Further scan results
Hi all,
Good news I had a further MRI on Monday and I've just been back to the consultant for the results. He showed me the scan and there is no rupture or further problems. He is happy with the op and says the pain/numbness is just my nerve repairing itself and I'm to stay on pregabalin for a further 5 weeks. I'm so relieved and looking forward to the recovery!
I am new to these pages, but have been reading them and getting information and support from them for the last year. Last September i had an MRI scan after developing extreme sciatica and a complete numb left foot, i was unable to raise up on my toes, and had no reflex reaction. I went to physic, and they referred me to Spinal Pathway, where a specialist physic got me booked in for a MRI. The scan showed a large protrusion S1/L5.
I eventually saw a neurosurgeon who said she was willing to operate on it. I kept ringing her secretary re any cancellations each week and got in for the operation in December after they had had a cancellation. The op went well and to be agony free was a better feeling then probably what winning the lottery would feel like. All was going well until about 2 days post op and the pain came straight back, i was scared that this would be it forever, and expressed my concerns to my physio i was referred to, she said it would take the nerve many months to heal due to the damage and to keep taking my medication and do my stretches. I just want to say that the pain didn't start to ease until about April to be honest and now it has gone most days, with just a small amount of aching or tingling down leg now and again.
So although i expected everything to go back to normal within a few weeks thats was not the case, and i wouldn't want anyone on here to give up heart and to keep moving around and to work through the bad days, as unless something else has happened, you will get there. fingers crossed for everyone on here and i hope you all get better soon. Its an awful place to be in and the people on here and the comments really do help you realise your not alone x
micro surgery to come
One thing I have picked up from everyones comment is that its not a quick fix. It has at least got me prepared for a slow recovery but hopefully in 6 -12 months I can be off all the tablets and be enjoying life more. Exercise seems to be the key and also plenty of rest especially in the beginning. I haven't got a date yet for surgery. It should be done on the NHS but actually done at the Spire hospital as NHS hospital has a backlog. Don't know if this will make any difference to length of stay.
Any further guidance appreciated.
Hi All.
I'm new here and would just like to confirm something with regards to the recovery.
I've had my discectomy (L5S1) in June this year. Its almost been 4 months, but I still have slight pain in the left leg. Much less that it was before.
What I would like to know.. Those that have had the same operation and recovery period, was your pain consistent or only when doing certain moves.
I don't have any pain when seated nor when walking. But if I lift, twist or bend in a certain way I get a reminder from the pain in my leg. Again, not as bad as before. And how long did it take for the pain to completely disappear?
Thx
Eugene
Week 1 after triple (open) decompression
Well, Im back home, feeling fine.
The hospital, Goring Hall BMI at Worthing was like a 4 star hotel stripped of soft furnishings. I was referred there through the NHS and had no different treatment than anyone paying or being funded through insurances. I could fault nothing and nursing care was of the highest professional standard. I was operated upon by an Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgeon, highly respected and has probably been doing this operation for 20 years plus.
Day 1 (op day)
Visited by aneththetist and surgeon. I had, in the end, 3 spinal decompressions at L4/L5 right and left and L5/S1 left. This was not done as a minimally invasive technique. I was in surgery from 2.00pm until 5 pm, then in a high dependency side ward until 6.00am next morning. I was wired up with electrode sticky patches for temperature, blood saturation and a heart monitor. All the old pain had gone.
Day 2
Wheeled back into private room with en suite shower, basin and loo, TV and nurses on call. I was feeling pretty groggy and could not envisage ever getting out of bed but by 11.00am the physio had me log rolling out of bed, going to the loo and starting exercises.
Watched the hospitals plastic surgeon arrive in helicopter. Where there is silicone, theres brass.
Day 3
Feeling fine, more physio with stairs and walking as often as I could. I was then up, washed and dressed by a kindly nurse. I have had no pain at the wound site. I take 2x500mg Paracetamol every 6 hours, plus given a course of antibiotics for 2 days following the op. Left foot numbness still present and still cant do a toe lift.
Day 4
Change of dressing (all shower proof) so I showered and dressed before being driven home, sitting was allowed only for a short journey. Sent home with raised loo seat, helping hand, and spare dressings. I havent slept much but may do tonight in my own bed. I feel right as rain, just legs wobbly at the tops and immediately after surgery I felt lop sided where the 2 sides had been done but this feeling has diminished. Wound site is one incision about 8 inches long, arrangements have been made for the suture knots to be trimmed in 4 days time and then they will dissolve.
I have a sheet of exercises to do usual stuff and physiotherapy to be arranged very soon. Its a small world - I knew the hospital physio from dog walking and my surgeon knows my neighbour from the golf club so I cant hide!
NO SITTING ALLOWED for 2 weeks but lots of walking, standing and lying. Driving when insurance company permits. I should be walking a mile at 4 weeks.
Day 5
Just woken from a proper nights sleep. I have still very achy top to my right leg at the side but Im doing the exercises and realise that my left leg which had the trapped nerve is significantly less stretchy as I have been walking for months with a limp which has weakened my calf muscle.
I am managing all my own needs, albeit slowly and could be left on my own but a friend is staying over his main duties are dog walking and shopping. I hope to do a tiny little bit of dog walking today, Im up and about, and doing nearly everything but lying on the sofa is a huge bore.
