Please please help

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jodi n

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One more question to ask everybody, after a microdiscectomy, has anybody experienced pain in their feet? especially on the top? or still have weak or a weak toe? I just can't take this anymore, i am feeeling more pain now than i did before surgery, i just want to cry!!
 
Hang in there Jodi! I know it is frustrating but some pain after any suregery is to be expected. Even 4 weeks out. I have heard others say that some times the nerves that need to regenerate can cause some pain. You should check with your surgeon to be sure. I have had that pain before the surgery do to my L4/5 herniation. I'll let you know after my surgery today. I'm off to the hospital in 15 minutes. By the way, I am in Sarasota, Florida.
 
I had the EXACT same surgery in 2001 and I felt great in 3 months. You will experience pain while you heal. If it is unbearable, then go to the ER. You need someone to help you with your kiRAB so you can do nothing but REST. You must also move around and walk BUT should not be bending and lifting children. Get someone to help you so you can focus on your recovery!!!!
Demand pain management.
 
Neurontin (gabapentin) is commonly prescribed for nerve pain. The first time I tried it, it made me a little loopy but I've heard that I can overcome that if I continue to take it (that the feeling tenRAB to subside). I started it again today (the generic version, gabapentin) and am hoping it will help my neck and back nerve pain and will be good post-op as I hear I could have some nerve pain increase after my upcoming L3-S1 fusion.
 
This is not and I repeat NOT to scare you but just make you aware.

There can ALWAYS be leg pain when dealing with back surgery due to inflammation and swelling in the area which presses on nerves that will run down your legs.

However when I had my first fusion I kept having severe LEG PAIN and kept calling doc who said its normal. After repeated calls he said go to emergency room. Even though I just had a back fusion with hardware put it. Then did ultrasounRAB of legs checking for blood clots but no back x-ray.

During my 8 week check up, after all that time of pain soooo bad they found that the cage had shot out and was laying at the base of my spinal column and pressing on a nerve. I now have permanent damage and developed a condition known as RSD. Something no one should have to deal with in this world. One of the most painful conditions a person can suffer.
It felt like 1000's of bees stinging my legs and I kept telling him that to no avail. He kept saying it was irritation of nerves and thought I was being over dramatic.

So know your body and if you think it is wayyyyyyyyyyy to much pain for what has been done to you. DEMAND attention..

YOU MUST BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE.
Again I didnt tell you to scare you, only make you aware and make you demand treatment if necessary. It really pisses me off a doctor would take vacation and not leave back-up for his patients.

good luck:angel:
 
Hello,
I am 4 weeks out of surgery of discectomy, laminectomy l4-5, and are still in extreme pain in my legs. I have been this way for 2 weeks straight, because my sergeon went on vacation 2 days after surgery and left no doctor to fill in. I have a 2 year old, and have become so depressed, i actually have been thinking awfull things about myself, just so i wont have to live with the pain anymore, i do see the sergeon on tues, and have an appt with the clevland clinic on wed. Has anybody experienced this? will i have a crippling life?
I really feel as if i just want to die right now with no where to turn.
Please, Please help!!!!

Jodi
 
I am sorry that your surgeon didn't have someone to look after his patients.There must have been a "failure to communicate".You certainly will be able to get some
pain relief. I am sure you will come out of this with flying colors.First you need to get some pain relief....Good luck Bill
 
for cowpin8,
Thanks for the reply,
I live in florida too, west palm area, i went to the clevland clinic today, and the neurosergeon wants me to see a neuorlogist and a physisit? He looked at my current mri's after the surgery and said everything looks good there, now i am nervous about pain forever! I just started taking neurontin, i am hoping it will work for me to be able to live a somewhat functionable life for my family.
Jodi
 
I'm sorry for you're going through! It sounRAB like this really neeRAB to be looked at. I have not experienced the degree of leg pain you describe post-op and I have had several lurabar region procedures. So, I would say this is definitely something that neeRAB to be looked at. Of course while healing there is always some degree of pain, but personally the pain I have experienced has been surrounding the healing area (the incision, back region, etc.). I have to say the one thing that always cleared up post-op almost immediately was any nerve related issues (leg pain, nurabness, etc). The reality is it COULD be nerve irritation as part of the healing and maybe another medication for nerve related pain is needed like Neurontin (gabapentin) or Lyrica. But, I would hope that some tests should be performed to ensure that something else isn't going on.

