Discectomy - After the Operation

[>>Michael<<]

Happy new year to everyone!

Chucko, I wanted to respond to your post about sporting activities & lifestyle issues. I agree with you that these elements of our lives can sometimes be seen as low down the list of importance by some medical practitioners. (I've already had a discectomy, so this is from a post-op viewpoint.)

Prior to my disc prolapse, my world revolved around horse riding. I was riding 6 times a week and competed most weekends. It's not my job but it is certainly my life. My surgeon didn't tell me not to ride but said that anything that has a jolting action is 'not helpful' for my spine and that it would be a 'lifestyle choice' for me to keep riding. I have made a deal with myself that I will do whatever it takes to try to keep riding, but that I will reassess the situation if it causes me too much pain. It is too important for me not to at least try to continue.

After my op, I found a spinal/sports physio who is more optimistic about me riding. I had to try a few physios before I found one I was happy with. The first one I went to said that playing sport wasn't really advisable, or that important considering my age (mid 30s!) and just stuck me on a TENS machine. I kept looking for another physio, and fortunately found a good one who was able to give me realistic advice about resuming my sport. He is getting me to work on my core strength in order to support my back. Apparently a really sedentary lifestyle (ie, sitting at a desk all day) is worse for us than most sports! For me, finding the right physio to get me on the right exercise program was hugely important. Sometimes it is not possible to keep doing the sports we love with back problems, but often, with the right expert advice and lots of hard work, it can be achievable.

 

[Ajay A]

I had a discectomy 2 1/2 weeks ago...the first week after the operation was fine...just the normal operation pain that was expected. Unfortunately after the first week I started having spasms in my back and unbearable pain down my left leg...the pain was so bad today that I was unable to walk...the only way for me to get relief is to lie on my side....did anyone else experience this after their operation? My surgeon is on holiday until Monday, I will give him a ring to ask is this the normal process??

I hope someone will answer, I am starting to think that something has gone terribly wrong & that I will need another op to resolve the problem...Nightmare!!

 

[SucreCaramel]

Subi, thanks for the response. It seems that your decision to endure the discectomy was a lifestyle choice - was that the case? If you were not a rider, would you have decided to get it done?

This is my dilemma - I can sit down all day in no pain whatsoever (just a slight tingling down the legs etc.) but fear the consequences of standing and running etc.

What risk factors were explained to you prior to the op.? Having read Sonja's post, I fear that there is a degree of uncertainty and randomness that the consultants themselves are unable to explain (certainly in advance).

Cheers.

 

[Land in Sicht]

Sorry, I haven't worded my post very well. I had the discectomy because I couldn't walk properly or sit and was in constant pain, and therefore couldn't really function at all, either at work or outside of work. So yes, I would definitely have had the discectomy if I didn't ride. Riding was just one of the many things I couldn't do. It's a lifestyle choice that I will now continue to ride with the back problems I have.

In terms of the potential risk factors of the operation, my neurosurgeon answered all my questions and gave me some written material to take with me describing all the ins and outs of a discectomy. For me, I wasn't so concerned about the risk factor of having surgery as I had lost the ability to carry on with my life anyway. Plus I trusted my surgeon's opinion that surgery was my best option. If I had the op, there was a good chance my sciactic pain would get better (it has, definitely). If I didn't have the op, it was pretty much guaranteed the pain would continue.

Sonja - Hello and sorry to hear that you have had such pain. Isn't it always the way that something goes wrong just when you can't get hold of your surgeon?? Is there someone else you could speak with in the meantime about your pain? A GP perhaps? Hopefully things will settle for you soon.

 

[BeccaLouX]

Unfortunately the GP does not know enough about the expected post operative procerdure pertaining to pain therefore all she can do is offer further pain relief until I consult with the surgeon....I am absolutely dumb founded at he lake of knowledge with regards to the side effects of a discectomy! Roll on Monday when I can speak to the surgeon.

 

[kja63]

The only risk factors that were explained to me before operation was the usual risk with anaesthetic and the possibiliy of nerve damage...I was assured that he had operated on hundreds of people and had never damaged a nerve....other than that nothing else was explained....I was not informed about what to expect after the operation therefore I do not know if what I am experiencing is normal or not! The operation went well, the scar has healed and I have no pain in my back. I am just in complete agony with the pain in my leg...I do hope that this is the normal process and that I havent damaged something...fingers crossed.

