Bulging Disc L5/S1

Microdiscectomy

I had a micro-discectomy done on 11th July 2013 for my prolapsed L5/S1 and I was so worried that I was going to continue having a lot of pain following the surgery as I had read quite a lot of comments on this forum where people were in more pain after the surgery than before. I decided to put my experience on here as after reading some others comments on here I was seriously considering cancelling my surgery, but I can honestly say that going through with the surgery was definitely the best decision. I had been suffering with severe sciatica in my left leg & ankle, and lower back pain since September 2012 after moving house. Most days I would be in agony and almost every night I would cry with the pain and it would take up to 2 hours or more to eventually get into bed and find a position I could tolerate. I tried physiotherapy with no improvement and had zero reflex action in my ankle, and so eventually my doctor sent me for an MRI scan (which I had to push for) which showed the prolapse. Medication wise I was taking 2 x 75mg Diclofenac, 1 x Omeprazole, 8 x Tramadol, and 8 x Paracetamol every day and still I was experiencing such pain that effected everything I did, even the simplest things I struggled with, and driving was agony. A few weeks prior to my surgery I couldn't stand up straight, I was literally bent in half and I'm not exaggerating when I say that. I'm 33 years old and knew that I couldn't continue living a life which consisted of pain, not being able to do even the simple things, and carry on taking all the drugs. I would have ended up so depressed. The day of the op was nerve wracking but I knew I was in the best hands and knew I had tried everything else and so surgery was the only thing left to try. From waking from surgery I had instant pain relief, no sciatica or back pain. I was overjoyed. I wasn’t allowed out of bed until the next morning, I lost my appetite for a few days afterwards which was normal, and I was very dehydrated and had a tickly cough which was from the tube they put down your throat during surgery. The only pain relief I have taken since surgery so far is 4 Paracetamol a day, which to be honest I could live without but I'm taking it just in case the pain comes on. I am now standing up straight and the only discomfort I have is on standing and only around the wound, that's all. The discomfort is not painful, just a twinge like a "reminder". I had a lot of swelling around the wound on my lower back but it doesn't cause me any pain or anything. The physiotherapist in the hospital ensured that I could stand, walk without dizziness, and could walk up stairs and back down again before they would discharge me. I was kept in hospital for 2 nights but I know you can be discharged after one night. The post-op advice I was given was no stretching, no lifting anything heavier than a cup of tea, no bending. Sitting was to be kept to a minimum (15 mins at a time), walking (not far) for 15 mins, then lying down for 30 mins every hour throughout the day for the first two weeks. Physio then starts where you gradually build up the distance you can walk etc. Sleeping at night for the first few nights was on my back, on the third night I slept on my side and I was fine the next morning. I can’t drive for 6 weeks and have to wear hospital socks for 6 weeks for DVT, and off work for a minimum of 6 weeks. I believe all of this is standard for everyone going through it. I think the best advice I was given was heal thoroughly and properly, not partially and quickly, and to take your time with the healing and listening to what your body tells you and not rushing to do the things you used to do. Work has to take a back seat which is very difficult, I know as I have a very demanding important management job, but your health really has to come first otherwise you will end up having even more time off. The worst thing you can do is hurt yourself and hinder your recovery, which will just undo the surgery you have just gone through – what’s the point in that? I’ve had days when I don't feel as good as the day before, mainly due to tiredness from not sleeping straight through the night, and I have experienced dull aches in my buttock and calf but they’re not painful, I believe this is normal as the nerve is healing. It’s a big operation that you go through and it is a slow healing process but one very worth going through slowly in order to be in a much better place with your back problem and leg pain. I really hope this helps someone about to go through it and helps to answer any worries or concerns they may have. Good Luck!

Thanks for that Sally, it really is good to hear positive feedback from the surgery. I've resigned myself to having the surgery as I just want to get it fixed and back to normal. Work is very understanding and my boss's wife had exactly the same procedure (microdisectomy) so knows what I am going through.

Hi everyone,

Just one question ........... do you drink 2 liters of water a day at least or more if you drink coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and alcohol?

If not than your discs are severely dehydrated and giving you many problems.

I suggest you read Dr F Batmanghelidj books " Your Body's Many Cries for Water" and
"How to Deal with Back Pain and Rheumatoid Joint Pain". You will be amazed what you'll learn.

Hi Everyone,

Stumbled across this forum probably like most looking for answers.

I've been suffering bad sciatica pain for about 2 months now. It's been niggling a lot longer since Jan but in the last 2 months its really gone down hill. I can't walk further than 100 yards and I now need a walking stick. I'm only 39! I was off on holiday the last 2 weeks and not sitting at a desk all day has improved it ever so slightly. However yesterday was my first day back at work and by the afternoon I was really struggling. When its bad my spine is shifted severely to one side and walking is a real struggle. Its now also impacting my sleep and I think I had about 2 hours sleep last night. There was no way I could go into work today.

Luckily I have private healthcare through work. Had an MRI which shows a large bulging disc at L5/S1. The physio suggested going to the neurosurgeon as she didn't think physio alone would fix it so I have an appointment tomorrow with the neurosurgeon.

I've been boosted by some of the positive stories on here and hopefully I can add my own experience.

Anyway just wanted to say hi and encourage others to share their experiences.

Hi all

just an update. I'm just lying in my hospital bed after my microdiscectomy yesterday afternoon. Majority of my leg pain is gone although I am still having a few pains down my leg but they only last a couple of seconds so much better than pre op. The physio has just been in and walked me down the corridor. This for me was the revelation moment as most of my pain pre op was walking. For the first time in 2/3 months I was able to walk pain free and standing straight. I actually felt about half a foot taller. It's early days but I'm really chuffed.

