Discectomy - After the Operation

[Brian Liebman]

Hi goodlad, you're right, a discectomy tends to ease the sciatic pain in the legs. Did you mention how bad the back pain is to your consultant, what did he/she advise? Even if you feel the back pain is your biggest problem you'd be surprised how much that eases following a discectomy. There are no guarantees about the outcome but if your consultant thinks its worth doing then its probably best to go ahead and hope for the best....I think thats what we all do anyway.

My recent visit to the back clinic suggested epidural injection as the cure for back pain...it didn't work. Does anyone know what the options are for back pain rather than leg pain?

 

[amoeba]

Hi there....thanks for the reply....Yes i have mentioned the terrible back pain. On the MRI it showed a herniated disc at L5-S1. Pain is a complete nightmare now and has taken over my life completely.

Since XMAS I have gone into work for only two and a half weeks if that.

I have today sent him an email explaining that I did not want to go through the Discectomy process to be then told I got to have some other form of surgery.

This is no game as everyone here knows so I would like to get it right first time.
Anyone know do they do lumbar fusions for herniated discs?

 

[Dominic]

Yes, goodlad, I did the same with my consultant. I had problems with my upper and lower back but had to have surgery in two different hospitals, it all got very silly and took over 2 years to get it done. Unless you're going private make sure you're kept on the list, my letter of concern caused a total malfunction in the system. They interpreted my letter as not wanting to go ahead with surgery, which I didn't even get close to suggesting!

I'm sure you need to get the discectomy completed before considering anything further. They don't like to complicate surgery with other matters anyway, only doing what really needs to be done.

Surgery is not always the best option, as some previous posts have pointed out. The negatives have made me a little less keen for surgical intervention...that might not be successful. I should add that I've had two operations which have eased my symptoms considerably, but they haven't completely gone away. I think thats possibly my best outcome, and I'm not going to pretend I'm happy with it.

 

[unliddips]

New to this site, and i have to say , AMAZING!!! So nice to discover more peeps in the same boat.

I'm a 27 year old lad and over the last 4 years i have had 3 epidurals, 1 nerve blocking injection, 3, yes 3 discectomys (all on L4-L5, one was on L5-S1 as well) and i'm just awaiting for another MRI to see if i need another sort of op because of my repeated disk prolapses. 2 of the discectomys have been in the last 12 months. I have been told that i have a twisted hip and was wondering if anyone knows if this could be a reason to why my backs sooooo screwed.

 

[v.acid]

Just thought I'd drop in to say I've got an op scheduled for the 14th april, i think it's an l5s1 discectomy. Just because I found this thread so useful I will keep you all updated. Best wishes everybody.

 

[Melissa S]

Ok its been over 3 months since i had my Laminectomy, I have no pain and am feeling really good if not disheartened at not being able to find a job [ i was told to stop plastering and physical labour]
Otherwise life is good, my physio says my hamstrings need lots of stretches and i recommend doing them , they definately help. I have begun football training and although i feel so much slower its a start. So glad that i had the op, Good luck everyone else, i hate the thought of going through it all again.

 

[Brother John]

I'm now nearly 10 weeks post op and saw the surgeon today for my final check up. His only question was "Have I managed to get rid of your pain?" When I said "Yes", then he answered "Then go and enjoy the rest of your life".
I truly feel that I've been given my life back. When I think back over the last 6 months, there have been so many ups and downs and the downs were so low I couldn't see how I was ever going to get out of the pit I was in. I know surgery isn't for everyone, but for me it has been a lease of life and I'm so glad that I'm now able to share my successful experience with everyone, particularly those who are waiting for the surgery and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Look back on my earlier postings and see how desperate I was compared to how I am now. You too can come through this. Use the support of this group ..... everyone knows what they're talking about and can empathise with you.
The consultant said that my prolapsed was about as bad as it gets. Looking back now, and the amount of pain I was in, I don't doubt what he says is true, but it doesn't matter now. I'm pain free. Back at work (and those of you who are still looking for work, I'm thinking of you). Driving again and looking forward to a summer holiday that I can enjoy this year. I'll keep checking in from time to time to see how everyone's getting on, but take strength from one who's been there. It can get better. xxxx

 

[Pompal 09.]

WooHoo Bekpet!!!! Lovely to hear a good outcome xxxxx

 

[Spring]

Have to say its taken me longer to get over the anaesthetic than i thought, the op damaged mouth, throat and nose. But the sciatica has mostly gone-except when i cough or sneeze and some ghost pain in my calf. My bladder control has also much improved and i dont need to get up in the night anymore!

Still tired and cannot sit for long. Back is very stiff staples come out on friday-i have 20 bit gutted its gone right through a tatoo!
Not sure when i will go back to work-i sit all day was expexting to be off for 4 weeks but have a feeling reading other posts it will be considerably longer!

