Matt, how is your back these days?
I am on the waiting list for a discectomy and my doctor says 2 days after the operation nearly all patients walk away with no pain whatsoever.
Your story seems to contradict this.
great.. I go in on Thursday for my opp...
mark w
How did your op go?
Hi pre and post oppers.
I am week 4 into recovery after microdiscectomy L4/5. This is actually operation number two for me at the same level, the first op was 5 years ago.
Here is a bit of a rundown of what's been happening since most recent op:
Weeks 1-2, gentle walking, lots of resting. Avoid lifting 'everday' things like full saucepans, kettles, bags of rubbish etc. Get someone to help you do this stuff.
At this point, the novelty of being at home can wear thin. This can be both boring and isolating. Try and stay connected with people and keep yourself occupied. A tool to help you pick things up is useful (long tongs work or you can buy something that is like a claw with a long handle).
Week 3, the stronger painkillers are running out and some nerve pain returns. I remember I had the same thing happen last time, so am not too concerned. The nerve pain goes away after a few days. Increasing length and pace of walking.
Week 4, Increasing length and pace of walking. Able to do more during the day, but know if I have done too much the day before because I tend to stiffen up.
Further to my post below, I am now at week 8 post op l 4/5 md.
I'm going well, back at work half time. Have been able to walk for a couple of hours a day, broken over 4 walks, stretch, gentle yoga, go out to the movies and out for dinner and get back into more of a routine. I'm a horse rider and I hope to start that up again in the coming months.
I'm still careful about bending, lifting, twisting and people thinking that just cause you're up and walking around that no, you can't do everything like normal.
I had some dark times around the two week mark where my recovery seemed to be taking sooooo long and there were some pain flare ups. But a few short weeks later I'm feeling great.
🙂
L4/L5
1y9m post 1st op (micro-discectomy), and 1y8m post 2nd op (open-discectomy)
Hi pre and post oppers...I hope all is well.
I am doing good now physically, although I don't think I'll be able to go back to pre-op condition to play the sports I like, I just feel fortunate to at least not suffer the sciatic pain anymore and can go anywhere I like.
Just some tips to share here - for pre-oppers, if you already suffered nerve pain consistently for longer than 3-4 months, even after going through physiotherapy work or traditional treatments like acupuncture/massage therapy, you should not drag any longer.
You should seriously consider a nerve decompression surgery not only to relieve the pain, but to prevent permanent and lifelong nerve damage.
For post-oppers, stay healthy life and should at least develop a habit to do some light exercises. I was a keen badminton player, but ever since the surgeries nearly 2 years ago I have not thought about picking up the racquet anymore.
Such is the disappointment but when I thought of the pain that I have gone through, I treasure and value health more than any other. So I took up jogging and cycling and I am glad I am still able to maintain a healthy and fitting body.
The other major adjustment I have to made was my career. I was working in a factory as an operation manager. The ruptured disc and subsequent surgeries has punctured my career growth and I have to quit my job which requires full physical and mental commitment.
No longer I can work long hours and subject myself to physical and mental pressure, putting my lower back in risk again. It was 6 months after post 2nd op, I encountered a golden opportunity to venture into internet marketing and from then on, I did not look back and quit my full time job 3 months later.
The online business that I had setup had helped me to be financially free right now and I don't have to go to factory and work for monthly salary payment. I hope you guys can achieve the same, work from home and be able to receive income from your online business too.
What's more better than being worry free financially, able to take care of our own body and health, and enjoy the lifestyle we want? If you want to know more about how I did it, please visit --> http://www.fastinboxmoney.com .
I hope that you don't have to drag your body to work because of financial need. I wish you all the best and hope all of you can achieve the same.
Hey fellow back achers and sciaticers lol
Been a while since anyone posted and a helluva long time since i have!
Big changes in the 2 years since my last MRI scan.
I have gone from just the one bulging disc (L4/5), to three, (L3,4,5) With L4 nerve root impingement and stenosis (which i knew i had 2 years ago, but got fobbed off), ligamentum flavum hypertrophy with worsening of the facet arthropathy.
