Raiza
08-19-2003, 08:59 PM
Hi everyone! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif
I have some questions for those who would like to share their experiences with me. I just under went back surgery 5 weeks ago. L5-S1 herniation. Well, even though it is much better than before surgery, I still have pain. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif
This is how I feel right now: I don't have the arthritis/rheumatoid pain on both of my legs, that is gone. And the horrible throbbing buttock pain is gone also. I have now a different kind of pain, still the nerve pain and the right buttock hurts (and sometimes left) but is not that horrible throbbing sensation anymore. The pain is lower in my buttock tho. Before surgery was coming from higher. Don't know If I am explaining right. Basically goes bellow my right buttock and then goes down to the back of my thigh... and every now and then I feel it a little bit lower down the leg. The first two weeks after surgery, I felt my right foot in pain as if I had twisted my ankle. That is gone now. So I don't know. I thought the nerve pain would be gone after surgery but is not.
I am still taking pain killers. The doc told me to start swinging the pills, such as extending the period of taking it. Right now is every 6 hours, he wants me to take it every 8 hours and then longer until I drop it. But right now, I can't wait two more hours the time I am supposed to take it. I don't understand, perhaps the surgery didn't take? I don't know. Some people say it take months after surgery to start feeling better because of the damaged nerve. The doc says that the nerve had been pressured for 2 years and it will take months (up to a year) before I start feeling better. Perhaps I waited too long to have surgery? Is this familiar to you? How long after surgery did you stop taking pain killers? I have a friend that had back surgery only 10 days ago and he is not taking pain killers anymore. He feels fine. I am 37 years old. I don't have children. My hubby and I were talking about having kids when I was 35 and then I got this herniation. I can't get pregnant if I am still taking pain killers. My doctor is a Neuro Surgeon also and someone recommended him to me. Please let me know if it is normal that after 5 weeks I still have pain. I must tell you though, surgery has made feel such much better.
God Bless you all, and I hope he is healing you as well http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif.
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-19-2003).]
I have some questions for those who would like to share their experiences with me. I just under went back surgery 5 weeks ago. L5-S1 herniation. Well, even though it is much better than before surgery, I still have pain. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif
This is how I feel right now: I don't have the arthritis/rheumatoid pain on both of my legs, that is gone. And the horrible throbbing buttock pain is gone also. I have now a different kind of pain, still the nerve pain and the right buttock hurts (and sometimes left) but is not that horrible throbbing sensation anymore. The pain is lower in my buttock tho. Before surgery was coming from higher. Don't know If I am explaining right. Basically goes bellow my right buttock and then goes down to the back of my thigh... and every now and then I feel it a little bit lower down the leg. The first two weeks after surgery, I felt my right foot in pain as if I had twisted my ankle. That is gone now. So I don't know. I thought the nerve pain would be gone after surgery but is not.
I am still taking pain killers. The doc told me to start swinging the pills, such as extending the period of taking it. Right now is every 6 hours, he wants me to take it every 8 hours and then longer until I drop it. But right now, I can't wait two more hours the time I am supposed to take it. I don't understand, perhaps the surgery didn't take? I don't know. Some people say it take months after surgery to start feeling better because of the damaged nerve. The doc says that the nerve had been pressured for 2 years and it will take months (up to a year) before I start feeling better. Perhaps I waited too long to have surgery? Is this familiar to you? How long after surgery did you stop taking pain killers? I have a friend that had back surgery only 10 days ago and he is not taking pain killers anymore. He feels fine. I am 37 years old. I don't have children. My hubby and I were talking about having kids when I was 35 and then I got this herniation. I can't get pregnant if I am still taking pain killers. My doctor is a Neuro Surgeon also and someone recommended him to me. Please let me know if it is normal that after 5 weeks I still have pain. I must tell you though, surgery has made feel such much better.
God Bless you all, and I hope he is healing you as well http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif.
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-19-2003).]
Sponsor
VPG
08-19-2003, 09:34 PM
Raiza,
Hey hon sorry that your hurting, Glad to though that some of your pain is better than before.
I have been told by my doctors and my PT that it can take months to year to heal nerve damage if it heals at all. So 5 weeks out is not long at all, My last surgery was 4/03 I still take pain killers every couple of hours.
Have you started PT, if not ask your doctor to let you. The heated pool therpy is great, it will get you moving again. And it can be a great help on the pain. Please just don't overdue it.
I am sure you will be back on your feet real soon. Keep your chin up and keeping looking to the future of lotsa kids.
