1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Disc Prolapse

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

Posted , 44 users are following.

Guest
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.

[i:dae4fffd49]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:dae4fffd49]

6 likes, 89 replies

89 Replies

Prev Next
  • Ouch1
    Ouch1

    Posted

    I am 42. Sciatic Paid for the last 7 years. Only when I stand for any length of time, ironing, making kids dinner, Pub, Party etc. Very VERY active life - run 5 miles a day, Gym 3 times a week all with no pain at all - Go to make a slice of toast however and It hurts (Usual symptoms But cheek, Leg , Foot and lower back). Mri's show a slight bulge L4 . Had two nerve blocks ove rthe years, 1st one completely cured me for 3 months, 2nd in May this year less effective - only50% releif. My Specialist has offered a microdiscectomy. Going on the basis I only suffer pain circa an hour a day, making the decision to have the opp is a difficult one.

    An hour a day of pain for the rest of my life is a daunting prospect (You know what its like, being in paid affects how you talk to other people and my poor little kiddies sometimes get an undeserved snappy response) and I'm fed up with doing a chicken dance at parties trying to relieve the pain, or hunting for somewhere to sit when shopping to give me some relief (Sitting down seems to stop the pain within a minuite or so)...................................... BUT ......................... the idea of going under the knife also scares me...........

    Can anyone give me any comments that might help me arrive at a decision or is it a case of Specialist Knows best ?

  • steve030971
    steve030971

    Posted

    I am 49 & in need of a microdiscectomy. Can anybody please give me an idea of the cost of the surgery if going private in the UK. cannot wait for our wonderful NHS any longer.

    Thank you in advance.

  • mandielulu
    mandielulu

    Posted

    hiya ouch1 and steve,i had microdiscectomy surgery done 3 weeks ago,i before the op was unable to fel my left leg and foot.the pain was terrible,the op went really well and i was able to feel my leg and foot again,though my recovery has been slower than i had hoped for,i have got an infection in the scar and i am at the moment on my second lot of pills for it,i would advise anyone whos got problems to have the operation done,i shall be off work for 6 weeks maybe longer if it does not heal proper,best of luck to you both smile
  • jastaz
    jastaz

    Posted

    hi

    im having a microdiscoptomy in two weeks ,i am so scared ,just hope and pray it goes ok im hoping to be back to work in three wks ive been off 9 months as 3 other procedures didnt work ;(

  • john235
    john235

    Posted

    I am 66, 25yrs ago I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc L3-4. Since then I have been treated by various practitioners including Chiropractors and Alexander Technique. I have seen Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Consultants and NHS Physios. I now visit a Private Physio every month to help me continue working.

    For the past 3-4years my left leg has felt part anaesthetised similar to after dental treatment. In the past 4months the leg has got worse with severe pins and needles just as I sit down soft and hard seats have the same effect. All standing is painful as well as walking, I had to change my car for an automatic as I kept missing the clutch at critical times.

    My Physio has suggested a surgeon who may do a micro disectomy but because he is not within my NHS region he might not be able to perform the op under NHS. I am wondering how much I need to save for a private op, can anyone give me an idea of how much it could be?

  • jastaz
    jastaz

    Posted

    Hi had my miicrodiscoptomy legs better but back still painful on gagapentin and diclofenic stil painful

    But healing i guess dont be afraid if you have to have operation its better for me im at work again and have my life back wink

  • debbie64
    debbie64

    Posted

    I had a microdicectomy in December 2011 at the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham, my consultant was wonderful.

    Unfortunately the disc bulged again in January 2012 ( I believe it was my own fault ) The pain was intense, and the family GP put me on anti infalmatry tablets for a month. The pain became unbearable and I went to A& E in March. Because of my history I had an MRI scan, and the results e-mailed to my consultant, who booked me in for an emergency the operation the next day.

    This is my second week after the operation and the results are fantastic, I am healing much fater than the first time, but stick to my exercices religiously three times a day.

    I would not wait to see if symptoms settle down, as my Consultant explained if the nerve is badly damaged through leaving it too long, then the results may not be too good. I cannot speak for any other Health Authority, but cannot praise Birmingham Queen Elizabeth enough. Please don't give up, insist on a referal from your GP. I now have my life back for a second time.

  • debbie64
    debbie64

    Posted

    I had a microdicectomy in December 2011 at the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham, my consultant was wonderful.