So, all in all....a right mess and i haven't even reached the grand old age of 36 yet!
*sigh*
[DLMURL="http://www.healthypages.com/community/threads/discectomy-after-the-operation.48538/members/alih78.22621/"]ALiH78[/DLMURL], are they recommending further surgery for you?
Hope you get some answers and some relief from backpain soon.
Wow.. Got a random forum email today about this post i started back in Dec 2011 when i was in a really dark corner of my life. So i may as well share my progress in the hope it helps someone caught in a back situation and needing a glimmer of hope.
2.5yrs later and I'm going strong. Always keeping check and walking and moving etc. But all in all id say surgery was the correct option to take.
It took in reality at least a year for things to settle down. I had L5 S1 rupture and had a laminectomy and i believe most of the initial recovery was due to being laid up for 8wks and the fact i picked an orthopedic surgeon over a neuro. This guy ploughed straight through bone to solve the problem where as the neuro guys tend to be less invasive.
Im still sitting for a living commuting 3k a month and doing all the same stuff i did already but i have a devil on my shoulder telling me to get up, move about and walk etc. What i have lost is the ability to do any ground work, as in sow vegetables or any garden digging etc. I don't take any risks of pushing cars lifting anything over 20kg - 25kg. A bag of water softner salt at 25kg is probably the max id risk.
So id say the main change to my life was most noticed around the house and the garden. Im very much less hands on and pace jobs much more than i ever did.
(I used to lift Land rover chassis about the shed - when i think of what i was at!!! )
Anyway. the best advice i can give is this. Disc damage is similar to water in the electrics.. you go in to solve the right side and come away with pain in both sides.. but eventually everything settles down and during this period you need to stay string mentally. Its a mental challenge. A challenge that has to run a 1 yr course and you have to take each day at a time. There'll come a point where your as good as your going to be and then you maintain the exercise and lifestyle and let the trauma of it all go.
Once this happens you'll make active steps in ensuring that every person who meets you and asks the question "hows your back" because they know you as the the "guy with the bad back" is answered I'm 100% that's the past and all has been resolved so lets never mention backs again in the politest way possible.
Keep truckn people - The key is staying mentally strong. easier said than done on certain days pre-treatment. But every morning brings another day.
Hi Subi...Long time no speak....hope you are doing well my dear 🙂
Hi Gang,
I am still suffering, have developed sacroilitis in my left side too now, its horrendous....But, i have come across this belt that i thought that may help you guys.
I bought myself one yesterday, but i have a slightly bigger sacro belt that is a bit bulkier, but i think they are a massive help. They help with lower back pain, spondylitis, sciatica.....Here is the link...
http://www.healthandcare.co.uk/back-supports/serola-sacroiliac-belt/action/helpful-4194/#review-4194
I hope this helps some, if not all of you 🙂
Much love, Ali x
[DLMURL="http://www.healthypages.com/community/threads/discectomy-after-the-operation.48538/members/alih78.22621/"]ALiH78[/DLMURL], are they recommending further surgery for you?
Hope you get some answers and some relief from backpain soon.
Subi, i see you have had more surgery....i hope you heal swift and well.
I am facing a multi level fusion in the next few years.....Probably a sacroiliac fusion too.
Nice to hear from you x
Now you have me wanting one, does it work? I see they do the VAT exemption/refund for disabled too.
Now you have me wanting one, does it work? I see they do the VAT exemption/refund for disabled too.
Hi Cascara, I hope you are well my dear 🙂
On the website, there is a section for health professionals to obtain these belts for their patients, so i do believe you can get one on the NHS...I just decided to buy mine, rather than wait a few more months.
Last night my back hurt, i put my belt on and it made it feel SO much better, wish i had one before i tried surgery, but these belts weren't invented 9 years ago sadly.
£34.95 is a lot for some, but was a small price to pay to feel less pain!
Much love, Ali xx