Any back surgery survivors out there?

[ob]

I'm scheduled for micro surgery Thursday to relieve a ruptured disc between L4 and L5 that's pressing on some nerves within the nerve canal.Old injury that's been intermittedly haunting me for some years and has come to a crossroads that the neuro surgeon and orhtopedic surgeon agree on that needs immediate attention.Some words of encouragement would be nice but horror stories are welcomed.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

I had a swelling in the L4 L5 area as well from operating a scrapper 60 hours a week that caused pain in my leg (siatic nerve). They removed part of the disk and the pain in the leg went away. But the back pain started and still hurts very bad at times, very bad!(have to roll out of bed and can't stand up straight for awhile) I got a hottub and that is better than any pill I ever took.

Would I do it again? Yes I would.

HTH, and the best of luck to you.

 

[PW2]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

I had surgery on my back roughly 30 years ago, before CT scans and MRI's.

They found I had an old cracked vertebrae (old football injury) with calcium deposits that restricted the nerve that went from the back to the leg. A bulged disc from favoring it put me down for the count.

After grinding a new, bigger path for the nerve, and shaving the disc some, it's been mostly pain free for all these years. It acts up a little from time to time, but excercises stolen from an industrial back therapist make quick work of any lingering pain.

Caught a 25 lb salmon just 5 weeks out of surgery!

Good luck

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

Had surgery in that area almost 2 years ago. Could hardly raise my arm due to nerve pinching. Two disks fused with bone and metal plate inserted. They went through front of my neck. I felt relief right away, I have to say I feel no limitations to what I can do now. The biggest thing is to follow Dr's. instruction to heal properly.Think positived

 

[heycods]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

Had surgery in that area almost 2 years ago. Could hardly raise my arm due to nerve pinching. Two disks fused with bone and metal plate inserted. They went through front of my neck. I felt relief right away, I have to say I feel no limitations to what I can do now. The biggest thing is to follow Dr's. instruction to heal properly.Think positived

I had that one too and it was a great sucess, but I think hes talking lumbar 4and 5 in lower back, and I had that one too. It done away with the nerve pain, but the back is certainly not 100%. But I would definatly have it again just to get rid of the siatic nerve pain.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

Had the same micro surgery done on my L5-S1 disk 3 years ago. It got rid of the leg pain, for the most part but I suffer from leg cramps on occasion now. I would absoloutly do it again if for nothing but to get rid of the pain. I'm 100% better than I was with about 70% of the ability I should have. I lived on pain pills and muscle relaxers for a few months before the surgery but have not had even one since the day I walked out of the hospital.

You'll be fine "Get er Done" 8)

 

[ob]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

That's some encouraging input guys.Having a hell of a time resting tonight.The back itself eased up a few days ago ,but this rear thigh and calf aching is the pits.That even eases when I get up and walk around a bit.Now if I could just figure out how to sleep walk till Thursday evening....

 

[Fishin' Jeff]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

ob,
I had problems in my neck area. Shooting, stabbing pain that originated in the back of my shoulder blade and continued down my right arm, and ended up making my right thumb and forefinger numb. I tried physical therapy, chiropractors and pain pills, and nothing seemed to help. As soon as I woke up from surgery, no pain whatsoever! I had c5 and c6 fused with a metal plate, and they went through the front of my neck as well. Man, nothing hurts like nerve pain! I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy! Anyway, since the surgery, all is well! Almost no "recovery" time and no limitations. It might be a little different as your problem is lower, but be sure and follow your doc's advice. Physical therapy did give me a few exercises that helped with my posture, so pay attention when you get P.T.

 

[Fishin' Jeff]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

Attach a cement block to your hunting boots, put your boots on laced up nice and tight, and hang the block over the side of your bed, suspended in mid air. Sounds crazy, but the weight might pull your vertebrae apart a little, enough to give you some relief.

 

[i386]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

I haven't had it yet but I expect I'll have to one day. I have the same lower back problem that pinches the sciatic nerve.

I find that it gives me the most trouble when I do a lot of sitting. When I'm doing a lot of outside work and standing up a lot it hardly gives me any trouble at all. I also find that walking helps.

Ibuprofen or Aleve does help.