I'm also so grateful that I have private healthcare through work. Can't believe they were able to schedule my op within a week!

Hugh

Glad to here your feeling the benefits:)

Its early days so don't go mental thinking your at your optimum recovery yet. Got to go back to basics now and rebuild yourself in a structured manner. I dont want to put a downer on things but the anaesthetic will still be in your system, you may feel the pain creep in a bit, BUT DONT PANIC in most cases it levels off, then you'll have some peaks and troughs until it starts easing significantly. And dont panic is you start getting the glute pain returning etc, this is the longest remaining element i experienced and was told. I think the big plus is being seen so promptly, from my rehab group those treated quickest recovered quickest significantly:)

Cheers microsucess. Yes my neurosurgeon explained that the pain is likely to increase over the next few days and not to be disheartened so I'm prepared plus reading people's recovery stories like yours is useful in managing expectations. As Churchill said "this is not the end. This is not the beginning of the end but it is the end of the beginning."

Just a quick update. I left hospital yesterday and I'm currently being pampered by my parents. My wife (and I) already has a 1 year old already to look after so for the first week or so we thought it best I stay with my parents.

It's day 3 since my op and it's still feeling pretty good. I do get occasional sciatica pains but only in the calf and they are no where near as crippling as pre op. I'm still finding walking without chronic pain such a novelty. How much walking should I be aiming for in the first week. The physio said I should be able to build up to a couple of. 10. Min walks this week?

Last night I managed to sleep completely through the night, the first time in ages. Sleeping use to be. Real struggle for me pre op so I'm really chuffed.

The wound is healing nicely and the pain from the op is not too bad. I'm on codeine, paracetamol and naproxen but keen to reduce the codeine as soon as possible........still not done a poo yet since the op! On laxatives as well.

Hi there
So cheered by hearing your progress. Due to have the op in four to six weeks time. Do keep us updated.

Hi there
So cheered by hearing your progress. Due to have the op in four to six weeks time. Do keep us updated.

Will do. Managed a 10 min stroll today with my wife. Felt pretty good but keen not to push it. Wound is healing nicely and doing log rolls is a bit more comfortable. You'll learn all about these once you've had the op!

Day 5 post op

The discomfort from the surgery is def subsiding and getting up and down is a lot easier. Managed a 15 min walk yesterday which was fine but felt that was max I should be walking at the moment. Leg felt a bit sore but was more muscle prob because I've not used that leg in over 2 months.

Was a bit worried last night as I started to get some sciatica pain creeping back in. I was told to expect it but you can't help but think the worst. The pain was about 30% pre op pain. Overnight the pain has gone so it's what I would expect. It was useful to read other peoples experiences like this so I didn't panic when it happened to me.

I'm still taking naproxen, paracetamol and codeine. I'm only taking 1 codeine tablet every 24 hours which is the bare minimum so I'm planning to stop taking that from tomorrow as my pain is pretty low at the momen and keen to get off it as soon as possible.

Got my physio appointment in 3 weeks time. I've got some light exercises that they gave me which I do religiously 3 times a day.

Anyway still feeling good and my recovery seems to be on track. 🙂

hi hugh 74, oh how i envy you!, great to hear a success story:). you got your op so quickly, thats great. i was left waiting for 15 months to have my first micro disectomy but by then the damage to my sciatic nerve was permanent and have been left crippled with it. how long did you have pain before your op ?. good luck with you're recovery,

kind regards, daveyam.

hi hugh 74, oh how i envy you!, great to hear a success story:). you got your op so quickly, thats great. i was left waiting for 15 months to have my first micro disectomy but by then the damage to my sciatic nerve was permanent and have been left crippled with it. how long did you have pain before your op ?. good luck with you're recovery,

kind regards, daveyam.

Hi Daveyam,

Sorry to hear about your ongoing issues. I count myself being extremely lucky in that I was able to go private and have the op so soon. My leg started to niggle back in jan but it wasn't impacting my life as I could walk with no issues. I started to walk with a limp in April and was shifted to one side. End of may beginning of June it deteriorated to the point that I could not walk without a walking stick and even with one I couldn't walk more than 100 yards without sweating and being in agony. So I had about 2 months of chronic pain. If I didn't have private health insurance I would have taken a loan out done anything to get the op done it was that bad.

Hi Hugh
Glad it is still going well. What about sitting. Some people on here seem to be told not to sit for a fortnight others limited sitting. What were you told, and if you are sitting how much and for how long. Does this affect you.

I have had good news as have had a phonecall today from Hope and my operation is earlier than I expected - 30th August.

Angela

Hi Hugh
Glad it is still going well. What about sitting. Some people on here seem to be told not to sit for a fortnight others limited sitting. What were you told, and if you are sitting how much and for how long. Does this affect you.

I have had good news as have had a phonecall today from Hope and my operation is earlier than I expected - 30th August.

Angela

Hi Angela

Great news about your op!

Re sitting I've been told to limit it to 15 mins max but only to sit if necessary.. The only time I sit is to eat and go to the loo all other times I'm either standing or lying down. I don't find sitting too uncomfortable but sitting really is the root of all evil so for the first couple of weeks I'm avoiding it at all costs. I'm a lot more aware of the pressure on your spine when sitting and when i stand after sitting I can feel the immediate relief on my spin.

Ps just been for a short walk and it felt great. Pretty much walking at a normal pace now but trying not to get ahead of myself. I'm amazed that I had back surgery only on Saturday!