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Microdiscectomy surgery worked like a dream for me !! I ...

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Guest

Microdiscectomy surgery worked like a dream for me !! I am 26 years old and started with back pain in April 2005, and was initially diagnosed with sciatica. This was 7 weeks before my wedding. Not ideal at all, I was in vast amounts of pain, particularly down my right leg. I was left with a limp and unable to do any walking, standing or sitting for any amount of time. During my honeymoon the pain became even more intense and I ended up in hospital in San Francisco. They did the usual leg raise tests and diagnosed a slipped disc. made it back to the UK, and after a visit to the hospital and my GP was reffered to a consultant neurologist. The wait on the NHS was silly, so we paid to get a private consultation. He sent me for an MRI scan which showed prolapsed L5 S1. Told I needed micro diskectomy, but the waiting list was 6 months. After waiting 3 months and being in horrendous amounts of pain (not to mention the psychological effects of having no life!!) we decided to take out a loan and get it done privately. Had the op on November 7th, and it is the best money I have ever spent in my life. The pain in my leg was gone straight away. I was off pain killers completely within two weeks of surgery. I feel on top of the world. After surgery the main issue you will have is sitting down. You are walking the day after the operation, but sitting takes a little more time. There is some numbness in my right foot, but nothing major, and this is expecetd to calm down in a few months. It's three weeks since the op......I am now walking for 2 hours or more each day, swimming, driving and doing small bits at the gym. Do not be scared about having this operation.

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Thanks a million!! Really helps to read something positive, must been told I need a microdiscectomy of L4, scared re: op but want to get on with my life, I swim a lot how son after op could you swim? Luckily we have private health care so wont have to wait Good luck:D

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi Jane, Glad to be of help. I was able to swim about at about 21 days after the operation, and wow did it feel good to get moving again. I hope everything goes well for you, let me know how you get on! This is defianetly the best option if you want to get on with your life...trust me there will be no stopping you once that pesky disc is out of the way.

    Take care

    :D

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi there, I have also just returned from 'the op' 10 days in so far and like you pain virtually nothing straight away. I have however been experiencing slight sensations (like a numbness I guess) where the sciatica was. The rational part of me knows its probably just to do with the op but the pain sufferer that has been me for last 5 months is terrified. Is this the same as you and hows it going now a good few months in to your recovery? I am walking regularly etc like yourself and already losing the limp and building right up each time trying to go out at least 4 times each day.

    Hope your enjoying havinh your life back, Lorraine

    :lol:

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi Lorraine,

    Glad you managed to get the op! I also suffered the numbness/pins and needles sensations where the sciatica had been. This is due to the nerve been released from pressure and starting to heal itself. It will also have been disturbed during surgery so it's just recovering.

    My numbness went away after a few months, and now I am only left with slight pins and needles in the outer edge of my foot, which to be honest I am happy to live with as everything else is amazing.

    I only had one relapse a few weeks ago - where I thought the remaining piece of disc had prolapsed, luckily this was not the case. Turns out I just stressed the damaged tissue. I was fine after a week off work and anti inflammatories. The lesson there is that I have to be more careful!! I got a bit excited and did too much too soon.

    Now - life is great - no problems and just learning to take better care of myself and my back.

    Reply soon and let me know how you are getting on.

    Ali

    :D

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    • cameron_67792
      cameron_67792 Guest

      Posted

      Hi there Ali.

      My name is Cameron and I am 11 weeks post op off a Microdisectomy on my L5 S1 , I am doing good with almost no back or sciatic pain which is great !

      However I have constant ( never stops ) tightness and tingling feeling in my right leg ( front of my thigh and back of my calf )

      I am taking a medicine to help the nerve heal but I'm not sure it's helping. I hope it is just the nerve healing ?

      Is this something you also experienced after your surgery and did it eventually go away ?

      Any advice would be greatly appreciated! smile

      Many thanks

      Cameron

    • anglosaxon1
      anglosaxon1 cameron_67792

      Posted

      Apparently the nerve repairs at 1mm a day, so it will take time to repair. However, I suggest you keep doing gentle back and stretch exercises regularly. I am about 20 months on from my MD and you have to keep your core in shape. Worth looking up Mckenzie back & sciatic pain for more info. 

  • syron
    syron

    Posted

    I can't wait for my operation as after the epidural I had the pain is still mildly there. I am still on my meds (oramorh, tramadol, diazepam paracetamol, amitriptyline) for if I still don't take it them in the morning and evening it hurts and proves stiff and painful but at least I don't need to take any daytime meds apart from paracetamol. I'm allergic to codedine so I have to be careful. In some ways I wish I could just pay for the op but funds won't allow so I guess I will just have to wait my turn. I have waited since March 07 when this first started and because of the drugs, I can't remember June at all apart from trips to A&E for massive doses of morphine which boy was wonderful. I can't lay down still, I still have to sleep on my right with my knees under my chin but at least I am now in the bed as I spent most of June sleeping on the sofa as I couldn't even do that. Yes I'm glad of the epidural but at the same time, I go to Uni in September and so if the op isn't before then I will have to take time off that!! It is nice to hear peoples stories after the op as it makes me happy and that there is an end to this misery.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Edited

    I had this operation last week - 16th May 2008.

