Lbp

Hi Emlou;

the situation you have described is i guess more than 80% of my situation

the only difference is that i had previously two operations for the prolapsed disc once in 1998 for l4.l5 and the second time in 2007 for the l5 s1 prolapse

i am having an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow and based on that i will decide what is my future action which definitely will not be a third operation

I will share my experience with you as i got a sound explanation from the appointment

hoping you get well soon

Hi Malek,
I am interested as to why you say you will definitely will not be opting for further surgery?
As for myself after having a couple of 'good' days my pain has returned with a vengeance! I have also begun to experience some sciatic pain in my right leg now!!
I keep questioning whether surgery is the best option but know that I cannot continue as I am now. At present I can control what and when I do things as I am off work, however once I return to work I would have no control. I am a community nurse and as such I spend the majority of my day sitting either at a desk, driving or on settees which are usually very low, all the things which make my pain significantly worse.

Disc Prolapse

Hi Malek,
I am interested as to why you say you will definitely will not be opting for further surgery?
As for myself after having a couple of 'good' days my pain has returned with a vengeance! I have also begun to experience some sciatic pain in my right leg now!!
I keep questioning whether surgery is the best option but know that I cannot continue as I am now. At present I can control what and when I do things as I am off work, however once I return to work I would have no control. I am a community nurse and as such I spend the majority of my day sitting either at a desk, driving or on settees which are usually very low, all the things which make my pain significantly worse.

Hi Emolu

In fact undergoing a third operation is emotionally a very depressing idea to thing about this why i am trying to take it out of my mind and not to think about it

as i said in my last post i had an appoint with the neurologist who referred me to the pain management clinic once i refused to undergo a third operation as he thought i might be welling to do it.

at the pain management clinic the doc offered me an option of the edipural injection and he described the side effects and the success rates and the pro and cons of it, it was a difficult decision to be made by me with so much pain but finally i decided to go on with medications for another 4 weeks and if things do not improve then i think i will be obliged to take the injection

Emlou the change in your pain is probably the result of the prolapse getting worse. I had surgery and it really helped. I really would suggest you seriously consider it as an option. There is a risk that if left untreated the disc could start to impinge on the nerves supply the bladder - leading to incontinence. Loss of bladder control is a reason for emergency admission in a patient with a known disc prolapse. It is always MUCH better to have planned surgery than an emergency

Good luck

Sally

Hi,

How is the working for you? It should be helping..

Hi,
Well I've finally got a date for surgery, I go in this Friday!! My 3 children all have coughs and colds so am hoping that I don't catch it before my operation.
My pain appears to have changed again and I'm am back to getting very little sleep. The pain I'm experiencing now is a deep burning pain in my left calf as well as pain in my foot. The pain in my buttock, and back of thigh has reduced, although now have significant pain in inner thigh!
Has anyone else experienced this??
I am also getting occasional numbness in the saddle area although this only lasts for a few minutes.
Any comments or advice on preparing for surgery would be welcome.

Hi,
Well I've finally got a date for surgery, I go in this Friday!! My 3 children all have coughs and colds so am hoping that I don't catch it before my operation.
My pain appears to have changed again and I'm am back to getting very little sleep. The pain I'm experiencing now is a deep burning pain in my left calf as well as pain in my foot. The pain in my buttock, and back of thigh has reduced, although now have significant pain in inner thigh!
Has anyone else experienced this??
I am also getting occasional numbness in the saddle area although this only lasts for a few minutes.
Any comments or advice on preparing for surgery would be welcome.

I think surgery is very necessary for you. And one of the best things you can do is focus on how you want to feel when you are healed from the survey. Also imagine your recovery going really smoothly. The more positive thoughts you have about this the better. But I know from experience when you are in pain this is a LOT easier said than done.

if you believe in prayer than ask Archangel Raphael to be with you during the operation and to be with the surgical team during the surgery. Raphael is the Archangel known for healing and he works with a through healers, doctors, surgeons.