I'm really a surprised your Doctor to have anyone handling his post-op cases. Post-op care is so important! So, you have a right to your anger and frustration. At this point definitely be assertive and let the Doctor's office know that you are very disappointed that no one was left to handle his post-op cases for emergencies and inquiries. Also, definitely let them know you would like a CT scan to make sure everything is healing as it's supposed to.

If the pain gets too intense, I would definitely have someone take you to emergency.

You are in my thoughts. Please keep us posted on how you're doing. :angel:

~ Fiona Jo :wave:
 
I just started neurontin (gabapentin) today. I've used it in the past and it makes me just a bit dizzy. But now that I'm off of work I'm trying it again. Plus I've been told my upcoming surgery (L3-S1 fusion) may increase nerve pain so I want to be prepared.

I hope they also have you on strong pain medications and a muscle relaxant.
 
I hope everything went well!!!
I will be thinking of you, get rest, lots of it! I live in royal palm beach, near west palm, the doctors here scare me!
Jodi
 
Please keep posting your progress. I am having a discectomy on L4/5 this Thursday. You got me a little nervous. I hoping my pain may be a little less. I will post my experience for a comparison for others. I wish you well in your recovery.

SP
 
Hey Sookie:

I am also in Sarasota. What surgeon did or are you using?
I use Dr. Andrew Fine neurosurgeon.
Also Good Luck with your surgery!!!

Thanks, Joe.
 
Thank you to all for your replies!!!! I finally feel as if i am NOT alone.
I went to see the sergeon today, yep, he came back! He looked at my mri and said that the nerves looked good, as well as the disc. He is puting me on neurontin for the nere pain, he feels that might be the root of all evil. Does neurontin work for nerve pain? Will i be feeling better in the next couple of months? I am goig to the clevland clinic tomorrow as well , so i will keep you posted. Is 4 weeks out a little to soon?
Thank you for all your help
Jodi
 
To sookiepooka,
I wish you the best of luck with your surgery!!!!
Remeraber everybody is different, you mught get up and be completely pain free, which is what i will be praying for you!!!!
Where in fl do you live?
Jodi
 
Sookie:

I truly hope the surgery went well. Let us know as soon as you are up to it.
Good Luck.

Joe
 
I thank you for your replies, i have been going for pt 3x weekly. I am hoping it is nerves slowly regenerating, but i just cant take the pain anymore. Has anybody had a good experience with neurontin? and also i have been noticing some lip tingling, any ideas? I have just started zoloft for the depression, i hope it is not adding to the pain.
Any advice is so appreciated
Jodi
 
Jodi: Definitely give the Neurontin a chance. I have found that it works wonders for me. And the reality is there is a lot going on with the "healing process", sensitive/irritated nerves, etc. Initially, the Neurontin will make you feel a spacey, however the spaciness will pass (and fairly quickly).

However, I do agree with other posters who have recommended going to ER if the pain gets TOO intense. If you get to the point where the pain gets to be too much to handle, I think ER attention would be crucial.

I hope you start feeling relief from pain! :angel:


~ Fiona Jo :wave:
 
Cowpin,
Wow small world! My nuero is Dr Glasser with the Spine Specialist Group at Cattleman and Bee Ridge. Thank you for all you comments. I have another thread for updates on my surgery. check it out. And so far so good with me. I'll keep my fingers crossed and do what I am supposed to. Which is hard for me. I am a bit stobborn. HA!
Sookie
 
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