BEST OF LUCK
VPG
Hey hon sorry that your hurting, Glad to though that some of your pain is better than before.
I have been told by my doctors and my PT that it can take months to year to heal nerve damage if it heals at all. So 5 weeks out is not long at all, My last surgery was 4/03 I still take pain killers every couple of hours.
Have you started PT, if not ask your doctor to let you. The heated pool therpy is great, it will get you moving again. And it can be a great help on the pain. Please just don't overdue it.
I am sure you will be back on your feet real soon. Keep your chin up and keeping looking to the future of lotsa kids.
BEST OF LUCK
VPG
TexMich
08-19-2003, 11:01 PM
Hi Raiza,
5 wks is still really early in recovery. Docs (mine was a neurosurgeon too) say it's normal to experience occasional pain up until 150 days or so. The sciatic nerve is healing & nerves heal slow. Also, there was a lot of trauma (to the muscles,etc.) in the incision area during surgery. There will be swelling in that area on & off which causes pressure on the sciatic nerve & therefore sciatic pain radiating downward. Are you 'icing' the incision area? (using a bag of frozen peas works great)- over your shirt for about 10 minutes time - as needed. You can just lay on the flattened out bag of frozen peas if that's comfortable-really helps w/inflammation - & Vioxx or E-Strength Aleve or Advil (etc) WITH food to prevent ulcers- helps w/inflammation too. Ice is great tho because it has no side-effects if used as described above. Also, my experience was that when the inflammation was down (from 'icing' my back- or from Vioxx)- It wasn't long before I didn't need the pain killers at all. My pain was coming from inflammation - maybe most of yours is too at this point?
Are you being very careful & not bending, twisting or picking anything up? (Not taking clothes out of washer/dryer - dishes out of dishwasher, etc? (Do you have a 'grabber' device to pick things up from the floor w/o bending?) You may want to check out the L5-S1 Hemilaminectomy/Microdiscectomy thread (many pgs long)(look up the first one rather than #2 for specific post-op advice- very lengthy but informative)
Lastly, as VPG mentioned, Physical Therapy- at the right time in your recovery- really helps with strengthening & flexibility. It's v-important to strengthen your back muscles & abdominal ones so that your spine doesn't have to do all the supporting- esp in it's current weakened state. Lastly, & forgive me if you already know all this - but proper body mechanics- from now on - is the key to preventing this happening again- for all of us!
Much luck to you!
Laura :)
[This message has been edited by TexMich (edited 08-19-2003).]
5 wks is still really early in recovery. Docs (mine was a neurosurgeon too) say it's normal to experience occasional pain up until 150 days or so. The sciatic nerve is healing & nerves heal slow. Also, there was a lot of trauma (to the muscles,etc.) in the incision area during surgery. There will be swelling in that area on & off which causes pressure on the sciatic nerve & therefore sciatic pain radiating downward. Are you 'icing' the incision area? (using a bag of frozen peas works great)- over your shirt for about 10 minutes time - as needed. You can just lay on the flattened out bag of frozen peas if that's comfortable-really helps w/inflammation - & Vioxx or E-Strength Aleve or Advil (etc) WITH food to prevent ulcers- helps w/inflammation too. Ice is great tho because it has no side-effects if used as described above. Also, my experience was that when the inflammation was down (from 'icing' my back- or from Vioxx)- It wasn't long before I didn't need the pain killers at all. My pain was coming from inflammation - maybe most of yours is too at this point?
Are you being very careful & not bending, twisting or picking anything up? (Not taking clothes out of washer/dryer - dishes out of dishwasher, etc? (Do you have a 'grabber' device to pick things up from the floor w/o bending?) You may want to check out the L5-S1 Hemilaminectomy/Microdiscectomy thread (many pgs long)(look up the first one rather than #2 for specific post-op advice- very lengthy but informative)
Lastly, as VPG mentioned, Physical Therapy- at the right time in your recovery- really helps with strengthening & flexibility. It's v-important to strengthen your back muscles & abdominal ones so that your spine doesn't have to do all the supporting- esp in it's current weakened state. Lastly, & forgive me if you already know all this - but proper body mechanics- from now on - is the key to preventing this happening again- for all of us!
Much luck to you!
Laura :)
[This message has been edited by TexMich (edited 08-19-2003).]
