Hi RickyC
Excellent news for you! I am pleased.
I posted because I was worried that new people may read the thread and think that they had to make a quick decision about surgery, because any delay may cause permanent damage to the nerve. Which yes, in the case of cauda equina (emergency surgery) and possible motor disfunction. But anything else is probably worth giving other measures a go first. and nerves can recover.
I understand though in your case that if you had a fragment stuck to your nerve then that would complicate matters.
My surgeon suggested that I was eligible for surgery simply because my pain matched the MRI scan but that he would suggest other options first, but he did say some people do choose surgery straight away, because they have limited or no sick pay and have to get back to work. Which makes me very sad. I am extremely lucky to have a very good sick package at work so that didn't need to be a factor for me.
It does worry me how we are all told different things. My GP said she wouldn't normally do an MRI before 12 weeks at least and then because it goes in as a non-urgent request there can be a 5 week waiting list. I only had an urgent MRI at week 10 because I had some bladder symptoms, although they did not fit the cauda equina picture. So without the bladder problems and because at week 16 I did feel better, I probably would have declined an MRI by the time my appointment came round. So perhaps some NHS delays are appropriate?!
My physio does say that it is harder to treat a patient with sciatica who has had a MRI scan showing a disc herniation, than one who simply thinks they have sciatica without knowing the cause, which could in all probability be a disc herniation also. The pain for both is very real, but knowing you have a disc out does, in his experience, add a extra distress component to the condition which seems to prolong healing.
I for one was a complete mess when I had that MRI result, although the GP telling me not to walk didn't help..........
I wish something could be done to provide better and more consistent advice for patients going through this horrible condition.
RickyC - just about the McKenzie exercises - I note at one point you said bending backwards was painful - McKenzie exercises are all about putting you in extension, i.e. a backward bend - so they may not be appropriate for you and given that you have been operated on, they may not be necessary. I would check with your physio. Pilates is definitely the way to go though!!
All the best RickyC for further recovery (and everyone else!).
Jayne xx
Hiya RickyC, Great News! :D:D:D
Keep it going (at a steady pace of course) Lol!!
Best wishes 
SPINELF
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Hiya Jayneinpayne and welcome back!
I am really glad you found a resolution. Your post will offer members hope!:)
I totally agree with your thoughts and your Spinal Surgeons recommendations on the principles of non invasive therapies first for younger sufferers and for those in the early stages of their conditions. Non-invasive therapies should be the order of the day, offered as early as possible in order to help the sufferers body rebalance and aid the healing process itself, whilst they are fitter and healthy! I think though, that applying the same long drawn out non-invasive treatment plan for longer term, chronic and persistent back pain sufferers, who will have previously gone through many of these therapies (unsuccessfully), would be much less effective and result in costly delays in their assessment and treatment plans and could allow their conditions to deteriorate.
The reason I agree with your thoughts, is that when I was 26, I experienced my 1st major back pain episode, my GP told me to give up work, claim benefits and take it easy!! I swiftly told him what he could do with his diagnosis, and sought alternative diagnosis and treatments, I eventually found Osteopathy, and within 6 weeks of stating the Osteopathic treatment, I was back in my full time and physically demanding job!!
I owe a lot to Several Osteopaths over the years, because they kept me working and mobile for nearly 20 years! Even now, after my condition has been exacerbated by an R.T.A. and became chronic, Osteopaths are still helping to protect me from the worst effects of my disabling condition. I am also sure, that other members have found the same relief from their suffering by using other therapies such as Bowens, Pilates, Yoga and Alexander technique and so on.
I think that what your Surgeon advised about reading that web site was terrific! 😀
Any patient information that shows debates, facts and available treatment options is fantastic, but sadly lacking, in the UK private and NHS mainstream. Clearly your Spinal Surgeon is one of the better ones that make a positive difference to members lives, the ones we sometime read about on these back pain threads!
I think your colleague was quite right to urge caution, I too believe some Surgeons do this.
I am so glad you decided to ignore the physios scurrilous advice about not using the internet Jayne and happy you made your own mind up. I do understand what you experienced though! A Senior Consultant also told me not to look at the internet and stated the same reasons as you were given. He then recommended a pain management clinic, I asked for all the detailed information he had on the clinic, before I committed to the appointment. He could not tell me anything about the clinic or its treatments nor did he have any printed information to offer me!! He had simply read something somewhere!!!! His solution for me: Search the Internet!!!
With regards to how little the healthcare professionals know about spinal symptoms, therapies and treatments Jayne, please believe me, you have only just found the tip of the iceberg
You will always find that a Spine Surgeon willing to operate on sufferers who have cauda equina, foot drop or other neurological deficits! You see, I believe, that if a back pain sufferer is in an urgent or bad condition, the Surgeon has a solid get out clause! Their stance is, that the patient was seriously ill before the op, I tried my best, but the patients body was too weak or ill to benefit from my procedures (Failed Back Syndrome) ITS NOT MY FAULT!!
