Spinal Surgery

[Aprilis]

Has anyone in the land of AB had a lumbar discectomy? What was your experience of the operation/recovery and did it help, was it worth it?

I'm going under the knife on Thursday and, although I am soooo looking forward to the pain relief that I am supposedly going to get, I am, naturally, a bit scared of the whole process and whether it is actually going to work.

TIA

x Aprilis x

[chazza]

Hi
My boyfriend had this a year and a half ago and is in as much pain as ever :-(
He felt great for 2 days after the op (we think the anaesthetic must've still been in his system) and then the pain returned.

Also, make sure you insist on after care, he was dispatched from the hospital the next day and no-one came near him! We had to phone and hassle his own dr surgery to send out a district nurse to change the dressing!

[dustypuss]

I had this op last Monday you will be very sor for a few days but you can live with it . Iv only had the op a week ago and Iv just walk a mile this morning. I was worried over the last few days as the pain ( that was in my foot and leg) had come back worse than ever but it seems quite a lot better to day . as for the op its self it last approx 2hrs, but you wont know any thing about it . the anaesthetic will be in your system for a day or so so dont overdo it rest as much as you can . as fore the outcome of the opp . look at it this way . you will not get better with out it . in fact you may get worse. so what have you got to loos

[daffy654]

My sister had the same procedure about 20 years ago and has been in constant pain ever since.She has to take Dihydracodeine(sp) every day for it. She always says she wishes she'd never had it done. I hope you have a much more positive outcome.

[dragongiraff]

Try getting in touch with the Brain and Spine Foundation - 'Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]

(Though a response by Thursday might be cutting it a bit fine).

Nevertheless Best Wishes and Take Care

[dustypuss]

my dad had it done 20 yrs ago he as fit as a fiddle . he couldn't walk before it now he has no problems he is 80 now so that 20 years pain free . seams like a case of what will be will be! let us know back on this thread in approx 2 weeks

[Aprilis]

Thank you all for your responses.

Chazza, I'm sorry to hear that your boyfriend had such an awful experience. It sounds dreadful. I sincerely hope he has his pain under control now. I am fortunate enough to be going to a private hospital and my consultant is excellent, so I have no concerns about after care.

Dustypuss, thank you for the info on how it went for you. I hope that you make a full and pain free recovery. It really is very early days yet. And you are dead right, it certainly won't get any better if I don't have the op. I have total faith in my surgeon as I have been seeing him on and off for two years. However, it just wouldn't be natural not to be nervous about having one's spine tampered with! It's great to hear that your dad's op was a total success and that he's had all those years pain free. I hope I will be able to say the same one day.

Daffy, I feel for your sister as obviously I can totally empathise with the pain she suffers. I do know that there is a higher success rate for this procedure these days but it does depend on the individual. I will just have to keep my fingers crossed that this works for me. I have been made fully aware that it might not, but such is my pain that I really have to try it.

Dragongiraff, thanks for those contact details and your good wishes. Much appreciated :o)

I'm told that at some point in the not-too-distant future I will be facing a disc replacement op. Now that really IS major surgery and something I am NOT looking foward to! Still, if it means a choice between that or surrendering to definite severe pain for the rest of my naturals, then it will have to be done. But I shall cross that particular bridge when I come to it.

Anyway, all of your responses are appreciated....yes, even negative ones!

[dustypuss]

If your going to have a to replace a disc I suggest one by Des O'Connor . That enough to make any body run

[Aprilis]

lol @ dustypuss.

Don't know which option would be more painful, a Des disc or no disc!

[dustypuss]

my foot stings a little less this morning . started my physio yesterday and started driving again

[chazza]

Thanks, he's just telephoned me to say he's got an appointment with another surgeon as the first one will not see him as a follow up! May mean another operation

Best of luch with yours!

[Scarlett]

Please let us know how you got on and everything!
I was told today that I ought to have this op to remove two prolapsed discs after having 10 years of pain and not being able to walk or stand. I am petrified of it being worse than now. Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you, you brave thing! x

[dustypuss]

SCARLET how can you be worse than not beean able to walk or stand ?

[dustypuss]

PS having two prolapsed discs that just been bloody greedy!

[Scarlett]

dusty- I am in no pain when sat or lying down. I can stand and walk for a short time before pain (like a spasm) sets in. I know that my pain could be a lot worse, and if I had the operation, this is one of the risks.

[dustypuss]

aprilis I bet your home to day .I bet your a bit sore . how you get on .

[Aprilis]

Hello, I'm back!

Came out of hosp on Mon 25th dusty. I've left a long reply for you on your thread where you were enquiring after me.

Been nine days now since the op and I'm doing fine. The pain is subsiding more day by day and there have been no ill effects. The wound is a bit sore and itchy but I'm happy with my progress so far. Still in pain but minor in comparison to before. It's all good so far.