Discectomy - After the Operation

Hi Cas08

Having read your recent posts I can totally sympathise with your situation, its not right or fair when someone in so much pain can just be sent home without any help except painkillers. I myself had a similar cycle to you. I visited my GP 10-15 times, went to A and E twice all with no result. Having to wait for a scan on the nhs was going to be 8 weeks of more intolerable pain which I couldnt take. Only finally when I mentioned to my GP i found it hard going to the toilet that he wrote a referal and told me to take it to A&E and they would have to treat me. A&E wernt happy seeing me as I went to a hospital further away than my local A&E but I decided to do this as my GP recommended this hospital due to their neurosurgical department. Anyway they agreed to keep me in overnight on a huge dose of painkillers and fit me in for a scan the next day. I actually found that i got great pain relief from diclofenac but in the form of a dipositary (SP) that you stick where the sun dosnt shine. It may be worth seeing if your GP can give you some of this?? The doctor at the hospital said it was the most effective, quick pain reliever they use!

Anyway the next day I had a scan, which the neurologist took a look at and told me I needed the op at l4/l5. Didnt know about L5/S1 at this time. 5 Days later I had the surgery and am currently 1 weeks post op.

As far as the L5/S1 situation I dont know if this is causing my current slight sciatic pain when sitting or whether this is nerve irritation from the long term compression of the nerve at L4/L5. I guess only time will tell. The surgeon didnt mention if at some stage ill need L5/S1 doing aswell but i will find out at my follow up with him in 5 weeks time.

Got my staples out on thu and cant wait to have a proper wash and bath.

I hope you find some resolution with your problems in the near future, keep at them, they will have to give in EVENTUALLY!

I'm a clumsy oaf!

Hey all,

I bloody slipped down my stairs last night banging my lumbar spine on each step!! YOWCH! Spent the night in A&E, nothing broken but the doc told me something interesting that wasn't picked up on before.
I have degeneration of my L4/5 vertebrae!! He found it on my last MRI scan which I had done in March. My surgeon didn't pick that up, thats worrying!!
I don't really know what can be done about it if anything, does anyone here know?

Cas08, I did continue to endure nerve pain after both my surgeries, but kept being told it was because my nerve is damaged/scarred.
I can appreciate your frustrations over NHS waiting times as well, as when my disc went the 2nd time, I had to wait 5 months to get an appointment, and wasn't operated on until 6 months after that, no wonder my nerve has so badly hammered!!!

God bless the NHS!!

Hi Subi, you mentioned that you have another prolapse on L5/S1a and L2/L3 does that give you any pain or other problems. how do you manage at work with sitting??

Hi Cas08.
This forum is a good place for letting of steam. Many of us have needed to do it at some point. And, on here, we 'get it' if you know what I mean. So vent away on the days when you need to, we've all had those days (weeks, months ???) too.

Occasionally I feel 'twinges', but nothing that I can't manage from day to day. The one at L5/S1 prolapse was marked on my MRI as 'severe' but it seems like it is not pressing on the nerve (as yet, let's hope it stays that way). I now know that it I did feel sciatic pain that was increasing in severity that I would seek medical advice immediately. I am VERY careful about how I carry things, and the amounts I lift. I do my exercises and stretching every single day. I figure any preventative measures are worth it.
In terms of sitting.... 6 months post op I work at a desk job on average of 10 hours per day... it's not ideal but I can manage it now. I try and make sure that I am not just sitting for hours at a time. I used to time myself to make sure I wasn't sitting for longer than 30 min at a time, but now I just know when it time to stand up, move around and so some stretches. I also make sure I have both heat and cold packs at work to use.

Ali, hope you are feeling better very soon - going back to hospital does NOT sound good. My MRI had Degenerative disc disease listed as well. (has DDD been your diagnosis too??).

