Why not second op, if there is a visible nerve root compression... and if conservative therapy fails...

However, not classic operation again. I suggest minimally-invasive treatment.

Hi, Welcome 🙂

I am a long term anti-opper who has survived to tell the tell, in some cases better than those that have had ops! 60% is a terrible odds to offer, what about scar tissue? What about reoccurence? What are the other levels like? Did you see the actual MRI , did the surgeon? Did he say which disn and which nerve and where?

Discs can repair and pain can lessen, and just with time. The body is a clever thing.

I agree with Cascara. I'm not opposed to surgery as such; but I would say that there is more choice than surgery vs. not surgery, and there are many different ways to consider a problem such as this. Surgeons do what surgeons do - shop around for other opinions on this. When you've truly walked the full length of the counter, then make your choice!

Good luck!

Hey guys,
I have just joined the forum a few weeks ago and have been in pain on and off from past 11 years (I am 32 right now).

My recent occurence is the worst one and I can't stand, sit, or lay down from past 3.5 months. A good night sleep is a dream for me now doesn't matter how many pain killers I pop.

I am researching on Microdiscectomy and Endoscopic Discectomy at this point of time after trying PT, theraflex and chiropracter.

Cascara and Icarus - Can you please suggest what kind of other things I can try and ain't you causing more damage to your other nerves with a distorted posture??

Thanks

xoxo

Hi Mahuja,

I am very much in favour of having the operation if you are in severe pain. The pain I feel now is nothing to what I did pre-op. I was in so much pain I had to find the money to go private as waiting for the op on the NHS was just taking too long.

It sounds to me that you are in great pain so for me the next step would be to have the operation having tried out various other options.

Only my opinion but I can now sleep, work out, and lead a normal life albeit with some discomfort but nothing like pre op.

Hope this helps

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your support and glad to see that you are relieved of your pain to a certain extent. I think everybody can understand how it feels when you are pain free even for a single day, it's like being reborn again. I am having my own bad and good days and it gets terrible for my family when I am going thru a bad day in an excruciating pain. I am totally dependent on my husband for each and everything.

Steve can you please assist me with a few queries.

- Where did you get your microdiscectomy done and how much did it cost you? (I'll have to go private too coz i can't bear this pain anymore)

- What was your exact diagnosis as per your MRI and did you take multiple opinions regarding the treatment or just had the procedure done at the first go?

- How big was your incision and for how many days were your in hospital after the surgery?

- Did you also consult anybody about minimal invasive surgery??

Really appreciate your response.

I know you still seem to be stuck in the limbo with the re-operation but I agree with Keano that why not??

Hope you a speedy recovery.

Cheers

xoxo

I had a Microdisectomy last April...and am one of the success stories although its been a long year to get where I am...normal life...with just occasional back pain and weird nerve sensations in leg...so 95% most of the time.

Where did you get your microdiscectomy done and how much did it cost you? (I'll have to go private too coz i can't bear this pain anymore)

In Glasgow Bupa hospital. I used private health care however still saw the bills...it was about £6000...that's not including all the subsequent physio

- What was your exact diagnosis as per your MRI and did you take multiple opinions regarding the treatment or just had the procedure done at the first go?

L5S1 prolapse with nerve impingement, no 2nd opinions, couldn't continue with pain I was in, 12 pills a day, couldn't work, 2 kids under 5, op was my only way out. Was told post op that it was a fairly large prolapse

- How big was your incision and for how many days were your in hospital after the surgery?

Incision is only about 1.5" , had op on Wednesday evening , was home Friday lunch time, back at work after 6 weeks. it has taken the year for the nerve to calm down, and lots of physio to try and sort out my muscles

- Did you also consult anybody about minimal invasive surgery??

No..tried chiropractor, physio before op....nothing helped, even the pills didn't stop the pain, only numbed it a bit

Hey Clare,

Thanks for the reply.

Glad to see that you are one of the success stories and really appreciate your detailed reply.

I got my MRI today and I also have similar problem as yours (moderate left posterolateral and central prolapse at L5/S1 compromising S1 nerve root). I don't have any insurance and I am waiting for a lottery to get operated 😉

I don't want to get it done thru NHS as I think they classify open back surgeries as Microdiscectomy and I am not really comfy with that.

Best of luck, I am sure your remaining nerve sensation and back pain will also wear off.

xoxo

Hi mahuja,

I have a very similar experience to Clare.
L5/S1 was causing the pain. I paid in the region of 6k and this included the operation, follow up consultations as well as treatment after the op. As I was still in pain I had an epidural injection which helped reduce nerve pain. This was all part of my 'package' as would any other treatment i may have required within a 3 month period after the op.
All my treatment was via Spire Healthcare - [url]Spire Healthcare, UK Private hospital network, 37 Private Hospitals in England, Wales, Scotland[/url] who were superb throughout.

I was in on the Wed evening and also home on the Friday by 1pm.

Like Clare it has taken time after the op for the nerve to settle and I do still experience pain now(hence question about 2nd op) but I can't tell you how much better I feel than i did pre op.

With regards my scar, it is only a little over an inch long and barely visable so I wold not be concerned about this at all.

Please just ask if you want to know anything else. I know what a difficult time it must be for you but keep positive, you will get better!

Steve

Hi guys
I'm new to this I had back pain which led to sciatica l5s1 disc pressing on the sciatic nerve I've been off work since it happened 13th August I am lucky enough that i am insured with my husbands healthcare I had an Mri scan on NHS after we returned early from a holiday abroad but I couldn't stand the pain any more i was on gabapeatin and Ibruprofen I was screaming with it one night my husband was helpless the Mri confirmed a bulging disc on the nerve root I had a consultation and decided for a long term fix i went in on Tues 1st Nov 2016 and stayed in 1 night the op was OK the wound hurt when I woke but that's to be expected I was very achy but no pain and just a bit tingly and it hurt when I turned in bed I came home wed and it's now Sunday my wound is healing as it's not as sore I am still taking the pills as I have some leg pain which I'm hoping will go in time I am not taking as many as I was before though .it's early days I've walked my dog today and been with my granddaughter on her bike ..the pain is worse in the morning I guess coz you have no painkillers in your system but tonight I feel good and the tingly feeling is not as bad I am only 5 days in so here's hoping ..love to you all and stay strong if you've enjoyed reading my story I'll write again in a few days

Pam xx

wtg Pammie xx take it easy though won't you. And I have to say I am surprised at the meds you were on before the op as they really were not suitable 'painkillers' Ibruprofen is a mild anti inflammatory and Gabapentin is a nerve pain modifier and again not a painkiller? But anyway, good luck with your recovery ((((hugs))))