Definitely do not let people baby you, but don't be afraid to ask for help. Also, some planning can avoid putting yourself at risk of further complications. Invest $10-$15 on a "grabber" (essentially a claw on a rod to pick things up). I went my first few days without one, and trust me, while medicated you're very likely to drop something. :) Also, have someone rearrange household items for ease of accessibility; i.e. dishes, refrigerator items, toiletries. Also guided meditation is amazing. I squirm in bed a lot which led to short periods of sleep at a time. Many free podcasts out there, which really helped me relax and get back to sleep. Researching physical therapists is another good idea. Did well doing "at home" PT, but started seeing one just for continuing and advancing exercises (and peace of mind). Be weary though. When you start feeling better, REMEMBER THAT YOU JUST HAD SURGERY! I was ready to return to work within 2 1/2 weeks. Then I sneezed...HARD. Although this was no fault of my own it illustrated to me how trying to return to regular activities could easily reherniate or cause flare ups. Had to discontinue PT and am awaiting an MRI with contrast to see what happened exactly. Sciatic and back pain have returned. Nerve pain is inconsistent, but pain in back is still very real. On another round of oral steroids and back to narcotics. Will keep updated if it is a "flare up" and what to expect.
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so glad to read this post that I wanted to say thank you. I had my surgery, last Friday, I feel great, it is just hard to sit, laying down on my side is fine. Will take all your advice to heart, thank you for taking the trouble to post this info.
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I have had 4 back surgeries in the last 20 years. First one S1 - L5 this was bone fusion and lasted only 6 months....6 months later I had the same surgery but with the hardware and recovered very well and led a normal life doing anything I wanted to do for 10 years and the pain started going down my right leg. I went to therapy for 4 years and the pain was so bad I couldn't function. To stablize I had to have a third surgery with titanium rods from from S1 - L2....recovery was good and the pain in my leg was gone went back to work and within 3 years one of the titanium rods snapped in two. Jan 2011 I had my forth surgery and I am having a hard time with pain management, Bone scan looks very good, fusion looks very good. Sometime muscle scar tissue, cardiovascular tissues and nerve damage can happen. With my first three I didn't have this....multiply surgeries can cause this to happen.
I feel in your case this is absolutly normal as with this type of surgery there is no text book recovery. I think the best thing for you is to keep up with physio and do everything you can to in the way of exercising to lenghten the muscle groups that we cut into. All the very best
I feel in your case this is absolutly normal as with this type of surgery there is no text book recovery. I think the best thing for you is to keep up with physio and do everything you can to in the way of exercising to lenghten the muscle groups that we cut into. All the very best
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It was no trouble to post. I am better. Was a flare up. Scar tissue is building, and still have some swelling at the sight, but nothing abnormal. Actually started back to work today. Taking gradual steps I'm length of shifts and duties. I am a kitchen manager of a catering company in Dallas. Have taken my own chair that helps with posture and have made my work space doable. My apologies to anyone that can't modify their job while healing. But stay active with good posture and work on strengthening your core. If you can't afford a PT, ask your doctor. They should be considered post op visits without a charge. Good luck to all y'all, and don't abuse your meds. Stay smart and stay strong,
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Btw. Roxy Barrows is pheliaphobia is Adrian. Thank you for the advice Dave. Forgot my password and had to log in through Facebook, and my dog's page was open. So... Guess I seem like a complete nut. Lol. Heard a quote that "data is the new soil". So thx everybody for sharing.
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I'm 57 I good shape and athletic. I have L 4 and 5 herniation as well. What did they do? How long your recovery and how are you now?
Kim
Kim
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I'm 57 too, and in fair health. The doctor will go in and free the compressed nerve, if that is the case with your herniation. I had my laminectomy June 16, I am perfectly fine but cannot lift more than 10 lbs, which is creating a problem because I cannot pick up my dog, who has had to be at the dog sitter's for three weeks...the surgery is a breeze, if your injury requires a discectomy or laminectomy don't hesitate, the pain stops with the surgery
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I'm 52 and had Lumbar Laminectomy/Discectomy In Febuary 2012..Have not recover at first after my staples came felt 50% better 5 months later 100% worst! Had a MRI I was told i have fluid and scar tissue on my spine which is causes severe pain numbness #10 pain level shooting pain down my leg, and am over weight! ...,and this is my second surgery! Don't know what to do help!!!
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I'm 58 and have moderate to severe back pain. I've been through physical threaopy and injections. Minor and temporary improvement.
I'm now considering lumbar laminectomy surgery and a fusion. I read your reply on SteadyHealth.com .
A little over seven months later, what are your comments? How long did the pain last? How long to go back to work? Was there improvement? Was it worth it?