Wishing everyone a pain free day (or at least, less pain).

oh ali! what a nightmare! hope you're ok!

subi - i too got a written diagnosis of degenerative disc disease. was a bit concerned about having a disease so spoke to my physio, who said that every adult out there has degenerative disc disease, because everyone's backs degenerate with age, and our discs kind of dry up. not sure what your doctor person was on about ali....don't really understand how vertebrae can degenerate... any news on the procedure for the adhesions?

melza...good to hear from you and so happy that the melza sense of humour continues to be so strong!

all good news from here. my back is reeeeally achy today after a long drive, but otherwise all ok and looking forward to an exotic holiday in june

lots of love,
jess xx

Really Nervous about Operation

Hi all
I've been looking at this website for some time now as I've been having back problems since Feb 07. At first it started as Sciatica and I decided to just take ibruprofen. I then went to Florida in June 07 and think the one and only roller coaster I went on, actually made it worse. When I returned home, I went to see my osteopath for a number of sessions and he recommended I needed to see a consultant and get an MRI scan done. This I did and it showed I'd got two bulging discs L5/S1 and L4. My consultant initially recommended surgery or a nerve root injection. I opted for the injection. This was absolutely awful .... I had to ask the anaethnatist to stop 3 times whilst putting the injection in. I had 3 weeks worth of pain relief which was absolutely fantastic but then when it wore off, my life was an absolute misery. I couldn't sleep (maximum of 3 hours per night), tried every drug going from the doctor and nothing seemed to work. I felt at my wits end. I have recently tried traction with the physio which I feel has made it worse. Today I decided to go and see another consultant. He said that, whilst I could have another injection, the fact that the previous one only gave me 3 weeks worth of relief, it was highly likely that I wouldn't get much more than 3 weeks again. I've now decided to go for the microdiscectomy and am absolutely worried sick. I've read many posts where people have said it's the best thing they've done but you always have it in the back of your mind that it might make things worse. I always thought surgery was for people who couldn't get out of bed or were in absolutely agony all day but I've now come round to thinking that I can't continue only being able to sleep on my left hand side all night, every night or that I can't go for bike rides with my children due to the pain. I'm just looking for some reassurance from people that I am making the right decision and that my life will be better for it. How long is it before I could go back to work? I currently work in an office and my consultant said I couldn't drive for 6 weeks. Ideally I would like to be back in 4 weeks ... your thoughts?

Hey Jess,

Yes it wasn't the most cleverest thing, falling down the stairs!!
I haven't been diagnosed with DDD (degenerative disc disease), but wear and tear degeneration in my vertabrae, thats whats causing me extra pain, along with the adhesions. It can be an early sign of arthritis, makes me feel SO good!!
I am going to my GP on thursday, will chat to her about it so she can explain it more.

As for the adhesions, i have an appointment with the pain clinic next month and am hoping for a referral to the spinal foundation.
Hopefully something will be done eh?

Sorry to hear you been achy honey, hope your pain settles soon xxxx
I have been put back on codeine phosphate and diazepam, all whilst i am trying to get off the tramadol!!

Hi Granne69

First off dont be frightened I know it earsier said than done. If your buldging discs are pinching your nerve and in all this time the imflamation has not gone down to allow the blugde to realise the nerve, Then a discetomey could be the right way to go. Even though I have had 3 prolapsed on the same disc which is soooooo rare. I am still glad that I had the discetomy as my quality of life was none exsistent at the time.

Some people I know that Have had siatica which I belive is the nerve being pinched and have managed to stop it getting any worse by by doing certain physo exercises, But they do have to do them every day and for the rest of there lives.

If you decide to have the opp you should realy be off for 6 weeks. moving and walking around not do alot of lifting or bending or sitting for to long. Towards the end of that time you should start physio and stretching excersies and then just build yourself up to doing ie walking swimming or some other good form of excersise all of the time. Like you I do an office job. when I went back to work the DWP along with my employer paid for me to have a special chair and desk, so you might want to look into this.

Hope this info helps
Luv
Cas08

Hi Grainne69

Sorry forgot to mention, yep you should not drive for six weeks after the opp. What might make things a bit easier after the 6 weeks is up, if your car has the very bad design of seats that some cars do, where the seat slopes backwards at a very deep angle. Buy a car seat cushion its in the shape of a wedge and so it makes the car seat flat to sit on. Ive got one and with out that I would not be able to drive the car even now.

