Microdiscectomy Question...might be dumb one...
- Thread starter sjb
- Start date
M
MrFergy
Guest
So I am getting a microdiscectomy on Monday (Oct 4th) to help with a herniated disc. I've been having severe pain moving, especially transitioning from sitting to standing, and vice versa. When I stand, I have to limp like a huncrabroadack for a few minutes, then things seem to work themselves out and I can walk around normally with more tolerable pain.
My question :
It seems as though if I get the pain mostly from transitioning, and it then relieves itself somewhat, that the disc is moving or adjusting, or is the nerve moving? Something is happening. So when I get my operation, how do they know for sure that when they look at the disc, it isn't in some state that wouldn't be causing me pain, and might not appear to need as much removed? I may be completely off track here, feel free to school me. I'm getting close to the surgery date and worrying about stupid things. Like that they might think it looks fine when they're done, but when I stand up afterwarRAB, the disc slides back out. My guess is I have some horribly misguided idea on how this works due to me starting to be nervous.
My question :
It seems as though if I get the pain mostly from transitioning, and it then relieves itself somewhat, that the disc is moving or adjusting, or is the nerve moving? Something is happening. So when I get my operation, how do they know for sure that when they look at the disc, it isn't in some state that wouldn't be causing me pain, and might not appear to need as much removed? I may be completely off track here, feel free to school me. I'm getting close to the surgery date and worrying about stupid things. Like that they might think it looks fine when they're done, but when I stand up afterwarRAB, the disc slides back out. My guess is I have some horribly misguided idea on how this works due to me starting to be nervous.
M
MrFergy
Guest
Another week gone by...my discomfort in my leg seems to be slowly getting better. I'm making sure I am not overdoing it, doing my PT. Looks like it's just going to take time, but the fact that it's feeling a little better helps.
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MrFergy
Guest
For information about my diagnosis or information about neurologists? I did travel back home to get a second and third opinion, both of which agreed with the first.
M
MrFergy
Guest
Thanks for the info, but I already drink about a gallon of water a day (I'm 6'0" 225 lbs) and that didn't help answer my question.
M
MrFergy
Guest
Figured I'd hop back on here to provide an update...
I got to the hospital and was informed that there was a miscommunication and I would be required to stay overnight. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but whatever. Got my IV, and within an hour or so I was being wheeled into the pre-op room. Neuro comes in and says he's always wanted to remove a gall bladder and can't wait to try it on me (first joke this dry dry man has tried to crack as of yet so I played along). I get wheeled into the OR and am chatting with the assisting doctors when I start feeling a little cloudy, and next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room.
I kept hearing horror stories about anesthesia, but I felt fine. Once I came to, I was actually wide awake and started chatting with the nurses. Stayed overnight, within 3 hours of coming out of surgery I was up and walking around. The neurologist came in and talked with me, he said everything went fine, and we could have done this earlier, and he was very surprised to see how pinched the nerve had gotten, and that we made the right call to operate, that non-surgical options would not have been able to help anymore at this point.
About 99% of my leg pain is gone. Every once in a while when I stand up I might feel a little something, maybe a 1 on a 1-10 scale, and this will most likely go away as things calm down. I also still have some nurabness/tingling in my foot, nothing too bad, and this will hopefully get better as things calm, but its definitely better than the pain. No more limping or anything. The only pain is the soreness from the incision. I am taking 1 Vicodin every 5 hours or so. I'm finally sleeping through the night, and feel rested for the first time since this all started. I am taking it very easy and my wife has been keeping an eye on me to make sure I don't overdo it, and I will post back with further updates
I got to the hospital and was informed that there was a miscommunication and I would be required to stay overnight. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but whatever. Got my IV, and within an hour or so I was being wheeled into the pre-op room. Neuro comes in and says he's always wanted to remove a gall bladder and can't wait to try it on me (first joke this dry dry man has tried to crack as of yet so I played along). I get wheeled into the OR and am chatting with the assisting doctors when I start feeling a little cloudy, and next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room.
I kept hearing horror stories about anesthesia, but I felt fine. Once I came to, I was actually wide awake and started chatting with the nurses. Stayed overnight, within 3 hours of coming out of surgery I was up and walking around. The neurologist came in and talked with me, he said everything went fine, and we could have done this earlier, and he was very surprised to see how pinched the nerve had gotten, and that we made the right call to operate, that non-surgical options would not have been able to help anymore at this point.
About 99% of my leg pain is gone. Every once in a while when I stand up I might feel a little something, maybe a 1 on a 1-10 scale, and this will most likely go away as things calm down. I also still have some nurabness/tingling in my foot, nothing too bad, and this will hopefully get better as things calm, but its definitely better than the pain. No more limping or anything. The only pain is the soreness from the incision. I am taking 1 Vicodin every 5 hours or so. I'm finally sleeping through the night, and feel rested for the first time since this all started. I am taking it very easy and my wife has been keeping an eye on me to make sure I don't overdo it, and I will post back with further updates
Before I see health professionals I like to check the internet on their ratings first. That is what I meant. For my own conditions I have done research on that also. If I had known and done all those things as a youth maybe I would never have become sick in the first place. Of course the sites visited should be reliable information and not someone trying to sell you their stuff or their services.
well I am no expert but in my opinion and theory if when your body moves and therefore your disk moves and if it pushes on the nerve then of course the nerve would move too.
