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!