Joliet, IL
I'm now considering lumbar laminectomy surgery and a fusion. I read your reply on SteadyHealth.com .
A little over seven months later, what are your comments? How long did the pain last? How long to go back to work? Was there improvement? Was it worth it?
Joliet, IL
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I'm glad I didn't see this board before my surgery (Discectomy). I probably would have been scared out of it. I'm 44 years old and had been suffering with L4/L5 herniated disc for over a year. I also have spondylolistheses and spina biffida occulta. I tried chiropractics/physical therapy/metal corset/shots, etc..... Finally, the leg gave completely out and I was in so much pain that I could barely move. I found an awesome doctor (top 50 neurosurgeons in the country) and he ordered immediate surgery. We were leaving for a 2 week OBX vacation in 3 days. He told me that surgery would not wait for 2 weeks in the condition I was in. He managed to reschedule everything for me so I could have surgery 2 days later on a Thursday morning (outpatient) and I was cleared for the trip to the beach on Sunday. I had to lay on a pillow in the car and get up every couple hours to move around. It was a hard trip but I had lots of pain meds. Immediately after surgery, I could walk again. The doctor told my husband that the nerve was badly mangled and it would take time to heal. It's been 2.5 weeks and I still have some little lightening bolts down the leg and some muscle tightness but I feel fabulous. I HIGHLY recommend anyone with sciatic leg pain due to herniation to get this done! My only concern at this point is that I may have waited to long. I see the doctor in 2 weeks for my follow up. Hopefully I didn't do any permanent damage by waiting so long. Another suggestion I have is to find a good Neurosurgeon for this condition. I screwed around with a Chiropractor and an Orthopedic doctor for over a year and their conservative measures could have cost me my leg. Best of luck to all!!!
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After reading these posts I am scared but grateful to everyone for sharing their story. I'm having bilateral laminectomy L4-L5 next week. Doc says I should be able to go back to work(sitting at a computer for 8 hrs) in a week if someone drives me but that seems highly optimistic to me. I've never had any surgery.
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I am having surgery tomorrow after 2 years of sciatic pain preceeded by several years of other misdiagnosed pains which we are hoping are now all related to the disc. I am excited as it has been a slow downward spiral for me and I am nowhere near the vibrant, energetic, positive person I was in years past. To anyone waiting for or contemplating surgery I strongly recommend acupuncture. Last December I could not sit at all for more than 10 mins at a time without my posterior muscles cramping up, despite over 1 yr of physical therapy. After 4 sessions over 2 weeks I was able to keep the muscles relaxed enough to sit in a chair for a few hours. One session a week for a few more weeks and I was able to sit all day. I continued to stretch and strengthen my core esp while at the computer while contemplating surgery. I still had a lot of pain but I was functional which helped me physically and mentally prepare for surgery. Best non-surgical actions for me: acupuncture, walking twice a day, stretching and strengthening posterior and core muscles. The acupuncture will keep the muscles loose enough to allow you to exercise. I also tried TENS for immediate relief in between acupuncture appts; the relief is temporary but helpful if you have a long car ride or meeting planned. While sitting at the computer do pelvis tilts every once in a while or hula hoops with your hips. A few yoga stretches for that area are cobra, cats and cows, and child pose. Again temporary but gets you through the day and non-invasive. I have heard swimming is very effective but couldn't make it happen. Will try it post-surgery. Good luck to all.
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I had one surgery in 2005 before the surgery I do not know how I managed to stand the pain it was the worst pain I have ever had in my life, but my husband is a T-4 parapilegic who lives his very active life from a wheelchair so I had to dig deep and just keep going I finally had to have the surgery if I was to continue to help my husband. After the surgery it was so much better I did loose the normal feeling when you need to have a bowel movement it is now more like a pressure feeling. It took me about 2 weeks to recovery because I had someone else I had to take care of. In June of 2011 I slipped on some water and fell on the floor and reinjured my back it was a work related injury so I have been dealing with workman comp. It has been over 1 year and surgery in finally schedule for early October the pain is almost unbearable I am scared to death to have another back surgery but can't continue the way I am. I am now in unbearable pain and addicted to the stupid pain medication cant live without it but so tired of taking the stupid medication just to be able to walk. They say it will take about 6 weeks to recover but I have a T-4 para husband who depends on me so Im sure I will dig deep and cut the recovery time in half. Good luck to all of you and God Bless all of you being in constant pain his horrific!!!
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Drink 1-2 glasses of pear juice every day you take pain medication. This gentle, effective laxative is commonly prescribed for infants. Works great for me. Start taking it the first day you start pain meds. Don't wait.
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