But do remain as calm as you can.You might find it helpful to have a bottle of Bach rescue Remedy to hand . It is very good in situations like stage fright, and other times when nerves can get the better of you. It will help keep you calm .

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sally

Hi Emlou

Sending you very best wishes for Friday with Love, Light and Healing. Hope all goes well.

Keep us posted as to how things are going.

hi everyone im new to this forum, to cut a long story short ive suffered with my back since i was 22 years old on and off sciatica, but 2 years ago i twisted my back and had horrendous pain but this time it didn't go,i ended up going to a+e they gave me and mri scan there and then because they thought i had cauda equina luckily i did not but i had two prolapsed discs they told me to go to my gp and she will refer me to hope hospital in salford, my appointment finally came through to see neurosurgeon he looked at my scan and suggested injections because i still had space around my nerves at this time it was my back causing me more pain than my legs, having had the injection it worked wonderfully but after 4 weeks my pain came back with a vengance but it had changed my legs went numb and i fell over in the kitchen after having a spasm, i was referred again to see consultant after telling him about the changes in pain he ordered me another m.r.i. had the scan 4 weeks ago and got a phonecall the next day my disc prolapsed was 10 times worse and was squassing my nerves, i will be having a disectomy next week, the only problem is he told me i will always have chronic back pain because of ddd, ive already been off work for two months not sure weather i can cope with back pain forever, im also not to optimistic about having the surgery but at the moment i would have anything to stop the pain no feeling in my big toe no 😡 sleep even with tramadol codeine not together and amitripline. has anyone else had op and still suffered with back. thank you.:mad:

just to clarify my prolapsed is at l4/5 l5/s1 i have sciatica down both legs but mainly in my right the inflamation is causing pain in left leg, my g.p gave me oramorph sorry for spelling but had bad side effects nothing is working for the pain at the moment and im sure my husband although he's been great is getting frustrated at seeing me in pain all the time, i have a two year old and it hurts me that i can't even take him out to the park or play group as the weakness in my legs can't take me far, has anyone had the feeling of cold water being poured down your legs? just to mention the medication ive been on ive had gababpentin lyrica but could not tolerate them i have have an acid reflux the only tabs i can tolerate are tramadol and codeine with paracetamol,

sorry for rambling is just that no one really understands the pain im in, as i said im hoping the op is gonna work i just want to get back to normal, and hopefully i can manage my back pain when the sciatica has gone fingers cross.

Hi,
I have had my pre-op assessment today, the nurse again informed me that my back would probably not be improved but that my leg pain would be, for me it is my leg pain which causes the most pain and my back is more of a discomfort so I can cope with that being the case. She was very clear that my back would never really be the same again and that I would need to take good care of it, she also said there was always a risk that what is left of my disc may prolapse again!
As I'm having a ' better' day today I expressed my concerns as to whether surgery was a necessity, her reply was that most people who come for pre-op assessments say similar and she asks if this has been the case for the last week, if the reply is no (which mine was) then surgery is necessary! Guess its just the anxiety raising its head again.
Thank you for the messages of support they have helped a lot. I will hopefully keep you updated.
Good luck Yogi with your discectomy.

Hey Emlou,

I dont know if you had noticed but i sent you a private message last night.

If you dont read it pre Friday, i wish you well and will have everything crossed for you aswell as saying a prayer or two!

Regards

Rob

Thank you Rob,
I have just replied to you, sorry if its a bit long winded.

thank you emlou

my leg pain is causing me more trouble than my back as i need to use my legs more it's not only the pain it's also the weakness, i got a phonecall yesterday im having my op on tuesday very nervous but im hopefull that my back may ease aswell in time, my consultant also told me that there's a chance of it reherniating he said if that's the case that maybe a fusion is the way forward, i think once i get my srenghth back in my legs ill start swimming and do excercises to help my back, just to say my water works is not very good at the moment just let's say it's a good job im more or less house bound at the moment it must have something to do with the prloapsed:eek:

good luck emlou let us know how you get on, this time next week we will both hopefully be pain free:)

nervous about discectomy

hi

i had my pre-op yesterday having surgery on tuesday now it's near getting very nervous
can someone please tell me what pain ill be in afterwards,

also not sure whether this has got anything to do with my prolapse but ive been getting bad neck pain on my right side which is the side which my prolapse is on has anyone else had this.

thank you.

