Hi
I wonder if anyone can offer advice. I'm 5 weeks post microdiscectomy with some improvements to nerve pain in my right leg but by no means pain free yet. Ive been walking every day and using a hydrotherapy pool and there have been days where the pain is better but then the peaks and troughs are quite huge. I'm still on paracetamol and amitriptaline at night. I have sought a lot of advice from this forum and some people have been extremely helpful and reassuring that it all takes time. Im at the point where i will do anything to aid my recovery so I had acupunture yesterday as I thought this might help with remaining pain. However, I'm convince this has made my pain worse as my leg is giving me increased nerve pain since I had it done yesterday. I'm so scared I've done something silly by having it done. I didn't think acupuncture could give negative results. It may be a coincidence but I'm convinced its done me no good. Does anyone else have experience of acupuncture after the operation? I'm meant to have another appointment this Friday but I think I should cancel. Any advice, much appreciated.
Thank you !
Salimali reply
I had acupuncture numerous times prior to surgery but was told by the practitioner they wouldn't have another look at me until 8 weeks after surgery. This was because she said any benefit would be undone in the journey to and from her place (8 miles in car). I never did sort the appointments out as I opted for hydrotherapy and stretches with the physio instead.
I can't see how the acupuncture would make it worse. Did they go for the knee/buttock and foot points or did they try spinal pins aswell???
Also acupuncture is a treatment and is supposed to show real benefit at about the 6th session, people sometimes don't understand that about it.
It may be the position they had you in aggravated the nerve (not the needles), or simply the journey to and from the acupuncture place (unless they came to you).
I will say again though that 5 weeks is still super early, and knowing how eager I was then you maybe just need to try taking the foot off the gas. It'll come:)
I have had two lumber decompressions after the first one went wrong everything went downhill. Had an RACZ procedure which helped but didnt (nor did I expect it to) to rectify the situation. I am now around 2 years affter the last decompression and have been taking Pregablin and Amytriplyne (and varioius other medication) for many years now daily. I am just about to return to full time work.
Recently I was given an option by a consultant of some acupuncture treatment or a Rehab course. I chose the latter. At first after attending this course I thought nothing of it - now the rehab course has been one of the best things I have done for myself. I found that I didnt quite grasp everything at the course and it was only until I followed an exercise regime daily that I started to reap the benefits. I used to walk daily with a limp, struggle to get up and down stairs, have horrendous nights of non sleep etc. I have lost around two stone now (used to have a 38 inch waist) and I no longer walk with a limp.
My advice to anyone is to look into the rehab courses, you have nothing to lose as it shows how to deal with pain on a daily basis, how to exercise correctly etc.
If you are on a BUPA scheme everything is covered - and no I am not a salesman for the rehab courses I am someone who went on the course cynically thinking what good will this do for me and come out converted.
Thanks for replies. I think you're right microsuccess - I'm gonna chill out a bit and not seek an answer to the post op pain. I think I'm going to cancel the acupuncture and stick with walking and hydrotherapy pool and think of 5 weeks as the start of recovery and stop (or try!) panicking! I wasn't so keen on the acupunture therapist either as she was very negative about the fact I'd had surgery and told me my problem was 'hormonal' which to me was beyond the ridiculous! If only!
Thanks Chris517 - that's great you got so much out of a rehab course. I would love a rehab course but can't seem to find anything my area and don't have private medical so would've stuck paying for anything very expensive. The nhs physio has seen me once post op and then didn't want to see me for 3weeks. I'd really benefit from a group rehab course but can't find an nhs one at all, do they do them on the nhs do you know?
Thank you for advice
Sorry in taking so long to get back to you. With regards to the group therapy course's I know that there are NHS ones but I am not sure of the details. I guess the correct people to ask for the answers you seek is the company that run my course in Coventry. I live in London and had to travel there. I am not quite sure on this but think under the recent rulings you can attend a private hospital etc if you get a doctor to refer you there. Like I say the only way of finding information out for sure is to ask the relevant people who will know the answer. If you look up Real Health Coventry and make a quick phone call they might be able to answer any questions you have.