Urgent advice - Discectomy or not?

Hi everyone,

I came across this discussion while researching discectomy surgeries. I have a few questions and comments. Maybe I should start with a watered down version of my story.

I'm 24, have had back pain since I was 19. My back pain became a constant every day thing two years ago but no problems with sciatica. A few months ago a pain started in my buttocks but I blew it off cause my constant back pain had eased. A few weeks ago, while getting into my car, my back "went out" once again but with a new symptom. I had severe pain radiating down my leg. Didn't sleep for a week. Doc gave me anti inflammatory meds, but pain worsened and my calf muscle began to hurt along with not being able to feel myself urinate (but still had control of doing so). I had an MRI done and as soon as the results came back he sent me directly to a neurosurgeon. Saw surgeon March 1st and was scheduled for surgery March 2nd (amazes me how long some of you have to wait.) I had 3 bad discs, one was massively herniated and was causing pain on both sides. Already had signs of nerve damage. Doc was amazed I could walk and had been working. 9 days after surgery and I have been off the pain meds for 2 days. I think maybe if I can feel some pain, it will remind me not to over do it.My sciatica and pain in my calf immediately went away. I believe that is because it was done so fast. I tire easy but I can walk ok.

Talk of a relapse at about this much time after surgery scares me a little so, any advice for me?

Also, I worry what having surgery at such a young age means for my future. Does any of you know anyone that had to have this done so young? I worry what carrying a child might do to me now. I guess that will be questions for my doc but I would rather hear from someone who knows firsthand.

Its good to hear about people who have went through the same thing and are doing well. Y'all have lifted my spirits some. Thank you.

Welcome Abuckaloo! Thats some user name!

Think of today not what if.. in a few years etc. Rest recover from your surgery, keep your head positive. Keep positive. Thats the battle. There'll be 2 steps forward and 2 steps back on certain days. Its normal.

After the 6wk mark do the physio and get strong, stay strong and becareful. I find after 4wks myself your ability to move is much better and you start to do silly things your should'nt. Thats the main thing to watch.

Fairplay and keep truck'in the fact your got surgery so soon will stand to you in the healing process 🙂

Hiya Abuckaloo!!

I think there may be some confusion between 'a relapse' and 'a flare up', Flare ups often follow spinal operations (3-8 weeks post op) and is believed to be linked to the bodies delayed reaction to the changes caused by the invasive spinal procedure. These are usually transitory, and should resolve themselves with time and TLC.

A relapse is a repeat (or worsening) of your existing symptom and is bad news! The most common is when a repaired disc has 're-herniated' or 're-ruptured' and leaks. this could lead to more operations and more spinal scaring and stenosis, like I said, Bad News!!

To try and avoid 'or' limit these issues, take your recovery slowly and at your own pace! Keep a diary of your progress and only keep as active as you feel comfortable.

24 is young to be facing a surgical solution to back pain, but some researchers think that most back problems, do actually start at around this time. However, the fact that your overall condition and fitness will be good, when compared to some of us 'poor old duffers', should stand you in good stead for a strong recovery.

Either way Abuckaloo, please don't worry yourself too much in the early stages of your recovery, remember recovery is a marathon, not a sprint!!:)

We all hope your post op recovery is going well, and I look forward to hearing good news from you soon!

Here's wishing you the best of recoverys

SPINELF

🙂 As to the name, Buckaloo is my last name and i have always gotten comments on it. I enjoy having something a little different.

Thank you for the advice. I have always been active and healthy so i hope that along with my age help me recover more quickly. I seem to have been healing quicker than most.

I know I have a long road ahead of me. My discs aren't the only problems I had. I have already been warned that I will have to have surgeries in the future. My doctor wants to prolong it as long as possible so hopefully technology will be better.

I like the advice of keeping a diary of my progress. It seems like a very good idea. Thanks!

You are most welcome Abuckaloo, take care of yourself and here's to wishing you every success in your recovery and to a full and active life ahead.

Best wishes

SPINELF

Just a quick update again.