    I have been suffering from sciatic pain in my left leg since last December 2007. I was unable to walk far or stand for any length of time. I have two year old twins and a seven year old, so it really was really hard to try and cope with things.

    Luckily we have private health insurance, so once I had the MRI scan things happened pretty fast. I saw my consultant on 12th May and he had a cancellation for the 16th.

    I went in at 1pm on the Friday, had the op at 2.30pm and was back in my room for 5pm. I was up and about the next morning and discharged on Sunday.

    I am in no real pain and coping with paracetamol and ibuprofen. I feel a bit achy today, but think I may have been overdoing the walking. I do have some numbness in my left foot, but hopefully that will go soon.

    Although it's early days I would recommend this op to anyone. Don't be frightened - go for it!!!

    Saraxx

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi, it is really nice to read about some of a similar age to me enjoying sucess with is op. I am 24 and have been suffering with a prolapsed disc (L4/5) since I was 16. I have seen an Orthopedic surgeon who has said that he doesn't want to operate until I am at least 30! My life is hell though as I am sure you can appreciate! Did your surgeon not raise issues regarding your young age?
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Thats crazy and as far as i am concerned just another NHS cop out for not paying for a back op!!!! I was 26 when I had my 1st op (had a relapse 8 yrs later) and luckily had private health cover at the time and all was done quickly and efficiently! When I had my 2nd prolapse I wasnt covered and the NHS were SHOCKING I knew exactly what it was but no one would listen, I paid for my own MRI and guess what ... a prolapse! Dont let them fob you off, demand to get scans, speak to surgeons and a reason why they see fit you should suffer for another 6 yrs. Not to mention the nerve damage this could cause (not trying to sacre you but all the more reason they should sort you out ASAP).

    If you need any tips on how to put on the pressure just ask we all had to fight for our ops with the NHS but my god its worth it!!!

    Lorraine xx

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Could someone tell me how much it would cost to have a microdiscectomy as I have been in exrutiating pain with a prolapsed disc and spinal nerve displacement and compression for over a year now as the NHS keeps fobbing me off. I have already paid privately to see an orthopaedic surgeon who did a nerve block privately. I note you seen a neurosurgeon for a discectomy and not an orthopaedic surgeon. Have I been directed in the wrong direction?

    CaroleAnne

  • Luklinski
    Luklinski

    Posted

    Microdiscectomy /discectomy is 100% a symptomatic ,temporary relief ineffective in long term causing collapsed spine =chronic disability .
  • ALI,ALI,ALI
    ALI,ALI,ALI

    Posted

    luklinski

    id like to know what you are basing your opinion on

  • Gdee
    Gdee

    Posted

    Thats a good result mate, i had a discectomy and laminectomy a year ago with no relief at all. i've been bad for about 6 yrs now, with the usual symptoms (sciatica, etc). diagnosed with spinal stenosis and 2 herniated discs.

    I'm going for my 2nd Op soon for decompression and fusion surgery, the waiting list is 13 weeks and i'm getting married 5 weeks after that so hopefully i'll be well enough to do the job on the night lol.

    I'm on a lot of meds for my condition at the min, 4omg of Oxycontin twice a day, 2no. co-dydramol 4 times a day and 300mg Lyrica 2 times a day. then at night i take loprazolam to help me sleep.

  • thedawn
    thedawn

    Posted

    I can only really relate my experience from 15 years ago now and compare it to my brothers experience as we both had similar diagnosis but the difference was I was referred to a neurosurgeon and my brother was referred to an orthopaedic surgeoen.

    We both struggled with prolapsed L5/S1 although no other family members (father, mother grandparents) had suffered any back problems.

    I went through all the physio, medication routes for 5 years and was eventually sent to the Walton Neurological Centre in Liverpool where I had an MRI scan and in the October of 1999 had a microdiskectomy, I was in hospital for 3 days and felt pain when i left but the numbness/sciatica etc had disappeared and i felt totally fantastic within 2 weeks. I was off work for a couple of months which I was expecting but withinh 6 months I was back training in the martial arts and getting thrown about all over the place.

    I know I am lucky that i have made such a good recovery as my brother had surgery on the same disk but by an orthopaedic surgeon and still has the original numbness that he experienced and has more problems with his back possibly due to the procedure.

    Even comparing silly things like scars my scar is an inch long his is treble the size.

    I can only really emphasise that Neuro Surgeons specialise in spinal/disk conditions and surgery whereas Orthopaedic surgeons speacialise in Ortopaedic matters if it was a choice for me there would be no choice and I would recommend a neuro surgeon every time

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