Discectomy - After the Operation

[beartree]

Hi Ali, how are you doing my little friend.

Olli, really good news about baby, you can relax now then.

Fossway, I can understand why you're concerned about your leg and it's a pity they've put you on hold all the way until the end of April before you see anybody. I don't understand why you have to hold out till then as you have other muscles that need to keep working, otherwise those muscles will just get weaker. Walking will be good no matter what distance you do, even if its only round the kitchen...you need to get more physio advice if you have to wait that long.

And if it makes you feel any better I've done all the physio and tried various methods to get back to my normal self (3 months post op)....and it just isn't happening! My main aim has been walking the one and a half miles to the beach,and theres no way I can do it. I too had a large chunk taken away but don't know if that makes a difference. I keep giving myself a huge push forward only to end up with unbearable pain, a little bit like the disc has popped out again actually.....eek!

Jess, thank you for that hug...I'm sending one right back to you. Good days or bleak days is the routine at the moment. And I wrote 'Failing Memory' as the reason for editing because I got names mixed up again, as good an excuse as any I thought.

Tomorrow is another day.

 

[Stace]

Olli

So glad to hear your news about baby. Good that your pain is setlling too - sounded like intercostals - very painful!!!!

Melza

Hope your are feeling better. Try not to over do things and learn by MY mistakes!!

Fossway

I agree with Olli about walking and swimming , build it up gradually and I think you will soon feel stronger but overdo it.


I am off on hols tomorrow. Yippee!!!
Will miss you all but will be thinking about you and I shall get in touch when I get back in 2 weeks.




pennylane xx

 

[RockTheCasbah]

Hello everyone, not been on here for a while but have been reading the threads and following your progress. I have moved forward slightly in that I have now had my pre op assessment and have been given a date for my op ...6th April. When they told me I got very upset as it seems such a long time away but I know it will fly by. I have also had an Occupational Health Assessment by my employers. The report stated I was not fit to work full time so I am now only working half my hours and not allowed to drive. I too have a meeting on Monday to ascertain how we are going to manage the stipulations detailed in the report until April. Apart from that still in pain, still taking the drugs, its amazing how you learn to live with the pain levels, night times are still definately the worse, not long now. I am very scared but know that I must do this if I am to have any chance of a 'normal' life again.

My best wishes to you all.

 

[so confused..smh]

Hi All,

Congratulations Olli, capital news!

So! Im now 9 days post op, I had my dressing removed today and the nurse said there is no sign of any infection and all is well.

Im now walking about 2 - 2.5 miles in the morning and again at night with little walks around the block in between. Exercises are going well and I feel good, if a little fragile and still stiff.

I have nerve pain to the point where Im concious of it but its no problem (so quite mild) and after a walk almost nothing. If this pain didnt clear up, I could live with it... no worries. Compared to the last 6 months I feel amazing.

Its still early days... but I will say that I am currently very pleased with how things are going and from my personal experience I would say that having a discectomy (when an MRI scan backs up the location of nerve pain) is the way to go... as soon as you can! If this thread tells us anything its that once you're post op, you need patience and determination by the bucket and a bit of good luck to boot. The op itself is just the first big step.

I intend to continue the distances I walk but to try more daring stretches and step up my physio week 4ish. I will be starting my one to one Pilates towards the end of March.

My ambitious target is to get some flexibilty back, ease my hamstrings and maybe one day run / jog again. Seems pretty unlikely at the moment and to be honest I would settle for no pain and just to walk without a problem.

Hope everyone is coping well, Al x

(spoke to a chemist today who insisted that folic acid works wonders to repair damaged nerves, worth a go!)

 

[gynqanjd]

Hi everyone,
Well i am getting more nervous by the day i have only 10days to go till my op !!!
and the really strange thing is a lot of my pain seems to have gone and i have reduced my morphine to 20mg in morning and 10mg at night.
I im off the Gabapentine completley and only taking co-codamol with the morphine.

I am just hoping i dont feel worst than i do now after the op.
Dont get me wrong i know when its time to take my tablets as like today i went to the shops feeling pretty good but half way round i started to get pains and was walking with a limp when i came out of the shop !

I keep reading other peoples posts after they have had their op and fingers crossed they all seem to be doing really well, i just hope i will be writting in after my op with the same good news.

I have to go to the hospital next week for some immunoglobulin put into to me via drip as my blood does not clot as i have had my spleen removed and my platlets are low, so they cannot opperate untill they have put it in or i will just bleed and bleed.
and i dont want that !!!

Anyway i hope everyone is fine and i will let you all know how things go.

