Prolapsed disc - Ive just had Surgery

[drkevinonline]

Hello,
I am new, feel like I have new friends as my old ones are a little fed up of my moaning. I have suffered with my back for years. On and off. I never took my major episodes with as much seriousness as they deserved. I have had three c,sections and therefore my core stability is quite weak, I however continued to run 3k a day, lift weights and behave like superwoman. I have now come to my knees. My L5S1 has prolapsed. I would like to post a word of warning. I was advised to try the epidural steroid injections. I had them two weeks ago. They were quite uncomfortable but I had little choice as back was so bad. (I had had a groin pain for around 3 years and thought I had a groin injury from running) The injections totally relaxed my muscles, which had in some way been holding my back and body together for the last ten years. Now suddenly on top of my back, I have my first ever sciatica which is horrible. Numb left foot and no reflex reaction in my foot. A numb left bottom and pain shooting down my leg. I have had a second MRI which has shown a worsening of the disk after the steroid injection. Has anyone else had that.
I am trying to avoid surgery, and have had a second opinion who has told me to try to wait. I am scared permanent damage is done to my nerve, does one leg ever recover? And what surgery to have, the di whatnot surgery only trims the disc and helps the nerve but does nothing for the prolapse, and the metal bracket whatever the procedure is called seems a problem as ones other discs compensate and thus cause future damage. So I am trying traction, tomorrow, have bought a bed to hang upside down on each day at home, and am hoping I will recover. When I will swim, and never run again and do pilates. I'm convinced that a strong core stability will mend me. I also feel that staying positive is essential (brave words from a woman crying at 4am this morning in pain) I am 47 and feel 147.

 

[nnepsutjipdizqewc]

Hi,

I know just how you feel!!! this constant pain seems to age you doesn't it?
If you can hold off from surgery then try to do so as I thought that this was going to cure my back problem instead I am in worse pain than ever since having it (apart from the fact that it sorted out my leg and foot that I could not move etc), but saying that, I still get numbing and some pain still going down my leg - I have been told that because I had extensive nerve damage, that I would just have to wait and see if it recovered. You are right about having a strong core - in fact, I was talking to a back expert a couple of months ago and he said the same thing so I went and bought a 'flexi-bar' and a gym ball, but before I use them I wanted the advice from my GP who has referred me to physio as I have never had any for my back troubles - I only came away from hospital with 3 simple exercises to do!! My core muscles are nil as I had not long got over a hysterectomy that did not go to plan and took a year to sort out when my back went.
It is so frustrating too as I can never seem to plan for anything as some days I don't even want to get out of bed

 

[blinky42]

Im a Paramedic, I originally injured my back 6 years ago and have suffered the effects ever since. I prolapsed L4 L5. My recent MRI scan has shown a 'minor disc prolapse' my consultant hasnt actually spoken to me or had any contact with me at the hospital, he has referred me straight back to my GP. I have severe back pain which is causing considerable distress. I have had no physio referral just more horrible pain killers. I now have radiating pain into my buttocks and down my legs and cannot sit down at all. My 'urgent' referral to the pain clinic has resulted in a three week wait to ring for an appointment only to be told that they will ring me 'in a few weeks' with an appointment 'in a few weeks' thus totalling approximatley 7 weeks before i can acutally speak to someone who may be able to alleviate my severe pain. Having presented to my GP on Friday, after my husband had to lift me out of the car and assist me into the surgery i was asked 'what do you expect me to do'

What can i do? I cannot go on like this any longer. I practice my core stability whenever i am physically able to. I cannot and am not allowed to work, my employer has stated clearly that I am not allowed to return to my job as he is unsure of the future damage lifiting may cause. My world has crumbling around me and i feel totally lost and confused.

 

[tay lew]

i see you are from the north west .if i was you i would contact the spinal foundtion in congleton.google it
i had prolapsed my l4/5 3 years ago and had surgery (open discectomy ) 2 years ago .i was still in pain after the op and still am .i paid £200 for a second opinion off martin knight at the spinal foundation.i should be having a second surgery later in the year as keyhole surgery .i wish i had gone to see mr knight before my original op as his methods are much more advanced compared to what you are offered on the nhs.he has been doing what the nhs consider to be experimental and new for nearly 20 years.
i really think it is worth seeing him .£200 pound and his procedure where you are not even given genral anesthetic could really sort you out.
i am in contact with many of his patients who are now living a normal life again.

col

 

[bjebtupjibpihaefo]

I can only give you my advice from my own recent experience.

