It is now day 4 after a discectomy and I was told by the surgeon that there were no restrictions on what I could do after the surgery such as driving etc but then the nurse said that there was no hoovering for 6 weeks and to take things easy. I managed to get out of bed today and sit for a few minutes on a chair. How quickly can I reasonably expect to get back to normal day to day activities and back to work?
It is now day 4 after a discectomy and I was told by the surgeon that there were no restrictions on what I could do after the surgery such as driving etc but then the nurse said that there was no hoovering for 6 weeks and to take things easy. I managed to get out of bed today and sit for a few minutes on a chair. How quickly can I reasonably expect to get back to normal day to day activities and back to work?
'No lifting and no heavy manual work' are standard after many operations - more so after back surgery. Driving puts much less strain on the back than hoovering. The hospital should have given you some information when you were discharged . If they didn't then contact then ward and they will clarify the restrictions.
A discectomy is major surgery - It took me at least 2 weeks before I was back to anything like normal - and I still had to avoid doing too much lifting. 6 weeks sounds about right to me.
I had 3 disks done six weeks ago. I was allowed to sit for a little while after 2 weeks, drive at 4 weeks and after seeing the Consultant on Thursday, he said I could go back to work in 4 weeks time, that is 10 weeks off in total. I started lifting bigger things like a hoover at ablout 5 weeks.
TBH I still feel pretty ghastly, constantly breathless and fatigued. I have been checked over but nothing obvious. I walk a couple of miles every day slowly and have done since the first weeks.
I was a woodworker/woodturner and sold at Farmer's Markets which was heavy work and was the cause of 'doing my back in'. I won't be going back to that so I now have to think of something else to do. I'm sure that when I get busy again I will perk up.
I had 3 disks done six weeks ago. I was allowed to sit for a little while after 2 weeks, drive at 4 weeks and after seeing the Consultant on Thursday, he said I could go back to work in 4 weeks time, that is 10 weeks off in total. I started lifting bigger things like a hoover at ablout 5 weeks.
TBH I still feel pretty ghastly, constantly breathless and fatigued. I have been checked over but nothing obvious. I walk a couple of miles every day slowly and have done since the first weeks.
I was a woodworker/woodturner and sold at Farmer's Markets which was heavy work and was the cause of 'doing my back in'. I won't be going back to that so I now have to think of something else to do. I'm sure that when I get busy again I will perk up.
Poor you Chrissie I have no doubt you are still down because the surgery was so recent. It does take time to recover from these things. The way you are feeling could be due to your worry about the fact that your life is going to have to change in such a major way. If your life has to change because of this surgery, it doesn't mean it has to be negative for you.
You have skills which may need to be used for smaller, lighter things that won't put a strain on your back.
Yes your back is going to present you with challenges in your new life - but you may well be surprised by opportunities that turn up for you if you are open to the idea that change can be for the good.
I hope you will soon be feeling better.
Thank you for your reaslly kind words Tashaine, Most appreciated.
I am not worried about finding another job, I am nearly retired. It would just keep me busy.and give me something to think about. It will probably be printing/painting sort of thing.
My main problem is trying to find out why I am so breathless and fatigued, early mornings are worst. I wish it could be something solveable like anaemia. It happened straight after the op. so I do think they are related. The GP's at the local surgery are a bit ineffective.
I can 'buck-to' when the occasion demands, I had my grandchildren (18 months and 4 yrs.) to stay for 24 hours and managed perfectly OK, so I don't think it's ME/CFS type thing.