I had a Micordiscectomy on my back on July 9th. 5 days later I flew out to Minneapolis. I was doing really well with my recovery. My back pain was minimal and I was driving around and I even walked around shopping for antiques with my fiance the whole day. I then had to fly back to NY and then fly back to Minneapolis. Flash forward to today. I had a major setback last week. I was unable to get out of the bed and my back was killing me. I am taking pain killers, anti-inflamatories and muscle relaxers. I am nowhere near as well of as I was 5 days after my surgery. I am slowly getting better. I have started to see a PT and I hope to get better soon. I am only 25 years old, I don't smoke and I am in descent shape. I a really angry and upset. I don't know what is wrong. How can someone go from driving and walking around to being bed ridden and walking around with a walker unable to stand properly without pain for more than 3 minutes and unable to sit comfortable for more than 10 minutes. I am also expirience some pain in my leg (the same leg that hurt before sugery) but I think this is due to my strained calf muscle. Has this happened to anyone else??? please help me and give me your thoughts, opinions and ideas.

Get back to your doctor - you may have re-ruptured the disk. This happens about 5% of the time.

The same thing happened to me in February. I had surgery on L5-S1 and four days later it ruptured again. The second rupture was MUCH worse than the first. Had to have a second surgery. Still trying to recover, but the doc has said I may have permanent nerve damage from the second rupture.

I wish I had more energy to respond in more detail and I wish I had more info about your surgery. I am 20 and still can't beleive this happened to me at my age. I had surgery in febuary and it has been a struggle and a battle physically and emotionally. I had serious leg atrophy from nerve damage and still have problems with my leg 5 months later. I am much better however and at even 3 months I never thought i would get better. You just can't over exert yourself. If you would like i will go into more detail and be more than happy to share my experiences and hwo i delt with the idea of being hurt and all tomorrow. All I want to say is you are not alone, it sucks and just be careful. You have a good chance at recovering and you are very fresh out of surgery. YOu should not be flying or doing any of that stuff. However id o not know the exact procedcure done but i did not even drive for 2 montsh post op. I did not sleep well and became very depressed, I felt I would never get better or ever be the same. I felt crippled and different. I am used to running nad playing sports nad now I can't even bend over and tie my shoes! Well I am coming along slowly and I have started to work out again and I do plan on playing football again at school so just hang in there and do not give up. I have experienced your pain and frustrations and it is hard for anyone at any age but us younger folk have a different outtake on it it think. I know its hard and you wnat to live your life to the fullest and not with this pain and problems. Well anyway take care and I think you should get it checked out but just be careful if you are ok and don't over do things!
-coby

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Chronic back pain for 6 years
Epidurals, PT, occasional relief
Hurt back severely during college football
Ruptured L5 S1 and nerve damage
Hemilaminectomy/Discectomy, medial facectomy on 2-20-03
Pain is getting better every week
Residual numbness and pain in foot, butt, calf
Rehabing at new PT and getting better
Still have numbness and occasional pain in leg
Eric Davis goes to the same PT as me! I'm in good hands!

Suddzrus, I would appreciate it if you would go into more detail because your situation sounds alot like mine and I guess the best lesson learned from your post is that, Yes, it takes a long time to heal from a discectomy and that includes really feeling better and pain relief is slow in coming and that you shouldn't expect too much too soon.

photoman, what is your situation? What did you have done and what happened? HOw long ago did it happen? what symtoms etc? I am around 6 months, just curious so I could get an idea of where you are at.
-Coby

I am in the same boat. I haven't felt much relief since surgery though. And last night I woke up and jumped out of bed for no reason. I really hope that I didn't screw anything up. I had a micro-d on July 14th for an L45 herniation.

Hi there.. sorry to hear your not doing so wel..
I am kind of shocked that you were allowed to drive so soon.I wasn't able to drive for 4 weeks, and then I had some pain on my siatic nerve. I just now started driving with out pain and I am almost 6 weeks post op.( Laminectomy/discectomy)
I would call your surgeon b up and let him know about the pain
Good luck to you
Lisa

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Ruptured L 3-4
Ruptured L 4-5
Possible rupture S-1
Lumbar scoliosis
Laminectomy &
Discetomy-June 30,2003