But ask them to operate on a persistent and chronic back pain sufferer in a healthy condition and they will move heaven and earth, to avoid such a procedure, believe me, I was that boy! I was told by a Surgeon, that I would probably be left with as much pain after the operation as I had before it and could possibly be left in even more pain after the operation than I was before it! He would only operate after my acceptance of those predictions! If that Surgeon had the same (or worse) outcome on a healthy & fit sufferer, the failure would be more closely scrutinized and questions asked. They dont want that! They will try and avoid the risk!
I would just say, that I would probably disagree with the 70-80% figure that you were given, for sufferers who dont need surgery, simply because an accurate (minor vs. chronic) or (non-invasive vs. MISS) treatment comparison, randomized control trials (RCTs) in the UK, have never been completed or published. It is therefore simply not possible to safely arrive at those figures!! I believe the production of those figures, is simply a case of 83.6% of all statistics being made up on the spot!! LOL!! 😉
Well done Jayneinpayne and best wishes
SPINELF
Hi Spinelf,
Many thanks for the kind welcome.
I used to read the forum, last year as a guest and then joined in June with the intention of posting my story, but my superstitious head didn't want to jinx my recovery so soon. Here's hoping I haven't blown it now, a year on!
I agree, about the first time episodes and I am in my mid thirties, in good health otherwise and don't smoke or drink to any great extent. I am also extremely lucky to have a very supportive husband, family and no work sick leave limitation issues or kids to worry about. So I had everything going for me in terms of a conservative recovery option and I don't underestimate how fortunate I was in that respect.
I am hoping that the information from my surgeon will help new sufferers, in that they don't feel pressurised into having that operation too quickly without looking at all other options and giving it some time (and yes, I really do know just how painful giving it time can be!!)
I don't know what to say about long term sufferers and my heart goes out to anyone who has not found some sort of resolution. My physio was right about reading internet forums, I was already in an emotionally bad place last year and reading some of the sad stories and things that people are going through had me in floods of tears on several occasions. I really wish I had some answers............
With regards to the 70 - 80% quoted - that was someone else's surgeons figures - mine actually said in his opinion less than 2% of patients 'need' surgery. Others choose to have surgery for a variety of reasons - often, sadly, work commitments.
Anyway, thanks again spinelf for the welcome and all the support and research you seem to offer fellow sufferers.
From my research last year there do seem to be some quite high profile people who have suffered disc herniations, including I think, Tony Blair when he was PM (he didn't have an op, I understand), you would think it would be pushed higher up the agenda somewhere.........
The way society is going, with increased sedentary lifestyles, longer commutes to work, prolonged sitting at computers for work and games e.t.c disc herniations are surely going to become an increasing problem.........
Anyway, on that note, I shall now leave my computer and go for a walk!!!
All the best.
Jayne xx
Hi everyone....unlike most of you, I've joined post-op.
Stupidly I fell out of a tree when I was eleven and didn't know at the time, but suffered trauma to L2, L3, L4 & L5. I Have suffered with lower back pain since. In 2005 had an MRI, and prolapsed discs, L4 & L5 were diagnosed and I was given a cortison epidural. This seemed to do the trick until about 18 months ago when back pain returned and Sciatica kicked in on the left leg. After a couple of visits to the GP I was referred for further examination. Failure of the NHS to get back to me, led me to push my GP for a resolution as work and life was being effected. My GP referred me to a private spinal hospital on the NHS...although I did pay for an MRI to speed things up.
Had Discectomy done 12th march, 2012, at the Peterborough Orthaepedics and spine specialist hospital (OSSH). Originally I was down for a fusion also, but this was deemed to risky. The consultant, is a pioneer in all types of spinal surgery and I feel I must tell you of his very strict regime of recouperation:
No driving at all for 4-6 weeks
No bending, use legs only
week 1 & 2 - waking hours, spend one and a half in bed (must be flat on back, not sofa), the next half hour..potter, make a tea, toilet etc
strip wash only to avoid getting the dressing wet
simple breathing and circulatory exercises only
weeks 3 & 4 - reverse the above, but in the hour and a half up, short non strenuous walking
I will see him again just at the end of the fourth week for a check up and further advice.
When I asked his physio about exercises, he said do not even think about it until after 4 weeks!
Prior to the discectomy and when I imagine the disc finally herniated, the pain was extreme!!!! Following this, the pain in my back subsided and my left leg spasm'd leaving a numb, tingly and sometimes painful buttock, back of thigh and calf, and heel.
The leg is still the same, but am being told this is normal, after all the nerve was trapped for 8 weeks, a friend who is a Dr, said liken it to a hosepipe that has been kinked.
Will post my progress, but would urge anyone who has had or is having this procedure to take it very easy for 4 weeks...it is after all your spine!!!