Well done Chrissie. Sounds like you are making great progress after such a big op. such good news for you! I've got my discectomy in two days time and though considerably smaller op than yours I just read your post with real interest to know how you were getting on. I can hardly imagine the leg pain to go, it would seem like a miracle, I hope I have success so much.
Best of luck with your recovery and keep us posted on your progress.
Sali 🙂
VERY BEST WISHES SALI!
I have learned so much from this site, being prepared has been so helpful. Best wishes that you will have a good result too.
I was terrified that I would never get out of bed just after the op. but I hope you have a good physio to help you through this time.
Let us all know how you get on and will be thinking of you.:)
Chrissie
x
Hi SaliMali
Wishing you all the best with your op in a couple of days. Chrissie's info looks hugely helpful for anyone in your position - if I were there I'd be reassured by it all.
Days 6/7 post op
Doing well in all respects ecept walking was so painful. Initially thought that this was due to op, two discectomies on right and one on left made me think that I was unbalanced but now realise it was muscle damage in right hip and thigh where I had been using a walking stick to compensate for lack of 'push off' in left calf. I really had been limping and hobbling about.
If you are in this state I really recommend getting a physio have a look how you are walking or watch yourself walk in a window reflection/mirror and try to correct it as best you can.
Day 5
I am soooo keen to get back walking - every couple of hours I did 200 metre walks each way to top of the hill and back, I did this 3 times in the day. I used walking poles and tried to keep upright and walked very slowly. Lots of pain afterward in top of hips but nothing like sciatica..
Day 6
I did half mile with poles on two occasions and then lay on the sofa with a slight twinge and realised how utterly stupid I had been and vowed to keep to physio guidelines.
So today gentle slow walk to top of hill and back without poles and all seems well.
Well done Chrissy - gently and steady is the best approach, I'm sure 😉
Love, Light and Healing
3rd day post op
Three days post op now. Feeling ok. pain in leg significantly reduced, probably about 30% of what it was prior to surgery. The surgeon told me the disc had calcified and they couldn't get as much out as they hoped, which worried me hugely at first but trying to not focus on that so much, but more about how I feel. Even though its a kinda panic as it would be amazing to be leg pain free, but if last week someone had suddenly given me this level of leg pain compared to what I had for the last 5months I would have been so pleased, so I must stay positive and not expect miracles! I just hated the surgeon saying the disc had 'calcified' sounds so awful! Still I think the nerve has now been freed so with careful recovery I'm sure it will only keep improving!
The hardest thing really is not being able to take care of my 5 month old baby but luckily had a very supportive mother-in law who is helping hugely!
Onwards and upwards! How are you doing Chrissie?
Sali
SaliMali
Hi,
3 days out is so early and that 30% will taper off over the following months. In nearing 4 months and I'd say I'm down to 20% if im hitting the gym, swimming and walking all in the same day (and thats only the hour after i finish, soon as I lay down it eases down to 0%) so take solace in that.
Be careful with your baby. Lifting is the most likely way I'm told we reinjury ourselves. It doesn't stop you laying with her in bed or on the couch obviously but even someone passing him/her to you at standing height places a burden on the lumbar muscles and while you may not feel it immediately you will later.
Ok as for the calcified disc DON'T PANIC. I don't know your age but when I asked the physio this morning she said its most common in older people like 60+ but one of the men in my class had it diagnosed and he's 24. From him his surgeon told him that the calcium deposits routinely naturally dissolve/regress and he's doing really well (I think he was a week before me so 16-17 week point now). I hope your surgeon explained that and if not ask if its piece of mind you seek.
Hope some of this help:)
Reassurance from microsuccess!
Thanks microsuccess that is such a reassuring reply! The surgeon didn't really explain what you mentioned about 'calcified' disc it just sounded horrible as he said it was technically more difficult to remove but shouldn't effect the outcome from my point of view. Just don't like the idea of it not all coming out like they hoped. I felt kind of disappointed too as I didn't actually see the surgeon the next day but one of his 'team' who did do the op but it always feels kinda rushed when they talk to you doesn't it!?!
I've only just turned 30 last week, so a calcified disc and all of this damn problem has come rather early in my life but hopefully on the flip side my body will be able to recover ok as I'm still fairly young (though I feel about 80!) but what you said about the guy you spoke to who is 24 is definitely reassuring!
I'm not going to lift my baby for as long as possible and won't even hold him stood up until the staples are out. Doesn't help he is a big baby but then ironically he caused all my back problems!!
Thank you for the support, it really helps me feel less alone in all this!
sali 🙂
Hi Sali
So sorry to read that you are still pain and have a tiny one to care for. Can you get any community nurse help? I really had to jump up and down to get any post hospital care for my old Mum but it is there. Also equipment for lifting baby should be available.
Any practical help on here?
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I'm sure Microsuccess is on the right track with his advice. I was beautifully pain free at first but niggles of creaking nerves have crept in and can be quite painful after exercising.
I do wish you well and acutely realise how much Mums have to bend and lift after grandchildren visited yesterday. My daughter has had back problems and it is her greatest fear that it will reoccur.
Hello all
Im sorry ive not been here in months:o
Well im almost nine months post discectomy now and things have not gone to plan. Yes im much much better than I was but im still getting sciatic pains on and off down my left leg and in my left buttock. My last appointment with the surgeon was early September and the operation was deemed a success but its been suggested that I have epildural nerve block injections which im now waiting for. Im still taking several pills daily for the pain and ive returned to work but can only manage a thirty hour week.