In a bit of a black hole again being honest. I was doing great with the walking and increasing the distance every 3-4 days. I was up at 4 miles a day and did it for 3 days in a row. bad move. I got exhausted and over tired and ended up being very sore in the evenings. So i stopped walking for 2 days and then did a small walk yesterday and again today. Im back to where i was 2wks before xmas. Sciatia down the right side, buttock calf and hamstring pain. Really P**sed off. I have 3wks to go before back to work and i haven't driven yet. Meet to consultant next wed and then its physio.

I don't know if i should keep walking it out as it took 3 days in the beginning to get to a flexible state to enjoy it. I think i'll just have to start from scratch again. Its just the same 4 walls, the same walk. The same story just a different day.

Hey Doog - How you doing?

abuckaloo - no insult was intended with the user name comment. I hope you don't take offence.

Hi Ricky

Not good I am afraid. 5 weeks post op in 2 days time and sciatica / back pain is worse than ever. I am giving the walking a rest for a couple of says. It may be we have both been over doing it.

Dog and Ricky

I am so sorry to see you are both experiencing difficulties! Just take a steady recovery pace and dont rush things!

Best wishes and kind thoughts:)

SPINELF

thanks,

Did 2 miles today - very sore. Took meds and it eased it. The fact that i'm down a disc and theres L4 bulging also reality is i'm gonna have back issues. That really registered today. The discetomy really only removes the severe sciatia. The situation is'nt as clear cut now as it can be L4 or L5 being ruptured or scare tissue that may cause problems.

All i can do is keep moving and keep exercising and stay positive. Just worried about going back to work. As once i'm back thats it - full throttle. We see what the consultant says next wed. Going to start doing short stints in the van next week and see how that works out.

Not being able to lift the kids close is the hardest and most hurtful thing. But sure it could always be worse.

Here's hoping for a successfull return to work Ricky.

I fully understand and empathise with your comments about the kids, its
probably 'the worst thing' about our illnesses, for a parent!

Best wishes

SPINELF

I am so sorry to see you are both experiencing difficulties! Just take a steady recovery pace and dont rush things!

Best wishes and kind thoughts:)

SPINELF

Many thanks.:)

5 weeks 2 days post op

Medication = Naproxen. I wasnt even on this before the operation having weaned myself off it 🙁 plus paracetamol. Really on the pain limit but avoiding anything more heavy.

Pain = Sciatica right leg and deep lower back pain . Pain level 5/10 pre -op was 3/10 max.

Walking = 2 miles slow.

Sitting = 10 minutes maximum.

Driving = not good

Bending = ouch

Area of surgery = still swollen

(Gentle) cyber hugs :grouphug: and best wishes to you both (Ricky and Doog) and hope you recover soon.

Once again doog, I am so sorry to see you are still experiencing difficulties!

I think you made a 'good call' on Naproxen.drugs doog, but I'm also sure you are personnally 'paying a high price' for that decision! Doctors can hide a 'multitude of sin' with increasingly strong drugs, can't they! 😡

What's the latest news on availablity of future investigative or treatment options doog?

All the very best

SPINELF

Hi all,

I joined the forum last year after a very depressing and frightening number of months dealing with sciatica that turned out to be a prolapsed disc at L5/S1 pressing on the S1 root nerve.

I was told off for reading forums by my physio because he said people only post the negative outcomes and never the positives, but still the forum became one of my homepages and flashes up each time I turn on the internet and today at a loose end I caught up on this thread and just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who stumbles across it, trying to make that extremely difficult decision of whether to have surgery or not.

I am sorry RickyC I did not get to this before your decision.

Anyway, my story:-
At the end of January 2011 I started with back pain which progressed down my leg with excruciating pain at times with electric shocks when I put my foot to the floor. Sitting became very uncomfortable with my hamstring and calf muscle cramping. Walking wasn't too bad but sore and at night I would wake every hour with cramps and have to pace the house to relieve them before getting back into bed. Through this, I somehow managed to work for 8 weeks with a 2 hr commute and 7 hr office job at a computer - I would literally fall out of the car and looked like a zombie because of lack of sleep.
I was referred to occupational health, who advised 2 weeks sick leave and to walk a mile at least twice a day - which I did.
At this point I started getting bladder problems - but not the scary cauda equina type - more that I kept feeling I needed to pee every 10 mins even though I had just been. After my urine sample came back negative for a UTI my GP thought that she had better refer me for an MRI just in case.