Best wishes to all you fellow sufferers, as I understand the pain and frustration you are going through.
Cheers Stew;)
Update 5 weeks 5 days post op.
Just a reminder , L5/S1 disc prolapse in 2008, 2 epidurals 12 weeks of physio, further extrusion in July 2011, (1cm paracentral.)..operation Feb 2012....
Need to accept that the nerve has been hammered for 3 and half years. Need to accept that 1cm of disc extrusion has been cut away from the nerve. Need to accept that the nerve needs to settle down. I still have swelling and a large lump at the operation site but this is getting smaller.
I am feeling good but that may be the weather :). I can walk further than my dog, however the dog is pregnant :D.
Sleep isnt good...legs doing weird things.at night. Still on meds, sciatic pain is on and off.
Had physio today and now is the time to loosen up the back. I have been booked in for some 'back classes' at my local hospital. Apparently I will be one of the few who have had surgery, most are pre-op. Its a great idea though, a class of like minded people.
Some great posts on here, all proving that every case is different.
Best of luck to everyone
How is it going Ricky?
Hi Doog,
The physio will make a massive difference to you. Really light stuff so far but its incredible the effect it has. My upper torso was like it had subsided. Didn't feel right since surgery. - today was the first day i woke up feeling good. Obviously i still have bits and bobs along the day but thats life for a while to go yet.
Driving was more of an ordeal than i thought it would be. A week after and i'm still getting used to it. Moving the bed from the sitting room out early next week and gearing up to get back to work.
Back to the garden for chill with the kids. Take care.
Hi guys.....with regards to the numbness and tingling in your leg...is it still the same as before the op?
My foot..mainly the heel, is weird...not exactly painful, but feels as if it is swollen???
Thanks by the way for your posts, this drove me to join the forum, and hopefully give some valued input for anyone else viewing.
One plus is the weather....usually stuck in an office or car, so making the most of it while it lasts!!!
Cheers
Stew:cool:
Hi Stew
I suffered from numbness and pins and needles in my right foot and toes. This sensation had gone the day after the operation but has since returned on occasion (prior to the op it was a permanent fixture).
If I over do things my whole right leg feels heavy, not numb but a strange feeling, almost as if I am dragging it. Sunday was my best day by far, so like you do - I over did it. Now suffering with back pain and mild sciatica that within 24 hours should subside I hope.
It really is a slow process, every step forward usually results in two steps back. Best of luck with your recovery, I am sure within a few months we will be cracking on with our lives.
I just find it odd we have all been given different advice on what to do, or not to do.
Welcome Stew!
Same craic as doog i'm afraid. Great day yesterday - over did it of course and feeling it today. Very hot outside and hard to walk in it but did 2 miles anyway. 🙂
I never got the tingles before or after. I did get that enormous feeling of heavy heavy dull aching legs for the first 3 wks after. Never had it that bad before op.
I'm good good legs wise now but struggling with the right torso and right shoulder / arm.
Enjoy the sunshine!! Your like myself .. normally stuck in a car or an office.
Best wishes and kind regards to all those in 'recovery mode' the very best of luck and good progress in getting your lives back!:)
Take it slow people, you know your own bodies!
Great posts!!:D
SPINELF
post and ramblings edited..not a good week
post and ramblings edited..not a good week
Hi doog - big cybers hugs :hug: - sorry you've been having a bad week.
You might like to look at this - if you can bear all the hard-sell ramblings. Enzyme therapy is not too far out of the box and what is contained in this are all proven to help. You might like to give it a go or find something similar marketed here in UK? just a thought.
All the best
post and ramblings edited..not a good week
SORRY TO HEAR THAT DOOG!! 🙁
STAY WITH US THOUGH BUTTY!!:)
HOW YOU ARE NOW??:confused:
SPINELF
Sorry to hear that doog, It seems i'm now left with mid back pain. In physio today again. 1 wk to go to back to work. Its very easy to end up with sciatia again doing the most simplest things. I'm being very careful but have been caught out twice in the last 10 days. It stays for min 2 days before your up and able again.
Keep going. It has to get easier.
Well finally that time has come. I'm back in work tomorrow. Nervous about the driving and sitting but sure life goes on..
A hearty and warm thank you to all who replied during the last 3 months. Apart from family the responses and advice taken from this forum helped enormously - before and after surgery. Its a been a tough road on every front emotionally, mentally and physically. A journey that i'll endeavour never to endure again. So from here on in its focus on keeping active and the back in good shape!
I went into a specialist shop during the week and got fitted for a custom office chair and a car seat. Its time to eat well, exercise and fly straight on the horizon line for a while. I might even do the lotto a little more often.. I think i'm due some good luck!!
I'll keep you updated on how i get on returning to normal life. Doog i hope your keeping well and your taking it easy and returning to good health. Many thanks for the tag team posts - it was good to compare the recovery process. Mind yourself and take care.