for all that time. However in April of this year it got so bad that the physio actually rang the surgeon and said I desperately needed the operation. By this point I agreed entirely! I had the op in July of this year - Im back on my feet, riding a horse, back at work (albeit light duties because I cant lift for 3months post op). My sciatic pain is 98% gone, I manage now without any painkillers, my back is getting stronger day by day and I actually feel human again. I have a tiny scar of about 1 1/2 inches and thats about it.

As to whether you have the op, explore all the options open to you - do your research and decide whats the best way for you. The op is not always successful but for me it has transformed my life and I am so happy to be back fighting (well nearly) fit and out of the horrendous pain that dogged my life.

Good luck with the wedding, I got married last year and my lovely new hubby has supported me through this year and spent many an hour traipsing to the hospital to visit. All the best.

Sarsy