I have seen on the internet quite a few surgeries on the back which were worse when finished. I suppose some people might feel better. If this were my back I would do a whole lot of thinking, searching and learning about that type of surgery. Also I would check the rating of my surgeon to be sure he is tops in the field. A surgeon in my area did a lousy job on the hand of a woman at a hospital that is rated lowest in the field a 1 versus a 5. And if I felt I needed some time I would be canceling the appointment and set it up again later if I still wanted it. Once done, its done. My herniated disc is in my neck a doctor told me NEVER have anyone work on it because I could lose the use of my arms but he also said, unless you are losing the function of your arms anyway. He also said there would be high risk of death for me because that area of my spine contains the breathing centers.
I have seen on the internet quite a few surgeries on the back which were worse when finished. I suppose some people might feel better. If this were my back I would do a whole lot of thinking, searching and learning about that type of surgery. Also I would check the rating of my surgeon to be sure he is tops in the field. A surgeon in my area did a lousy job on the hand of a woman at a hospital that is rated lowest in the field a 1 versus a 5. And if I felt I needed some time I would be canceling the appointment and set it up again later if I still wanted it. Once done, its done. My herniated disc is in my neck a doctor told me NEVER have anyone work on it because I could lose the use of my arms but he also said, unless you are losing the function of your arms anyway. He also said there would be high risk of death for me because that area of my spine contains the breathing centers.
M
MrFergy
Guest
I've checked around and gotten opinions for PT's, anesthesiologists, regular PCP's, and no a couple frienRAB of frienRAB who have gone with my neuro. He has the highest success rate and lowest rate of infection of anyone in my area, I am confident in his ability to perform the procedure. I also know that I have reached an amount of pain that has kept me from living life as I should be, I have not been able to do any of the things I love to do for the past year and it has gotten worse and worse, I don't even want to get up out of my chair to go the bathroom when I need to.
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MrFergy
Guest
I was told not to lift more than 10 lbs for the first 2 weeks. At 4 weeks I was told no more than 25. I'm going to ask again tomorrow. I'm not sure if it matters at all, but I am a yougin' (28) and otherwise in good shape.
A
Al Kyder
Guest
Hey Mr.Fergy! I'm glad to hear your micro-d. worked out great for you!
Anyways, I'll be having a microdiscectomy tomorrow too, and I'm a young'un too (16 y/o) male... It's comforting to know that this microdiscectomy has worked great for someone. Remeraber, post-op, you've gotta be REALLY careful, one small thing can lead to a re-herniation. Good luck!
Anyways, I'll be having a microdiscectomy tomorrow too, and I'm a young'un too (16 y/o) male... It's comforting to know that this microdiscectomy has worked great for someone. Remeraber, post-op, you've gotta be REALLY careful, one small thing can lead to a re-herniation. Good luck!
M
MrFergy
Guest
Well I am one week post-op, here's a follow-up...
Pain from the incision has gone down significantly. I am down to half of the pain meRAB I was on before and should be done with them tomorrow. I'm moving around a lot better. I have noticed slight discomfort, maybe a 1-2 on the 1-10 scale, in my outter butt cheek at times, like when I stand up after sitting. It goes away immediately though. Its at the same location that my radiating sciatica started before. I'm a believer in the power of positive thinking and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be worried. I haven't been bending or lifting or overdoing it. I was in excrrucuating nerve pain for almost a year, to the point I could barely even walk. I figure nerves take a long time to heal, and that I can't expect no flare ups or anything as they do.
Pain from the incision has gone down significantly. I am down to half of the pain meRAB I was on before and should be done with them tomorrow. I'm moving around a lot better. I have noticed slight discomfort, maybe a 1-2 on the 1-10 scale, in my outter butt cheek at times, like when I stand up after sitting. It goes away immediately though. Its at the same location that my radiating sciatica started before. I'm a believer in the power of positive thinking and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be worried. I haven't been bending or lifting or overdoing it. I was in excrrucuating nerve pain for almost a year, to the point I could barely even walk. I figure nerves take a long time to heal, and that I can't expect no flare ups or anything as they do.
J
justforthisnow
Guest
Did you get the surgery and has it helped? If so, what is your doctor's name? I've been in pain for many years, using shots, nerve ablations and therapy.
HI, I am glad you are feeling better. I would be interested know your followup mabye at least once a week for the first 3 months and then every 6 mo and then once a year to come if you want on a periodic basis. If there are any changes or not and how you are doing. I will also want to know if you thought it was worth it.
