Can't sleep worried about discetomy operation this weekend help!!!

You say that you are worried about scar tissue. A disctectomy/microdiscectomy operation (whichever they chose to call it) will leave a several inch scar down the bottom of your back. As long as you know and accept this, that is alright. Scar tissue isn't 't just cosmetically unattractive as, over time, and the healing process can cause pain problems itself.

Have they informed you about endoscopic discectomy operations and, if not applicable in your case, why they are not applicable? They only require a c.1cm insertion point, are much less painful post recovery and require less recovery time. To properly and legally obtain a patient's consent before an operation (they will require you to sign a Consent Form), the doctors/hospital is technically obliged not to just tell you about the pros and cons of the type of operation they've offered you, but of all suitable alternatives as well. Without this, should you be unsatisfied afterwards, you could argue that because you weren't informed of the alternatives, you therefore had not properly given your consent and basically sue them.

 

No need to worry..............that's easy to say isn't it, but I can say that because I've had it done and trust me it was nothing, it's worth going through just to get rid of your current pain, that's for sure. I've had back trouble for years, on the ocassion I had the surgery I had popped discs L3, L4 & L5 with the exact main impingement as you on S1, I also had foot drop too, that just put the icing on the cake. I know where you're at and I know where you will go!

I tried facet joint injections to help and they did nothing and I was at a point where the nerve impingement was so severe that I was advised without surgery, the nerve would die!? The surgery at this point was no longer something I could debate, it was to be a definite.

I got the surgery and came round, found it strange that my sight was blurred, that's because, for obvious reasons they had me lying face down. At this point you feel no pain or anything. Later that night I started to feel a little sore, but their regular medication put a stop to any of that.

I had a decent night, and the next day was asked to get out of bed to allow the physio team to show me how to move and what was right and wrong, again a little sore but always given medication. Later that same day I left the hospital and went home. You will be sore, as I'm sure you can imagine, I was for a good few days, but your training as a Nurse will tell you to maintain your levels of painkillers and they will help. Certain movements will hurt more, getting up and down put extra strain on me, getting in and out of bed, but you shouldn't get much more than that. Honestly, no horror story to tell you. Make sure you have pain killers at the ready and support around you as you MUST rest as well as move around. Basic stuff like filling a kettle and carrying it full, this is a no no, making beds, hoovering, if able to, get your family and friends in to assist.

It cured my foot drop and back issues at that time, and I'm pleased I did it, although, if I didn't have to, if the injections had worked, I would never have considered surgery.

Try not to read the horror tales, I don't have one and with three disc popped and foot drop to contend with, I know the pain you're in and more! Your surgery will put an end to that, try to concentrate on that. I know it's hard to do, but think past the op and consider your recovery.........plan that holiday you will need after all you have gone through.

My very best wishes are with you. Take care :0)

Hi no I read that scar tissue can form on the inside, I'm not worried about the cosmetic side I'm worried about the pain... 

I keep saying it'll go away on its own, I know it won't, even sneezing or coughing I feel like its an electric shock in my buttock! I have oramorph etc, and hopefully that will keep the pain at bay afterwards. 

I really appreciate the time in replying it means an awful lot x

Injections did work for me quite a lot. Some people don't find that they do work, but I found them helpful.

I also believe that time is a great healer. My disc badly herniated c.5 years ago now and I very nearly had an operation. However, in the interim I went onto injections. 5 years on I'm beginning to feel a bit more like my old self, with some extra limitations still there. Ultimately, without any red flag bladder and bowel symptoms, I suppose it depends upon how much pain you can put up with and how much time you have.

 

All operations leave some scar tissue. Once you have the op, you will go for an MRI again but this time you will have the dye injected, this allows them to differentiate between you and the scar tissue, if you know what I mean. They advise about it from that.

I wouldn't consider the surgery at first, as like you, everything was a concern, it's not something to be taken lightly. I opted for the facet injections, but they had no effect on my condition at all. 

Honestly, if it's hurting as much as I know it is, the long term effect of some scar tissue is nothing in comparison to what you have now.

I've had the surgery and it will be sore, but it's very concentrated, whereas now you will have pain in you back, feel like your hip is out of joint, knee pain, leg vibration, ankle and foot tightness, freezer pain, electric shocks etc. etc. Your surgery puts a stop to that, but of course you will be sore. I remember saying to my husband it's like a strange throbbing in my spine but it was sore, nothing whatsoever like the pain I had suffered before. I knew it was there but it was so much better than the constant horrific pain I had previous to the surgery. I'm being very honest with you. I was walking around the day after and I didn't go into the theatre until five in the afternoon. I honestly know that you will be in more pain now, I had three prolapsed discs in one go along with foot drop, the after uncomfort is nothing to the way you body hurts now. I was also amazed that for the first time after the surgery, I could lie on my back!? It was great. I just assumed that afterwards it would be impossible but I couldn't feel a thing!?

Ah, poor you, try to think of getting rid of the awful pain you feel now, being tender and sore for a few days afterward will be worth getting rid of what you have at the moment.

The pain killers you have will be great too. I had the district nurse round on a regular basis, which is standard aftercare and they help too, and questions or concerns, and they are there.

Bless you, try to think of being pain free :0)

 

Hi Lorraine,

I have the same as you L5 S1 prolapse and have just been listed for surgery. I'm a nurse and i think sometimes knowledge is not always a good thing. Ive never had any kind of surgery before so like you i'm terrified but staying in as much pain and having a poor quality of life at the minute made my mind up and will get me through the hospital doors to go for it. All of the positve comments have helped reassure me hope there helping you.