    Unfortunately the disc bulged again in January 2012 ( I believe it was my own fault ) The pain was intense, and the family GP put me on anti infalmatry tablets for a month. The pain became unbearable and I went to A& E in March. Because of my history I had an MRI scan, and the results e-mailed to my consultant, who booked me in for an emergency the operation the next day.

    This is my second week after the operation and the results are fantastic, I am healing much faster than the first time, but stick to my exercices religiously three times a day.

    I would not wait to see if symptoms settle down, as my Consultant explained if the nerve is badly damaged through leaving it too long, then the results may not be too good. I cannot speak for any other Health Authority, but cannot praise Birmingham Queen Elizabeth enough. Please don't give up, insist on a referal from your GP. I now have my life back for a second time.

    • MahamTarar
      MahamTarar debbie64

      Posted

      Hi Debbie,

      II have been diagnosed with a prolapsed discussion and am scheduled for surgery soon. I'm just really nerve wrecked about it but reading your post has given me some hope. I feel debilitated and almost disabled and I know I can't live with this pain anymore. Wish me good luck!

      Maham

    • laura47146
      laura47146 MahamTarar

      Posted

      Hey maham, just thought I'd pop my opinion in, last Wednesday I was in sooo much pain and have been on and off with sciatic pain since 2008!! I called 111 service to get some advice on why the pain wouldn't shift from the back of my right knee cap, I also lost some sensation in my butt which caused me to soil myself was horrid!! I'm 27 and the worst thing I didn't even no I needed a toilet or knew I went! I got took into a&e by ambulance and on Thursday the consultant sent me down to have a MRI scan and then when he got the results he came to me and said I have a slipped disc witch is sitting on my spinal nerves so had to have urgent operation the next day!!! I was absolutely bricking it as it was my first proper operation! Anyway I had it done on the Friday and then Saturday I was home yes I was sore but the pain relief I was discharged with helped me very much came Tuesday after and I was off my strong meds and now just take paracetomol in the day and tramadol at nite to help get me comfy! Today (16/4/2015) I went shopping with my wife and felt amazing I took it slowly, I still have numbness in my right foot but its expected, please please please have the operation it saved my life if I didn't have it and left it I would have ended up paralysed from waist down by the time I hit 30! X
    • katie43849
      katie43849 MahamTarar

      Posted

      Hi Maham Tarar,

      I have the same a herniated/ prolapsed disc in my lower back. I am now stranded at home and can no longer work, im not that mobile anymore either. I understand completely and am soooo THANKFUL for this site. Being on high levels of Gabapentin is no joke, but I truly believe and have every faith that the surgery is DEFINITELY the very best option. I have been reading lots and lots on line about this condition. People are brand new again after surgery. Have you had the surgery yet??

      I cant wait until I have mine..let us know how you're getting on!

      Best wishes

      Katie

       

  • debbie64
    debbie64

    Posted

    I am sorry that I gave the wrong information.

    The disc bulged again in January 2013.

    My apologies

  • jastaz
    jastaz

    Posted

    So pleased you are on the mend yes there are risks they can bulge ahain but the success rate is high im told mine was 29 jan this year just healing now i guess

    Keep you posted

  • debbie64
    debbie64

    Posted

    You will get there, just remember to do the physio daily. My op was the 12 th of March and I am already back on the static turbo trainer at home, granted I take it steady, but it has helped me.

    I go back to the QE next week to start my 6 week physio class.

    I hope to do my first post op Sportive and Time Trial by end of April.

    My best wishes to you cheesygrin

  • steve030971
    steve030971

    Posted

    A quick update. 1 st nhs consultant has been giving me facet joint injections for pain relief which work for upto 3 months. Went private & had another MRI & was told by him that the pain is down to the lower back muscles being weak, been referred to another nhs consultant for discectomy who asked me my symptoms, excruciating pain in upper right leg in buttock, numbness in lower leg & foot, unable to walk or even stand up straight. When told this he stated that he does not think that my prolapse disc is causing the pain as I do not have any pain in my lower legs??????. Have now been referred for another MRI & X-ray. 3 different consultants with different diagnosis, totally fed up of the pain now & I am on anti depressants because of this, and the dhss state that I am able to work & refuses my mobility, two years of this & still can't see any end.
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.