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MrFergy
Guest
Actually leaving to go to the hospital in 5 minutes to get it. I'll keep you posted.
M
MrFergy
Guest
Figured I'd post up a response to sjb...
I am now 4 weeks post-op. Today is my first day back at work (I am a software engineer so I sit a lot). I thought I would be ready to go back after 2 weeks but the doctor said not to rush it since I shouldn't be sitting for extended perioRAB.
Overall I am very pleased with my outcome. I still have some discomfort in my leg, but it's more of an annoyance (pain level is a 2, whereas before it was a 9). I spoke with both my physical therapist and my neurologist about this and they both believe it is a corabination of inflammation and nerve damage that will just take time to heal. I take 3 Aleve when I wake up and 3 at dinner to help with any inflammation and discomfort. I am not taking anything else at this point, I am off of the Vicodin and the Lyrica.
At 2 weeks post-op I had a strange allergic reaction to something. I broke out in hives but only on my sides (around my outside ribcage area) and thighs. I don't remeraber ever having hives since I was a little kid, it seemed odd that I just got them now after surgery. Benadryl did not help. I called the neurologist and he said he did not think this had anything to do with the surgery, so I went to my PCP. She said it could be anything from something I ate, to a delayed reaction to some antibiotics I was on at the hospital. She said sometimes it takes a week or two for signs to show up, and a week or two for them to go away. I got a prescription for some overpriced antihistamines and they were gone a few days later.
I started physical therapy my third week post-op. I went 3 times that week and twice last week. I get heat with TENS, do the arm bike, the regular stationary bike, do some core strengthening exercise, then finish up with a lower back massage and ice. One thing I can say is that when I do physical activity, be it PT, mowing the lawn, or whatever, my leg is usualy more sore afterwarRAB, and if I rest it for a day or two, it calms down. The PT's explanation of this is that not only is the nerve healing, I'm beginning to use all of these muscles that have been more or less ignored for the last year or so, since my body would compensate for them (limping, slouching, and just not being active). The muscles will be sore, they may swell a little, and I end up feeling it.
Overall I feel good. I've been told that the aches and pains in my leg should go away over time as I get back into shape and the nerve calms down. I still get tired after standing for a bit, and I won't sit in an office chair for more than 45 minutes before I walk around a little, otherwise my lower back gets sore. I am focusing a lot on keeping good posture as well. I am making slow but steady progress. I told my wife 2 weeks ago that after walking for 20 minutes, my back felt like I'd been walking for 2 hours. That's getting noticeably better. I'll post back up in a week or so.
I am now 4 weeks post-op. Today is my first day back at work (I am a software engineer so I sit a lot). I thought I would be ready to go back after 2 weeks but the doctor said not to rush it since I shouldn't be sitting for extended perioRAB.
Overall I am very pleased with my outcome. I still have some discomfort in my leg, but it's more of an annoyance (pain level is a 2, whereas before it was a 9). I spoke with both my physical therapist and my neurologist about this and they both believe it is a corabination of inflammation and nerve damage that will just take time to heal. I take 3 Aleve when I wake up and 3 at dinner to help with any inflammation and discomfort. I am not taking anything else at this point, I am off of the Vicodin and the Lyrica.
At 2 weeks post-op I had a strange allergic reaction to something. I broke out in hives but only on my sides (around my outside ribcage area) and thighs. I don't remeraber ever having hives since I was a little kid, it seemed odd that I just got them now after surgery. Benadryl did not help. I called the neurologist and he said he did not think this had anything to do with the surgery, so I went to my PCP. She said it could be anything from something I ate, to a delayed reaction to some antibiotics I was on at the hospital. She said sometimes it takes a week or two for signs to show up, and a week or two for them to go away. I got a prescription for some overpriced antihistamines and they were gone a few days later.
I started physical therapy my third week post-op. I went 3 times that week and twice last week. I get heat with TENS, do the arm bike, the regular stationary bike, do some core strengthening exercise, then finish up with a lower back massage and ice. One thing I can say is that when I do physical activity, be it PT, mowing the lawn, or whatever, my leg is usualy more sore afterwarRAB, and if I rest it for a day or two, it calms down. The PT's explanation of this is that not only is the nerve healing, I'm beginning to use all of these muscles that have been more or less ignored for the last year or so, since my body would compensate for them (limping, slouching, and just not being active). The muscles will be sore, they may swell a little, and I end up feeling it.
Overall I feel good. I've been told that the aches and pains in my leg should go away over time as I get back into shape and the nerve calms down. I still get tired after standing for a bit, and I won't sit in an office chair for more than 45 minutes before I walk around a little, otherwise my lower back gets sore. I am focusing a lot on keeping good posture as well. I am making slow but steady progress. I told my wife 2 weeks ago that after walking for 20 minutes, my back felt like I'd been walking for 2 hours. That's getting noticeably better. I'll post back up in a week or so.