Best wishes
Cas08

Hi Grainne69,

After being advised I had an L4/L5 prolapse, I too was petrified of having the operation. For me though, my quality of life had deteriorated so much, I didnt consider there was any other option. All of my pain was leg pain, I very rarely experienced any back pain, and as such I was advised the operation should be a success. I personally would recommend having the op, however it has been by no means easy. I am 6 weeks post op and am still experiencing pain in my leg. Recovery for me is slow and painful, Its like 3 steps forward and 4 back at times, although I do think some of this is because I do tend to overdo things... I am learning to listen to my body.

If you do go ahead, take the time you need to recover, I think every individual case is different and as such you may well be fit to return to work etc after 4 weeks but my advise is not to rush things and take the time you need.

Best of luck

Michelle;)

Hi All,

Have just returned from 6 week post-op check up, unfortunately the specialist who I have got great faith in was called away from todays appointments so I ended up with a 'locum'.

As previously mentioned on last few pages, my spasm slant is 85% back to being straight. Over the past 3 weeks though, the pains in the LEFT buttocks, hips and thighs show little signs of getting better.. Indeed went for a 2 mile walk last night, came home and led down flat on sofa, An hour later went to get up and could'nt put any weight on left leg due to severity of pain! All this of course had to be explained to the locum....Unfortunately the MRI results from last saturday have not been 'written up', but he viewed the pics and they show what he called a minor problem with the 2 discs above, but what seems like more of an issue with more material out of the disc I had surgery on. Remember this is now the left side, not the right that was the original problem.

So that the MRI results can be viewed and reported on by the experts I now have another appointment in 10 days time with my specialist, also to see if my left sided issue stabilises or gets better / worse. I was told though any sign of 'bottom end' control or numbness must be reported to A&E asap.

So for Cas08 thats where I am at, and for Grainne69, please do not let any of this put you off! You mentioned about cycling with your kids etc, I related straight with this and have the same problem, cant arrange holidays, activities, camping etc. I can assure you that after what the last 12 months were like (See previous pages) being as I am now, even in pain, I am a damn sight closer to being able to do things with my kids again now that before. My surgeon told me that discectomys are 75% successful, however i think it was Melza has had this problem 3 times now. Just my luck at present being in the 25% eh, however this has yet to be confirmed.

Its interesting though what different people are told, I was told I would be off work for 3-4 weeks. Yes, no sitting for first 10-14 days, however when I could sit comfortably for 20 mins I was told I could drive. My work does involve a lot of driving and travelling, indeed I find my car seat is the most comfortable seat that I have, upright with the lumbar support out fully. My physio said (although still bent) that I could drive sensibly, getting out every half an hour or so to walk, stretch and exercise. Therefore, with his permission at wk 5 I went back to work 2 days a week on the road and half day in the office. (Understanding bosses considering I only started with them in January!) I actually ask if my customers have a room somewhere for me to lie down in for 5-10 mins to do further exercises, mini sit ups and pelvic exercises etc. You dont know unless you ask eh?
However I cannot lift more than the weight of say a laptop due to the pain down this left side.
So I think each case is slightly different, or maybe my problem is as someone put in their recent thread, listen to your body, but do not overdo it! Or maybe I already have, thus the left sided problem now?

Good Luck!

Adrian.

Hi Ade-WsM

Have been thinking about how you got on. What a bummer that the consultant was not there and that they had not read your MRI Scan yet. Its like the NHS are on a permentant Goooooooo Slooowwwww.:(

The disc material still might go back in to the disc over the comming weeks. That what my consultant said to me, that when a disc prolaspes the body is amazing at healing it self, granted not all the time!!. But there is a 90% chance that the prolapse will go back in or might be aborbed by the body depending on size ect.

Good for you about asking about being able to lie down when you need to stretch and do some excerises. When this sort of thing happens to you its kinda hard to ask for help from people, (a British thing I think),or thats what I found. Once you pass that barrier you more often that not find peolple are happy to help.

Hope you keep on improving:)
Best Wishes
Cas08

Hi all,

Well its nearly a year that i had the op. I have good times and bad times since with pain. Most of the time it has been good and i have been pain free, at the moment my right leg is start to feel like the pain is coming back. I have a small amount of pain all the time and a lot of nerve twitching with hot and cold flushes up and down my leg. I am still doing all the exercises and stretching which helps.

In the back of my mind i think its not true sciatica but there is always a chance that something has happened. I know the right nerve is damaged so it could just be a bad reaction to some thing i have done.