I had severe back pain which was replaced by crippling sciatica for about 1 year.

My osteopath told me that I had a prolapsed disc and it had to come out otherwise I would NEVER recover.

I had my operation last Sunday and I went through hell this week. The inital pain was immeasurable, I couldn't move, couldn't go to the bathroom - but within 24 hours the torture of physio began. I regretted everything at first and wished to God that I had never had the operation.

The hospital sent me home on the Tuesday. I was in pain, couldn't hardly walk, was so tired I wanted to cry. I spent most of this week sleeping and doing my routine physio exercises. It has been the worst week of my life. No sitting for more than 1/2 hour, no bathing, no showers, cannot bend or twist, takes 10 minutes to get out of bed, constant dizzyness and always pain.

However, every day I have noticed an improvement in myself. I have rested, avoided too much sitting, done my best to wash and make myself appear clean and dignified, walked around the house, climbed the stairs, and religiously done my physio 3 times per day.

This Morning (Saturday - day 7) I have not had to take any painkillers yet and I was able to reach down far enough to put on my shoes. I went 300 yards down the road to the local shop to buy a paper. Ok it was slow, but I am a million times better than I was 7 days ago. I am definitely on the mend.

I HAVE NO SCIATICA ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!

The only genuine pain is from the staples when I sit back on something, and perhaps a small pain from the discs themselves but my muscles are most definitely recovering very quickly.

I am sure that my recovery is down to 2 important factors - and I suggest anyone contemplating this operation should bear this in mind:
1. Follow the rules laid down by the hospital and the physiotherapists and rest as much as possible. Do exactly as they say and then prepare yourself for a few days of hell. I mean real hell - take what pain you have at the moment and times it by ten, and consider not being able to pass water, not be able to empty bowels, being unable roll over in bed, being on a drip and oxygen for 2/3 days. But remember in 3/4 days you will start to feel better.
2. Be very fit and strong to begin with. It was only the last 4/5 months where I was unable to do any form of exercise, but prior to this I had built up some strong core muscles over a period of 20 years or so. The irony is that the punishment I had given my body over 20 years was the reason why I was in hospital, but it was this that also finally saved me from what could have been a very long and difficult recovery.

So, if you are fit, strong and you have good back & stomach muscles, lots of patience and determination to succeed then have the operation. If you are otherwise unwell and not necessarily a fit/strong person then do expect your period of recovery and your period in hell to be a good deal longer than the doctors will lead you to believe.

 

[ItsPossibleButNotLogical]

Good luck Nico, you gotta be very positive minded. I too just had 2 ops, on march 16th and then a redo op on march 25th, for L5S1 microdisectomy and a window cut in L3 to allow nerves to decompress as had total numbness to right leg, little toes of right foot and by time got hospital for MRI my butt and genitals numb also (very worried and very scared) had emerg op same night as scan as surgon said if left any longer could have lasting probs. Well its almost 2 weeks post op now numbess starting to subsibe, bowels have started to work almost by themselves (with a little help from movicol) but still on cafiter until outpatences on21st april, as keep going into retention when removed but I have been getting feelings of passing water for last couple of days so i think it will be ok if you know what I mean. Sorry to go on but this first site I have found that has been filled with very similar ops, it just makes me feel that I am not alone, I mean I have a wonderful caring wife but I cant burden her with the termoil that I had post op in hospital bed wondering if I would ever be good dad to my 3 young daughters again as almost felt at time I was not to be normal ever!
But I think I have got over that stage now and its down to me to do the best I can.Good luck everybody.Simon.

 

[tristanRuisy]

Simon, I can associate with the feelings you have had wondering if everything will return to normal.
It took 2/3 days after leaving hospital before I was fully controlling my bladder, and at least a week before I could empty my bowels. On both counts I was extremely relieved to find that I was fully in control of these finctions. I was too scared to even consider whether or not I had any sexual fuctions working - and I simply didn't try. Thankfully I have since found out that everything is working here too, although the sensitivity did not fully return until a few days ago. I have a young wife so the relief here again was massive.
I hope everything works out well for you, and I wish you a full recovery!

