pain seems worse now after epidural

[quote:8e15b2891a=\"crazydaisy\"] open plan discectomy L5/S1 on [/quote:8e15b2891a]

Hi Crazy Daisy

Do you what the difference is between a open plan discectomy and a micro disectomy?

I am having the latter!

Thanks for the positive reply it is gratefully received

Donna

Hi Jubilee,

Whwn I say \"open plan\", I had the open version of the surgery where an incision approx 3 inches is made in order to perform the op, as opposed to the micro which I understand to be the \"keyhole\" version of the op.

Hope this helps,

Take care,

Jules xx :D :D

[quote:05b7d6dfd8=\"crazydaisy\"]Hi Jubilee,

Whwn I say \"open plan\", I had the open version of the surgery where an incision approx 3 inches is made in order to perform the op, as opposed to the micro which I understand to be the \"keyhole\" version of the op.

Hope this helps,

Take care,

Jules xx :D :D[/quote:05b7d6dfd8]

Lol that makes sense thx daisy!

Donna

Hi

Due to go in for microdistectomy next week, they have told me to expect a three to five day stay. Well to be exact expect five days then anything less is a bonus.

Is this correct, how long is realistic?

Also how much should I take in with me nightwear wise? Can I get dressed etc?

TIA

Donna

Hi Donna

Well there's an interesting question. I'm awaiting a date for my op (hopefully by June), a micro discectomy too. My surgeon told me that I would be up walking within a couple of hours and home the next day :shock: :shock:

Maybe I should think of packing for a slightly longer stay :?.

Sorry, I've not answered your question :lol: but maybe those that have had this op without complications will be able to give you better answer :D

Lots of luck though, I hope everything goes smoothly for you

Love

Jude x

Hi Donna

Just to say that I asked my surgeon the differences between the two operations too. The 'open' is the more traditional route, larger incision, human sight is used to do the surgery if you know what a mean.

With a 'micro' it is a key hole incision, about an inch and a half long, they use a camera fixed with a bright light so that they can see where they are operating.

The latter operation is supposedly quicker to initially recover from however, after 6 weeks, I'm told that the recovery for both ops reaches the same point.

I had an open discectomy booked for the 9th April but decided to go for micro so I'm still awaiting a date.

Love

Jude xxx

Hi Donna/Jude

For my microdiscectomy, I went in on the Monday afternoon, had the surgery Tuesday afternoon and left Thursday afternoon. On the Wednesday (i.e the day sfter the op) I could do very little still. They tried to get me to go to back class (physiotherapy) but I could barely walk!!! Thursday was better.

Nightwear wise, when I arrived on Monday afternnon, they wanted me to get undressed and into bed, but I really couldn't see the point, so I just stayed in my clothes until bedtime. Tuesday, the day of the op, they got me up at 5.45 and even though my surgery wasn't until the afternoon (and was never going to be brought forward because the surgeon only started at 1.00!!!) wanted me to have a shower immediately with the special cleansing stuff and then it was into the hospital gown and compression stockings ready for the op. By now it was about 6.15 a.m and I had to wear that stupid gown until they came to fetch me at about 1.30! After the op, I didn't get changed out of the gown until the following afternoon because I was barely mobile. Then it was into my own nightwear until I left the next day. I took a selection of nighties and PJs. I preferred the PJs though as it gave a bit more cover :lol: :lol: :lol:

Donna maybe when your surgeon says a 5 day stay he is counting the day of arrival and departure, not 5 days post surgery. 3-4 all in, would be the norm. As long as you are starting to mobilise and there are no other problems they will discharge you sooner rather than later. There were complications from my surgery, which I was not aware of at the time, but nevertheless I did feel that leaving less than 48 hours after surgery was too soon. In the old days of course, we would have been sent off for convelescence for a week or two. I always felt that there should be some sort of bridge from hospital care to home. Some GPs though are good and keep a close eye on you in the few days after discharge. But again like everything to do with the NHS it is all very hit and miss. When I got home, I just rested up as though I were still in hospital.

At least now you have a date for surgery and can make some plans. Before I went in I had it in my head that every chore had to be done and my local Sainsbury's had to be emptied of it's contents \"just in case\"!! Crazy really but must have done wonders for their share price??

Good luck

TFU

Hi Donna

Firstly, hope all goes well, no reason why it shuldnt but do keep us informed.

Secondly I had op back in November but it wasnt a microdiscectomy but was called a lumber canal decompression with removal of L5/S1 disc protrussion ( think its just a long name for an open operation ), anyway, I was in for five days and had the op the same I went in, the only thing in I had to go private so that may be why although personally I dont think I could have gone home much before that anyway.

Do let us know how it goes, and do keep us informed and dont be worried annbout anything.

Russ x

Hi TFU

Thx for the reply.

I have to go in the day of my op so no hanging around hopefully guess it will depend on where I am on the list but have to be there for 7am.

On the sheet given out it says;

Patient log rolls for 24 hrs

Day 1 Out of bed for short walks

Day 2 Increase walks and sit in chair for meals

Day 3 Increase walks, shower, sit for longer periods, stairs attempted.