 

[Pompal 09.]

That's unfortunate Sonja. I hope the pain relief at least gets you through until Monday when you can see your surgeon again.

 

[Abi Shaw]

Hi All


Happy New Year

Have been reading all of your recent posts and just felt I had to reply and put in my two pennyworth!

Isn't it frustrating that so many of us were not told what to expect after the op with regard to recovery and what are normal occurences and what we should be worrying about. If it were not for this forum and what experiences you all share I would have been worried sick that all was not as it should be.

I had my op in July 08 but am still waiting to feel 'Normal' again and do what I want to do but am beginning to realise that may not happen and I will have to adapt my lifestsyle accordingly.

Still have physio once a month and have started going to my fitness classes but with no impact ( I march instead of run). I really want to play tennis again this year but shall not attempt it until after my Feb holiday which I am really looking forward to and don't want to do anything to interrupt my progress.

I am 55 by the way and consider myself lucky to be getting on as well as I am. I forget what age I am sometimes and have to take a step back and realise that some of you are a lot younger and I perhaps should not expect to be doing as well as you.

Take care everyone and I hope you al keep improving

Kind regards

pennylane

 

[avip]

Hello Matt,

I had a discectomy 3 weeks ago...the first 2 weeks were great & I got over the operation well. Unfotunately last Monday the leg pain returned with a vengence...much worse than I had before the operation...it has got so bad that I can now bearly walk and the only way to get relief is to lie on my side...I am in this postition most of the day. My surgeon was on holiday until today, I rang him this morning and he said that this is not normal and that something has gone wrong therefore he needs to see me asap...he is in surgery until Wednesday and will see me at 5.30pm on that day to find out what has happened to my back...I am fearful that I will have to get another operation! I will keep you informed Matt because it looks like you are experiencing the same thing as me.

Sonja

 

[shannon02114]

I spoke to my surgeon this morning and the pain that I am experiencing is not normal therefore he needs to see me as soon as possible..unfortunately he is in surgery for the next few days and cannot see me until 5.30pm on Wednesday...he will examine my back & possibly scan it to see what has happened....I am praying that I will not have to get another operation!

 

[Idc Whatever]

Hi Sonja,

I am sorry to hear of the pain and problems you are experiencing.
I am a 2nd time post-opper, my leg pain returned with a vengeance 8 weeks following my first operation and have been in and out of hospital for months now with the pain, weakness in my leg resulting in me needing crutches to get around, the 2nd operation and have had a rough recovery. All this whilst having a little girl to look after made it all the worse.
But happily, things are looking up. It was really awful needing to go through surgery a 2nd time, but i really feel like this has worked and 7 weeks on, returned to work today, and the pain is really minimal. I know its early days, but its made me feel positive that things will finally start looking up.
I really hope that your pain can be sorted out without the need for further surgery, my GP told me when my symptoms returned, that there was a post-op epidural that could be an option but unfortunately my symptoms had been evident for too long by the time i saw my surgeon again, so it would have been ineffective for me.
I wonder whether this could be an option for you? I think post-operative that epidurals could work. i think where there is a prolapse that they won't, as there is something putting constant pressure on the nerve, but after surgery the nerve has been freed from that pressure and so may help. Just my theory!


Hi to everyone there, Claire, Melza, Tracey, Fitbird, jess, Olli, Alistair...
And everyone else!!
I hope that things are going well or better for you all, my first day back at wrk went really well and really helped emotionally as i started to get really depressed just sitting at home doing nothing.
My daughter started back at school today and i managed a full days work (took it slowly though!) and although ached a little, have only needed 3 lots of painkillers today. I was terrified when i went in thinking i wouldnt cope, and i almost gave up and went home but pushed myself and gained my confidence back by this afternoon....that and everyone was so pleased to see me!! Nice to be missed!!!
Also, i have been cleared to drive again, which was major, because i hated being dependent on public transport and friends to get anywhere.

I really hope that i am not speaking too soon and will be exhausted by friday, but am feeling good....finally!
I think i am still suffering a few after effects emotionally from the morphine withdrawals, especially my sleep pattern is suffering, I can't sleep but can get up early, it used to be the other way round!!