Feeling very sh!t today, i wish i was one of the guys who has had the op and has no pain afterwards. such is life there are many of you out there in a worse position than me and i should count myself lucky.

Anyway i hope everyone is doing well in there recovery. Keep going and it will work out ok.

Olli

good to hear from you olli! just wondering how your wife is?? how long to go now? i am guessing there is a day in the not too distant future when your life is going to change soooo much that you'll no longer notice funny feelings in your leg and back

ali...good luck at the gp and pain clinic. keep us posted!!

take care all xx

Feeling reassured

Cas08 and Monty 2 - many thanks for your kind words. Now I've made the decision, I'm coming round to thinking that this is now what I need. I know in my own mind that I've tried everything and now feel that surgery is the right thing. I've obviously been delaying the inevitable. Things (hopefully) will only get better. I don't know how you've coped with having 3 prolapsed discs!! I can certainly understand how depression can sometimes kick in. I've got a great husband and kids that just keep me going.

I'm talking to work about working from home rather than worrying about driving to work so fingers crossed they can get me set up. The point about a good chair is something I'm also looking at with work so this should be sorted by the time I get back. It's good to know by reading other people's experiences just what to expect post-op. I'm just waiting now on a date which could be mid June. Will keep you updated .... many thanks
Grainne69

Hi AliH78

Just wanted to find out how you after your fall down the stairs. Hope you are ok

Speak soon
Luv Cas08

Hi Fireolli

How is your leg pain are you feeling any better?

I am doing the streching excersises that you sujested and I am getting on well with them, they seem to be helping. I have also been walking into the village and back once a day for the last few days and that seem to be ok too.

The pain in my leg seems to be decreasing as well and my back pain is not so intense. Makes me wander if the prolapse has started to go back, I hope so. Seems weird though if that is the case makes me wander how it pops out and what may have triggered it. If its that vunerable it could happen again. Sorry rambling thoughts!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway thanks for you advice.

Best wishes
Cas08

this is totally unrelated to this forum so please feel free to ignore and skim over... old habits die hard though and i have a new health issue and thought it would make me feel better to write on here, as it did so often with my back problems. i will look for a more suitable forum, but wanted to share with some old friends first....i had a blood test at the docs last week due to the length of time my husband and i have been trying for a baby, with no success. got the results today - a one-liner delivered by the receptionist in front of a full waiting room: "you are not ovulating". she could offer no further explanation and i can't speak to my GP until tuesday. i am trying to keep things in perspective, but am devastated

sorry for the self indulgent and inappropriate use of our discectomy forum!!

hope you're all well xx

Hi Jess, lucky for you there are rambling females on here too. You shouldn't have received such a flippant diagnosis that way, it doesn't really mean a lot without other tests or a gynae visit anyway. Please don't worry about it too much until you have all the facts....and complain about that receptionists abuse of your right to confidentiality.

If its any comfort my daughter, aged 20, had a few general problems and had some blood tests done. She was told she had failed the fertility test, although she didn't realise she'd had one as she isn't even considering babies yet. She was instructed to go for another blood test and had the nurse asking her if she'd been trying for a baby for long (????) and rambling on about how difficult it could be trying for a baby. It seems she has PCS, that should be polycystic ovary syndrome which may have affected her fertility. You must hang on to the thought that ovulation can be given a kick start these days, there are loads of treatments around. My daughter may have to take something to regulate her hormones to get her back to normal levels, but that doesn't stop her dramatically claiming she's a 'barren woman'. See your doc to talk about it properly, you should be referred to a consultant and then all will become clearer...I hope.

Take care

16 days post discectomy

Hi everyone. Its now 16 days since I had the op & all is going well. Was a bit foolish last Sunday and did something I shouldn't have which I feel set me back a few days, however I generally feel great. Went for a walk today in the sunshine & no problems. One thing I will say, when the surgeon tells you to do nothing for two weeks, listen to him!!! I was feeling so good I obviously thought I was superman.... erm, no!

All those who are suffering have my sympathy - I know how you're feeling.

Presently, I'm really chuffed I had the op

Hi cas08,

Yes leg pain has gone, it seems to last a week or so then goes. Had a big fire at work the other day, so if its not one thing its another, my back cramped up and the left side is aching a lot. I am thinking about getting a massage to ease it off.

