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Post by meeko77 on Jul 7, 2016 22:07:54 GMT
Or any pea-husbands/wives? Or any nurses who work for one? I just have a question since I have to wait 3 weeks to get into the one I have been referred to. It's not extremely in-depth. (I am a nurse so I know the hesitation of answering medical questions for strangers). I am perfectly fine with PM if you don't want to advertise on the board. TIA for any possible help.
Side note: I would also love to hear from anyone who has had a disc extrusion. Specifically extrusion. One pressing on the sciatic nerve is a plus.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jul 7, 2016 23:12:26 GMT
I had a discectomy. I do not know if was an extrusion. It was pushing on my nerve. Surgeon told DH "it took longer to sew her up because we kept waiting for the nerve to bounce back."
I hope you get the relief you are seeking. Nerve pain is a special kind of hell.
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 8, 2016 2:48:56 GMT
I had a discectomy. I do not know if was an extrusion. It was pushing on my nerve. Surgeon told DH "it took longer to sew her up because we kept waiting for the nerve to bounce back." I hope you get the relief you are seeking. Nerve pain is a special kind of hell. Thank you. What I am specifically worried about is how long of a recovery we are talking about, and how good my chances are that this will NOT relapse. It appears (from what my chiropractor said anyway) that surgery is going to probably be necessary. You know when a chiro refuses to adjusts you and actually recommends surgery, it's got to be serious.  |
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Post by gorgeouskid on Jul 8, 2016 3:27:51 GMT
I had a herniated disc that extruded onto my sciatic nerve.
I had laminectomy and discectomy at age 28 and was back to work in 4 months (it would have been 2 if I hadn't been a teacher- stooping and bending wasn't good, according to my neurosurgeon.) I was able to walk up a flight of stairs 24 hours post-op, but that did wipe me out. I was completely back in the swing of things by 5 months post op.
I haven't had a problem since, despite getting to over 145 pounds overweight at one point.
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Post by Patter on Jul 8, 2016 10:28:55 GMT
My daughter had two discectomies within 5 months and then ended up with a spinal fusion 8 weeks later. The disc continued to degenerate after the discectomies so a fusion was the only answer. She was 19 at the time. She still experiences a tiny bit of nerve pain occasionally and some things bother her back but she just had two heart surgeries this year so her back has taken a "back seat" now and the fusion was definitley worth it.
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Post by baslp on Jul 8, 2016 11:25:57 GMT
My husband is a neurosurgeon . Feel free to PM me if you still have questions.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685 
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Post by ginacivey on Jul 8, 2016 11:30:30 GMT
i am continually amazed at the breadth of experiences and help available in this community
gina
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 8:13:56 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2016 12:06:00 GMT
No but I'm sending you thoughts and hugs. I had to wait 3 weeks last year for a biopsy on my cervix and those were the longest 21 days of my life.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on Jul 8, 2016 12:11:51 GMT
My husband had two vertebrae and three disks (C4-C6) removed in his neck and felt 70% in three weeks and 100% in three months.
In his lower back he had a discectomy and felt great within a couple weeks.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Jul 8, 2016 16:16:55 GMT
My sciatic pain was gone before I was out of recovery! You gotta take the good with the bad. My back will never be 100%. I was given 4 weeks leave, I took 2. I should have taken at least 3.
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 8, 2016 17:53:37 GMT
Thank you everyone. I'm on my phone now and hate posting on it, but I'm going to reply to this more tonight when I get to my computer. Thanks so much. <3
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katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
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Post by katybee on Jul 8, 2016 18:42:51 GMT
My sciatic pain was gone before I was out of recovery! You gotta take the good with the bad. My back will never be 100%. I was given 4 weeks leave, I took 2. I should have taken at least 3. This was me. Mine was so bad it was starting to affect my bladder and bowel movements. I lived in CONSTANT pain. I began to lose feeling in my toes. When I woke up, I was amazed. The leg pain I had lived with for over a year was GONE. Of course, I was heavily medicated. But it never came back. I treat my back very kindly. I no longer lift heavy things, I sleep in a different position, I know when I've pushed it too far and know what to do (lots of ice and ibuprofen). I will always have back issues, but thankfully haven't had anything major again. I was pretty much back to normal within a few weeks (although it was summer and was able to be off for 2 months). I hope you find relief soon. |
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Post by annaintx on Jul 8, 2016 18:52:50 GMT
I had a partial discectomy about 10 years ago, at the L4 L5. I remember that for recovery, I wasn't allowed to carry more than 10 lbs at a time. The newest Harry Potter book had just come out, and I went to visit my mom and all I could take on the plane was my laptop computer and that book, LOL. I moved all pots and pans to the dining room table since I wasn't allowed to bend or stoop or anything.
