I am going into hospital next week for a microdiscectomy. After nearly 18 months of pain, becoming severe over the last 5 months leading to me becoming housebound for the last 3 months, I am having surgery. I have had physio, acupuncture, epidural steroid injection and a nerve root injection as well as all of the usual pain and anti-convulsants/anti-depression medications for nerve pain and nothing has worked. I also took up Pilates and swimming until I became unable to leave the house. At the beginning I did not even consider surgery as I really thought my body would heal itself. I have had 2 MRI scans, one year apart, which show a herniated disc compressing the left S1 nerve root. I have very little back pain but severe buttock, leg and foot pain. In the end I decided to go private as the NHS waiting list is around 5 to 6 months. My pain management consultant was going to refer me to a neurosurgeon anyway as she had tried everything she could. At the moment I can only stand and walk for 2 minutes maximum before I have to lie down due to the pain. I am unable to sit so spend most of my day lying on my right side.
The consultant neurosurgeon I saw has given me a 70 to 80% chance of success. Due to the 2 injections I had providing no relief at all he is concerned that I may have permanent nerve damage. However, I am willing to take the chance. I would do anything to feel better. At the moment I have no life. I have been absent from work for 3 months and have only left the house for GP and hospital appointments.
I would like to ask anyone who has had this surgery what can I expect after the operation? How will I feel and how long will it be before the surgical pain goes? I know I will have back pain from the surgery but at least this will be helped by painkillers unlike nerve pain.
I should mention that I am 41 years old.
Hi..first of all do you trust the back spec list.see I only met mine once..and told me I've bad scarel damage from my first op. and my scan showed my bottom discs moved forward and bits of disc came out sitiing on my s1 nerve..sciatica nerve...my choice to turn down one no child care..then two scared end up more pain has before..I've also bad arthritis..?? First been told that..after 8 year in pain..now went physio last week he told me one hips higher then other...and I've a s shape spine..he put my hip in place??? Can't walk this week.......I need help..be honest wish had it all over with now....my gp rang me today.. worried.. the spine doctors..basically...... haven't even told my gp what's wrong..my hips are killing..my feet feel like going to exloped... my joints are sore...in bed at moment... last time I was in bed this time of day had phymiona..... so real my sore....and you have a baby... its hard eh...
Hi Louise. I really do trust my consultant. I did a lot go research before choosing and he also came highly recommended by my GP. It sounds like you are having a really hard time. It must be awful going through everything you are with young children. I am lucky as my kids are grown up now so my son is now looking after me. I'm scared of the surgery too but more scared of being like this for life and it's no life. I have to take the chance as I can't stay like this forever. I am currently only taking paracetamol as every painkiller I have been given cause bad reactions. I'm climbing the walls with pain and I'm literally counting the sleeps till my operation. Only 5 to go. Louise I really wish you all the best and hope you get the help you need soon.
Hi ihavenolife.. believe me knew how you feel...my pain in my disc s1 nerve..did get better after 8 month...its hard because of the waiting list.before when I had my first operation the pain was nothing like my last ..nothing..didn't even feel back..joint pain..just that siatiaca pain..bum..leg..electric shocks..awfully..made me feel sick..I am pleased you have a lovely son who helps that's so nice.sand I was referred to spine care which was private and saw 4..5 different spine men!!! Had different things done..nerve blocks etc..this time had my scan..told no injection..or physio will help...so if read my other mails..went physio..been unable to walk all week go back tomorrow.. spoke to my gp today she said l must have it done!!!! Let me knew now get on..its hard because on top of everything else my teen daughter.. having big props with her..for months ref using to eat..been bad month with her....eat very little today xxxx
PS..keep me updated..thinking of you...I didn't get to choice were..was just sent somewhere?? X
Thanks Louise. I will let you know how I got on. Keep your fingers crossed for me on Tuesday afternoon x
Being highly recommended by the GP does not mean a lot. You have to request a lot of successes and failures with respect to the operations the surgeon has done. Not only this there is no guarantee that the surgeon you think is going to do it actually does it.
Physio under the NHS is one size fits all. So failure of physio does not mean that there are no other pathways to try first.
MCTimony chiropractic may help with micro muscle spasms which are pulling the disk onto the nerve roots. Alexander Technique teachers can teach you not to tighten into pain and so in the long run reduce the pain as well re-educate the proprioceptors.
Hope this helps
Hi John. Thanks for your reply. I had already chosen this surgeon before speaking to my GP and by chance she mentioned his name so I felt I had made the right choice. He has a really good reputation in neurosurgery. Unlike the NHS as I am paying I am guaranteed that he will be the one carrying out the surgery. I will also see him before and after surgery and again at my 6 week post op appointment.
I did originally have NHS physio but then when things got worse saw a private physio. She advised that because of the severity of my condition in her opinion no exercises would help and I should seek a surgical referral. This advice came from someone who could have made money from me.
I know surgery isn't for everyone but there are times when all else has failed that this is the best option. After my surgery I am going to see an Alexander Technique instructor to help me with my posture and movement and also a one to one Pilates instructor (who is also a physiotherapist). After everything I have gone through I want to do the best I can for my long term back health. If only we were taught these things at school!
Kind regards.