Posted , 8 users are following.
Since being on this site I have become very confused as to what treatment I should be seeking for L5 slipped disc. Should I go down the surgical route or not?! Is it worth the risk and does it actually stop the pain or have any benefits? How scary is it going under the knife, what does it involve and whats the worst part about surgery?
1 like, 22 replies
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Sineadsmith90 gabriella44865
Posted
I had a discectomy l4/l5. I found surgery easy, especially compared to the pain before. The recovery process was hard because you do have to be so careful. Unfortunately with my 3 children to run around after I didn't give my body the rest it needed so my disc had reherniated. I am devastated, but I will consider more surgery if other options don't work for me. If you have chance to rest properly post op, for a couple of months, then it is an option for you.
alison57949 gabriella44865
Posted
I had a double discectomy in March. Previously I had been suffering with horrendous nerve pain in my lower back, hip, leg and foot. The day after the operation I pretty much cried with joy that I no longer had nerve pain. I had to have a wee bag for I think it was two days because no matter how hard I tried it just wasn't happening. It took me two ish days to be able to stand up and after a fashion walk around. I was advised to rest for between 6-12 weeks. Because my job is physical I needed just over 3 months off, purely because I wasn't willing to take the risk of going back too soon and messing it up. I've not had any nerve pain since my ooeration. I still have some back pain and stiffness, some days are worse than others but I can cope with that. I can honestly say that if I hadn't had the operation I have no doubts that I would be depressed and possibly stuck in bed by now. If you have the opportunity to go for the op - I would say go for it but make sure you allow yourself enough rest and time to recover. Also embrace the sheer pain relief and rest that morphine allows you. It makes all the difference.
sarah_jane89592 gabriella44865
Posted
Well love tbh I had my operation in July 27th pain has gone so if your in so much pain it's worth having done maybe some damage after tho I am still having problems with my bladder and bowels but no pain hope this helps Sarah xx
ihavenonickname gabriella44865
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how difficult was it to sir up m, swing your legs over bedside, stand, and walk after surgery?
alison57949 ihavenonickname
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The comfiest position for me after op was lying on my back. I'm lucky that I have a two seater sofa with very low squidgy arms on it. I'm 6ft 1" tall and the length was perfect for me to use one sofa arm as pillows and the other as a knee raise. I was advised to walk around at least every hour and to try to build my walking up to 3 miles within a day. For the first day and a half I struggled to move myself in the hospital bed, it was like I had no strength and no control over my lower body. The morphine that you have to ask for but can have every two hours, really helped with this. I was able to walk very slowly around the block after first week. I gradually built up the amount of walking. That's the key - don't rush things, but don't just lie there all day either or you'll seize up. Listen to your body.
gabriella44865
Posted
sarah_jane89592 gabriella44865
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It's correct in my case hun been a few.months now and still no change x
anglosaxon1 gabriella44865
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Sineadsmith90 gabriella44865
Posted
I've not had any problems with my bowel and bladder, I guess it depends where the surgery is and what type. There are so many risks with spinal surgery, you have to make sure it is your last resort, and are you willing to risk it to get rid of the pain
sarah_jane89592 Sineadsmith90
Posted
Hope you don't mind me asking but how are your bladder and bowels now and when did you have your operation pls x
Sineadsmith90 gabriella44865
Posted
I would like to add it wasn't even 12 hours post op and I got off the bed to use a commode
Sineadsmith90 gabriella44865
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I haven't had any problems at all, I am 7 months post op now.
ihavenonickname gabriella44865
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alison57949 ihavenonickname
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I couldn't wee post op. My bladder was full and they got me onto commode but I just couldn't do it. They had to put a bag in but after a couple of days I could go again. I was constipated for a couple of weeks, but that was because of morphine. I'm 8 months post op and both are working normally.
sarah_jane89592 alison57949
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alison57949 sarah_jane89592
Posted