microdiscectomy due!!

Hi fitbird,

I had my op 2 days ago. Yes the pain is level is lowered right away. i was unable to sit/stand or walk for more than 5 minutes. Even though my back is sore because of the 12 clips i have been able to sit down and walk about. i have no pain in my left leg anymore and just a little in my right leg but the surgeon did say that the right nerve looked a bit damaged so it may take time to settle down. As for teaching again in 4 weeks i think thats a little soon but iam no expert. my surgeon has said not to even drive for 3 weeks and not to back to work for 6 weeks, even then to take it steady for about another 2 months after that. i think you will know when you are ok to do things. i am a fire fighter and i want to finish my career in the service as well so i am going to take my time with rehab.

I was very scared and will say there has been a few tears over the last week or so. if you do what they tell you and don't do too much too soon i think you will be fine.

oh yes you mentioned sniffness. yes and no. my calves are still tight and my bum is a tight as well but more on the right. i have a good phisyo and i hope she will sort this out. i think i am still a bit tight because i had very bad cramps for about 4 weeks before the op you may be different.

take care and you will be fine.

Olli

Hi Fireolli
Thanks for your reply. You dont know what it means to speak to someone who has just had the op! So many people say I must be mad to consider back surgery but they done have the pain I have! I think you are right in saying take time to recover and my body will tell me when i'm ready to teach again. My pain is probably a 4 on the pain scale but have been advised by my physio and surgeon to enable me to teach for the next 20 years i need to get rid of this prolapse.
You sound very positive having only just had your surgery, hope I feel the same as you after mine.
Thanks lots for your reply and take care and hope you have a speedy and succesful recovery.
I am going to look on this site regularly now as people understand on here!
Fitbird
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Have you had this surgery yet? How did it go? If your srugeon is good then I would like to know it just in case I need to use him.

Surgery

Hi Willmiller
Yes have had the surgery 3 weeks ago amd am currently on holiday in Bulgaria!! Sciatic pain has 90% gone! All i'm left with is a very stiff leg and am sore in back after a long day. The op is not for everyone and may not have good results for all but if you are in so much pain it's got to be worth considering. My surgeon was Mr Ian Harding based in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. He does nhs and private but has a fantastic reputation. He can be contacted via his website. If you type in his name into google his site will appear. Make sure it's the one for Waterside Hospital in Weston. His secretary's contact info is on it.

Make sure you keep us all posted any trouble contacting him send me a post and i'll look up his number when I get home.

Olli
So glad you have made it back to work and the gym, hopefully I wont be far behind you. 6 week check with surgeon on 8 August so will be all systems go after that I hope!

Take care all

Fitbird
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Hi Fitbird, so glad to hear your surgery was a success and you even got to go on holiday! Sounds like normal post op symptoms too. Totally agree with you about not entering into surgery lightly but for those of us who really needed it, its the chance to get your life back. Hope things keep going well and keep us posted xx

Hi Fitbird,

Hope you are having a good holiday, still doing those exercises and stretching whilst you are there.
All is going well and once i get rid of these silly feelings i am having from coming off the tramadol i will be happy.
My physio has given me some more exercises, when you get back from your holiday give me a bell and i will list them up for you if you want.

keep in touch

Olli;)

Hi there wonder if someone can help. Really struggling to identify the right person to consult about my back problem. I live in York and have heard Leeds has a good set of neural docs but how on earth do you find out who out of the consultants listed has a decent reputation? Any advice gratefully received. Matt

You can google your local hospital and then look for a list of surgeons, once you have the names you can the google them and find out what they have done and where they have worked.

Olli

Hi All

Am back from holiday and am fully rested and chilled. Have very little pain anywhere, stiff in mornings and tired by the evening. Am still struggling with flexibility but maybe i,m expecting too much too soon. can dress sleep sit and walk whenever I want too which is fantastic!

Thanks for the exercises Olli, have done no swimming as have a small issue with the water but have managed the rest very easily with hardly any pain. Think being fit beforehand has helped me a lot. Back feels very strong and mobile. Have taught 4 classes since being home. Didn't actually do any of the classes myself but it was great to be back!!

Good luck to anyone considering having this surgery. It's not for all and neither is it a quick solution but it has certainly saved me!

Have first physio appointment this week so hope he can tell me how i'm doing!!

Olli if you post me the next set of exercises I can see what my physio gives me and will let you know if anything else is recommended.

Cheers to all and hope people who are still suffering can find some help and be pain free soon.
My thoughts are with you all!

Till next time
Fitbird
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if you live in york then try looking up the spinal foundation (google it)i believe mr knight is a pioneer in minimally invasive spinal surgery

Hi Colrob

Have you had your second surgery yet?

David