So the MRI came back at week 10 with the diagnosis of a L5/S1 paracentral prolapse touching the S1 root nerve, but no sign of any compromise of the thecal sac - so definitely no cauda equina (phew!).
But when I phoned for the results I had to speak to the on-call GP who scared me witless - he told me under no circumstances to walk and I was putting myself in danger by doing so!!!!!

Sorry for the long background - but I think what I am trying to get across is how little the healthcare professionals seem to know about this.
Because of my frightening conversation with the on-call GP I ended up paying for a private consultation with a spinal surgeon at our local Nuffield, got an appointment within a week. A colleague from work did say be careful he will probably want to do surgery to make himself some money, but I was pleasantly surprised and he was very much for a conservative approach and would only advise surgery if there was cauda equina (emergency) or motor deficit e.g. drop foot - anything else is worth trying other options because the body is able to heal itself from this.

He told me to look at this website [url]EuroSpine - Sciatica[/url] to see how varied opinion is between his colleagues about whether surgery is needed, timing of surgery and risks of surgery.

I think someone mentioned that 70-80% don't need surgery - this surgeon told me that less than 2% of patients need surgery and he would always recommend a stepwise approach of:-

• nerve drugs e.g. amitryptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin
• X-ray guided steroid injections
• With the above 2 physiotherapy because the above 2 don't heal but allow you to get active which does support healing
• Finally if the above have failed - surgery

After much thought and finally at week 12 meeting my NHS physio (took 4 weeks for an appointment!) who knew his stuff and talked me through the options I decided against surgery.
I continued walking and started a McKenzie exercise programme which really worked for me and at week 16 was back at work on phased return (had a total of 8 weeks off work).
I was lucky that I have paid sick leave and know this can be a factor in the decision.

I didn't need any further intervention from the surgeon and even managed without the nerve drugs.

With regard to sitting - both the surgeon and physio suggest that surgery may in fact make sitting worse and that surgery is only for pain in the leg, it is never for pain in the back and may make back pain worse. So because at this point it was really only sitting that was a major problem, this reinforced my decision not to have surgery.

I think that the surgeon said he could try the steroid injection and because it is x-ray guided and therefore targeted at the right level it can predict the success of surgery - i.e if it doesn't work then there may be something else contributing to the pain. But I am not entirely sure on that one because I never had the injection - perhaps someone else can advise.

I am very concerned RickyC that you seemed to be given the impression that if you didn't go down the surgical route quickly you would suffer permanent nerve damage. Given my limited knowledge I really don't think that is the case, certainly if there is no motor deficit, and nerves do have the ability to repair themselves. Plus I am not sure why the GP would think that foot drop would be inevitable?

The professionals don't seem clear on what happens to the disc, but the surgeon suggested that it tends to dehydrate and so shrinks off the nerve and the body recognises it as being 'wrong' and macrophages? come and digest it - the remaining part of the disc is then thought to reseal. Apparently if you randomly MRI scan people without pain you can find they have prolapsed discs too - it is something that just happens, some get pain and so know about it, others don't - so my physio always told me I am not actually that fragile!

Anyway I will stop waffling now - but after week 16 I never looked back and have got progressively better and done an NHS pilates course for core strength and continue walking and don't sit for too long at a time and sit properly when I do with lumbar support.

So the conservative approach does work, but it can take time, get information from several healthcare professionals before making a decision, because there really doesn't seem to be a consensus, truth be told I don't think anyone really knows.

Another GP at my practice has the same problem - she has decided not to have a discectomy too because she wants disc replacement surgery - but she said the technology is at the point that hip replacements were 20 years ago, but a discectomy would preclude her from having a replacement if/when they become available. She only wants it so she can take up extreme sport - her disc injury doesn't stop her living her life as is.