I think due to my job and the amount of training i do i am always going to have ache's and pains. I just get a bit pis*ed off if it lasts too long.

Well on other news we have only 9 weeks to go before the little person pops out. Thats when all the fun starts. The little bugger is moving around loads. Went to a concert the other day and when the band came on and every cheered the bump was rolling around all over the place:D.

Hope all are well

Olli

Hey all,

I have indeed been in hospital, following my tumble down the stairs, i seem to have a pinch in the nerve that helps me to go wee wee's and so have a catheter now to help with this.
I am home now, but will have the catheter in until at least next week when i link up with the district nurse.

As for the pain, well it is worse and so am on a cocktail of painkillers to help relieve this, but send me to la la land!
I am off for a sleep now, so ta ta for now xxxxxx

Best wishes 2u all

8 years post-op

Hi. I am in the US. I had an L5 discectomy in 2001 for SEVERE sciatic pain which had me on the floor, huddled, crying, and unable to even go to the toilet. Crumbled parts of my L5 were irritating my sciatic nerve root.

For several years after I felt fine. Within the last year some tingling in my feet has sadly returned. I also get this pain in my left thigh, on the side. When awake it is mild but many times when I awake I have this painful nurning sensation in my left outer thigh - it's obviously something touching my nerve. I do not know if it is from the area of the operation or another disc. Added to this is that I am liosing my job soon and since I am an American I will have no health insurance. I am probably going to make an appointment with a doctor to get this looked at before then. I really wish it never came back.. (sigh)

Hi all. A little update from me, im 2 weeks and a day now post op and suprise suprise i sem to be getting the same symptoms as pre op. I wonder if any of you can give me some hints and tips. Should I be sleeping on my back as the last few nights ive slept on my side with a pillow between my legs, could of this made symptoms worse? also ive gone off all the painkillers for the last 4 days, should i go back on them? any help would be great

Hi Chris12,

From my experience, I continued to get awful pain in my leg for a good few weeks post op. I didnt come off of the prescription drugs until about week 4-5 and now at 7 weeks post op, I am still taking paracetamol pretty much every day due to aching type leg and buttock pain. I am seeing my surgeon tomorrow for my follow up check and will certainly raise the issue of ongoing pain with him but I am pretty sure he will say its scar tissue etc etc. My advise to you is to try and stay really positive, I know its hard but you are only 2 weeks post op, which is nothing. I was told not to be scared to take pain relief, it is there to help you. I'm sure in time, with plenty of rest and taking things easy you will start to improve.

I have decided to go back to work on Monday, Doctor allowing.... and have booked my first Pilates consultation for early next week.... has anyone else out there tried Pilates and if so did it help??

AliH78, so sorry to hear you are is such a bad way. Sending you love and best wishes...

Michelle;)

Ali - so sorry you have been back in hospital Again. Poor you. I hope you are feeling better soon.

chris12 - I too had some symptoms similar to those you describe. But they did go within a few days (they came back a few times, but happy to say they did go). Eventually, you will get to work out your 'plan of attack' on your bad days. Sometimes you will find you need lots of rest, other times lots of stretching and walking, other times an ice pack or a heat pack, other times - a visit to the physio or a couple of TENS machine sessions. I was told by a GP soon after my op not to hold back on the pain relief (within reason of course ). It can certainly be helpful during these difficult times of pain.

Monty - I highly recommend pilates. I have been doing pilates now for about 5 months (I am nearly 7 months post op). I love it. Stick with it though, it takes a while to build, and then of course maintain, core strength. I figure any preventative techniques are worth it. Plus core strength helps with heaps of other things as well, so is helpful anyway.

Best wishes to all you post and pre-oppers.

Hi guys

monty

thanks for the advice its hard to know what to do regarding painkillers but ive had a small dose today and hopefully that will allow me to go a little walk. Good luck with your surgeon and let us know how you get on.

Subi

thanks also, ive decided to take it very easy for a few days and see how it all goes, i think its normal to expect nerve pain due to the time the nerve takes to repair, i hear the l4/l5 nerve takes the longest to repair so gonna stay positive and hopefully the pain will gradually get easier.

