Discussion
Well, in a bit of a quandary here. I have a discectomy surgery planned for this Wednesday, after months of S1 nerve pain caused by a bulging disc.
It's been going on since sep 14 and got really bad about 6weeks ago. I went to the GP who referred me to local private consultant who did X-ray and mri.
The disc looked pretty bad and I was recommended the surgery to be done at Cheltenham Nuffield. However, and this isn't just as I am worried, I have little or no pain over the past few days. I can almost do a heel lift on the affected left leg (not fully but then I couldn't feel much of my foot a few weeks ago!), and although I still get some sharp pain, it's nothing like before.
Also, I have not had the extreme pain others seem to suffer and have not really had problems with sleep etc...I do have to keep moving but still managed to cycle 15 miles to work during the pain, so I must be lucky!
I'm going to call the hospital tomorrow to chat with the team, but I just can't help thinking, is it necessary?
Has anyone else had this experience, and what happened? Should I get the surgery over and done with, as it will just come back worse? By the way, I'm 39 if this makes any difference, as I also wonder if the surgery will be inevitable, should I just go ahead?
Thanks.
It's been going on since sep 14 and got really bad about 6weeks ago. I went to the GP who referred me to local private consultant who did X-ray and mri.
The disc looked pretty bad and I was recommended the surgery to be done at Cheltenham Nuffield. However, and this isn't just as I am worried, I have little or no pain over the past few days. I can almost do a heel lift on the affected left leg (not fully but then I couldn't feel much of my foot a few weeks ago!), and although I still get some sharp pain, it's nothing like before.
Also, I have not had the extreme pain others seem to suffer and have not really had problems with sleep etc...I do have to keep moving but still managed to cycle 15 miles to work during the pain, so I must be lucky!
I'm going to call the hospital tomorrow to chat with the team, but I just can't help thinking, is it necessary?
Has anyone else had this experience, and what happened? Should I get the surgery over and done with, as it will just come back worse? By the way, I'm 39 if this makes any difference, as I also wonder if the surgery will be inevitable, should I just go ahead?
Thanks.
Hard to say as your symptoms have got better but ultimately your choice either way.
I had mine done nearly 7 years ago aged 41. Had mild pain for approx. 8 years (caused by over doing the leg extensions in the gym) but nothing that stopped me leading a normal life (played Sunday league, gym, jogged, cycled) but after a football injury pulled a back muscle it rapidly deteriorated (pulled muscle got better but nerve/bulging dics got worse). Had to stop everything & subsequently had the op & have been pain free since (odd twinge but more muscular than nerve). Eventually went back to Sunday league for a few more seasons but now play 5 a-side as well as gym (4 times a week) plus Pilates.
Speak to the hospital about whether to go ahead or not but I would suspect it will flair up again so .....
I had mine done nearly 7 years ago aged 41. Had mild pain for approx. 8 years (caused by over doing the leg extensions in the gym) but nothing that stopped me leading a normal life (played Sunday league, gym, jogged, cycled) but after a football injury pulled a back muscle it rapidly deteriorated (pulled muscle got better but nerve/bulging dics got worse). Had to stop everything & subsequently had the op & have been pain free since (odd twinge but more muscular than nerve). Eventually went back to Sunday league for a few more seasons but now play 5 a-side as well as gym (4 times a week) plus Pilates.
Speak to the hospital about whether to go ahead or not but I would suspect it will flair up again so .....
Long term results from discectomy ops are generally very good. If you've had a remission of symptoms I would generally encourage you to avoid having surgery if you can avoid it. Speak to your consultant and see what they say but the risks involved are, however unlikely, are still risks.
lingus75 said:
Well, in a bit of a quandary here. I have a discectomy surgery planned for this Wednesday, after months of S1 nerve pain caused by a bulging disc.
It's been going on since sep 14 and got really bad about 6weeks ago. I went to the GP who referred me to local private consultant who did X-ray and mri.
The disc looked pretty bad and I was recommended the surgery to be done at Cheltenham Nuffield. However, and this isn't just as I am worried, I have little or no pain over the past few days. I can almost do a heel lift on the affected left leg (not fully but then I couldn't feel much of my foot a few weeks ago!), and although I still get some sharp pain, it's nothing like before.
Also, I have not had the extreme pain others seem to suffer and have not really had problems with sleep etc...I do have to keep moving but still managed to cycle 15 miles to work during the pain, so I must be lucky!
I'm going to call the hospital tomorrow to chat with the team, but I just can't help thinking, is it necessary?
Has anyone else had this experience, and what happened? Should I get the surgery over and done with, as it will just come back worse? By the way, I'm 39 if this makes any difference, as I also wonder if the surgery will be inevitable, should I just go ahead?
Thanks.
My story is very similar. Was booked for an op but seemed to miraculously heal a few days before so in consultation with my Consultant, we agreed to not go ahead with the op.It's been going on since sep 14 and got really bad about 6weeks ago. I went to the GP who referred me to local private consultant who did X-ray and mri.
The disc looked pretty bad and I was recommended the surgery to be done at Cheltenham Nuffield. However, and this isn't just as I am worried, I have little or no pain over the past few days. I can almost do a heel lift on the affected left leg (not fully but then I couldn't feel much of my foot a few weeks ago!), and although I still get some sharp pain, it's nothing like before.
Also, I have not had the extreme pain others seem to suffer and have not really had problems with sleep etc...I do have to keep moving but still managed to cycle 15 miles to work during the pain, so I must be lucky!
I'm going to call the hospital tomorrow to chat with the team, but I just can't help thinking, is it necessary?
Has anyone else had this experience, and what happened? Should I get the surgery over and done with, as it will just come back worse? By the way, I'm 39 if this makes any difference, as I also wonder if the surgery will be inevitable, should I just go ahead?
Thanks.
Five weeks later, I relapsed whilst hoovering out the back of my car. Spent four days in bed in the worst pain of my life. Made my previous bulging disc seem like a walk in the park. Day five I finally had my op and two years on, I'm as right as rain. No more pain!
Everyone is different but with hindsight, I wish I'd have had the op the first time.
My MRI showed my spinal chord was dark (bad news) under a very large bulging disc which was embedding itself into my spinal chord! Above the disc it was white which is good!
Had it done yesterday. Spoke with consultant who looked again at MRI and showed me the area which was bad. Compared against others he stated it needed doing.
The process at the Nuffiled was faultless, amazing staff, recovery and all round care was 100%. Home now with the family, and straight away started to do things normally. Bad idea, as although I didn't tweak anything I remembered that I was told quite sternly to do nothing but move about for a while and no bending, lifting or sitting for prolonged length of time.
So, glad I had it done, all went well and feel lucky I had a smooth process. Time will tell if it makes everything better, but fingers crossed!
The process at the Nuffiled was faultless, amazing staff, recovery and all round care was 100%. Home now with the family, and straight away started to do things normally. Bad idea, as although I didn't tweak anything I remembered that I was told quite sternly to do nothing but move about for a while and no bending, lifting or sitting for prolonged length of time.
So, glad I had it done, all went well and feel lucky I had a smooth process. Time will tell if it makes everything better, but fingers crossed!
Well, day two and everything is so positive its a bit strange. I went for a walk, and feel so strong already (one day out of hospital), if it wasn't for the hospital ringing to check up on me I would have gone further. They didn't seem happy that I was not at home, but I feel so good I thought it would be okay.
Got to put the stockings back on and rest up immediately!
Got to put the stockings back on and rest up immediately!
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