Hi Angela,
Did you ever have a discectomy?
Hopehasgone
I saw the neurosurgeon in March and was put on the list for a laminectomy and a possible discectomy. The prospects were not very good for me and I felt at the time the risks were too high so after thought took myself off the list. I then after another month decided I probably would have to go ahead and went back to the neurosurgeon who was very helpful and I have now said I will have the op in October whilst I could see if it had gone away by itself, to give me a chance to lose a stone before an anaesthetic and to have some more physio to see if that would change the picture. He told me that at my age it would not go away but I was determined to try.
It hasn't and I have in the last couple of days realised I am getting worse and need the op sooner than October if possible. I however know that there will be an 8-10 week waiting list, one reason being I cannot have the op in the spinal theatre but will have to have it in the main theatres in case of any complications. The waiting list for this is longer.
That story sounds complicated and you are very worried anyway so I feel I shall have to expand it. I am not in the same situation as I think you are probably in. I am 70 and it is quite unusual apparently to get a slipped disc anyway but this has caused a large bulge of my spine. I have also got spinal stenosis - in older people the spinal channel narrows. This may not cause trouble but in my case he points out when showing me the scan that quite apart from the current trouble with disc in two other places this narrowing is great enough to cause trouble by itself eventually, and thirdly I have also got osteo arthritis of the bottom of my spine which is a family thing. He therefore intends to do a laminectomy to decompress the spinal channel and will try to do a discectomy when he sees what the situation is but does say I may have calcified and he will not be able to chip away at it. When I saw him the first time he said the chances of success were 60-70% but on the letter to GP he said 50-60% - you have probably been given 90 or 95% so a different ball game. He does however, think he will be able to remove the nerve pain which is in both legs and get me standing upright again but he is not over hopeful for the disc. These odds plus the other risks put me off initially.
You may think that at my age why bother but until this I did think 70 was the new 50, and I really cannot be saddled with taking drugs for the rest of my life which leave me sleepy and not always as with it as I would like. I also think (know really) that the spinal stenosis will get worse if I don't give it a try. I trust my surgeon and it happens to be the same hospital as Yogi has been for her ops, and despite her troubles she thinks they are very good. So ...... I am going for it. He has pointed out the risks which they have to do but I am just putting them out of my mind. Just think of the list of horrible risks people are given when they are just going for an endoscopy. I think you must do the same and bear in mind that very very few cases go wrong and those that do it is not usually the risks but the fact not everyone gets their 90% success rate in respect of pain but hey anything is good I feel.
Not sure that helps you as my case a little different. Currently the numbness is one of my thighs is really bothering me. I have discovered that numbness does not mean pain free. It is numb to the touch but in bed it burns like mad. I cannot cope with all this.
Angela
hi angela
the kids are still off school this week so would it be ok next week, at least we can have a conversation and not feel rude if either of us yawn ha ha ive never felt so tired in my life sooner im of these meds the better, ill give yo a bell early next week clare xxx
Hi Clare
That is fine - I thought that would be the case. We are going on holiday on Thursday next week so if we can fix it it will need to be Monday to Wednesday. Can I stress again I am only coming for three quarters of an hour as that is probably our limit but if you think that is too much we will make it less. Anyway as you say phone me nearer the time.
I too am staggered by the tiredness and I am on less drugs than you. I get so tired I end up totally confused sometimes then it passes off (if I haven't dropped off to sleep by then. Yesterday was the limit. I was working at Stepping Hill and the pain and tiredness was so great afterwards don't know how I made up home, even with husband driving. I could not face an evening meal and went to bed at 6.30 pm. In the middle of the night, cannot remember whether it was our 2.15 am teabreak or the 5.30 am one I said I cannot do this anymore must do it sooner. Husband said it is your decision but I am pleased to hear you say that. I said I would phone Hope after the holiday and ask if I can go back on the list but have been persuaded to phone this week as it will be an 8-10 week wait.
How much numbness do you get. When one of my legs started to go numb several weeks ago I thought at least that might mean less pain, but now if I am in bed the whole thigh area goes numb and I get this dreadful burning sensation. However tired I am this means not sleeping well at night as the feeling is even worse than pain. At other times it is just numb. Why, why, why did I take myself off the list?