 

[Moon Ninja]

Hello Nico, Thanks for reply its good to hear your doing well, last couple of days i been having spasms in lower back muscles been to see docs and he give lots of diazepam which helps a lot as it ually comes on at 3 am in morning and like i just had electric shock to back as it makes you flick up in air on bed, its just a case of timing when to take the tablet as it lasts about 7 hrs so if i stay up til midnight it will get me through night, i have just got to say my local gp doc is brilliant every time i see him he fully explains what he thinks is happening and most times he google image finds diagrammes and drawings of everything in the body to do with my condition and keeps reminding me that i was a very lucky man to still be walking i realy cant praise the man enough, which for me is a bit rare as until op on back i def had a white coat syndrome with any docs or hospitals for example last year had blood presure check for well patences at local and every time they took it it got higher, so had to go home with one on arm for 3 days and nights to keep checks and after 1st day it was normal so they have diagnosed me as slightly hypertensive, good news is since op i have have lost 1 and half stone i weight and blood pressure is now ok when ever its taken but i think its also due to fact i had taken about 5 times a day when i was in romford hospital, again i must thank all staff at that hospital they were fab loverly people very under staffed due to the NHS system but as soon as can drive again my first thing will be to visit sahara ward and give the staff a very big thankyou as even night staff when i could not sleep for worry told me jokes and quotes from things like monty python films it realy did help i do think laughter is best cure for anything.
Nico thankyou for advise i will keep you updated if you dont mid that is, like said before its good to share experience of similar ops,as it makes me feel that little less alone whilst recovering.Simon.

 

[Ms. Tay]

Hi ,
I am a new person looking for some advice. I had a microdiscectomy just over 6 weeks ago and everything was going great, my leg wasa little stiff in the mornings but then it would be fine. This week however i have had 5 days where i have not done my physio exersises or any walking as i have been laid up in bed with Sinusitis, now i have got really bad pain in my buttock when i am stood up & cannot walk very far without having to sit down. My physio wasn't very concerned & thinks that something might have seized & just to carry on with the exercises..... Has anyone had this experience and can you offer any advice?? It was L5/S1 that was affected (my previous pain was always down my leg)
Thanks

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hello I Just want a little advice really, about three weeks ago I went to have some chiropractic treatment on my back due to pain ect..I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc, the treatment I have been having is helping but I am still in a lot of pain with numbness in my left arm and leg and sorness in my lower back, This is making me feel really depressed as I have been off sick from work for neally three weeks now as I just dont feel well enough, aswell as the pain and numbness in my arm and leg I have been feeling extremely nauseated and spaced out, I am not getting a lot of support from family they are only concerned about the amout of time im having off from work, I was thinking about asking my doctor for another sick note as he said he would give me one as he doesnt think it is advisable for me to be working at the moment, this puts me in a difficult situation at home,.....should I be having time off sick? and how much time do other people with the same problem have off? I know everybody is different with the pain they experiance.. I need some advice please!

 

[Bloatedtoad]

If the symptoms are severe and you have numbness and loss of power it might be worth asking your GP for a referral to a consultant neurologist if things dont improve. I have just spent four weeks off work with similar problem and it does get you down. Most of these problems sort themselves out - keep your spirits up.

 

[bzsbgfuz]

Dear Pinksmartie, you must insist that you are referred for a MRI / CT scan as left these symptoms you describe are a little worrying, the numbness usally means you crushed a nerve and they usally require decompression asap, please go back to your gp / doctor and dont leave until its too late.Good luck.
simon t.

 

[Jessie Geronimo]

I had surgery on a prolapsed L5/S1 disc a year ago. To be honest it was the toughest 4 months of my life. I have never known pain like it. The worst point of all was a day after surgery I had to do my physio, the pain was so intense i passed out.
Now a year on I have my life back. Climbing the mountains of Scotland at the weekend, and working hard all week. As long as you do what you are told, and DO NOT try to much you will be fine.
There was another guy I met at the hospital last year. He pulled out at the last minute, but we kept in touch. He is still in agony and says it is the biggest regret of his life.
In my opinion nothing but surgery will cure it. So I would say to anyone get the operation and move on. As another guy said do not research to much. Just get it done.
Good luck to anyone going to have the op, I hope i never hear the words prolapsed or Disc EVER AGAIN...

 

[probablygraham]

hiya ,,i had surgery on 2 discs almost 2 years ago and when i woke up out the anasthetic the pain relief from down my leg and bum cheek was amazing!! it was good for about 1 year and then the tell tale little signs ..cramps spasms etc crept back ..my gp has been reluctant to refer me back to the surgeon and i am on all sort of pain releif ..butrans patches. tramadol..oxydodone. anti inflammatory.quinine..the list is endless...he even comes to my home to give me morphene injections when i get a spasm and cant move position
i now have an appointment at the end of the month to see a surgeon 9 weeks after m y gp referred me as urgent but have been told i will probably be sent to a pain clinic instead of another mri scan. why cant they just give me another mri scan given my past symptoms etc,,i know the signs and my own body i have numbness all down back of my leg my left foot my last 2 toes on my left foot, extreme weakness to my left leg and foot.bent over like an old woman of 90. these people who we trust with our lives dont realise just how much we depend on being nmobile when we have familys jobs etci just feel at my wits end and so let down by the nhs....ok my rants over lol !!!