I really hope this all makes sense and helps someone in some way.

Jayne xx 🙂

Another Update!!

Just over the vomiting bug. Just what i need. The bed rest was much needed and i feel the better of it. Was at surgeon's office yesterday and got the all clear. Going to physio today to have a chat about ergonomic assesment and the next steps. Sciatia has eased massively again.A little down the left side. Mid back ache is there with exercise. Drove the last 3 days. 10 miles day one, 15 miles the next and then 50miles yesterday. Driving was good again! Bit tired after but that may have been the worry of the surgeon's appt. So things are going nicely.

Jayne, many thanks for the time and info. I'm glad your feeling better and long may it last. I guess the problem with the spine is its 50 shades of grey and no case is the same. If i could have avoided surgery i would have. I was tormented with that decision. I was well if not over informed before commiting to it. The issue in my case was the rupture had a large over hang of disc fragment sitting directly on the nerve. The dehydration of the disc within the vertebrae would have shrunk back off the nerve but the over hang would'nt have completely come off the nerve - it was likely to have dried onto the nerve causing damage..

That was the deciding factor. Combined with the decision i was faced with in work and two young children. Time will tell if it was the right thing to do. If i was faced with the initial same decision today with the level of pain i had and the same circumstances i'd do it again. But having gone through the surgery i'd be reluctant to entertain another surgery.

I'll be buying the McKenzie book and walking and start pilates. Because i'm never - please God going to go through that again.

Keep in touch and thanks for taking the time to reply.

Hi RickyC

Excellent news for you! I am pleased.

I posted because I was worried that new people may read the thread and think that they had to make a quick decision about surgery, because any delay may cause permanent damage to the nerve. Which yes, in the case of cauda equina (emergency surgery) and possible motor disfunction. But anything else is probably worth giving other measures a go first. and nerves can recover.

I understand though in your case that if you had a fragment stuck to your nerve then that would complicate matters.

My surgeon suggested that I was eligible for surgery simply because my pain matched the MRI scan but that he would suggest other options first, but he did say some people do choose surgery straight away, because they have limited or no sick pay and have to get back to work. Which makes me very sad. I am extremely lucky to have a very good sick package at work so that didn't need to be a factor for me.

It does worry me how we are all told different things. My GP said she wouldn't normally do an MRI before 12 weeks at least and then because it goes in as a non-urgent request there can be a 5 week waiting list. I only had an urgent MRI at week 10 because I had some bladder symptoms, although they did not fit the cauda equina picture. So without the bladder problems and because at week 16 I did feel better, I probably would have declined an MRI by the time my appointment came round. So perhaps some NHS delays are appropriate?!

My physio does say that it is harder to treat a patient with sciatica who has had a MRI scan showing a disc herniation, than one who simply thinks they have sciatica without knowing the cause, which could in all probability be a disc herniation also. The pain for both is very real, but knowing you have a disc out does, in his experience, add a extra distress component to the condition which seems to prolong healing.

I for one was a complete mess when I had that MRI result, although the GP telling me not to walk didn't help..........

I wish something could be done to provide better and more consistent advice for patients going through this horrible condition.

RickyC - just about the McKenzie exercises - I note at one point you said bending backwards was painful - McKenzie exercises are all about putting you in extension, i.e. a backward bend - so they may not be appropriate for you and given that you have been operated on, they may not be necessary. I would check with your physio. Pilates is definitely the way to go though!!

All the best RickyC for further recovery (and everyone else!).

Jayne xx

Hiya RickyC, Great News! :D:D:D

Keep it going (at a steady pace of course) Lol!!

Best wishes

SPINELF
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Hiya Jayneinpayne and welcome back!

I am really glad you found a resolution. Your post will offer members hope!:)

I totally agree with your thoughts and your Spinal Surgeons recommendations on the principles of ‘non invasive therapies first’ for younger sufferers and for those in the early stages of their conditions. Non-invasive therapies should be the order of the day, offered as early as possible in order to help the sufferer’s body rebalance and aid the healing process itself, whilst they are fitter and healthy! I think though, that applying the same long drawn out non-invasive treatment plan for longer term, chronic and persistent back pain sufferers, who will have previously gone through many of these therapies (unsuccessfully), would be much less effective and result in costly delays in their assessment and treatment plans and could allow their conditions to deteriorate.