 

[baller]

hi all
Had discectomy on L5/S1 last wed (week today) and sitting at home recovering...painful still to sit down and sleeping is tough!
Leg pain gone but still feel that back pain although it is very early days. Hospital called yesterday to arrange physio....lets see

 

[LowkeyedOne]

Hey guys im new to this site but its great to be able to communicate with people who have had similar problems, as people who havnt had back problems don't understand. Ill give you a quick run down, im 24 from Australia and injured my back playing rugby when i was 16, i saw a doctor took some pain killers rested for a week then was fine then 2 years later the pain return and was worse and lasted longer. I had a mri done to reveal 2 buldgeing discs (L5 and s1) the specialist said you can leave it and it can repair its self or have surgery, i ended up leaving it and to my suprise it did get better i would get the odd bit of pain in my lower back here and there but nothing some rest and anti-inflamitories wouldnt fix. Anyway about 6 months ago roughly 5 years after i chose not to have the surgery i woke with back pain and now leg pain down my right leg which i had never experienced i thought i may have slept funny but the pain had not gone away after a week i went to see a physio. After about 3 months with a physio once a week nothing had changed and the pain was getting worse so i went to my doctor and he prescribed me to get a steroid shot. Well what a waste that was it did stuff all.

I kept persisting with it for a few more months untill finaly i had enough went back to my doctor who prescribed me to an orthapedic surgeon who had a look at a recent mri i had done and my lowest disc had ruptured and started pushing on my siatic nerve in my right leg so he booked me in for a discectomy.

So i had the discectomy and i woke up pain free from my leg which made me so happy. I stayed in hospital for 4 days just doing light walking a few times a day other than that i was on my back resting up. At the end i started feeling that familiure pain down my right leg again which they said was most likley swelling. So i went home stayed on my back as much as possible but the leg pain was starting to come back i rang my surgeon but they said wait a few weeks for the swelling to go down after 4 weeks the pain hadn't gone away so i had another mri which revealed my disc had rebuldged and ill need another discectomy. So im writing this as im in hospital recovering after my 2nd discectomy in 6 weeks and my leg is starting to get that familiure feeling again and was starting to get worried, but after reading all your posts and how time seems to repair the nerve damage it dose fill me with some hope that finally ill be pain free soon. I really want this recovery to work i was woundering has anyone gone through more than one discectomy and had a good recovery for it. Also ive heard good things about devils claw to help with inflamation during the recovery process, any tips and advive would be great.

Cheers

 

[Nancy W]

Nico I felt the same no-one discussed my op with me in detail...everything I knew abt it i researched on the web....but chin up buddy...I had mine 23rd March so some 11 days ago. Still on painkillers. But i was in similar boat and i am hoping things will get better from here,

 

[zeltzin]

Wow there's so many of us in the same boat! I'm glad I found some UK pages on the matter, as folks from the US seem to have lots of options and drugs for treatment.

I've spent the last 2 years in a series of physio, accupuncture, more physio and then an expensive private course of chiro. Despite knowing it was disk probs I finally got an MRI (well 2, as the 1st one wrongly focussed on my hips as the locum was convinced that I'm too young for disk probs (I'm 34)). Thankfully it was only a 2 month wait once surgery had been determined as best option.

Anyway I found these pages as I'm 6 days into recovery from microdiscectomy last monday and am worrying about my legs still being numb at night - looks as if it takes a while for the nerve to recover, thankfully the pain has gone, so at least one thing is sorted.

I've had very little info from my surgeon on the next steps, he just breezed through and said "You're OK to go home, see you in about 6 weeks". Unfortunately the treatment I got in my hospital wasn't great compared to other ops I've had in the past - only got paracetmol for pain relief (stupidly left my stronger stuff at home thinking I'd be dosed up!), no help to go to loo for 1st time. However, I was on the neuro ward, and the things people were having done to their brains made my probs feel like a breeze in comparison, which put it all into perspective.

Anyway what should I expect next, how long were people off work (I've been signed off 4 weeks)?

 

[BigAl]

Good question jimboa. I've spent 2 years trying to get my back looked at, I felt it had relapsed in March 09 following a microdiscectomy in November 08. I've had a full spine MRI, which was nice, and found that I have indeed got another disc bulge in the operation site. They recommend going to a pain management clinic rather that a second operation.....hmmm. I'm really mixed up about this because I don't want to spend the rest of my life in pain but also know the success rate for a second discectomy is pretty low. Has anybody here had a successful second operation?

Its so difficult making an informed decision about back problems.....I just want it to stop hurting! My sympathy with struggling post oppers, our expectations are limitless post surgery, but time can make a lot of difference to pain levels. Don't forget to do some stretching exercises because that can bring some relief.

 

[Wynne Q]

Well im home from the hospital now and back to watching tv and playing playstation all day, may sound fun to some but ive allready had a month of this befor its really getting boring id much rather be back at work. But i do feel better this time i do have a slight pain down my right leg but its not there 100 percent of the time and when i walk it actually feels pretty good so im hoping its just some inflamation from the operation site as last time walking was what put it into pain. Also when my wound heals im going to book my self in for some hydro pool physio sessions i hear great things about them has any one tried these, did they help recovery?

