I had an endoscopic microdiscectomy on my L5/S1 on 21st June 2019 after suffering agonising/debilitating pain from March 2019 (the surgery was only fast-tracked due to private medical insurance). I was advised the usual, to not bend, twist or lift anything heavier than 2lbs in the first 6 weeks. Not an easy feat when your partner works and doesn't feel he should help around the house. My parents were an absolute lifeline to me. I did carry more than 2lbs regularly including laundry and plates/bowls of food for my family. After a few weeks the only discomfort I had was in my left leg so I wasn't too concerned. I decided to go cold-turkey on all medication post surgery as I was not given any advice on how to wean myself off the meds by anyone at the hospital. The first 2 weeks off the following medication really hit me hard. I had the sweats, emotionally charged, unable to string a full sentence together and very shaky. I was on omeprazole, morphine, diclofenac, tramadol, diazepam, cocodamol and gabapentin. I was taking 36 tablets in a 24 hour period (I say 24 hours because I was up every 2-4 hours in pain and walking around on crutches/walker to pass the time). I now know how important my back health is and I will never over-strain it again. Well, at least I hope do.
I was advised by my surgeon to avoid weight lifting and the gym for 2-3 years (I was weight training for several hours a week last year). In the past year due to a shoulder injury and my back injury I had gained over 3 stone. I have rejoined slimming world last week because the less I weigh, the less strain on my back. I am back to walking a few times a week to rebuild strength in my left leg and back. I am unable to sit at a desk for more than 60-90 minutes nor stand in one area for 40+ minutes as I discovered at a cookery class yesterday. I am very impatient when it comes to the news that I can't return to the gym for such a long time. I have since seen my neurosurgeon for some free advice on home physiotherapy. He did say that by December 2019 I could return to the gym if I feel comfortable to use the treadmill for walking, cycling on the bikes and yoga on the mats but no more than that.
So going forward, my plan is as follows ; lose 3.5 stone over the next 9-12 months, continue with my 2-4 mile walks, 3 times a week and return to the gym on an ad-hoc basis in December/January (not the best time to return due to the busiest time at the gym), however I can hit the gym in school hours when it is less busy. Wish me luck.
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Karat85
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iam sorry that you have pain, iam almost in same condition and cant sit more than 2 or 3 hours on the chair, so i know how hard is that, wish you health, just try to avoid high activities such as running or weight training
Wow you are so strong! I understand wanting to go go cold turkey on meds, though there is a method. Your body does some pain relief so it can heal. Staying ahead of the pain is the “theme” with that said, there are natural remedies one can implement to help the transition.
I totally understand wanting to get to the gym and just move. I am sorry your partner doesn’t offer more help. You deserve support. Do you have access to a pool? If so aqua therapy would be fantastic for you.
You are amazing! Sending you hugs and support xoxox pls message with anything.
Wow, you are certainly making plans, don’t be too hard on yourself. Main thing is to get completely better. I would have liked to have a similar operation, but age is getting in the way. I am 72 years. But my pain does stop me from living my life, as I would like to
Oh yes! Been there. Pain-wise, I was so much better off living with a busted up disk than post surgery. It has been 4 years now, and pain is no better. Because of my back I cannot sit in the car more than 30 minutes or walk for extended period of time because it causes my feet and ankles to blow up like balloons, and then I not only have back pain but foot/ankle pain. I can't help but think the hardware placed on my spine is blocking circulation all the way down to my feet. In response to taking Diclofenac, it does help my arthritic pain, but I can only take very minimum dose every other day on a full stomach because it causes UTI and bladder pain. My husband also has experience taking Diclofenac, where it caused blood in his urine.
I have stopped going to a local pain clinic. They limited me to 2 tablets of .05/325 ml (norco/acetaminophen) in a 24 hour period. I "googled" the clinic to learn the doctor who opened the clinic, has a wife who duplicated patients' prescriptions and handed them over to a company called Global Inc. based out of Georgia. (She is now under Larceny charge). The fact that the clinic still has 3 times more workers than patients, and the furniture is super transportable, I am inclined to believe I was limited to 2 pills a day instead of Florida's allowed 4, for reasons other than my health. Also they have a nice 2 story building but placed their MRI machine out back in a "shed" type building. So, although I wake up every morning crying in an effort to walk to the bathroom, I stopped going to that clinic and am trying any other means for pain relief that I can. Good luck to you, and your effort for pain relief.
I haven't seen my gp about the pain as I manage on cocodamol when severe or just rest. I am having a follow-up MRI next month so they can check whether the spine and nerves are okay in 3 weeks time.
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