From a very scared and nervous Jayne. x x x

Take care all x x x

 

[lesscaffeine]

Hi another newbie post, found this amazing site by accident and looks like I might be asking a lot of questions over the next few weeks. Have been diagnosed with prolapsed disc L5/S1 which is to be removed by discectomy. I have suffered for nearly four years with the pain and have been on every type of pain killer known to man, had all sorts of pain killing injections, I am now on buprenorphine 35mg patches which have been absolutely wonderful I wouldnt have been able to cope the last four months with out them. Last summer I spent august through to october on crutches as I couldnt walk due to the severity of leg pain I had. the patches have helped me ditch the crutches and get back to a level of "normality", I can walk unaided.
I have had a phone call today to say I will be having my op on march 16th and will have a pre op appointment sometime next week. I am excited nervous and terrified all at the sametime. Not sure what to expect with a discectomy time in hospital getting up and out of bed and returning to work, I suppose this depends on the type of person you are and how determined you are to succeed. Thanks for reading my first post, I'll be gratefull for any comments or tips (havent been in hospital for a planned op before) thanks Audrey

 

[Kaviani999]

Hi Jayne, am glad to hear you are doing better than when you last posted.
Hope all goes well with your op hun


Now folks I am getting a bit concerned.....I am having the usual nerve pain down my right butt cheek and calf, to the point where i get painful spasms in my foot.
Also, i keep getting a hot feeling in my left calf....I wasn't worried before but am now.
I am now 3 months post op....don't recall these feelings from the first time I was post-op!

 

[WidGaroaai]

Hi Audrey,
Me and you seem to be in the same boat, im having my op on march 2nd and im feeling the same as you, very nervous and scared.
When i went for my pre-op they told me a few things but not really much, thats why im glad i found this site as there are people who have had the op and can tell you what its like.
I know i wont be able to lift anything up for up to 6weeks which is a little bit of a worry as i have a 2yr old little boy who is always wanting to be picked up !!!
I have benn told i might be on crutches for a while but i will just have to wait and hope all goes well.

Well keep in touch and i will let you know how i go on and maybe that might help,
take care and just think no more horrid pain after the op, fingers crossed.

With love, Jayne x x x

 

[Frantastic]

Hi Ali - interview went very well thanks. Other than me sitting there mid interview & realisation hitting me that I really don't want the job as I actually love working where I am. (other than my issues with management) So i've decided to take up the fight again.
As for the MRI its a non starter at the moment as my consultant decided he wanted to wait until he reviews me (25th March) & then decide. He needs to sort out both himself & his team of merry men, because i'm requesting he refers me to a spinal surgeon for a 2nd opinion!

I havn't posted for a while as i've been feeling quite unwell. Besides the leg & back pain i've also got pain in my arms, neck etc. The only way I can describe it is my bones actually hurt, i've never felt anything like it before plus my 2 fingers that were numb on my left hand have been joined by a 3rd. Small things such as tying laces, fastening buttons & threading needles are becoming pretty impossible to do as my hands become stiff & I have trouble bending my fingers.

Sorry for whinging again

Alistair - glad to hear you are making good progress

Melza - I had a very similar thing happen to the 1 you mentioned in the private message

Take care xx

 

[Aazorz]

A very big 'HELLO' to Tracey 1 and Alli, I felt so relieved when I got to your posts....I'm not on my own! Alli, you'd better see your GP about your funny leg pain....sounds strange to me. I still have cramp pains in my foot but not sure if its the same thing you have.

Tracey, I have similar symptoms with my hands...all connected with the problems in my cervical spine, but not sure you want to know that. And I may have won that work thing but it hasn't been confirmed in writing as promised, I have a bad feeling about that. And the reason I was pleased to read Alli and Traceys posts, I've felt so negative about how slowly my recovery is going and feel it must be my fault...maybe I should walk five miles a day, swim 50 lengths or jog for 10 miles.

Although I'm very pleased to have reduced the 'drugs' to a minimal amount (and lost half a stone with dieting) I still can't tackle anything physically demanding . Not because I'm old or because I'm unfit/weak willed... I try really hard but just can't do it. Its just too frustrating! Maybe I'll feel more positive tomorrow.

 

[Ham and Cucumber]

Hi Melza

You are not on your own hun, i feel that its my fault that i have hit a wall in my recovery, even though i haven't done anything that taxing. I walk a bit, drive a bit, my work isn't physically demanding.
Or just maybe i did too much of that in one day, who knows?

