Discectomy in a week!

[Greg Macquarie]

Hi, I am new to this site and found it on a google search. I first had a prolapsed disc diagnosed in 2006 through an MRI scan. At that time, I was only 27 and the surgeon decided I was too young and to let it heal in time. Well it did eventually get better but my back was never the same! I got constant pain when I did an exercise or over did things and just felt my back would never be the same! I got pregnant and had a baby 27.03.10 and the end of pregnancy was awful with my back (same location) I was crawling up stairs and walking on crutches! Things improved and then one night I was feeding my baby and my back went! No tell tale signs. I instantly knew the feeling! I had to call the doctor out and got a morphine shot. The saga continued until now. I had intense physio which didn't make a difference and then once my medication was under control - felt like I was drugged to the eye balls, I felt I could do a little more. I was taking dihydrocodiene 30mg and 2 paracetamol every 4 hours. Sometimes the dihydrocodiene was doubled. Along with this was diclofenac x3 daily. The diclofenac made a HUGE difference and I wondered if I was getting better so stopped taking it and I guess that gave me the reassurance I needed! Now,my discectomy is a week today and I have had to come off my diclofenac 10 days prior to the op and boy, that tablet makes a huge difference. I am struggling more and more. The surgeon said that because this is a 2nd attack, the likelyhood of it returning over and over again is high. I have a 9 month old baby that I haven't been able to care for for the past 3 months and life is tough. The end is in sight. I don't have any option left but I am still scared!!!

 

[Opepayknine]

Dont be scared blondy! I know thats hard to believe but take heart from us that have gone through the op and woken up problem free.
Your life has been a struggle for so long this is the light at the end of the tunnel for you! Hopefully after your op and recovery time you can get back to a normal life and looking after your baby.
The op wasnt as bad as i feared, i was most nervous waiting for the theatre staff to come and get me. I am so glad i did it, i was up and down all the time before wondering if i should be having it done but its given me back my life and was the best thing i ever did!
very little pain after surgery from op, slight discomfort having to actually lie on wound but i didnt need any more painkillers since the day after op and i was on 28 painkillers a day previously! I am now 3 weeks post op and doing well, almost back to normal, i have been back at my job and working with my horses again, all far sooner than i expected.
Best of luck with your operation, do come back and let us know how it went!

 

[woogieman007]

thanks for your reply. I think the hardest part will be not being able to lift my baby for 6 weeks....I know I don't have any choice. Who knows when I will be back to work as I work with preschool kids in a nursery and work is low down and lots of bending!! Could be a while and also will need to be phase returned. Thanks again and will let you know how it goes!

 

[proospalp]

Hi,

I too am having the op in a weeks time on L4/5. Already been cancelled once due to bed crisis which means I had psyched myself up and then the day before op I had a call to say don't coem in.

I have had a bad back for years, been on tramadol and amitriptyline for last 5 years as well as diclofenic now and again but that upsets my stomach.

Finally I was given an MRI and told that I have got severe disk damaged as well as trapped nerves which is causing my right leg to be pretty much completely numb. The surgeon has agreed to do the discectomy but told me it may be too late to get the feeling back in my leg and that it is unlikely to help with the back pain.

He won't perform a spinal fusion as he feels that at36 I am too young at this will lead to problems hight her in my back, so I am stuck with the pain.

I would be happy just to get some feeling back in my leg as it is a real annoyance to say the least.

So this time next friday I will be in hospital and recovering from my op and hopefully they will let me go home on the Sat.

Laura