Recurrance of sciatic pain

i had my first signs of degenerative disks at 11 and had my first op ( a discectomy) at 17 ... my sciatica and numbness went straight away just like you said however it did come back and the surgeon said this was probably scarring on the nerves due to the disk aggrivating them for so long.. i dont know if thats the case for you but thought this may help

I have a similar ops at the same place L5/S1, rested for 8 weeks before I went back to work. Yes, it was tough. I am into the 3+ months but my back is still sore everyday by end of the day, when the weather changes, and when I am tired. I am desk bound but has since requested for an adjustable desk that allows me to stand to work. In fact, during the first 8 weeks after the ops, I experienced upper back soreness that radiated toward the front. It was scary as I thought I have hurt my upper back spinal disc too. But it turns out to be muscle spasms as the upper back has to work extra hard to support your lower back.

Try to sleep on a hard mattress (have got one that feels like sleeping on the floor), that helps. Lie down on a hard table (not the floor as we will have problems getting up) if tired at work. Walk a lot and rest when needed. 

I know it will take time, but I pray everyday, that helps too. 

I recently came across this book called the Divided Mind that talks about how the mind in reacting and coping with stress and unconscious rage led to chronic pain and pain such as spinal issues. It might help too.

Take care, if I feel better will come back to this forum and keep everyone update to give some hope. Take good care.

Hi Lisa, I re herniated my L5, S1 disc in October my disectomy surgery in april was a waste of time. I now have to have the full fusion. My employer is dismissing me at the end of january on capability grounds.

Hope your fairing better

I am thankful for finding this discussion, it is so isolating when you are floundering and unsure where to go for confirmation that your symptoms are in line with the experiences of others.

i an 7 weeks post op, spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis, the recovery varies from day to day and the pat few days I have sciatic pain in the opposite to prior surgery. Hopefully all this will settle but at the moment, it's a hard slog!

I seem to be longer post-op that others here...9 months now. Things get better and better. Still some tweaks and pains, but I now take ibuprofen more than tramadol and no longer the the anti-muscle-spasm drug tizanidine.

Let me know how you're all doing from time to time.

Walking feels good, tho' I still can't do 1/2 mile in comfort but do what I can. Sitting too long is still the most difficult, but varying the time, getting up to stretch and walk around the house or office a bit helps. At the grocery store, I walk up and down every aisle when I go and count that as part of my walking effort. My neurosurgeon loves walking as the best thing for those of us having lumbar or spondylo surgery.

I have no regret about the surgery. I could not have lived with the stabbing back pain at the spondylolisthesis site, along with the shooting sciatic pain. Now I just have to accept that my old airline injury - a fractured coccyx and long-term coccydynia/sciatica - will always be with me. I can live with that.

I am the "cushion queen" always using foam chair cushions at home, when driving, and even carrying a tote with one inside that I can sit on in restaurants, etc. It's ok. At 67, this no longer embarrasses me!

I'm happy to share anything to help!

Hello all,

I am sorry to join this thread so late but I was just looking online and it came up on google and it felt comforting to see others who have experienced similar issues.

I am 7 months post a L5/S1 discetomy surgery and although recovery was slow in terms of movement and also getting off meds (my body became really addicted to tramadol and gabapentin) I thought over the last few months that things were better.

However, I have started to get leg numbing and slight sciatic pain the last few weeks and its getting me down. I guess I am not sure if this is something that I am going to have to deal with from now on from time to time as perhaps the nerve will sometimes get inflamed or if I should do something and go back to the dr?

I am still trying to do my physio exercises and pilates video and try to go swimming when I can.

I guess I just wanted to reach out to others who can empathise with the situation.

I am 33 yr old female btw so hi everyone

Hello

Im 7 days post microdiscectomy L5S1. I was fine for the ast 5 days with little pain and moving about nicely. Yesterday though while sitting I began to feel 'sciatica ' pain behind my thigh. Not sure if it is actually sciatica or just nerve regeneration but it sure feels like it.

I still have numbness in my left leg, tightness on the calf and ankle and toes. I am told that this is normal. My surgeon started me on Neurorobine Forte which is a B supplement. I am just praying that this pain is a temporary glitch from overdoing it. I went to the shop yesterday to get my daughter's textbooks! I know I shouldn't have. So glad to have found this group.

Well I had an L5/S1 discectomy in December 14, recovered well and was "normal" by March/April with only a slight weakness in my left leg. So went on holiday in May, fine on holiday no symtoms, did loads of hill walking (my hobby) each day. Upon returning home that week my pre-op symptoms reappeared and gradually have become worse and worse with frequent muscle spasms and a virtual inability to walk due to weakness in left leg and hips. Had a new MRI which did not show any re-herniation at L5/S1 or any other level, a mystery. Can only think I overdid the walking on holiday and the nerve has reared up with a vengence. Have seen two consultants privately who both said no would not do another operation as no obvious herniation. So what is going on ? Now cannot manage stairs and am housebound scratching my head !

Any similar experiences would be interested to hear outcomes. 

It is a journey........