 

[lpbctnvk]

Hi, im new to this.
Im 18 years old and suffering from "disc prolapse between the 5th lumbar vertebra dn the sacrum (tail bone). which is impinging on the left S1 nerve root."
My mates and family think im really young for this, but my gp sent me for a MRI and then i got the letter saying i need microsurgery. however im a sport student, studying to be a pe teacher. But alot of things we do in class ( trampolining, gym work, weights, all the sports you can think of !) i find really sore and hard. Im going ahead with surgery which will take place within 2months BUT all the teachers say i should wait until the summer and they are not happy that i can't take part in anything/don't understand. I have sent them the letter that i got from the sugeron.
Can someone tell what happends after sugery ie; do u get walking aids and how long until i can go back to college just to watch. And can someone tell me what i should do and not do just now at college ie; should i do sports ?
thanks in advance

 

[aVepUnrera]

Hi Gregdfc,

I have the same operaton on Tuesday next week, all your questions and more are answered on another thread "after the discectomy (operation)" on this web site. Take a morning out and read it from stsrt to finish.
I think its worth remembering that the very positive outcome people are less likely to post on these sites, but for good advice and an insight into what you can expect that thread is the one for you.

Good luck, Al

 

[CANUK]

Hi gregdfc
I agree with what Alistair has said. Come on over to the other thread as there are many of us there who have been in the same situation as you.
You may well find trying to do sport difficult if your symptoms are bad (and obviously they are bad, as you have been referred for surgery).
Maybe you could try finding a sports physio who might be able to give you some direction both pre and post surgery about suitable activities. Core strength is super important for those of us with back issues, particularly those of us who have athletic pursuits. I have found the advice of a sports physio to be very helpful.
As your recovery progresses, walking, swimming and pilates are good to do after a discectomy to help improve strength.
I'm 3 months post-discectomy and I have returned slowly but surely to sport. Good luck

 

[AnteSavant]

gregdfc,

You should get up and walk about straight away. You are young so you should heal and recove quicker than most,after4 weeks i was walking 2 miles twice a day and do loads of stretching. I am a fire fighter and had very bad pains in both legs for about 6 months, i could hardly walk. 6 weeks after the op i was back at work on light duties and 6 months after the op i was back on full operational duties. I still get sore and tight but i am getting stronger every week.

This week i have just started running again. I do 200m walk the 200m run, i do this for 2km. I am now 9 months post op and doing ok. If you follow the exercises and do the stretching i think you will be fine. There are many sportsmen who play rugby, football and other sports who have this operation and then carry on with there sports.

Hope it goes well.

Olli

 

[Ska]

I'm in shock !

Over 10,700 have read my thread about my 'disk' operation from 2004, I only hope writing about my experience has put others at ease and hopefully answered some questions....

Im just sorry that so many people are suffering like i did for many years....

 

[Phillip K]

Hi, I had back problems for over ten years, every time I went to my GP he just gave me the ususal blurb and pain killers.
Then in 2004 I started to lose feeling in my right leg until my right foot became completely numb, the pain in my back so excruciating I couldnt move without a sharp intake of breath and gritted teeth (I have quite high pain tolerance)

It was while I was looking after my parents home in another county that the pain became so intolerable I had to call their GP, he referred me to A&E immediately, after several hours waiting I finally got to see a doctor who then booked me into outpatients, I had to wait another 2 days til the appointment. After the consultation I was immediately admitted into hospital, I had an MRI scan which showed that L3 and L4 discs had disintegrated so badly the specialist advised me that i could have permanent damage caused by the disc material crushing my nerves, this meant minimal feeling in my right leg and permanent drop foot.

After a week in hospital I had the operation, and after a few months convalescence and steady muscle toning I was able to walk normally, I still have a numb big toe and get back pain now and again but with regular excercise and not slouching on the sofa too much my back is fine.

If you feel your gp is just fobbing you off and the numbness of limbs is constant, insist on an MRI and don't take no for an answer!