Post op total discectomy L5-S1 back pain

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:( YOUR DOC DOESN'T BELIEVE IN PAIN MERAB. You are
the patient and if painkillers will give you relief, find a
Doc that will give you a script. There is no reason for
you to be in pain and uncomfortable. Have this doctor
validate why he/she doesn't believe in painkillers and
why you should have to deal with pain.:wave:
 
Hi, I'm 37 years old, post op 1 week from total laminectomy/discectomy at L5-S1. My surgeon believes in removing the entire disc so that there is a not a chance of recurrence of herniation. I did not have fusion. He said my body will form its own scar in that space. I had severe sciatica in my left leg for many months. I no longer have sciatica pain; however now my back feels like it "is out" and it is very hard to sleep (cannot find a comfortable position) and it is hard to get up after I have been sitting. I wasn't prepared for this type of pain. Curious if anyone else has had this type of recovery. Also, my doctor doesn't believe in pain meRAB. I do have some Lortab that I already had from a while back and I am taking those, with a little relief. Any suggestions? How long will this feeling last? thank you!
 
I didn't have ADR. He totally removed the disc at L5-S1 and says my body will form its own scar in that space. I did not have fusion.
 
I'm sorry about the pain you're in. It sounRAB like the surgery did what it needed to do where the nerve issues (sciatica) is/are concerned. But, you just went through major surgery and it would likely assist the healing if you were able to get some pain relief - proper rest is critical to the body healing. It just doesn't seem right that the surgeon is unwilling to prescribe pain medication. I do think the pain you're experiencing is a normal part of the healing process, but I think having medication to assist with the pain would be very beneficial.

I would call your surgeon's office and let them know the level of pain you're in and that you really feel like a short-term prescription will help you get the rest you need to continue healing. If he is still unwilling to, see if there is a pain specialist his office can refer you to or maybe your regular Doctor would be willing to prescribe something to help with the pain just to get you through.

I hope you get relief soon. :angel:

~ Fiona Jo :wave:
 
I also had a diskectomy at L5. No fusion. However I still have pain down my leg and knee just like before the surgery. I thought it would be better by now. It has been 5 weeks. On previous neck fusions I had immediate relief. I am unable to do much of anything. Standing more than 15 minutes is very painful to me. My back pain seems a little bit better. I am not sure if I just have nerve damage that must heal or if my surgery just didn't work. I also have a hard time getting comfortable in bed. My leg hurts all the time. I was in a car accident 15 months ago. My Dr sent me to have other treatments before doing surgery. It seems nothing is working.
 
I'm now 16 days post op. Sciatica is still gone completely, but sleeping and getting up and going in the am is absolutely horrific. No change in the low back pain I have when I wake up. Back feels like it is out as soon as I get up. All it takes is reaching to the sink and I will get the severe sharp pain in my left lower back. It almost brings me to my knees. I struggle through getting ready/shower etc... and after I've gotten to work for about an hour or so I don't have the severe/sharp pains anymore through the day. I do have a knot feeling in my low back but it doesnt radiate or really hurt, just notice it. I work with a hospice and during our careplan meeting yesterday I talked to our medical director internist about it and he said I probably need a steroid dose pack to reduce inflammation.
 
I am 35 and I had my ADR/Fusion L5 S1 on January 14, and it is exactly 1 year to the day of when I had my Lamnictomy. I go to see the Dr this next Friday for 1st post of visit. I had severe/hyper sensitivity in left foot due to severe sciatica and also could not sit for more than 30 min with out being in excruciating pain. My disk was gone, so it was bone on bone. Thank the Lord that pain is gone, still have a lot of sensitivity in Left foot, but I also know that never damage, takes time to heal. I stayed at my Mom's for 3 weeks, so she could care for me, as my husband works out of the home. My worst day was on day 3 when I got a viral infection and was hurling, after back surgery or period.... that sucks! I survived and other than the occasional "take your breath away" spasm, and pain in the morning from laying in one position for two long, I am doing pretty good. Still feel very weak, but get out and walk as much as I can and that seems to help with back, muscles and spirit! I do use a trash bag on the passenger seat, that is very helpful. I do have a shower chair, walker, cane, sock helper tool, and a grabber. All very helpful tools! I only used walker for 3-4 days, still use cane when I am out of the house, it helps having something to lean on when trying to sit and get up. As far as comfortable sleeping positions? I sleep with a body pillow folded in half under my legs, and sometimes an additional pillow under legs. I have the walker next to my bed, to use as a hand rail to assist in the log roll technique that I have now mastered. I also have an adjustable cane, when I'm in bed, I shorten it to the shortest length and use it to push off the bed, to assist in the log roll. I hope this info helps. As far as pain meRAB, I'm still taking 2 loratab at night, to ensure I'm getting the rest my back/body neeRAB and 2 aleve 2 x a day and 1 50mg Lyrica to help with the nerve pain in my leg/foot. thanks!
 