Im alot more optimistic this time around as the leg pain feels better, still thinking of trying devils c;awdone a bit of research on it just wanted to hear any experiences about it.

Good luck to any one having surgery or recovering, Melza ive been reading some of your stories, mate i wouldnt wish any of that on my worst enemy, chin up im sure a solution will present it self have u looked into disc replacement surgery?

 

[PeaceLoveHope <3]

Hi anyone

Diagnosed with problem 16 years ago but went away with weeks of physio etc. Mid December it flared up again and got progressively worse, saw two doctors that didnt even give me pain relief!! 14 February started to lose use of foot so paid privately to see chiropractor and get x rays, by the end of the week my foot was turning inwards, chiro contacted my doc who got me into hospital for emergency MRI (which took 5 days!!) operation following week on L4 and L5. Felt foot as soon as I woke up and stood up 7 hours after surgery, home the next day. I must admit some of the posts on here have scared the hell out of me and glad I didn't see them prior to op. Recovery is really good so far although achey on and off as I try and do more, exercises really important tho.

 

[jbedqzrd]

I am 7 weeks post discectomy, L5 S1 ( seems to be the most common one to go!!!) and have been reading your posts since this all started for me in December 2010.

It seems I had my op pretty quickly, and can't recommend Oswestry hospital and Dr Balain enough. I am lucky to live near such a great facility I suppose.

I am getting a stiff and sore back, and a bit of discomfort in my ankle, but nothing like I had before the op, when I was completely incapacitated and don't remember most of it due to amitripyline (probably just as well).

I wondered if anyone could help me regarding a nasty pain I am getting on the back of my left thigh during the night and when turning over in bed. It's really gripping pain which comes when I move. I don't get it in the day at all.
I am also getting a bit of the old tenderness when sitting down, on the part of my leg which is touching the chair.

I have spent £££££££ on heat wraps, a back brace (which is fab post op as it stops the feeling of my back breaking) and a coccyx cushion too.

My GP says it is probably the nerve damage I have sustained (numb foot still too) and I still have a massive 'dent' in my left buttock (muscle wastage?) but I don't have a great deal of faith in my GP so thought I would ask the real experts - those who have gone through / are going through the same thing.

I'm not driving yet but have to go back to work in a week! Any tips?

Thanks

 

[the man]

Hi there
I am four weeks post op today .....and suffering very similar to you. Back feels very stiff and sore all the time. Night time?...the worst. I have not had a decents nights sleep since this op. I am still taking Diclofenic and Ibrufens.

The leg pain has gone but is still evident in my buttock. Started Physio yesterday and boy was she rough. I felt she had given me a good hiding when I got home. Again not a good night for sleeping last night.
What is worrying me is I have found I still have that "pinching of the never" pain when i lean to my left at times. Couple that in with the stiff and sore lumbar area I dont feel much difference to pre-op condition.
Physio says it is still early days.
Question for you all - Returning to work. I work as a Aircraft Maintenance Engineer working on small business jets and job invloves being physical and getting into tights space as well as lifting heavy items etc etc etc. Surgeon signed me off for 6 weeks and there is no way I feel this is long enough to get over this op. Bear in mind there is no chance of a phased return to work or light duties at work. It really is a case of all or nothing. So what is a reasonable time given my job to return to work?
I am worried as my sick cert runs out in 2 weeks and I cannot see myself returning then.
Many thanks

 

[Mel (:]

Hi there goodlad.

If I was you I would get your GP to sign you off for a bit longer. A friend gave me some very good advice about my back - if you don't listen to your body telling you that you're not ready to get back to normal just yet and you push it too early, you will feel like this for ever. If you are still needing that level of medication to control the pain, your GP shoud sign you off for longer, not just because you are still unwell, but because operating machinery on the meds is a bad idea too! You don't realise just how they impair your thinking until you stop them / cut down.
Today is the first day I have felt like the old me, and that's 7 weeks post op. I still feel very weak in my back but I think this is probably due to being cautious as well as due to lost muscle strength in my back. I do a desk job, and the thought of going back to a physical job like yours makes me wince. I would really recommend the back brace. They aren't cheap but I think that wearing it all day has made a huge difference.
My pains in the night weren't too bad last night, I actually managed to sleep for a few undisturbed hours - the first time in almost six months. Bliss.

 

[K-Dawg]

Hi goodlad, I was signed off for 8 weeks, and so have a number of other people here. It would be good if you get the extra 2 weeks and see how you feel then, better talk to your doc. Keeping your job is crucial but don't take too many chances, slow and steady progress is much better than going backwards. Always avoid twisting and lifting, even if you feel absolutely fine, and do moderate exercise to get the muscles used to working again. The stronger the back muscles the less chance of discs 'slipping' again.

Hope it feels better soon for you and sjj.