Recovery must have been OK because I don't remember it much. I had a pain patch for a few days, didn't need anything after that. I woke up pain free. I did about 4-6 weeks of physical therapy afterwards.
I sometimes still have some nerve pain, depends if I've overdone it (carrying too much for example) but overall, don't regret the surgery and haven't had any real issues. The doctor's assistant did say that you have to be careful that you don't hurt yourself again, because she had seen too many people go back to "normal" and then re-injure themselves. I don't do rollercoasters anymore, don't do things that may potentially hurt my back. I have noticed that I must walk for exercise, because if I don't, my back does hurt but it's not nerve pain. I also exercise to strengthen my abs and my core, and that has helped tremendously.
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Post by polz on Jul 8, 2016 18:57:45 GMT
I love how the peas know someone who knows someone who can help in nearly every situation. So cool. I consider myself an expert on freakshakes if anyone wants advice about that :-)
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,521
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Post by jayfab on Jul 8, 2016 20:06:37 GMT
I love how the peas know someone who knows someone who can help in nearly every situation. So cool. I consider myself an expert on freakshakes if anyone wants advice about that :-) I KNOW <Elaine shove> it amazes me all the time how much the peas know. Just a wealth of knowledge. |
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Post by Lexica on Jul 8, 2016 21:52:30 GMT
My only advice is do not put this off. I did, and I ended up with permanent nerve damage to where I am on heavy pain medication and always will be. Part of the postponing was my lingering before seeking help, and part was that the neurosurgeon I wanted was on his honeymoon and I chose to wait for him to return rather than go with another surgeon (at the recommendation of my neurologist) I put it off because I was so darned busy at work that I barely had time to take a pee break. We were working overtime at night and on weekends for months.
When I finally got to a point where I knew someone else could step in and finish, I went to the doctor's. By then, I was in bad shape. And when the neurologist wanted me to consult with the surgeon, I again delayed it by asking for physical therapy first. Yeah, I'm not always the best at dealing with my medical stuff. I keep hoping it will just self adjust somehow. Finally, the neurologist told me I was going to lose bowel and bladder control and then the ability to walk. That got my attention. On something like this, you are better to go in right away and make the surgeon's job as easy as possible instead of waiting until you are a total mess. Everyone that read my reports kept saying, "Wow, you have a lot going on in there." which was probably code for "You idiot! Why did you wait so long?" Learn from my stupidity.
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 3:14:11 GMT
I am always amazed at the helpfulness of this community.
So more on my backstory (no pun intended), long story shortened as much as I can:
I had an issue in January where I had some intense back pain, that I can not relate to any injury. It eventually resolved with a course of oral steroids. I did surprisingly well once on the steroids, so no imaging studies were done. I went back to work. (I am a nurse). I also started seeing a chiropractor regularly. I had every intention of also trying to exercise and lose some weight, as I know my weight doesn't help. However, after working my three 12 hour shifts in a row, I was usually too tired and too sore to do much in the way of exercise. Anyway, I would still have occasional mild pain, but nothing too terribly bothersome.
Then a few weeks ago it flared up again. Long story short, oral steroids not doing much this time. I am unable to walk without pain, and most of the time my pain is sciatica, although occasionally it is in my actual low back as well. But almost always in the area just above my ankle. That is the worst pain. That hurts almost all the time. Anyway, finally had a MRI. Just found out it is disc extrusion. So far I have only discussed this with the chiropractor. I see my GP Monday, so I will ask him more, but he is most likely going to defer all my questions for me to ask the neurosurgeon.
My concerns are: how likely this is going to "fix" me as best as it can, as I am not doing well at all with not working. I worry about losing my job from being out too long. But I also just miss it. I feel guilty not working. My wife doesn't make me feel this way. This is all me. Plus it's distressing me not to be able to do housework at all. I am just such a control freak that this is killing me. I am getting depressed. My other concern is I had every intention to become pregnant soon. I am going to be 39 in a few months. Time is not on my side. I can delay for a short time, but not long. I just wonder how long after this will it be safe for me to attempt a pregnancy. I have a higher than average risk of multiple births and I am only 4'11" and am already obese (though I do hope to get some weight off prior).
Again, this community amazes me. Thank you all so so much!!
