Posted , 29 users are following.
I had a lumbar discectomy (l5 s1) 7 weeks ago and to begin with everything was great. I've now been back at work for a week and the sciatic pain has come back down my left leg. I also have stinging pain at the op site and aches higher up my spine. Have I aggravated things by going back to work? Any advice gratefully received.
4 likes, 55 replies
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Brownevo
Posted
The main thing is not to panic, I know it's hard, but try to keep positive.
I'm still in hospital after a decompression, laminectomy and lumbar fusion, my letter said 2 days in hospital and today is now day 5. We all heal differently, they can only give us guidelines.
I would go back in for a review to find out what is going on inside your body.
Good luck xx
dawnylou68 Brownevo
Posted
Hope you doing ok now and home? Xx
khi
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lisacoke
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Trouble is I've been off for a week now and feel no better - I feel like I'm going one step forward and two steps back. Is there anything else it can do?
Brownevo
Posted
When I had bad sciatica it takes 2-4 weeks for the medication to kick in. Gentle stretches might help, calf raises and gentle pilates once you've rested might help, speak to your physio.
I liked using a combination if heat and cold compress. I carried a hot water bottle everywhere and everytime I sat I used it around the buttock area and thus was by far the best medicine ever.
Good luck and keep us posted x
I have found that my right sciatic pain I had previously has gone but if I walk a lot in the house then I do get a bit of sciatic weakness down to my foot so I just do less the best day
Xx
lisacoke
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Brownevo
Posted
you may have just go a back to work a little too early its hard to know what's best as we all heal differently.
Keep positive and good luck
X
poppydogg
Posted
I have just been reading your post and the same has happened to me.
I had a microdiscectomy (l5 s1 ) 13 weeks ago and returned to work 4weeks ago,
now the sciatic pain has come back and my physio says because i stand up all day at work i have put pressure on the nerve again and it is imflamed.
I am going back to see my doctor next week to see where I go from here but im worried now that I will have to change jobs and /or have this pain forever
Hope you are on the mend and its nice to know im not the only one in this position
X
Stu3599 lisacoke
Posted
I have exactly the problem your describing. I had discectomy and laminectomy on 3rd of april 2014. I started back at work on Sat 14th june 2014. After 3 days, I was in agony with sciatica and associated pain. My boss has now suspended me on medical grounds pending an occupational health assessment to so if I am capable to do my job. (thankfully on full pay) I am stil in agony. I saw my surgeon on thursday 12th of june 2014 and he didnt even examine me, I have told him on the phone about my new pain and he said it can be normal. He will see me in 4 months, if I am still in pain he will investigate!!.
My chiropractor has told me to see Mr Krishna in leeds who is a private surgeon but does take on NHS patients, I am seeing him in his coffee morning in july. But I am asking my GP to refer me to him. His website is www.spinalsurgeon.com.
Do you have an update or perhaps any advice for me? Obviously you are a few months ahead of me and perhaps can let me know of anything to avoid or to try etc.
Stuart
lisacoke Stu3599
Posted
Well I ended up having another 6 weeks off work - which really didn't sit well with my employer - but I've now been back for 2 months. I had a 4 week phased return and am now full time but am really feeling it. Thankfully after tomorrow I have a 2 week break, and in that time I'm hoping to see my consultant again in Newcastle. Meanwhile I'm back on 900mg gabapebtin daily, along with 30mg codeine and paracetamol 4 times a day. I have a constant tingling achy feeling in my lower back which radiates to both buttocks and my groin, and cramping in both legs. I feel loke crap! I'm going to use my break from work to rest and relax, but I know if I have one more incident of sickness related to my back my employer will call on the Capacity policy and I'll be out of a job.
Hope you're doing better than me!
Keep smiling
Lisa
graham6214 lisacoke
Posted
DonnaL lisacoke
Posted
I had surgery for spondylolisthesis in early June and agree with much of what's already been said. My fusion was L4-S1, with rods and screws. You could have easily gone back to work too soon. 7 weeks since surgery is not long at all for lumbar surgery. My surgeon said easily six months and even a year or more until the new normal settles in. But don't wait too long to see and tell your doctor if your pain continues.
I too have heard it can be a year or more before you are your new normal. I learned, the hard way, that after almost 3 months post op, I still should not sit more than 30 minutes with getting up, moving around, and walking a bit to loosen up. I work at home, so can walk around the house, but maybe you can do this at work too. I went to a simple birthday dinner that lasted 2 1/2 hours. I got up about three times but it wasn't enough. I have paid for it for almost 2 weeks now, but it's better.
A really helpful thing is to have an extra cushion/pillow with you wherever you go, even in your car. I take mine in restaurants, everywhere. You might be self-conscious...one time someone boldly asked me if I'd had hemorrhoid surgery... but you'll be so glad you use it. I suffered sciatic pain for years, along with stabbing pain in L5. I am the cushion queen ;-) They can be foam rubber or fiberfill, but need to be at least 2 inches or more thick. Not super firm or you defeat the purpose. Test them out.
Take care and know that time is your friend it will get better. I am in the US and 66 years old and staying positive. You too!
dawnylou68 DonnaL
Posted
I will follow your advice, I had a desk job and I can't see me being able to do that for some time yet as I can't sit for long either without suffering for it
im still getting pains in feet too especially my big toe on one foot!
