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

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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]

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  • jastaz
    jastaz

    Posted

    yes see your mri looks very pain ful are they doing a decompression ? should help you mine did to a certain extent let hope you get you problem resolved im still in a lot of pain and waiting to see neurosurgeon again pray for a appointment again soon xx good luck
  • Amaz
    Amaz

    Posted

    I have been reading this thread with great interest. In May 2012 I suffered a full disc prolapse L4/L5. During the 12 months preceding this I had been suffering from back pain and sciatica down my right leg and had been receiving Physiotherapy on NHS. I had spinal manipulation on my 6th visit to physiotherapy on the Thursday and by the weekend I could not walk. On Monday my back went into spasm and the disc prolapsed. The pain was horrendous as you will all appreciate, so bad that I phoned 999 as I had no idea what had happened. I was not taken into hospital, but a doctor sent to my home, who was not able to give me pain relief injections as I was allergic to pethadine. I was given Diazipam initially for 2 days and co-codomol 30/500 (codeine/paracetamol). I was referred for an MRI scan which took a couple of weeks. After the MRI I was referred to a consultant, however my notes were lost, and I was left for 7 months without any form of treatment. Once I finally saw a consultant my body has already been trying to repair itself. Whilst some of you speak of nerve damage if left untreated, my experience has been that the body will attempt to heal itself if nothing is done, however I was left in extreme pain and have been living with this constantly. This has left me unable to walk without a crutch, and only for very shot distances, only able to sleep on one side and relying on painkillers and muscle relaxants. I can honestly say that this condition is totally debilitating. After seeing the consultant last year I was then given the back injection (epidural) of pain killer, anti-inflammatory and had injections in my facet joints (all done underanaesthetic), these have not helped, in fact they have resulted in my being in more pain, and in January my back went into spasm again. I have just had another MRI scan and the consultant has put me on the waiting list for a Microdiscectomy. I don't know how long I have to wait, but am hoping that this will finally resolve the problem. During the past 3 years I have been suffering I have only had 3 weeks sick leave from work, 2 weeks when the disc initially prolapsed and one week when it went into spasm again this January. However I have been fortunate that my employers have made exceptions and accommodations for my condition, I don't know how other people have managed to cope especially those here who have young children to look after (luckily mine are older). The only thing that I feel has helped me in any way has been the hydrotherapy, which I got 7 session of on NHS. I am encouraged by the posts here by those people who have had positive results following their discectomies as I am apprehensive about the op!
  • chris35073
    chris35073 Guest

    Edited

    been battling a herniated disc for about 6 months. Had to epidural steroid shots, which helped temporarily. Pain has been back for about 2 months and cant handle it much more.I'm very strongly considering surgery. I'm just nervous as it will be my first surgery.were you Put to sleep during surgery?
    • charlotte42196
      charlotte42196 chris35073

      Posted

      I have had a discectomy 2 days ago! Already at home in bed, quite painful to move around but I can manage with the medication. I'm 21 and been suffering from a prolapsed L5/S1 for two years. Haven't really felt any pain in my leg since the op more pain at the site of where they have entered. But honestly do not be scared of going to sleep. It was my biggest fear and I am fine. 
    • Anglo
      Anglo charlotte42196

      Posted

      Hello Charlotte

      How are you now?

      I have recently had an MRI scan showing a disc herniation (L5) and sequestered fragment pressing on the S1 nerve. I am having alot of leg pain especially sitting down.

      Forums seem to think a microdisectomy is the best root, but I am concerned the consultant will try and persuade me to have the injections instead. I have wasted about £400 on chiros and sports masseurs when I should have had a scan in the first place.

      So my question is, if you dont mind, how come you were offered the operation than the injections ?

       

    • charlotte42196
      charlotte42196 Anglo

      Posted

      I think it was because it was so compressed and persistent pain. I personally wouldn't have injections anyway they don't solve the problem forever. I think you should consider surgery nearly all my pain has gone and going back to work soon!!
    • jastaz
      jastaz charlotte42196

      Posted

      had tgis twice still not brilliant lefy me with nerve and tissue damage and nerve damage down my left leg on going still
    • Craigo14
      Craigo14 charlotte42196

      Posted

      Hi Charlotte

      I'am 26 and had my L5S1 diseconomy 11 days ago. Just wondering how you're getting on? I've been taking it really easy only going on short walks around the block and doing my exercises a couple of times a day. Just Wondering if if you did more in the first two weeks? What was your recovery like? I'm feeling ok gets achey when I sit\lie in the same position for a long period of time. Not sure if I should be doing more...