For neck pain I have found the new curvy foam pillow helps tremendously. Almost cured my snoring too. She calls it my "old man pillow" (I'm 37) but I don't care.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

ob, sorry your in so much pain. The surgery should provide some well needed relief. Anytime you have to have surgery, especially on your back its a bit frightening. Follow the docs orders and you'll be healed up and feel better in no time flat. Hopefully, you'll be home for Christmas.

Best of luck to you on the surgery and recovery. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

Oops, missed the part about lower back. But the nerve pinching is tuff to go through. I had it off and on for over a year, more constant as time went on. Tried everything before surgery but it took that to get relief. My arm pain was so bad I made a couple trips to er thinking it was a heart attack. Would not hesitate to do it again, good luck.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

Don't know what to think about someone who had back surgery and now calls himself "all thumbs". Good luck ob and hope you're back in action real quick.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

In 1988 I had a total discectomy L5/S1 with a cancellous block implant and bone fusion.Went back to work after 6 months.Even now as long as I keep the heavy stuff above the waist all is well.

Good luck with yours.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

No words of panacea. Just the facts, both good and bad.
But that's more important than lying to ya. And It should encourage you.

1998 for me, samey-same as the surgery you are facing. I injured my back at werk, werker's comp forced me to live in that pain for 6 months, until I took care of the problem myself, thru my primary care physician's referal to a back specialist.
The MRI (something that the werker's comp bastids WOULD NOT DO COME HELL OR HIGH WATER), revealed a herniated disc, and I was sceduled for micro surgery on the third vert two weeks later.
I went under in that all too familiar pain (and i know you can relate to that pain).... I woke up with a sore back, -- but that pain was GONE. The sciatica (numb right leg/foot) has never really gone away completely, but has diminished to a level hardly noticable.... Your doc probably told you this may happen... Well, if it does, don't sweat it.

The surgery, as wonderfull a life-change as it was, is and never will be a "cure" for my condition. As your body ages, these weak points will surface, and they only progressively take over as you age.... i tore two of the three ligament in my upper right arm last year trying to do something I have always done in the past....

No magic bullets, man. The doctor told me my back would never be the same, that my dirt-bikin / water-skining days were over for the most part.
I have done several stupid things since the operation and my back told me 'bout my idiocy in no uncertain terms -- at least a week down each time, feeling as bad as i ever had before. If not my back, some other body part

THIS is what you are in for, OB.. All said and done, I have my life back. But (and that's a mighty big but), I have to be carefull..No sudden twisting.,.. No pullling the bow hook that last two feet to the trailer's tounge roller... No herc'ing sheets of drywall by myself.... No more swift bends-over to tie my shoes... Slow-n-easy does it. Just like many other old farts like me. I baby my back, and life is realtively painless.
You go, OB. When you wake up on that table, you'll feel the hole in your back, and be thanking God and the surgeon. The relief is just that apparent as soon as you come-to!
Just follow his instructions for life after the knife, and it's a new world.

 

[ob]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

Wow.Didn't expect so much input on the surgery bit.I honestly appreciate all of the comments and shared experiences.Finally got some shuteye for a few hours this am.Couldn't sit confortably much today ,so I hobbled around verticle for a spell on and off today and got some relief.As mentioned above,it's difficult sitting for any length of time but all in all has been a better day than the previous two.Foot is still numb though and right leg is significantly weaker than two weeks ago.Damn ,just less than a month ago I could do 50+ toe lifts on my right leg and can't do a single one now without arm pull assistance.Suddenly my busted heel leg is pulling the load.Well......enough whining for one day.I'm hoping the procedure is a hit so I can forge on.Again ,thanks for everyones comments and kind words.

 

[rwise]

Re: Any back surgery survivors out there?

back in 98 I had 2 level fusion with the implants, I would stay away from the implants if I had it to do over but I am thankful to be able to walk! And walking is part of the recovery, today I can do almost anything I did before just not as fast. Oh I had the implants removed and show them to those who are facing surgery and are thinking of going with the implants, they change there mind and with out them! What you are facing is not that bad (still bad from where you are looking at it) and things have improved since then. Doing anything for a long time is out of the question for me, still I can walk and do whatever I want for an hour or so (depending on what it is I am doing). You'll be fine, get better fast and get to walking