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 3:48:51 GMT
I had a herniated disc that extruded onto my sciatic nerve. I had laminectomy and discectomy at age 28 and was back to work in 4 months (it would have been 2 if I hadn't been a teacher- stooping and bending wasn't good, according to my neurosurgeon.) I was able to walk up a flight of stairs 24 hours post-op, but that did wipe me out. I was completely back in the swing of things by 5 months post op. I haven't had a problem since, despite getting to over 145 pounds overweight at one point. Thank you! This gives me hope. I am so worried about not getting back to normal activities. Granted, I wish it was faster than that , but I also know I am not good at being a patient. I am a control-freak when it comes to myself. My own critic, etc. I am a nurse. The saying nurses make the worst patients was probably made because of me. UGH. Thank you again. I am glad you have fully recovered. |
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 3:50:01 GMT
My daughter had two discectomies within 5 months and then ended up with a spinal fusion 8 weeks later. The disc continued to degenerate after the discectomies so a fusion was the only answer. She was 19 at the time. She still experiences a tiny bit of nerve pain occasionally and some things bother her back but she just had two heart surgeries this year so her back has taken a "back seat" now and the fusion was definitley worth it. Your poor daughter. That is terrible for someone so young. So sorry to hear about the heart issues. I hope she makes a full recovery very soon. |
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 3:50:40 GMT
My husband had two vertebrae and three disks (C4-C6) removed in his neck and felt 70% in three weeks and 100% in three months. In his lower back he had a discectomy and felt great within a couple weeks. Thank you, that is encouraging. |
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 3:53:21 GMT
My sciatic pain was gone before I was out of recovery! You gotta take the good with the bad. My back will never be 100%. I was given 4 weeks leave, I took 2. I should have taken at least 3. This was me. Mine was so bad it was starting to affect my bladder and bowel movements. I lived in CONSTANT pain. I began to lose feeling in my toes. When I woke up, I was amazed. The leg pain I had lived with for over a year was GONE. Of course, I was heavily medicated. But it never came back. I treat my back very kindly. I no longer lift heavy things, I sleep in a different position, I know when I've pushed it too far and know what to do (lots of ice and ibuprofen). I will always have back issues, but thankfully haven't had anything major again. I was pretty much back to normal within a few weeks (although it was summer and was able to be off for 2 months). I hope you find relief soon. Thank you. Yes, I do plan to always be very careful with my back. It is so encouraging to hear so many stories of successful surgeries. |
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 3:55:17 GMT
I had a partial discectomy about 10 years ago, at the L4 L5. I remember that for recovery, I wasn't allowed to carry more than 10 lbs at a time. The newest Harry Potter book had just come out, and I went to visit my mom and all I could take on the plane was my laptop computer and that book, LOL. I moved all pots and pans to the dining room table since I wasn't allowed to bend or stoop or anything. Recovery must have been OK because I don't remember it much. I had a pain patch for a few days, didn't need anything after that. I woke up pain free. I did about 4-6 weeks of physical therapy afterwards. I sometimes still have some nerve pain, depends if I've overdone it (carrying too much for example) but overall, don't regret the surgery and haven't had any real issues. The doctor's assistant did say that you have to be careful that you don't hurt yourself again, because she had seen too many people go back to "normal" and then re-injure themselves. I don't do rollercoasters anymore, don't do things that may potentially hurt my back. I have noticed that I must walk for exercise, because if I don't, my back does hurt but it's not nerve pain. I also exercise to strengthen my abs and my core, and that has helped tremendously. Oh yeah I plan to be diligent with PT. I for sure have to work on my core. I am already obese, and a weak core. Bad combo for me. I want to change that. I am like you, I am pretty sure roller coasters are now a thing of the past. |
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 3:58:12 GMT
My only advice is do not put this off. I did, and I ended up with permanent nerve damage to where I am on heavy pain medication and always will be. Part of the postponing was my lingering before seeking help, and part was that the neurosurgeon I wanted was on his honeymoon and I chose to wait for him to return rather than go with another surgeon (at the recommendation of my neurologist) I put it off because I was so darned busy at work that I barely had time to take a pee break. We were working overtime at night and on weekends for months. When I finally got to a point where I knew someone else could step in and finish, I went to the doctor's. By then, I was in bad shape. And when the neurologist wanted me to consult with the surgeon, I again delayed it by asking for physical therapy first. Yeah, I'm not always the best at dealing with my medical stuff. I keep hoping it will just self adjust somehow. Finally, the neurologist told me I was going to lose bowel and bladder control and then the ability to walk. That got my attention. On something like this, you are better to go in right away and make the surgeon's job as easy as possible instead of waiting until you are a total mess. Everyone that read my reports kept saying, "Wow, you have a lot going on in there." which was probably code for "You idiot! Why did you wait so long?" Learn from my stupidity. I am so sorry there was permanent nerve damage. That's terrible. The only way I will in any way "put this off" is if the surgeon recommends it or my insurance denies it. I am ready to get this over with. If not for the concerns of not having much longer for childbearing, I would be more willing to try more conservative treatments. But if surgery is how most of these cases end up, that is where I will go. Time is NOT on my side these days. I am also NOT a good patient. |
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 4:01:23 GMT
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Post by meeko77 on Jul 9, 2016 4:03:08 GMT
No but I'm sending you thoughts and hugs. I had to wait 3 weeks last year for a biopsy on my cervix and those were the longest 21 days of my life. Thank you! |
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