The reason I agree with your thoughts, is that when I was 26, I experienced my 1st major back pain episode, my GP told me to give up work, claim benefits and take it easy!! I swiftly told him what he could do with his diagnosis, and sought alternative diagnosis and treatments, I eventually found Osteopathy, and within 6 weeks of stating the Osteopathic treatment, I was ‘back’ in my full time and physically demanding job!!

I owe a lot to Several Osteopaths over the years, because they kept me working and mobile for nearly 20 years! Even now, after my condition has been exacerbated by an R.T.A. and became chronic, Osteopaths are still helping to protect me from the worst effects of my disabling condition. I am also sure, that other members have found the same relief from their suffering by using other therapies such as Bowens, Pilates, Yoga and Alexander technique and so on.

I think that what your Surgeon advised about reading that web site was terrific! 😀
Any patient information that shows debates, facts and available treatment options is fantastic, but sadly lacking, in the UK private and NHS mainstream. Clearly ‘your’ Spinal Surgeon is one of the ‘better ones’ that make a positive difference to members lives, the ones we sometime read about on these back pain threads!

I think your colleague was quite right to urge caution, I too believe some Surgeons do this.

I am so glad you decided to ignore the physios ‘scurrilous advice’ about not using the internet Jayne and happy you made your own mind up. I do understand what you experienced though! A Senior Consultant also told me not to look at the internet and stated the ‘same reasons’ as you were given. He then recommended a pain management clinic, I asked for all the detailed information he had on the clinic, before I committed to the appointment. He could not tell me anything about the clinic or its treatments nor did he have any printed information to offer me!! He had simply read something somewhere!!!! His solution for me: Search the Internet!!!

With regards to ‘how little the healthcare professionals know’ about spinal symptoms, therapies and treatments Jayne, please believe me, you have only just found the ‘tip of the iceberg’

You will always find that a Spine Surgeon ‘willing’ to operate on sufferers who have cauda equina, foot drop or other neurological deficits! You see, I believe, that if a back pain sufferer is in an urgent or bad condition, the Surgeon has a solid get out clause! Their stance is, that the patient was seriously ill before the op, I tried my best, but the patient’s body was too weak or ill to benefit from my procedures (Failed Back Syndrome) ITS NOT MY FAULT!!

But ask them to operate on a persistent and chronic back pain sufferer in a ‘healthy condition’ and they will move heaven and earth, to avoid such a procedure, believe me, I was that boy! I was told by a Surgeon, that I would ‘probably be left with ‘as much pain’ after the operation as I had before it and could ‘possibly be left in even more pain’ after the operation than I was before it! He would only operate after my acceptance of those predictions! If that Surgeon had the same (or worse) outcome on a healthy & fit sufferer, the failure would be more closely scrutinized and questions asked. They don’t want that! They will try and avoid the risk!

I would just say, that I would probably disagree with the 70-80% figure that you were given, for sufferers who don’t need surgery, simply because an accurate (minor vs. chronic) or (non-invasive vs. MISS) treatment comparison, randomized control trials (RCT’s) in the UK, have never been completed or published. It is therefore simply not possible to ‘safely arrive’ at those figures!! I believe the production of those figures, is simply a case of 83.6% of all statistics being made up on the spot!! LOL!! 😉

Well done Jayneinpayne and best wishes



SPINELF

Hi Spinelf,

Many thanks for the kind welcome.

I used to read the forum, last year as a guest and then joined in June with the intention of posting my story, but my superstitious head didn't want to jinx my recovery so soon. Here's hoping I haven't blown it now, a year on!

I agree, about the first time episodes and I am in my mid thirties, in good health otherwise and don't smoke or drink to any great extent. I am also extremely lucky to have a very supportive husband, family and no work sick leave limitation issues or kids to worry about. So I had everything going for me in terms of a conservative recovery option and I don't underestimate how fortunate I was in that respect.

