Hi,
I'm only 3 weeks since my microdiscectomy but have gone 2 years prior with chronic sciatica, numbness and intense drugs regime. Three things I would offer up that helped massively with me prior surgery:
Accupuncture: I am not sure how/why it works but I had 6 weeks (2 session a week) either side of my MRI and the swelling decreased significantly. The dr explained accupuncture helps relax the swelling in the area. I would say it reduced pain 30-50%.
Tramadol: I can only assume everyone is on a cocktail like I was, and we all worry about what it does to us inside. The 2 drugs that appeared to work best were Amitriptyline and Mambron. The amatriptyline targets only nerve pain and side effect is its an anti-depressant. These changed my life for the better. The mambron is a time release tramadol and allowed me to sleep 3-5hrs as unlike normal tramadol its 100mg over 12hrs.
Back flexes: Back flexions once an hour I was doing for the year up to surgery. I was in huge pain but I was told it may help work the disc back in, but if not would at least strengthen the lumbar area incase i needed surgery.
Saying all the above, I was in a terrible state and I can't thank the surgeons enough for what they did for me with the microdiscectomy. Life changer. I understand the road is long but I'm finally at the start of it, and I think thats just sometimes what seriously injured people need. Some point they can say 'right, this is me starting again, posture, health, exercise'
I wish everyone the very best recovery
Hi there,
I am very sorry you are suffering so much. I am assuming they have checked that you did not get an infection? If you are lyig on the floor and the pain is unbearable, they either made a mess of the op- well they have, that's for sure by the sounds of it. Did they check for an infection? i have had the expereicne of helpig a family out- a doctor's wife had a back op. She was fine for three weeks then in agonising pain. It turned out she had an infection from the op and it took 3 months until she receovered after treatment. It is an obvius question, I know. But there is so much negligence these days, who knows if they completed thorought tests.
I wish you a speedy recovery
Jill
To Scotsman29
Hi Scotsman29
I am sorry you are in so much pain. I have met quite a few people who have had the same problems. And I am actually not surprised by the 19 pills a day! 😮 I have heard and seen worse, 30 tablets plus a morphine patch!!! I believe sometimes it is referred as Failed Back Syndrome (FBS) - or Post Discectomy / Laminectomy Syndrome. As I often run Spinal Support Group meeting in the North East I hear amazing stories and sometimes heartbreaking from patients some successful some not it depends, but it is always nice for these people who suffer from back and neck problems to speak to each other and that's why we have forums like this one, sort of like a virtual hug when you feel low 🙂
Here is a link of a spinal surgeon i have heard speak before which explains a little about the FBS and really hope that you find it helpful.
[url]Post discectomy syndrome - YouTube[/url]
sandune3 types of spinal surgery
To Ricky C
I hope you will respond to this. I would very much like to know which operation you decided on and if it has been successfull.
My son of 36 had an osteotomy for hip femoral impingement. This failed to help any of his pain and required a 3 year recovery. He is on morphine, gabapentin, oxycondone but still his pain is unbearable and he hurts when sitting or walking..
The next stop was a spinal orthopaedic surgeonBen Taylor at the Wellington who said the hip surgery must have been "a red herring". After examination he said my son has disk degeneration and needs spinal fusion. We are v shocked by such opposite diagnoses and like you dont know what to do next. It makes you think if you see an arm specialist they will tell you he needs an arm surgery.
How do you know which surgeons get it right?
My son is going to see Mr Malik neurosurgeon who does minimally invasive surgery which is supposed to be quite a bit less than open surgery but we just dont know. A few people recommend Martin Knight but there are also 1 or 2 who didnt have success with him.
Maybe youve learned something useful with your problems? Please let me know.
Id love to hear what you decided re surgery and that you are now pain free and well.
Best wishes
Sandune3
I am sorry to hear for his troubles. It is quite possible that hip was never source of his problems 🙁
If surgeons are advising spinal fusion, seek for 2-3 different opinions as spinal fusion is risky procedures with very serious possible complications... Even if all goes well, long term results are pretty bad!
Regards
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Back pain ranges from a dull, constant ache with a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly in most cases lasts from a few days to some few weeks. Back pain is known as chronic when it lasts for over three months.
Most back pain goes away on its own, although it may take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain-killer and restingwill help. However remaining in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can make it worse.