Angela
hi angela
45 mins next week is fine by me:)
think the burning is inflammation i had a root block while i was in hospital last time and it's been great for central back pain because that was the inflammation but because disc is almost on top of my nerves it's not worked for leg pain i also think that l5 and s1 nerves are involved because im getting nerve pain in different parts of my foot, with me before my very first discectomy i use to get numbness and pain so it can happen but it sounds to me angela that your nerves are very inflammed with that burning pain, it,s weird my burning pain pain i get in central back but like i said that's been ok since root block but not for leg pain, i get numbness in toes and foot and other places in leg but also still get pain.
you go and phone salford and tell them you want it done sooner not sure did you say you already phoned tham? my brain is like a marsemellow lol love clare xxxxx;)
Morning ladies!
Is next weeks get together a private thing or is anyone allowed to come? If anyone can come ill put my Rio kit on and show off my legs aswell as bring the music with the crescendo being "We are the Champions"!!
U-N-I-T-E-D!!
Haha, in all seriousnes glad to see you both getting together for a support network, think its great!
Lovely day out there today, hopefully that alone will make you both feel in tip top shape for the day ahead!
Love to you both aswell as Em and Hopehasgone!
Be lucky!!
Hi Rob
Its a bit far but feel free to join us. We are both in need of a bit of a giggle. Yes it is great to be meeting up with Clare.
GREAT NEWS! IVE DONE IT - GOT MY BLUE BADGE. Well not actually got it but it is in the post I believe.
Angela
hi angela
that'a great news about your badge you deserve it, i have been almost pain free today not counting my chickens but the mixture of the slow release oxycontin and liquid maybe working along with my other mixture lol.
love clare
rob when do you go away im so jealous you will have a ball xxxx
Feeling positive though in a lot of pain this evening. Have worked this morning on the dental examinations (I hasten to say as a communications patient) and sitting in a dentist's chair for four hours taken its toll. However the dentist I was paired with has had the same operation with great success. Only took him six weeks to get back to work. A few years later and still fine playing badminton and squash. Then at the coffee break another dentist I know came to talk to me and her mother had the op at 80! Has lost her list and walking well. You cannot believe how these two conversations cheered me only marred by one of the other com patients who had the op last year and it failed. Nevertheless the whole thing was fairly positively. The whole thing though made me realise how much of this is about.
Working Saturday and Sunday but then that is it until after my op. Finding it a struggle now and only the thought of going on holiday on Thursday keeping me going.
Glad you had a good day Clare.
Angelaxxx
Where is everyone? Not sure has Rob gone away now. I am having a quiet day today to get over weekend, whilst thinking about my packing. Also trying to contact hospital as secretary was on holiday last week.
Clare - am I coming tomorrow? If so don't forget to phone and give me your address.
Angela
hi angela
i felt a pop in back yesterday been in horrendous pain since can't even touch my back softly without it running down leg hubby has to stay off work again i can defo feel the disc above buttock area ive only two weeks till op it cant come soon enough not sure whether it was a pop it felt weird like the disc moved spoke to my lovely consultant he told me not to let any other doc go near me if i need to go in cos he doesn't want a emergency decompression op but if it turns to be ces then obviously it would have to be done.
my address is 5 thorsby close off red acre road off abbeyhey lane that's the front of my house your hubby can go for a lovely walk down to park from the back of my house please still call tomorrow my sister is having my little man can't even take care of him it will be so nice to meet you you will have to excuse to house not been able to do my usual clean.
see you tomorrow xxxx
hi angela
i forget to say as you were leaving thanks for the flowers it was very kind of you and also it was lovely meeting you and your husband. enjoy your trip
love clare xxx
Hi Clare
Yes it was great getting together if only for a short time. I feel we know one another now and know we will support one another through our ops.
I heard from the secretary at Hope a few minutes ago. She is going to have a word with the surgeon and put me back on the list for op end of August/early Sept if possible. He is away mid July to mid August. She asked when we are back and is also going to book a pre-op for me early July. Very happy about this. I know I keep coming back to how foolish I have been ........ but no use thinking that now.
If you are in hospital for a week to 10 days I could come and see you one afternoon if you have no other visitors. Peter would be happy to drive me over and drink coffee in the cafeteria there!
love, Angelaxxx
hi angela
im so glad that you may get sorted sooner then october:)
and yes id love you to come and visit me it will be lovely to see you but only if your up to it,
once op is over ill send a message probably on the next day and tell you how it went and then you can come anytime, the visiting hours there are 2-8 ill be on m2 spinal ward.
well you have a lovely time and hope your not in too much pain just relax and and pamper yourself
love clare xxxxxxxxxx
hi
just to say i have become a lot worse my eyes are swolen from lack of sleep but at least iv'e not got too long to wait.
rob and emlou hope you are doing ok xxx
angela safe journey xxxxxxxx
love clare xxx