Hi yogi,
I am home from hospital, I had the choice whether to stay in overnight or not, the surgeon felt I would maintain a better position for my spine at home so decided to come home. My children are teenagers not sure i would have made that decision if they were younger.
The journey home was awful and felt as those my back had gone into spasm. My leg pain has reduced significantly and I can now move my toes which I haven't been able to for months.
In reply to how much pain you will be in afterwards I would say a lot!! The pain I'm experiencing is around the wound area, when lying flat this is minimal but is excruciating when moving from lying to get up. Each of us is different so maybe you will not feel this bad but from what I read on this site previously wound pain appears common.
I do hope all goes well for you, at the moment I definitely think I made the right choice but only time will tell as this is not a quick fix.
Good luck I will be thinking of you

hi emlou

im glad it all went well, i'll will stay in overnight because i have a 2 year old boy who is very clingy to me my other kids are older,

how long did the surgery take sorry for the questions getting a bit nervous now, ive woke up with a sore throat and a bit of a cold hope it goes before tuesday.

do you still need pain relief or can you manage, silly questions i just would like to know what to expect,

hope you are being well looked after no housework for you make sure you take it easy.

all the best let me know how you get on .

Mornig Emlou

So glad you made it home and it appears to have gone well. Take it easy for a few days and get everyone looking after you! I wish you a speed recovery and look forward to reading your updates as to you SUCCESSFUL progress!

Be lucky!

Rob

Hi Yogi,
I'm not sure exactly how long surgery took. I was first on the list and it was 8.45 when I had my anaesthetic given and it was 11.45 when I woke in recovery.
I am still on the same pain relief and have Been told to discuss reduction of these with my GP in a couple of weeks.
Before I went in I downloaded a copy of recovery tracker from royal college of surgeons and this gives you an idea of what to expect and when, and also what would indicate the need for you to contact doctor for, I have found this useful.
Like you I was very anxious prior to surgery but I'm sure it will go well, try and rest before you go in and take care.

thanks emlou
feeling abit better about the op just hope this cold i have doesn't set it back:(

looking forward to the prospect of being able to do normal things that we can take for granted already planning ahead got to keep optimistic just hope my back pain doesn't stay as severe as is has been once my legs are in working order im sure ill cope better.
again thank you hope you feel better soon.

Hey all,

Yogi, if its a little sniffle then you should be fine but if you have a temparature or productive cough, they may well not operate. You've got till tuesday so hopefully your germs will vacate!
Your back will benefit from you being able to use your legs properly, i found i gained a hell of a lot of weight from being inactive due to my back but after many different painkiller changes and now being on the right one, i am slightly more active and my weight is going....weight loss obviously helps your back and legs...Its definitely helped me, i can actually start rebuilding my core after it melted away over the last 7 years!

My physio pointed me in the direction of Tai Chi...Gentle strengthening exercises....perfect for those with back problems, sciatica, both etc. I am noticing results so am keeping on at it..I have to walk with crutches as i have an arthritic knee too but they will get me fit as well....every cloud haha!

thanks alih78

ive not got a temp or a cough just full of it nose is like a tap:( im going to take my painkillers and go bed early i know i will regret that in the morning but only a couple of days to go;)

i know what you mean about the weight thing i lost a lot of weight last year and when i had injection i was pain free for a few weeks so i went to boot camp then bam PAIN, ive been off work now for a while so the pounds have crept back on as i don't even walk much now,
so hopefully once this is out of the way ill get fit again;)

keep me posted how you get on and i hope you find that information that you need, i think your a trooper the way you've handled all the surgery you've had, ive actually read your threads from years back you really went through it:eek:

good luck.