I do find it very intriguing how for alot of people the pain goes away for 2 weeks then at the 2 weeks mark it comes back, anyone got any ideas as to why this is?

i have also found a video of a lumber disectomy if anyone is interested in seeing what goes on (dont watch if you dont like blood and guts etc)

all the best everyone

my surgeon told me that during the op, the damaged nerve was sprayed with cortisone (i think) which would have a numbing effect for a certain period of time - up to 6 months from what i remember. perhaps in some people that wears off after 2 weeks?! who knows. i think it is more likely that we can all handle doing very little for about 2 weeks, then get bored and complacent and do a little too much, causing more discomfort.

what i do know for sure, is that sciatic pain means a nerve is damaged and will therefore take time to recover. during that recovery, it will 'fire' signals by mistake, causing pain and making you think there is damage, when really everything is physiologically fine. that is completely what i believe from my experience, as there was no pattern to my post op pain. hope that helps....see some earlier rambling posts of mine for more info.

sending lots of healing vibes to all, especially ali...can't believe you are back in hospital again. hang in there...hope you feel better soon.

jess xx

exercises post op

Hi folks

I had an emergency lumbar discectomy L5-S1 two weeks ago.:( I had some physio in the hospital but since discharge I can't get my doctor to refer me for further physio consultations :mad:(I live in Germany and the system here is a bit different to UK). The hospital exercises are all done lying down and seem a bit too limited. I would love to know what exercises others have been prescribed for the first weeks after the op? I have an 8 week old baby and a toddler and am desperate to get a strong and healthy back and core muscles as quickly as possible. In particular, my whole pelvic floor was really damaged in the birth and this may be why I had the disc prolapse.

Specifically, I have been told to do the following:
1. An exercise where you clench buttock, and stomach muscles and hold while breathing, 3 x 3

2. Pelvic tilts while lying down

3. Theraband work with the arms, aimed at strengthening back and stomach muscles.

And that's about it. I would really like to hear some other ideas.

Thanks and good wishes

Msksquared

3 Weeks Post MD

Hello all..This is my first post. I am so relieved to have found this forum and to find people who can all relate..

I had my Microdiscectomy 3 weeks ago exactly on my L5/S1 large prolapse Suffered back pain since May 08 and numbness and Sciatica since Jan 09. I woke up like many of you with instant relief they could nt believe how much I was smiling in Recovery

I was up in 2 hours walking around and able to go home the next day. I noticed slight pins and needles in my toes walking out of hospital which later progressed into a bruised feeling in the ball of my foot. I have put this down to the nerve damage and it seems to be getting better.

Been off the crazy amounts of painkillers I was taking before just take two before bed to make sure I sleep all night.

DAY 5-I noticed when doing the exercise where u lift the leg upwards I had the same familiar feeling of Sciatica. Instantly disheartened I contacted the hospital they told me to STOP doing this particular exercise.

Generally feeling good as long as I do not over do it. Pain of the incision seems to have almost gone but back pain around the disk area is most definately there. and foot pain and tingles vary everyday. I am sure this is nerve damage.

I went back to work yesterday, earlier than I really wanted My back has been aching and not happy that I am in the sitting position for quiet so long just yet.

Anyone have any advice on comfort at work?or a ideal seat I could buy?

The constant reminder of 'listen to your body' has finally been inbedded in my brain when u hav done to much it tells you.

Walking is amazing for ur back/strength and sanity!having good and bad days the docs words-'the body is healing and the nerve has lots of different messages going through it now its on the mend'

Good Luck EVERYONE!!I wish u all to be pain free as soon as possible. Keep taking it easy. Xxxx

Hi,

Hope your all well.
Im 5 weeks tomorrow post op and still have some pain. Going to my doctors every 2 weeks, hes great, and physio every 2wks as well. A couple of wks ago the Nhs says my 8 week check up was in Dec 09 !! But now they have changed it to July which is alot better.
Still get pain in my calfs and still can't stand for more than 15mins max after that the pain is really bad. Any time I do stand up , I get pain starting from the top of bum and going right up my spine (through the wound part).
Im only 18 and a very active guy (sports coach) so really finding it hard to not do exericse. The phyiso and doctor say there is no nerve damage, just swelling.
Hopefully I will get the ok from the physio tomorrow for me to do swimming.

Keep your head up everyone !

Cheers