DonnaL dawnylou68
Posted
I've been away from this site a while but responded to another discussion today "Post op Lumbar Fusion( PLIF) and would just like some support" by shaunagh5005. You might want to see it.
Wow...we were 'under the knife' on the same day! I'm at 6 months now. A desk job would be very hard - how are you now? My next check up is January 8.
Patience still seems to be the order of the day. AT 66, I believe it will take a year, or more, for me to feel "normal" - whatever the new normal will be ;-) I seem to improve each month. Also a 'type b' so not as difficult for me to go slow as a 'type A.' Even at 6 months, we must not overdo bending, lifting, reaching...and stay off the floor as much as possible - I find that aggravates and causes pain.
You've no doubt learned to take MANY breaks. Varying sitting, standing, walking seems to work best. Pickers...I have one in each room and my car ;-)...the inexpensive ones here are $2 US. Wonderful gadgets for everyone, actually. I plan to keep using them and have even given them as gifts to friends my age!
I am now free of stabbing pains and 80% of sciatic pain, but still pretty sore in hip, buttock, sacroiliac joint regions with tweaks and spasms there and in legs occasionally. More on the left where I had sciatic pain for years before surgery was the best option. Especially if physical therapy is too rigorous - I insist they must go slow and easy - even tho' I am thin - as I haven't been in good shape for a long time. My neurosurgeon did not release me for therapy until 4 months.
I am able to walk outside and some days can do only a block or two, some days more. Still taking meds for nerve pain, muscle spasm, and a mild pain pill, Tramadol, when needed. No narcotics since 1st month.
Walking feels good. Actually, it's what the surgeon recommended before PT..."walk, walk, walk" he said..."within your limits." We all know our bodies. I feel best walking, along with some upper body exercises I got in skilled nursing after surgery. I have 3 more PT appts. this year and think I will go back to walking. After PT I need a day or two to rest and relax muscles and I don't walk then or feel that great.
I have been told that because of realignment, our muscles, ligaments, nerves have to stretch and adapt to the new structure. A slow process. I feel straighter and I like that... I have less Lordosis (swayback).
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it's going and so glad I had this done before I got any older.
I hope you're doing as well as I am or better!
dawnylou68 DonnaL
Posted
i do feel better for reading that I can believe we had same day! It's only 5mths btw LOLS.
I do lots of walking indoors and up and down the stairs as much as can, I'm still in a great deal of pain in the mornings and don't plan on anything till afternoons , I also have very disturbed sleep as I favour my left side however this is my worst side, both hips hurt too. I also have some toes numbness and pins and needles, do you get this at all?
dawnylou68
Posted
Do you take any supplements at all? I've got these osteocare vits etc but they are massive and I have trouble getting them down me!
DonnaL dawnylou68
Posted
Like you I don't plan anything until the afternoon. Same disturbed sleep, especially if I've overdone anything. I wake up at least 2 to 3 times a night. My hips hurt too and I'm also a side sleeper. I don't have toe numbness or pins and needles, but I do get nerve twinges here in there on my left leg, which was the worst. The most pain comes and goes around the surgery area and buttocks. I do get aches now and then on the bottom of my feet. I try to wear my good athletic sneakers most of the time.
I feel I'm doing pretty well overall. I'm so grateful not to have shooting sciatic leg pain and stabbing lumbar pain at the old L-5 spondylolisthesis site. Seeing my neurosurgeon January 8 and having another three-month x-ray.
The hardest part has been the physical therapy. Seems I'm always having to slow down because causes nerve pain and then I have pain that night. I know therapists can sometimes get a little over-enthusiastic to build you back up. I expect muscle discomfort since I've been weak for so many years. It takes me a couple days to recover and then it's time to go back. I'd rather just do my stretches at home and go walking.
I'd like to try some easy yoga. I wonder if that's helped anyone? I have a couple of easy, beginner DVDs. I think I might put one on today and try a little that doesn't over at work my lower back.
Keep me posted on how you're doing. Happy new year. We are going to have a better one for sure!
dawnylou68 DonnaL
Posted
havent been on a lil while as ive not been too good and ive been trying to read up on B12d as I have this bout it all got ignored due to the back. Seems they can only manage one illness at a time. Also our surgery found out we moved so we have ha to change surgeries which really hasn't helped.
eventually saw a known good gp at the practice and he gave me my B12 jab straight away yaay! I did explain that im really worried th lack of B12 may be hindering my recovery tbh.
Im still in a great deal of pain and the new doc has put me on Gabapentin which is for nerve pain and it is helping with thee restless legs at night but the pain still wakes me up so no real improvement with the sleep still 😣
i don't see my consultant till mid March and I'm wishing it was sooner as things deffo don't feel right. I did try emailing her secretary but didn't even get a reply. So I tried again and shes on leave fo two wks grrrrr! So not achieving a great deal right now. Just waiting for my bloods to come back to see what else is deficient, probd folate, ferritin etc we see.
How are you doing?
DonnaL dawnylou68
Posted
You're not alone! I take melatonin to help sleep and it does a bit.
Saw neurosurgeon In January and he says it can take a year so none of this unusual. X-Ray looked good. I think sitting will be ongoing pain longer than that. I carry a chair cushion in a tote bag for restaurants etc.
how are you this month?
lyn27779 DonnaL
Posted
i think the key is to be more patient and realise I still have OA and this is not a miracle cure all! 😊
DonnaL lyn27779
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jennifer41018 dawnylou68
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nat06 jennifer41018
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