janiee08, yes I had an artificial disk replaced at L5S1 and also had two screws put in for fusion. I did also have a lamnictomy in January 2008. I had same surgeon for both procedures. Disk was healthy at lamnictomy, just bone had broke off and it had to be plucked out due to it being wedged against the sciatic nerve. In October I started having a lot of tailbone pain. The pain continued and after 4 weeks and no improvement I insisted I had an MRI, cause something just didn't feel right. I had re-herniated same disk, and the MRI showed it was dead/gone/black. You could see all the healthy disks white, upon white, then you got to L5S1 and there was nothing there. It was bone on bone. I couldn't sit or lay in one spot for more than 30 min. it was crazy pain! Thank the Lord that pain is gone. I still have some of the sensitivity, but nerve damage takes a lot of time to heal, I know. I go to the Doc this Friday and hope to find out more info.
 
redtg, I'm a little confused, did you have a ADR and a fusion @ the same time? Also, where did you have the ADR done? Do they do multi-level ADRs there yet? And, are you saying that you had a lami on Jan.24, 2009?....Thanks in advance for replying....janiee:)
 
Well...My neuro sent me to surgeon on Feb 2. Surgeon said I had to have l5-s1 removed as it is reducing my thecal sac by 50%! He did say he would have to cut some bone but would remove the whole disk. Same thing he said the scar tissue would form and that was all that would be done. I have asked in several posts here and on another med site about laminectomy/discectomy and havent gotten any responses. I told the surgeon I would get back to him when I decided if I wanted to go through with surgery. I have had this disk issue for over 4 years and the surgeon said the normal 85% chance of recovery goes down the longer I have had this issue but would not say what my recovery % would be.. I guess people with sucess stories must not be on here because I have not seen many positive posts about this surgery. I just dont know what I will decide as the surgeon did say this surgery will not help with all my pain issues ( I have 4 other disk bulges and intercrainial hypertension) I just dont know if it is worth risking for a whole new pain. Please keep posting with your recovery process, Ill be reading to see if your getting better, best wishes for your recovery
 
I also had a discectomy july 2009. from the day I left the hospital I have had no relief for the sciatic leg pain in my right leg. I told my NS this from day one. he sent me back to work (heavy lifting and all) 6 wks after surgery. I've since had shoulder surgery and ACDF c5-6-7 surgery. I deal with pain everyday. I've just about given up on living a normal life again. I go back for my second post-op to the NS next Monday and am really wondering what he is gonna have to say about returning work. At this point, there is no way I can work!!
 
17 months forward of a HEMILAMINECTOMY to
fuse a Bulging Herniated Disc L5/S1.

Still in pain that includes a sharp shooting pain
running down my left left, nurabness in the
bottom of the feet/toes, taking pain killers,
doing PT 3 times a week. Corrective surgery
required for a bone impinging on a nerve,
because the surgery wasn't done right.

WILL NOT BE HAVING ANYMORE SURGERY.

leticia
 
I went to Doc Feb. 12 for 1st post op visit, surgery was Jan. 14. He said everything looks great, incision healing nicely, and he wants me off till March 9, next post op....still wearing my new best friend brace, except for shower. He said after next visit, may be able to return to work lightly. I sit for a living and make calls for Coca Cola. I am nervous about going back to work. I am not having much pain at all.. sciatica pain in left foot is biggest issue, he upped my lyrica from 50 mg to 300 mg.. LOL I think he wants to guarentee that my butt stays at home/ bed/ or sitting .. Dizzy, drowsy, slurred speech, yet very entertaining for my family. I'm glad I had it done.. and pray that feeling continues.
 
Redtg03, Glad you are healing well. I have a question it may be silly but were you totally unconcious for the surgery or was it a local? I had thought you would be completly out but some one at work told me a friend of theirs was awake..like a ceasarean birth. I think if I were awake i would have a complete panic attack..
 
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