I am hoping that the information from my surgeon will help new sufferers, in that they don't feel pressurised into having that operation too quickly without looking at all other options and giving it some time (and yes, I really do know just how painful giving it time can be!!)

I don't know what to say about long term sufferers and my heart goes out to anyone who has not found some sort of resolution. My physio was right about reading internet forums, I was already in an emotionally bad place last year and reading some of the sad stories and things that people are going through had me in floods of tears on several occasions. I really wish I had some answers............

With regards to the 70 - 80% quoted - that was someone else's surgeons figures - mine actually said in his opinion less than 2% of patients 'need' surgery. Others choose to have surgery for a variety of reasons - often, sadly, work commitments.

Anyway, thanks again spinelf for the welcome and all the support and research you seem to offer fellow sufferers.

From my research last year there do seem to be some quite high profile people who have suffered disc herniations, including I think, Tony Blair when he was PM (he didn't have an op, I understand), you would think it would be pushed higher up the agenda somewhere.........

The way society is going, with increased sedentary lifestyles, longer commutes to work, prolonged sitting at computers for work and games e.t.c disc herniations are surely going to become an increasing problem.........

Anyway, on that note, I shall now leave my computer and go for a walk!!!

All the best.

Jayne xx

Hi everyone....unlike most of you, I've joined post-op.

Stupidly I fell out of a tree when I was eleven and didn't know at the time, but suffered trauma to L2, L3, L4 & L5. I Have suffered with lower back pain since. In 2005 had an MRI, and prolapsed discs, L4 & L5 were diagnosed and I was given a cortison epidural. This seemed to do the trick until about 18 months ago when back pain returned and Sciatica kicked in on the left leg. After a couple of visits to the GP I was referred for further examination. Failure of the NHS to get back to me, led me to push my GP for a resolution as work and life was being effected. My GP referred me to a private spinal hospital on the NHS...although I did pay for an MRI to speed things up.

Had Discectomy done 12th march, 2012, at the Peterborough Orthaepedics and spine specialist hospital (OSSH). Originally I was down for a fusion also, but this was deemed to risky. The consultant, is a pioneer in all types of spinal surgery and I feel I must tell you of his very strict regime of recouperation:

No driving at all for 4-6 weeks

No bending, use legs only

week 1 & 2 - waking hours, spend one and a half in bed (must be flat on back, not sofa), the next half hour..potter, make a tea, toilet etc
strip wash only to avoid getting the dressing wet
simple breathing and circulatory exercises only

weeks 3 & 4 - reverse the above, but in the hour and a half up, short non strenuous walking

I will see him again just at the end of the fourth week for a check up and further advice.

When I asked his physio about exercises, he said do not even think about it until after 4 weeks!

Prior to the discectomy and when I imagine the disc finally herniated, the pain was extreme!!!! Following this, the pain in my back subsided and my left leg spasm'd leaving a numb, tingly and sometimes painful buttock, back of thigh and calf, and heel.

The leg is still the same, but am being told this is normal, after all the nerve was trapped for 8 weeks, a friend who is a Dr, said liken it to a hosepipe that has been kinked.

Will post my progress, but would urge anyone who has had or is having this procedure to take it very easy for 4 weeks...it is after all your spine!!!

Best wishes to all you fellow sufferers, as I understand the pain and frustration you are going through.

Cheers Stew;)

Update 5 weeks 5 days post op.

Just a reminder , L5/S1 disc prolapse in 2008, 2 epidurals 12 weeks of physio, further extrusion in July 2011, (1cm paracentral.)..operation Feb 2012....

Need to accept that the nerve has been hammered for 3 and half years. Need to accept that 1cm of disc extrusion has been cut away from the nerve. Need to accept that the nerve needs to settle down. I still have swelling and a large lump at the operation site but this is getting smaller.

I am feeling good but that may be the weather :). I can walk further than my dog, however the dog is pregnant :D.

Sleep isnt good...legs doing weird things.at night. Still on meds, sciatic pain is on and off.

