Tell me about your microdiscectomy-recovery, etc.

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Katina128

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I am going to have to have one, at some point. So, I am wondering if those of you who've had them, will fill me in on your recovery time, etc. How long were you down and out of commission? I sew for a living and when can I expect to be back to sewing? Will I be able to be sitting and sewing or even doing computer work soon? How has it been for you pain wise? Are you better now? Has it re-herniated? I have one more epidural scheduled, against my better judgement, and then I will need the surgery after that. I'm thinking a couple of months max before I have it done. So, I curious as to everyone's experiences with this surgery. :)
 
I had a microdiscectomy about 8 months ago. For the first several weeks (3-4) it was a little difficult sitting. Actually, sitting was fairly comfortable, but going from a sitting postition to a standing position was quite painful for the first few weeks. I have about a 1 1/2 hour commute to work (teaching) and I was out of work for exactly 5 weeks. My recovery has gone pretty well. There have been a few scary times when I thought I might have reherniated or something, but my neurosurgeon put me through 3 six-week rounRAB of physical therapy, which helped tremendously. I also walk 30-60 minutes basically every day. I have no regrets about the surgery because even though I suffer from stiffness and soreness sometimes, my pre surgical pain is gone. Before opting for surgery, be certain that you have found the best possible surgeon. Good luck to you.
 
Thanks for your stories. I guess it's a harder decision than I thought it would be. My dr said the chances of re-herniation were 1:20, but it looks like it's higher than that on the boarRAB. Also, the chance of scar tissue seems to be a concern, too. Do you regret having your Micro-D? I know that I'll forever have to be careful with my back, but I guess having the surgery puts me at an even higher risk of re-injury. It's hard to know what to do, but I don't see that I have a choice other than to live with the pain, but then I don't want permanent nerve damage.
 
Hi... I had a Microdiscectomy/Laminectomy L5-S1... back on June 2, 2004...... I was only in the hospital the day of the surgery... overnight and came home around noon the next day.... I was getting up by myself and going to the bathroom and took a shower by my self that same evening..... I was told for the first several weeks that sitting was a BIG NO NO!! because sitting is the hardest thing on your back, and especially after this type of surgery.... it puts atleast 40-50 extra pounRAB on that disc..... so sitting is out.. my Neurosurgeon told me either to lay down, or recline in the recliner.....I was supposed to start out walking like 1/2 a block a day for the first few days... working my way up to a mile 2 times a day..... I went after 10 days and had my stitches removed.... Was told not to lift any more weight then what a 12 pack of soda would weigh.....I could bend, but not to over do it.... but if I needed to pick something up.. that was fine.... I would not break....I was told NO pushing or pulling for 8 weeks... for example... I could not run the vacuum....unfortunately after about 2 weeks... my pain started to return... and I now not only have..... pain... tingling... and nurabness in my lower back... hip... and buttocks... and right leg down to my foot....... but also on my left as well.... was told mine was due to nerve damage of my S1 from the compression on the nerve, and also scar tissue that had formed to protect the nerve where it was being compressed... to protect it.... now it is a slow slow process trying to heal, if I am going to heal.... I have been through the ESI's.. did not help... had a nerve block... had Myelogram/CT scan... MRI's..... blah blah blah... I take 20 mg of Methadone 3 times a day..... 2 - 4 mg tabs of Zanaflex at bedtime.... and 1 ProSom tab at bedtime to help me sleep... also have started a drug called Adderall 1 each morning to try and corabat the sedation effect of the Methadone... Just a suggestion... be sure you have found a good surgeon... check them out well, and also Please don't wait to long before you have your surgery... the longer you wait the more damage it can cause........ Good Luck to you... Hope things go well for you and you are pain free soon...

TRose :angel:
 
Hi Danagc...

Yes, I have had a EMG/NCV......I had my surgery June 02,2004......Yes I had low back pain prior to surgery and I have it now as well.... have the hip, buttock, and leg pain... was only on right before surgery... now on left too....My docs have said mine is from nerve damage from scar tissue that had to be cut away from the nerve during surgery....I have had all the injections, Myelogram/CT .... MRI with and without contrast.... etc... etc....My Pain Management Doctor has said I could possibly get the Nerve Root Stimulator one day, but right now they feel I am to young and dont want to do anything permenant yet... I am 38......They had also mentioned a medication pump implant ( morphine Pump) but then they told me NO! because they did not want to do that... because of my age...so now I just treat it with meRAB and time... and hope I heal...... Hope you can find an answer for your pain soon...Take Care

TRose :angel:
 
Hi. I had a large tear from top to bottom on the L4/L5 disk and was not allowed to bend for 8 months, but that was because of my huge tear I guess. It sounRAB like most people bend earlier. Also, my doctor wouldn't allow me to sit for months too. So I was extra careful and have not reherniated (per MRI) and I'm 10 1/2 months post op microdisectomy. And still being careful!

It is imperative you not bend, lift, twist, or sit too early. Seriously.

I too have foot drop, and hope it heals eventually as that nerve heals.

A good tool to get before your operation is a GRABBER thingy that allows you to pick things up without bending. Can find at drugstores.

I had to have the surgery to take the disk piece off my nerve as I could no longer walk as my foot dropped. I can say that I now understand why doctors are reluctant to do surgeries though - I can feel the scar tissue in my spine when I bend now, and it still hurts in the lower back to roll over in bed. Mostly, I think the back muscles spasm and ache more. But I have nerve damage, so many of my problems stem from that.

Others who have had this surgery do just fine after. Everyone is different depending on how bad they were going into surgery and whether there are complications during surgery like damaging a nerve.

Good luck on your surgery. i've had other surgeries, and the microdisectomy was a breeze and not very painful. What was a pain was rolling over in the bed. That takes some time to get past that pain.
 
T-rose did you ever have an emg done ? How long ago was your surgery ? Did you have low back pain prior and after surgery ? Just curious, it sounRAB like Im in the same boat as you. I had my micro-d in July, did the p/t, injections, post mri w/dye showing large amount of scar tissue & inflammation around s-1 nerve. I continue to have low back probs. but on both sides, leg spams, and foot pain in both. All my doc.'s think pain & probs are from the S-1 nerve area, but my pains have traveled to my other side too. Have you got any input , or recommendations if they can do anything about it. I was offered the scs, but pain dr. said it doesnt really work for back pain & thats half my battle. :confused:
DC
 
I had a microdiscectomy in 1999 and my recovery went great. I stayed in the hospital for three days. I was having such nerve related issues that I actually left the hospital walking better then I had walked the months prior. Basically, as others have explained sitting and bending are big no-no's :nono: ; however I was taking short walks within the first week post surgery. I did have to have a fusion in 2004, because I had reinjured my back in Oct. 2003 (collasped disc and DDD). Again, I was having a lot of nerve related issues (confirmed via EMG), so the fusion with instrumentation was necessary. However, I was VERY grateful for the four painfree years I had after the microdiscectomy. Keep us posted on how you are doing!! :angel:

-Jo :wave:
 
be real careful my first one went great no pain, could move around and walk but 7 weeks later bent to move pillow on bed and blew disc out again
 
I had a microdis in septeraber. the disc collasped and now i need the fusion with two screws. i am hoping to get back to a normal life .
 
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