Once all activities have been achieved then early discharge is possible!

I guess if they keep you in longer there is less chance of you over doing it?

Know what you mean about sainsburys etc I have like a demon getting all my washing and ironing up to date and have paid for it

I will try to take it easy post op but with two small children it isn't going to be easy, my other half isn't going to know what has hit him :lol:

Thanks again

Donna

[quote:3d22d43365=\"JudeR\"]

I had an open discectomy booked for the 9th April but decided to go for micro so I'm still awaiting a date.

[/quote:3d22d43365]

I think my surgeon only does this procedure via micro surgery so didn't get a choice.

Hope you get your new op date soon

:hug:

Donna

hello, thank you for your response, its taken me this long to work out how to log in and reply to you, doh! stupid or what!!

i am still having physio 3 times a week, somedays are better than others, and on the good days i do things and then pay for it afterwards, but i am begining to climb the walls at home, i can see things that need doing and find i am unable to do them, some days it takes me until midday just to get dressed and get down the stairs.

i have seen a consultant and he thinks it wont come to surgery, i hope he is right, i have another appointment next week, so we shall see eh!!

faye.

Hi Donna,

I also went in on the day of my op....had it done around midday..by then I was a nervous wreck but they were kind and gave me some sedation which was FAB.....I was standing that same evening and saw the physio next day who got me walking, sitting etc and was allowed to go home that day as all was well. I was told prior to the op that I would need help at home for at least the first week and that was for cooking cleaning and all the household stuff, so my hubby was there God bless him, so he also looked after the children....To be honest, you don't feel like doing much for a few days as you will understandably feel sore and uncomfortable...but the key is to keep within your limits, believe me you're body will let you know and do your physio and try to keep mobilising...dont do too much too soon as well. Oh and just a tip for prior to the anaesthetic....the nurse encouraged me to think nice happy thoughts going under as this can help you feel better when you come round post-op...it worked for me....also another thing that helped in the days leading up to the op was to focus on beyond the op to when you come home...think about organising things in the kitchen so you dont have to bend and have changes of clothes at waist height....oooh and ask the Occupational Therapist at the hospital if you can have a grabber....so you dont have to bend and reach...I had a real close bond with mine :D

Good luck and keep us posted,

Take care,

Jules xx :D :D

Hi Tfu,

I've been using the TENS Machine, to be honest it hasn't done any good. I don't know if you have instant pain relief or gradual. No I haven't had another MRI Scan since my Op, I did have an Xray 6 weeks after the op. I have the email address of my Consultants Secretary I'm going to send him a note informing him what's been going on.

I hope that you're ok and feeling alittle better now.

Bye for now

Angela x

Hi Jess,

After seeing the Doctor I'm waiting for him to contact me, my Doctor is going to try to sort out my pain relief with the other Doctors in the practice as the meds I'm on now don't seem to be doing anything for me. Hopefully I'll hear from the Doc tomorrow, as I'm getting lower and lower. He told me to stay positive, but I'm finding this hard to do. I wish I could cry to release some of my emotions but I don't even have the energy to do that.

I thank you both for trying to help me through this, you are a great help to me, especially when the pair of you are having complications too.

Bye for now, hope that you're ok?

Angela x

hi

why oh why does everyone on this site seem to get fixed within months???

It's just not fair!! What am i doing wrong???

It started in 2000 and i was off wk for 6 mths and waited that length of time for a scan and to see a consultant, which then told me i had a cyst on my spine and it was in operatable. I started seeing a chiro and returned to work within 2 weeks, great!! things plodded on and i only had the occasional flare up that i managed to control and maintain it.

May 2006 I went back to see a consultant and again had another mri scan after waiting 1 year!!! for it. I was told i had a slipped disc but not bad enough for treatment even though i have severe pain down my left leg, numbness and pins and needles. I was told i was too young to have a bad back and i was still able to work and walk!

Feb 2008 I went away for the weekend and did lots of walking. I've been off work ever since in lots of pain and discomfort. I have an appointment 6th may for another consultant.

Why has this been left for soo long and not mended??? every one else on seems to get fixed why not me????? Any help or advice. I m fed up now i feel like i'm being ignored!!!

Hi Angela,

E-mail that secretary every day until she responds!!!! One MRI will probably explain it all!!! It is no use people keep going \"we'll try this\" \"maybe we'll try that\". It sounds to me like they have all forgotten that you are a real live person, struggling through tremendous pain....not just a name on a file. Honestly, I really do feel for you. Back when my pain was really bad last year I collapsed twice from the exhaustion of my body not being able to deal with it any more. I have never forgot the experience. Seriously though, it sounds like you are just about holding on and heading the same way. I'm sure your GP means well, but if it were me I'd be pushing to see the Consultant again and an MRI scan. If they try to fob you off with a long waiting list, tell them you want a \"forced booking\". I know you don't have much energy, but muster up what you can, turn it into anger and give them hell!!

I'm doing okay.....just the same old, same old!!!

Best wishes

TFU