      Cheers

      Craig

    • charlotte42196
      charlotte42196 Craigo14

      Posted

      To be honest I took it really slow. I walked about 10 minutes a day after about two weeks first week was mainly in bed. You don't want to push yourself I only started doing the exercises after a month but still cannot fully straighten my legs when sat up because the sciatic nerve is still tensed up. I'm five weeks post surgery now been back at work a week part time. Just to ease back in rather than push myself. The pain for first three weeks was horrible however it eases off really quickly. Good luck!
    • charlotte42196
      charlotte42196 Craigo14

      Posted

      Try doing the knee rocking motion very slightly if your uncomfortable in the same position
    • Anglo
      Anglo Craigo14

      Posted

      Hello Craig/Charlotte

      How are you getting on? I had the same as you and am now 5 days post surgery. I was wondering about your fitness for work. I sit at a desk and have to carry a laptop from office to office.I have written February off, but am keen to start something from the two week mark. What do you reckon? Also when do you think you will drive?

    • Craigo14
      Craigo14 Anglo

      Posted

      Heyy Anglo

      I'm now just over three weeks post surgery. I'm doing well (I think) no pain at all now just a bit stiff and achey at times.

      I have six weeks off work I'm a youth worker so can be active at times. I would advice to have a at least 2/3 weeks rest (doing nothing at all) before doing any work if you can just so it settles down also don't lift over 5kg. I've heard some horror storys of people rushing back to work/normal life thinking it's fine and ending up doing more damage. So i would advice to take it really really easy.

      I read somthing online the other day that the 'deep healing process' is in the 3rd/4th week (what ever that means) haha..

      I haven't bothered driving just beacuse my left leg still feels a bit weak.

      How are you getting on? I was awful on my feet for the first few days! Bambi on ice comes to mind haha..

    • Anglo
      Anglo Craigo14

      Posted

      Hello Craig

      Feel pretty good, thanks. Taking it easy as you say short walks here and there. I had sort of half a shower, but think I twisted somewhere so was aching a bit. I think I have been lucky as some have had a real ordeal. I have been suffering since August and getting terrible hamstring pain. It almost drew me to tears a few times. My only regret was not getting the MRI done sooner, although I was quite shocked when I saw the scans.

      I'm sticking to one Tramadol a day and then paracetemol and ibrobrufen 3 times a day. I'm laying in bed most of the time reading and watching utube videos on microdisctomies haha. I can see some people seem to be on a bit of a walking mission, but I'm not that bothered. However, being self employed I need to earn, hence my question.  I've been told no driving for 6 weeks no physio for two weeks aprt from a bit of walking and no BLT.

      How about you?

    • Anglo
      Anglo

      Posted

      .... I think the biggest risk is getting over confident so when I am not walking I am wearing a corset/weight training support to remind me not to push it. I'm sorry you had a bad start.

      I wish I had bought a large pillow and a longer grabbing device as the bbq tongs are a little short to reach things. I have to admit picking things up using a lunge position is quite good where you pick things up from the middle with a straight back. I am getting a little bored now, as its getting a bit like groundhog day. 

    • Craigo14
      Craigo14 Anglo

      Posted

      Sounds like you're doing really well! I've had the problem for 8 years on and off. (Now 26) docs did nothing untill I demanded them to get it sorted! It crippled me at times the pain was awful.

      I'm hopeing I never have the problem again. I have physio next week and looking to start Pilates in the coming weeks, I cant wait to get active again as I miss sport!!

      Which I haven't participated in for a couple of years due to my condition.

      Working from home should be fine I'm currently working on my university dissertation. I find I just can't get comftable so mainly work lying down.

      I also watched loads of youtube clips on the op haha..

    • Anglo
      Anglo Craigo14

      Posted

      Eight years ! OMG. you poor .....d. Yes you have to fight the NHS. I was told my scan would have taken 8 months and my op a further 9 months plus. Good luck with your dis, try and enjoy it otherwise it will be like this recovery burdonsome.

      I miss training too, I think it's worse if you're active, one gets impatient. Unfortunatey, yesterday  evening I started getting quite a bit of pain, so I have started using the Tramadol (Diazepam would have been more fun). Not sure what I have done, but its been uncomfortable today too, so haven't done any walking today. 

    • Craigo14
      Craigo14 Anglo

      Posted

      Well I thought 'enough is enough' and pleaded with the doctor. I was fed up with it all everytime I was in major pain I visted physio which was a fortune.

      In the end I was sent private which was brill. it was all done and dusted well under 4 months!!

      I was so careful for the first week I only walked around 100 metres a day some days nothing at all.

      Good luck with it all and keep us posted over the next few weeks.

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