I haven't had the 'hot' feeling today, but have been in real bad pain today.
Was off work most of last week and this week, its like i can manage one day of going about my daily business but the next day i ache so much.
I am going to see 'him' on the 6th march. If he fobs me off with the "your nerve is badly scarred, it will take time to heal" i think i will go mental.
I am going to push him for a scan, i hope i don't see the doctor i saw last time though, he is a pleb. The 2nd night after my op, i was awake the whole night in pain and they were giving me morphine every hour and he still sent me home later that day. I saw him at my first follow up and he makes me so mad because he just does not listen.

Anyway....rant over!

Tracey...That is obscene that your consultant saying he wants you to wait and be reviewed again before sending you for a scan, what is up with him?
I absolutely agree that you should get a 2nd opinion. I am so sick of doctors thinking they are the know it all's and leaving us to suffer.
Am glad the interview went ok, but am sorry you are having more problems with your hands and aching in your neck.
I hope that it will settle hun and not be another thing for you to have to deal with.

Melza, it doesn't surprise me that you are still waiting for your letter, the NHS seem to be taking their time about everything at the moment!

 

[John Hendrix]

Olli

Brilliant news re your baby, fantastic. I would advise you to choose a cot and car seat carefully. I had a 12 month old when I had my discectomy and once I had got back to lifting, still struggled with the twisting movement to get in and out of car seat. At first we only had one between two cars, but it was so awkward shifting it around I got two. Get a cot if you can where the sides go right down, otherwise you are lifting a sleeping weight out and over. Anyway I hope all goes really well.

Jayne, although I was told by the consultant I could lift after 3 weeks, he changed this to 6 and then 12, and I did stick to it, but with a toddler it is really hard.

Fosseway, I too was told not to do anything for first 3 weeks, not even stretching, except walking. I did lose my nerve after reading this site and took up others suggested stretches. I then started physio at 8 weeks, but very gentle stretches. I have been told not to run, even at the gym. I was a regular member before, but just fast walking and cross trainer until I've pasted the 12 months. This maybe because of my age.

Best wishes to all

Howie

 

[Amy Wright]

thanks for all your support great to know theres folks to talk to......have moved my specialist appointment from april28th to March 14th which is good news as I have no idea really about how good or bad I am doing am 8 week post op now

have been doing to much I think as i am now suffering from a sharp stabbing pain at the back of my right leg where the original sciatica was in my left!!

keep the faith folks......!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Dear Fossway, you show me where the faith is and I'll make sure I hang on to it. P.S Isn't the Fossway some sort of walking area?

Alli, I'm still waiting to hear from Southampton (how many times have I said that?) and wonder if my treatement is, once again, being manipulated to fit in with governemnt targets. This is a well trodden path for me.

There's a bit of sunshine in the sky here and the birds are twittering with excitement, which tends to lift even the most reluctant spirits. It feels good. Sending love to fellow sufferers. X

 

[Chris Haggard]

so interesting about the folic acid thing...i have been taking it since around 6 weeks post op in preparation for the (so far unsuccessful) baby-making. it makes total sense that it would have an impact on nerve recovery as the reason for taking it in pregnancy is to do with foetal neural tube development. it's cheap to buy and a side-effect-free dietary supplement. so i suggest you all go out and get some!! i have been no way near as good as most of you at doing exercises and being careful with activities and still seem to be recovering well. maybe it's the folic acid????
much love,
Jxx

 

[bennachie1]

Hi everyone.

Firstly can I thank everyone who has posted here. The information and support (even for a lurker like me) has been a great help in getting through this ordeal.

I had my discectomy on February 11th 2009 (the day after Alistair I think). I felt moved to post as I am doing no where near as good as him. It's interesting to see how much variance there is between all of our recoveries.

My story is similar to many here. I started with sciatica at the start of 2008. It progressively got worse and all my GP did was prescribe paracetamol. At the start of December '08 it became unbearable so the GP sent me for physio - 2 month wait list on NHS so I paid privately for it. That didn't help much apart from the traction which game me relief for about an hour. I was getting desperate. The pain in my ankle felt like it had been smashed with a sledge hammer and my thigh was on fire. I was limping rather than walking everywhere. The GP relented and put me on Tramadol. Whilst that helped me to cope with the pain, it didn't really relive it - it sort of made me just not care that it hurt ! I had a crappy, trippy Christmas on the Tramadol and wasn't able to go back to work so I became determined to get things sorted ASAP.

I self referred myself for an MRI at a great place in Cheltenham called the Colbalt Appeal. It cost £218 but was worth every penny. Long story short - was told of a long wait for NHS consultant so went for a private consultant who saw me a couple of times, ran a few tests and suggested that he operate ASAP. I have managed to empty our family savings account but in the current economic climate I can't afford to lose my job - I need to be fit and well to keep a roof over our heads and this seemed to be the quickest way. I have been completely shocked by the length of time to see a NHS specialist and I am gutted for those of you who have had to suffer long waits. I really don't know how anyone copes.