 

[MehChuXD]

Ali,
I'm really pleased your first day back at work went well. I can't wait to get back with the girls.
Sonja, sorry to hear you are having problems. I underwent my second discectomy 26th November & all seemed to be going well. Although i'm now experiencing problems with pain in my leg again & have excrutiating pain in my back. This seems to be getting worse on a daily basis. My main problem is the tremor I am having in my leg which seems to be worse at night. My husband has woken on several occasions thinking I am fitting!!! Its leaving me shattered as I am waking 4-5 times a night with it (sorry for moaning folks!! ) I see my consultant next week & hope he can suggest something.
Tracey xx

 

[Scuttodurnore]

Hello again everyone, I seem to have missed quite a bit on here and don't know if I can comment any of your discussions. I can tell you that I am now walking just like a normal person now and had my long awaited walk along the beach on boxing day. This is where I discovered how weak my leg muscles are, I took some backward steps to avoid an incoming wave but it was up a shingle slope and my legs just gave up on me. Very embarrassing as my son and sister had to haul me to my feet, I just didn't have the strength to get up again. 'Old Woman Drunk on Beach Walk' would have been a suitable headline. Apart from that I am still plagued with symptoms of nerve irritation, especially at night! So I still have burning tingling legs and apparently could have that for a long time yet.

The problems with my upper back have been almost unbearable lately and I never know what to do to ease it. Hopefully now christmas is over I can take it a bit easier for a while. Southampton CT scan is on the 15th of this month (this hospital has really impressed me so far) and I shall see the consultant straight afterwards to make the grand plan. I don't care what they do to me so long as they take this pain away.

Really pleased to hear some of you are back at work, that must seem strange,you finally have some independence and freedom. I don't know how I stand with work because my work area still hasn't been altered and there doesn't seem to be another post for me. Leaves me in the middle of nowhere really, if I'm fit for work again I would have to put myself in a hazardous work area to return. Not sure I want to do that and undo the good work of the surgeons.

I agree with you on the post op epidural Ali but, as you say, it's useless on prolapsed discs.

Did I write too much? Well anyway, those still suffering can see from our posts that things do get better eventually. Most of the time it just doesn't seem like it.

Love to all x

 

[I saIut suspended sIuts]

Hi All,

Hope you all had a good time over the last few weeks. I have been working a lot but have got a few days off now. I am doing ok but the left side of my lower back and my left bum muscle has tightened up. I am getting back in the gym more to try am build up my legs and get that six pack tummy.

Other than working have have done nothing so i am just plodding on trying to stay pain free.

If anyone is getting the nerve twitching at night, it is the nerve relaxing after a hard days work. I still get it some nights i think it will go but just takes a long time. Everything takes a long time to recover when nerves are damaged.

Cheers Olli

 

[zaxmydhz]

Hey all, and how is everyone today?
I have been back at work for 2 days and i'm already worn out and got a day off today. However, i am attempting to tackle the growing list of house chores. Oh the fun!!!

Had physio yesterday, she said that my back movement is quite good, but my leg lifting isn't so have to do lots of leg lift/stretch type things.
Still using minimal pain relief, only had tramadol twice yesterday with a bit of paracetamol.
Just a tip, i ditched the 75mg diclofenac tablets because they were well....rubbish....and even though its expensive, used nurofen express capsules. They worked a treat, can't get 'em on prescription which is a nuisance, but they really helped me. Used them for about 3 weeks in all.

Got my post op review on friday, i reckon he will try to discharge me, but i am not going to let him because last time they did, my disc decided to herniate again a fortnight later!! Not having that happen again!!

Sending lots of hugs to everyone

 

[Knowledge Is Power]

Hi everyone ,Ali really pleased you are back at work and managing ok ,i have had a really bad headache since sunday which travels down the neck into the back i know its a mix of not sleeping well ,run down and the cold weather as i have had this pain before. I have also had pain in the back which is my fibro flaring up but i have started with pain going down the leg again nothing like i had pre-op and if i had'nt had the disc prolapse i would'nt even think twice about it but it is'nt to bad at the moment it does come and go ,my consultant said i may experience 'memory pain ' and the nerve was very red and raw so i am hoping its just repairing its self i am back to the consultant on 20th jan so i will check with him then,take care claire x x x x

 

[Michelle2love]

Hey all,

Claire, i have the same thing, pain down my leg still. My doctor said that my nerve is really badly scarred and so will take time to heal, if it heals at all. He couldn't tell me if it would heal again or not.
He told me to make sure i do my physio exercises daily, to give it the best chance of getting better.

