Anyone had back surgery?

[sardine]

I had the soft centre of my L5/S1 disk sucked out by keyhole surgery after Years of lip wobbling pain, and finally a trip in the air ambulance when it burst fully, a week in hospital in 2014, a few weeks physio, and since then no pain at all, almost miracle cure.

 

[dobbslc]

Don't know if it's weird but I look forwards to a general anaesthetic. Best part of the whole op (if you're having one).

I'm not the only one then? A few moments of sheer bliss and tranquillity before you go under!

 

[Wallace]

Best of luck John.

 

[MCKDAVID]

you'll be fine, just don't rush the recuperation... take the time it needs.

all the best..

 

[sardine]

Have you got any good tools just in case you don't make it ?

 

[zzr1200]

Have you got any good tools just in case you don't make it ?

Yes loads..that should really be tons.but they're not up for relocation yet.. ?


Update...

Went in on Wednesday op as planned, apart from l ended up with a tear in a covering to the spinal cord (l think), apparently it was extremely tight due to the intrusions/swelling of the disc marterial. So ended up spending most of Thursday on my back not moving., came home today now laying in bed on my back as l can't sit in the settee due to pain.

Will have to see what tomorrow brings.

 

[zzr1200]

Spent most of today asleep in bed again, sciatic nerve put in a claim for fame again, turned over intense sciatic nerve pain down my right leg plus l had no doubt where the sciatic runs it felt like it was on fire, made out of a very bright neon sex shop sign, it hurt me from my op incision down my back across the pelvis and down my leg to the toes. It did stop after I rolled over the pinch point, but it was very very painful. It has happen again since then, but it still focuses your mind/body and the sweats plus a scream at times.

More to follow...

 

[gavcarter]

Hopefully calm down as swelling subsides

 

[sardine]

My recovery from the op was rest with pain killers until you are comfortable, then start stretching and movement until the pain level starts rising, then rest again. The longer you stay still the longer it takes to recover, gentle movement as much as possible is the key. I expect your back and legs are locked up solid after the op ? get on the stretching exercises as soon as you can, all those tensed up muscles make you feel stressed out, start squatting with your back against a wall, that will take the load off your spine and stretch the sciatic nerves in the back of your thighs.

When you're recovered look for a course in Alexander Technique, which teaches perfect posture and how to rest your spine.

 

[nickk]

Only just seen this post,I had a discectomy 30/1/17,see my post early this year.i hope you get the benefit I did,I too like the g/a.
The end of pain was a miracle after 20 +years of on & off pain.i was patient with the recovery & particular with the excercises ,I had planned on doing Pilates after but after a consultation,she says my body’s not ready.the backs a fragile thing that we take for granted until....bang ,the slightest thing can set it off.ivehad 3 minor irritations since but nothing compared to previous I’m very careful at work and discourage my staff from doing lifts/ twists that I feel can trigger it,but let’s face it most of us over 40 will/ have back problems.
Good luck nurse it well & keep moving.

 

[Screwdriver]

If you had a tear or more likely a nick in your dura, that's serious stuff. Follow whatever instructions you have been given to the letter. If an infection gets in there, the effects are super serious.

 

[zzr1200]

Update:-


Hi all, spent the early part of the day in bed, I can now mange the stairs very carefully. Still popping pills for pain, managed to lay on the settee for the first time with help from the wife.

Also managed my first poo in 4 days, palnful for the pelvic muscles /starfish but a nice relief for the bowel...

Feeling more together this evening, hopefully better to come.

Operation was largist keyhole but I had to stay in hospital until late Friday afternoon.

Oh by the way my Nero Consultants Surgeons name......
Dr D. A. Jellinek.....

Hes done the job, my back feels a lot better now and appears to be loosening up

 

[zzr1200]

If you had a tear or more likely a nick in your dura, that's serious stuff. Follow whatever instructions you have been given to the letter. If an infection gets in there, the effects are super serious.

That sounds about right, I'm not doing anything apart from my pyhsio and poping pills, until l feel much better.

 

[Brad93]

That sounds about right, I'm not doing anything apart from my pyhsio and poping pills, until l feel much better.

My dads going in for the same surgery in two weeks. How are you getting on now some 9 months later?

 

[zzr1200]

After the first 5 days the pain from my back went almost totally, but if you over do it, your back WILL LET YOU KNOW. It took me about 2 months to learn to trust my back again and recover from the operation, but 5 months before I felt good/strong enough to return to work, but even now I'm still careful how I do things.

I'd had back/disc trouble for over thirty years, last year it started to get really bad causing me serious problems with walking, hence the quick operation.

Its a scary operation for the patient, but life changing.

 

[DAPPH]

I had my first appointment with a neurological surgeon tonight regarding my lower back, leg problems.

It appears my L4 disc is protruding into my splinal column and compressing my lower back/legs nerves causing sciatica and a load of other pain problems.

Apparently my problem is urgent, so I'm going to be under the knife in less than 2 weeks, then 4 to 6 weeks to recover hopefully.

Anyone been there and has the tee-shirt, looking for advice/your results from surgery?

Got the video as well in duplicate. first op was 23 years ago L4/5 second op 5 years ago L1/2 ........ third op .. I 'm hanging on as long as I can for I may become totally bowel & bladder incontinent and lose walking abilities this time round .

Be prepared for it to be difficult in the early stages of recovery and don't over do things . Play exactly as the physios tell you , lose weigh too if you're over weight ..it certainly helps when/ if you take the weight out your spine.

Now is a good time to invest in a Tempur bed if you can afford it . Don't buy beds that are supposed to be as good as a Tempur … none are ….believe me
You might find a using a carver style dining chair is more comfortable than sitting in an armchair or on the sofa especially when it comes to getting up or down from the chair .
Maybe get one of the old folks picking gripping stick things , before you need it . Oh and a small tin of baby talc to help slide your socks on you if your feet are slightly damp.


For both operations I was recommended to buy a new pair of shoes ( not trainers ) so that I re learnt to walk properly again in shoes that were not run in to the damaged way of walking . That was amazing advice .
Many months down the line I put my old worn shoes on to go out in the garden and couldn't get them off quick enough as they tilted me all in the wrong places .

OK, OK, I've just realised.... the thread is nearly as old as me .
Still it might be helpful to someone who needs " Sensai " advice .

 

[cardiffrob]

I'd also go so far as to add one of them doughnut cushions to save putting all the weight straight up the bum-bone when sitting. The months of inactivity made the butt muscles waste away enough for a normal seat cushion to put all the weight up through the coccyx and cause discomfort. Ditching Nurofen ASAP would also be good advice to stop stomach/intestine damage. Several years on and my back is great apart from sitting down, which is not great if you fly for a living.