Operation at last

Posted , 6 users are following.

After 10 months agonising sciatica this is Day 2 after microdiscetomy, walking without crutches and managing stairs, coming home today.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Diane 

    Firstly, great news to hear you finally got your surgery. I understand how you’ve felt, I was 9 months in absolute agony on 2 crutches and cocktail of medication before my surgery. You will be feeling so relieved surgery is over and the healing process can begin. I hope you got home as planned and also hope you have someone around at home to help you. Whilst you will be feeling great you have to be so careful not to overdo things and follow the Doctors advice. What surprised me was the sheer exhaustion after the first few days, I was wiped out after having a shower. Make sure your not sitting or lying for longer than 20 mins without having a wee walk around the house. Then follow the physio advice and just let yourself heal.... you’ve waited too long for this surgery to risk damaging all the surgeons work so rest, move easily and be gentle with yourself. I am 5 and half months post op now, went back to work on phased return end July and only just back up to full time. I feel like I am getting my life back, we’ve been on holiday, I go swimming few times a week, am still reducing all my medication, have times in the day where I’m sore (where previously I was in constant agony) but in general my surgery was a lifesaver. Take care Diane and keep us updated.

    • Posted

      Thankyou for your reply. Sorry should have made it clear I’m posting on behalf of my husband. Hoping to give some more positive news of his progress as he goes on, so many sufferers on here. 

      Thanks for the advice, they have not mentioned when he will be able to reduce the painkillers, slowly I imagine as he’s been on so many including morphine.

  • Posted

    oh so glad finally had op he must be so pleased.  Echo the previous post, make sure he doesn't over do anything.  Lay flat rather than sit as that puts increased pressure on.  I felt exhausted for a good 8 days after the op, think it was the anaesthetic, etc.    It's taken two months after my op but virtually all my leg sciatica is gone now - so if he still has pains etc they will fade.   

    • Posted

      Thanks Liz, how much walking did you do at first? It’s day 5 now, hes getting up every 20-30 minutes walking about but should he be lying rather than sitting ?

      Did you do the muscle strengthening exercises straight away ?

      He had good care but didn’t get that much info on being at home.

      I’m having to remind him to keep moving !

    • Posted

      think I alternated, so 15 mins of sitting, then laying down flat as possible on my bed to align my body, then some walking around and stair climbing for about 15 mins or so.   I waited a week before I started doing the exercises they gave me but not sure if that was correct.   If they didn't hand you anything I would look on the web for best exercises to do after a micro discectomy.  Definitely needs to keep mobile to strengthen muscles and keep back straight, no slouching  :-)    but if you feel things in back pulling then lay down on bed until subsides.   I've become a bit complacent and carried some heavy bags and my hip/thigh is having some pains again so recovery is slower than you think!    How is your husband's pain level at the moment, is there a marked improvement?

    • Posted

      Hi Liz

      He is having some back pain although he’s still on a lot of his pain killers. He was given no advice re cutting these down which I was surprised about.

      He is very tired and sleeping quite a lot, I’m not sure he’s doing enough moving !

    • Posted

      how is your husband now, are things getting better?   I'm on month three now and virtually back to normal and the twinges are becoming less and less frequent in my hip and leg.

    • Posted

      Hi Liz 

      Was only thinking of you today.

      It’s 5 weeks on Sunday since op, he’s been cutting painkillers down and doing well ...until today ! 

      He had muscle spasm and couldn’t get out of bed, he put ice on it and

      painkillers and walked about or lay down today, so pain was quite bad today. Don’t know whether doing too much ( although not lifting etc ) combined with less painkillers hopefully a little warning to be careful!

      He sees surgeon next week for 6 week check post op.

      Did you have anything like this happen ?

      I find the after care info a bit lacking and I’m not a doctor. 

      Really glad to hear you’re doing well 

  • Posted

    Hello Diane

    You posted on Patient 3 months ago, how are you. I'm not having what you are having but might mention it to my dr. I'm having something called shock treatment. Haven't a clue except that's my Dr said it was painful lol. Thursday is the day I have it but I have had scviatica for 8 years now but, and here is the but,I am 73 so having a microdiscectomy is orob not on the books.

    To make it worse I've had two drs mucking about with my back so don't see much luck but I would like to know how you have got on. Are you in the UK ?

    I'd like a theatre if people to ask my questions........ But anyway I was wondering how you have got on.... Anne

    • Posted

      Hi Enna,

      I have been writing about my husband who had sciatica for 10 months, had microdisectomy in October, unfortunately he has got to have operation done again this week as the disc herniated again.

      My problem is facet joint athritis very painful at moment, only got pain killers but going to look into injections. 

      Unfortunately both in pain for a year !

      Hope you get help for the pain 

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