Had my post-op follow up today, the doctor i saw was the one who discharged me from hosital when my pain wasn't well managed at all, so didn't really share his enthusiasm when he said i was doing well.
I know i am doing better, but i remember him not listening to me when i tried to tell him how bad my post-op pain was and how upset i got.
Anyhoo, he didn't discharge me which i was pleased about, and so am going back again in 3 months.

My scar still has a lump underneath it, the doc reckons its a little pocket with blood and will be reabsorbed, but its been there ages.
Has anyone else had problems with their post-op scar?

 

[Jazzy J]

Hi Everybody
Just joined. I thought my experiences and advice might be helpful.
I am no spring chicken but I am very fit. My sport is long distance endurance walking events. 25 -100 miles over very difficult terrain and against the clock. I do one event almost every week and train and walk throughout the week (and work full time).
First had sciatic pain in the leg 4 years ago. Came and went but through Spring Summer 08 very bad. Was taking big doses of painkillers to do events....Tramadol/paracetomol/ibuprofen/codeine....every 4 hrs.
In the end enough was enough. After endless consultations I decided to have the op....microdiscectomy L4 L5. Fortunately I was paying so I could decide who would do it and when.......if you have the choice this is very important.
After much research I chose the surgeon. Even privately it took 3 months to get him to operate. Very nice room in private hospital. Surgeon, anaethetist, Sister etc all took much time explaining to me what would happen although I already knew having researched it on the internet.
Had the op Monday 3/11/08. Afterwards surgeon came to see me to explain all had gone well. No pain. My own morphine pump and pills. Nurse came in every 30 mins through the to check all was ok.
Went home Wed morning feeling quite good although obviously difficult to move. My office is on the side of my house. Went into my office stood up and did an hours work, bed for an hour, went out for a walk. For the next week that was the routine. After about 4 days I was walking over 2 miles.
One morning after about 10 days my leg pain and pins and needles came back. Rang my surgeon and went to see him a few days after. He said it could be bone fragment or scarr tissue. Had a further scan. He could see nothing. General physical health improved so that I was driving in 14 days and almost working full time although with some laying down.
Had a further special scan about 3 weeks later. Confirmed that it was a scarr problem not bone. Pain and pins and needles gradually improving although surgeon has advised that Caudal Epidural Steroid injection may help and I am having that next week.
Now just over 9 weeks and did 25 miles over Dartmoor last weekend and back to training / gym most days. Pins and needles still there but receding. For the first time I really think it was worth having done. Not perfect and I suspect it may never be.
I had said to myself that whatever happened I was going to be back to long distance events in 8 weeks and my surgeon agreed that with the right bloody minded attitude I could do it.
I am now looking forward to 2009. If it gets worse again I shall just keep going and if absolutely needed again take the pills. I am optimistic it will not be necessary.
I think it is so important to refuse to feel sorry for yourself and get up make it happen even if things re not going well. My physio says do not be afraid to use the back. Work it all the time., exercise, exercise, exercise. But no heavy jerky lifting. Use your sense but go for it.
All the best to you all.

 

[johuaaaronbyrd]

Hi All,
Just had my first opportunity to read up on everyones progress over the last 3 weeks, will be reading again in a moment. Well my "Holiday" is over and I have had a lot of massage and warm weather and guess what...... It has had no effect at all not to worry, I have a letter from my surgeon and my L4L5 Discectomy will be on the 10th February, so I can at least focus on a date to start my recovery. Sorry to hear about everyone who has been experiencing a return of Sciatica post op' must feel like a real set back! I guess we have to look at as a sign of active ongoing repair. Happy Belated New Year to you all! Im going to lie down, starting to Shake...

Can anyone advise me on a good web site, book or such for post op Physio? I want to beef up my knowledge! Take care, Al X

 

[m1sticka]

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