So the operation went well but I was very sore for the first few days afterwards. On the following Saturday I had a horrible bout of back spasms that would not ease up. I couldn't do any physio that day so was kept in till last Monday (ie.5 nights in hospital). I am so impressed with those of you that get home after only a couple of nights inside. I wonder if that is because of the type of operation ? Mine was an Open Discectomy on L5/S1 - I have a 4" scar.

So now I am 11 days post-op and still not able to walk for more than a quarter of an hour around the house before the bad leg gets weak and starts to buckle. I still have a sciatica in the thigh and calf - but thankfully the ankle and foot just has pins and needles. I'm keeping up with the exercises to try and keep things moving. I do see an improvement each day but I am frustrated that it's not quicker. I have two year old twin girls and they don't understand why daddy doesn't pick them up any more. Hopefully things will improve rapidly over the next few weeks.

Sorry for the long post. For those that haven't had the op yet, even with my slow recovery I can confidently say it was absolutely the right thing to do. The relief you feel at waking up after the operation is wonderful. Hang on in there.

Hegs.

 

[Bluenash]

Hi All,

Hegs, I have something positive for you (I Hope) I have a work friend who had the same op as you (i.e. L5S1 open, not micro), he had it done in Poland! he said that he was told at that level the muscle tissue is tighter and therefore harder to clamp aside to allow working room, this results in a slower recovery in terms of post op spasms and aches. He had a rough ride but 10days post he says is when things really started to improve. I hope the same happens with you. I know exactly what you mean about the sledge hammer by the way. Very best of luck.

I am doing pretty good, I have some aches in my bck and occassional nerve pain but (touch wood) its all mild. I only take glucisathingy, omega 3, and folic acid (Vit B) Walking and exercises are going well. Im taking it in a "steady as she goes" way, Im not going back to work until May so I feel quite optamistic about being ready for it. Im so glad I had this Op, thanks to all of you advised me it was the way to go.

Hope everyone is ok as they can be! best wishes Al

 

[GerGrounnyhow]

Question. The consultant told me he had to take a large chunk out of my disc and I too have a four inch scar (approx cause I can't twist myself to measure it) so did I have a micro discectomy or not. I was puzzled about that for a while, wondering why it was classed as micro when it didn't look very micro to me, but now Hegs has reminded me and I wonder what size the scar is normally.

I think its tragic that you had to spend your cash getting the treatment you already paid for too, you'd think it would be more economical getting us folks back into action and supporting our families. We must do a protest march when we're all mobile again....can you picture it? I'm smiling at the image.

 

[jgeynuhtizriiwece]

I had a microdiscectomy twice and both scars are about an inch/inch and a half long....does this help?.....

I decided to grit my teeth and get on with life today. I have finally managed to teach my lovely 7 year old daughter to ride her bike all by herself and so thought i would join her in riding a bike today with her.
I was told i could do gentle bike riding as it is good for keeping the nerve free and its exercising my leg.
It was very nice actually and didn't cause me any extra aggro, and we rested regularly.
I think my muscles will hate me tomorrow and hurt me but otherwise i have no more pain than i did before.
I think the gabapentin is finally kicking in, i have been on it for 2 weeks and thats how long they said it would take.

Anyway, this is today, i hope i haven't tempted fate for tomorrow!!!

 

[pweyyualinuiqmeds]

Hi all ...........

Melza - I hope your spirits are a little higher today. I'm praying the pain in my arms isn't anything to do with my cervical spine, but something definatley isn't right. I've made an apt with my GP for friday as its getting worse daily. With regard to your work thing, I think its a standard the NHS strives hard to deliver ... Neglecting their staff!!! I received the minutes of my meeting & they read very negatively. There is no mention of redeployment or any of the other promises they made so i've just written to them to get it ammended. As for scars after my first op the scar was just over 1'' long. However, after the revision op its now around 4'' long with a big dip at the top of it where they removed the drain.

Ali - I hope the bike ride hasn't left you feeling too stiff or in pain today. I attempted the ironing at the weekend as it had built up (it was actually a mountain) seemed to go well until it came to hanging it up. My leg decided it had had enough & just gave up. Result .... I end up falling & took me around 5 mins to get back up ....... What i wouldn't give right now just to be my normal self. 18 months ago i was so active. Playing footy (badly) skydiving & running around a ward Now I struggle to keep up with household chores & if I don't get signed back as fit in the next 3 weeks I lose my job ............ lifes a bitch!!!!

Tracey xx