Hey buddy,

Hope the nerves aren't getting the better of you...the relief from the leg pain is worth it, believe me! Even though i was unlucky, i do remember how much better i felt and was up and about quite quickly after my first op...Back at work bang on 6 weeks later, and felt really good. It only lasted 8 weeks but it was a good 8 weeks all the same!

Even though i've been through it, i wont let it beat me....It sounds nuts but i say out loud "Back, who is in charge here? You or me?"...Its so easy to let pain dictate our lives, but i won't have any of it, especially as i'm on the way to having dropped 3 dress sizes! My pain nurse is going to call me later about sorting breakthrough pain and i reckon i'm on the way to getting fitter definitely. My core is tightening, i feel the burn! I do in my back too but its not awful like it was before i went on the fentanyl patch, and once the breakthrough pain issue is sorted then i'm going to really go for it and get as much fitness as i can back...I'm 34 not 74 lol! 😀

i'll be making my rhizotomy enquiries also...If its as good as i have read about, then i fancy it....I wasnt keen on any more needles being rammed into my poor battered back, but that looks like a good procedure to have for facet joint arthritis...It can be repeated up to 3 times a year...I can cope with a needle if its going to help innit 😀

thanks missy

ha i know what you mean im 38 feel 88 lol, it's good to hear you being positive about it all,
im getting nervous now but also positive my leg feels really strange at the moment like there's thousand's of spiders crawling around i know that's the nerve, but also i was up all last night with the pain, can't wait for the new me.

i have to be at hospital for 7 in the morning not sure where im on in the list it will be great if i was the first:)
well ill post when im home fingers cross it will go ok.

Hi yogi,
Good luck for tomorrow hope it all goes well and that you are early on the list. Micro success advised ice following surgery on one of his posts and this has helped me with the wound pain, helps with the swelling too.
I managed a fairly good nights sleep last night only woke twice, can't remember the last night like it! So far today I have only needed half my tramodol so fingers crossed on the mend, some sciatica but nothing like previous and can move my toes which is all good. I have showered today which was uncomfortable but a lay down afterwards helped.
Hope you manage to get some sleep tonight and take things easy.

Hi mate,

Wishin you goodest of luckings, although you won't need it I'm sure...Looking forward to hearin from you on the flip 😎

Hi Emlou,

Good to hear your surgery went well and your recovery is going well too 🙂

When to sit?

Hi yogi,
How are you doing? Hope you are on the mend.
What advice were you given regarding when to sit? The advice I was given was very vague, the physio said don't sit too much or too long, and consultant said only essential sitting for couple of weeks! So far only sat to go to loo and journey from hospital and to GP.
Feel as though I'm beginning to recover, sciatica comes and goes but wound pain reducing nicely, I don't want to undo progress by sitting too early or too late, any advice would be welcome.
Also does anyone have any idea when safe to walk dogs? I know it won't be for a while but curious.
Brillo sorry to hear you've undone some of your hard work with a bike ride, I do hope you are back on track again.

Hey Emlou

Glad to hear your healing well! Im sure its only a matter of time before your able to do all the things you want to do which walking the dogs is something you clearly enjoy!

As for me, the bike ride was stupid and crazy! Ive got over the initial shock of it all and im feeling a tad better. The worse time of the day for me is when i sleep at night and then wake in the morning. Im stiff and the left leg and in particular the buttock region and hamstring are very sore and feel tight. After an hour or two of moving about it begins to relieve itself a bit but never fully! I started to get concerned about Cauda Equina as when going to the toilet it occasionally drips rather than flows but i think its more a case of im in pain so just want to return to a laying down position. My next appointments are scheduled for March 27 for a second MRI and then April 19th for a follow up with the consultant. I'd love to get these dates brought forward but its just impossible. Im sick of becoming a prisoner in my own bedroom and its really starting to get me down.

Anyway, enough waffle from me! Continue to improve and i wish you well for a continued recovery!