Bulging disc and sciatica

[Ered_Lithui]

Well, 2 1/2 weeks into PT with no overall improvement in the leg. Sometimes (usually mornings) the pain seems lessened, but often (generally afternoons on) it's worse. The back pain does seem better overall, which is in keeping with what the neurosurgeon and PT both expected, so I think the exercises are helping in that regard at least.

Now that I'm looking more seriously at surgery, the naturopath/alignment experts in my acquaintance are telling me vociferously that I'm far too young for surgery, should look at fixing my posture, should walk more and avoid sitting; PT is only one non-surgical option; have I tried [X]?; and so on. There are days when I function more or less normally and think, "this isn't bad enough to merit surgery." And then I realize that I still can't ride or play tennis or hop off a low garden wall, and getting out of bed means grabbing a wall in anticipation of a surge of pain -- and I'm overwhelmed by the ridiculousness of the limitations. I come close to tears trying to justify the surgical option when people suggest yet another alternative. Maybe there is more I should do -- walk in the pool, take ibuprofen religiously, get acupuncture. But at what point is it enough?

Well, that update devolved into a whine-fest. Sorry. :/ Thanks for being so understanding earlier.

[yellow]

I was "too young" too (mid 40s).

You'll know if and when it's time. For me it was a question of continuing to be miserable (after having done everything I could to avoid surgery) or having the opportunity to be able to sleep, move, and sit again with less pain.

I'm a better partner, friend, and employee now. I might get shot down for this, but surgery really wasn't all that bad. PITA, yes, but given the result I'd do it again.

[jessmarimba]

Ered - if the surgery is going to be the most successful option, it's definitely worth considering. It's not as if you're having experimental surgery or they aren't sure what's wrong. And from what I read about a microdiscectomy, it was pretty much the first step in what they had to do for my back after I wrecked - remove a piece of bone that was impinging on the nerves. ta-da, remove the source of the pain!

It sounds like a pretty reasonable cause and effect to me. And while recovering from surgery might suck for a few weeks, it's a lot better than having your quality of life suck for an indefinite amount of time. (plus muscle pain from the surgery is much easier to deal with than nerve pain, for sure)

Not trying to persuade you one way or the other, but you've definitely explored other options - no one is going to accuse you of being scalpel-happy.

Good luck, I hope you're doing better! (And I need to check the other thread to see how your bike search is going, I'm halfway looking for a road bike that I can put up with, too)

[Ered_Lithui]

Thanks, guys. If surgery's the solution, that's fine. I want to get back to the land of the living, and waiting another six months is not an option even if I had the patience. The doctor said the nerve damage may be permanent if I wait too long.

As for the bike search, I'm enlisting my (former mechanic) boyfriend to help me with components once I've been fitted for a frame. Unless I luck out on Craigslist, it'll probably be a building project, so I'll update on that thread as things progress.

[itself]

I had L5 S1 surgery six years ago. I totally blew my disc, had radiculopathy down both legs, and oxycontin would even touch the pain.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Spinal Decompression: You go in for a month of visits and put you in machine that decompresses the discs. 80% success rate

2. Chiropractic: Find a good one. Mine has changed my life. We took a photo of my back two weeks ago and the improvement was incredible. Better spacing.

3. Find a good Physical Therapist: What I found important with physical therapy was to add one exercise at a time, to assure it was not causing further pain. Strengthening the core muscles is very important

4. Dr. Yeung: He is teaching all over the country, and does disc replacements. He is in Arizona. He also put the "X" titatnium piece in for folks with stenosis. This opens up the closed canal. He and his father are quite well know, Dr. Chris and Anthony Yeung.

Hope this helps. Stay positive if you can. I don't think anyone can explain how deep back pain goes. It rips you apart. It's unlike any pain I have every experienced.

Heal well...

Lisa

[Ered_Lithui]

I went ahead with the back surgery on Tuesday. The second surgeon confirmed everything the first had said, and was able to schedule me for the surgery less than two weeks after the visit. I'd heard really good things about the second doctor from PTs who have worked with his post-op patients, and was told he's one of the best and that he only does surgery when he thinks it's absolutely necessary. I felt good about the decision going in.

It happened Tuesday afternoon, and that evening I had a few glorious hours when my leg felt free of pain and there was much rejoicing. I walked around grasping the IV pole and feeling great. A few hours later the nerve pain in the leg came back, and it has gotten worse over the past three days. This is not unheard of, and it probably has to do with the fact that the post-surgical inflammation at the site of the procedure is compressing the nerve root. But the nerve itself may also have sustained damage that could take a long time to repair. So I could be in pain for a few more days, or a few more months. Or longer. (No! Thinking happy thoughts.)

Getting out of bed is hell; rolling over is the worst part. I feel knives digging into my flesh and at every point I'm scared about ripping stitches or re-herniating the disc with a wrong move. I'm physically incapable of leaning forward to get up; it's such a bizarre sense of helplessness. Once up I can walk about a bit in accordance with the doctor's instructions.

Fortunately, I have my sister in town for a bit. Her presence has been invaluable, both in terms of moral support and physical assistance getting in and out of bed and fetching water. The hospital sent me home with a fantastic water bottle complete with a straw that runs through the lid. I suppose parents of young children must be familiar with the concept, but I'm really impressed. (Maybe it's the drugs talking here.) It makes taking pills while lying down simple and painless.

The neuropathic painkiller was supposed to kick in yesterday and address the leg pain, but so far no luck there. That's my only cause for concern right now. My back *should* hurt -- they took knives and needles to it and hacked away at disc and bone. But it was all done for the sake of the still-uncooperative leg. I'm attempting to be sanguine.

[yellow]

Ered, it's a tough decision to make and sometimes during recovery you will wonder why the hell you did it. I recovered very well (I had a different surgery...but it was still back surgery, with hardware) I think primarily because of two things: (1) I was 100% faithful with my PT--it pissed me off that I had to spend so much time doing it (when the benefits were often not apparent) but I'm stubborn so I kept at it and (2) I did not expect to be 100% free of pain after surgery. Recovery was a PITA, but it really wasn't that bad (certainly not as bad as the Internet would have you believe). It took me probably 6 weeks to recover from what I will call the surgical pain. Otherwise, gradual improvement. I know that I will need to continue maintenance for the rest of my life.

Pick an episode from the last year in which you either melted down form the pain or couldn't do something because of the pain. Remember how that made you feel mentally and physically. And then remember, with emphasis, that it is in the past and that you are moving on.

My episodes were being able to bend over on a whim to pick something up and not being able to put on my shoes without excruciating pain. I still have some pain and occasional numbness in my right leg, but I can now bend over pretty easily and put on shoes without much thought.

Hang in there and be patient with yourself!