Had physio today and now is the time to loosen up the back. I have been booked in for some 'back classes' at my local hospital. Apparently I will be one of the few who have had surgery, most are pre-op. Its a great idea though, a class of like minded people.

Some great posts on here, all proving that every case is different.

Best of luck to everyone

How is it going Ricky?

Hi Doog,

The physio will make a massive difference to you. Really light stuff so far but its incredible the effect it has. My upper torso was like it had subsided. Didn't feel right since surgery. - today was the first day i woke up feeling good. Obviously i still have bits and bobs along the day but thats life for a while to go yet.

Driving was more of an ordeal than i thought it would be. A week after and i'm still getting used to it. Moving the bed from the sitting room out early next week and gearing up to get back to work.

Back to the garden for chill with the kids. Take care.

Hi guys.....with regards to the numbness and tingling in your leg...is it still the same as before the op?

My foot..mainly the heel, is weird...not exactly painful, but feels as if it is swollen???

Thanks by the way for your posts, this drove me to join the forum, and hopefully give some valued input for anyone else viewing.

One plus is the weather....usually stuck in an office or car, so making the most of it while it lasts!!!

Cheers
Stew:cool:

Hi Stew

I suffered from numbness and pins and needles in my right foot and toes. This sensation had gone the day after the operation but has since returned on occasion (prior to the op it was a permanent fixture).

If I over do things my whole right leg feels heavy, not numb but a strange feeling, almost as if I am dragging it. Sunday was my best day by far, so like you do - I over did it. Now suffering with back pain and mild sciatica that within 24 hours should subside I hope.

It really is a slow process, every step forward usually results in two steps back. Best of luck with your recovery, I am sure within a few months we will be cracking on with our lives.

I just find it odd we have all been given different advice on what to do, or not to do.

Welcome Stew!

Same craic as doog i'm afraid. Great day yesterday - over did it of course and feeling it today. Very hot outside and hard to walk in it but did 2 miles anyway. 🙂

I never got the tingles before or after. I did get that enormous feeling of heavy heavy dull aching legs for the first 3 wks after. Never had it that bad before op.

I'm good good legs wise now but struggling with the right torso and right shoulder / arm.

Enjoy the sunshine!! Your like myself .. normally stuck in a car or an office.

Best wishes and kind regards to all those in 'recovery mode' the very best of luck and good progress in getting your lives back!:)

Take it slow people, you know your own bodies!

Great posts!!:D

SPINELF

post and ramblings edited..not a good week

post and ramblings edited..not a good week

Hi doog - big cybers hugs :hug: - sorry you've been having a bad week.

You might like to look at - if you can bear all the hard-sell ramblings. Enzyme therapy is not too far out of the box and what is contained in this are all proven to help. You might like to give it a go or find something similar marketed here in UK? just a thought.

All the best

post and ramblings edited..not a good week

SORRY TO HEAR THAT DOOG!! 🙁

STAY WITH US THOUGH BUTTY!!:)

HOW YOU ARE NOW??:confused:

SPINELF

Sorry to hear that doog, It seems i'm now left with mid back pain. In physio today again. 1 wk to go to back to work. Its very easy to end up with sciatia again doing the most simplest things. I'm being very careful but have been caught out twice in the last 10 days. It stays for min 2 days before your up and able again.

Keep going. It has to get easier.

Well finally that time has come. I'm back in work tomorrow. Nervous about the driving and sitting but sure life goes on..

A hearty and warm thank you to all who replied during the last 3 months. Apart from family the responses and advice taken from this forum helped enormously - before and after surgery. Its a been a tough road on every front emotionally, mentally and physically. A journey that i'll endeavour never to endure again. So from here on in its focus on keeping active and the back in good shape!

I went into a specialist shop during the week and got fitted for a custom office chair and a car seat. Its time to eat well, exercise and fly straight on the horizon line for a while. I might even do the lotto a little more often.. I think i'm due some good luck!!

I'll keep you updated on how i get on returning to normal life. Doog i hope your keeping well and your taking it easy and returning to good health. Many thanks for the tag team posts - it was good to compare the recovery process. Mind yourself and take care.