DSH54
08-20-2003, 06:22 AM
Hi Raiza,
If it helps, I had a microdiscectomy five weeks ago too. The really severe pain has gone, but I've still got nerve pain down my butt and leg - which sounds very similar to yours. It's worse if I sit down (especially in a low / soft chair). The advice from my surgeon was to walk at least a couple of hours a day, and to avoid bending and sitting as much as possible (he suggested 'perching on the edge of a bar stool' (hence the new bar stool which looks very odd in our living room!). Otherwise, I've found ice really helpful. I've also bought a kneeling chair, which is brilliant!
I've only managed to cut out the painkillers this week (ice is more effective anyway for me).
My doc gave some good advice - don't forget that you've just had major surgery and these things take time, and don't expect the rest of your life to be like it is today.
Hope this helps!
Best wishes
David
------------------
Back pain since August 2002
PT, TENs, Acupuncture, Massage, Epidural etc - no relief
MicroDiscectomy July 11th 2003- Recovering...
If it helps, I had a microdiscectomy five weeks ago too. The really severe pain has gone, but I've still got nerve pain down my butt and leg - which sounds very similar to yours. It's worse if I sit down (especially in a low / soft chair). The advice from my surgeon was to walk at least a couple of hours a day, and to avoid bending and sitting as much as possible (he suggested 'perching on the edge of a bar stool' (hence the new bar stool which looks very odd in our living room!). Otherwise, I've found ice really helpful. I've also bought a kneeling chair, which is brilliant!
I've only managed to cut out the painkillers this week (ice is more effective anyway for me).
My doc gave some good advice - don't forget that you've just had major surgery and these things take time, and don't expect the rest of your life to be like it is today.
Hope this helps!
Best wishes
David
------------------
Back pain since August 2002
PT, TENs, Acupuncture, Massage, Epidural etc - no relief
MicroDiscectomy July 11th 2003- Recovering...
Raiza
08-20-2003, 02:46 PM
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/idea.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love1.gif
Thanks Guys for all your advises. I will do so.
:round:VPG: thank you. I haven't started PT, but I have started walking. No much though. My doctor say I don't need PT (which is weird) just follow a decent plan for working out. He pointed out the things I should not do. Do you know what are those PT exercises?
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/cool.gifLaura: thank you. You know, I don't have any pain on my back, actually my incision is fine, no pain or swell, it has healed wonderfully. It just itches every now and then. My pain is on my buttocks and legs. Specially the right one where I feel the nerve cable. Doc said the hernia was on my right. My muscles hurt on both legs, I compare the pain with arthritis/rheumatoid (eventho I don't suffer from that but that is how I can explain the pain). I can tell you is better than before surgery but yet is painful. No throbbing pain on buttocks anymore. I will try back the ice like you advised..... I think I haven't been careful so much, I bend too much to pick up stuff. A couple of days ago, I just got the "grabber" you mentioned. I will start using it more.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gifDavid: thank you. Yes, I notice walking helps. I will do it more. Do you have a book where it shows the PT exercises I should do?
I know what all you guys are going through. I guess it will help for me also to stop thinking I want to have a child. I think I get desperate that I won't be able ever to get pregnant if I am one of those unlucky people that won't heal even after surgery and keep taking pain killers.
Again, may God continue to help us all.
Raiza
Thanks Guys for all your advises. I will do so.
:round:VPG: thank you. I haven't started PT, but I have started walking. No much though. My doctor say I don't need PT (which is weird) just follow a decent plan for working out. He pointed out the things I should not do. Do you know what are those PT exercises?
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/cool.gifLaura: thank you. You know, I don't have any pain on my back, actually my incision is fine, no pain or swell, it has healed wonderfully. It just itches every now and then. My pain is on my buttocks and legs. Specially the right one where I feel the nerve cable. Doc said the hernia was on my right. My muscles hurt on both legs, I compare the pain with arthritis/rheumatoid (eventho I don't suffer from that but that is how I can explain the pain). I can tell you is better than before surgery but yet is painful. No throbbing pain on buttocks anymore. I will try back the ice like you advised..... I think I haven't been careful so much, I bend too much to pick up stuff. A couple of days ago, I just got the "grabber" you mentioned. I will start using it more.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gifDavid: thank you. Yes, I notice walking helps. I will do it more. Do you have a book where it shows the PT exercises I should do?
I know what all you guys are going through. I guess it will help for me also to stop thinking I want to have a child. I think I get desperate that I won't be able ever to get pregnant if I am one of those unlucky people that won't heal even after surgery and keep taking pain killers.
Again, may God continue to help us all.
Raiza
TexMich
08-20-2003, 04:38 PM
Raiza,
Just wanted to clarify what I meant about swelling at the incision site. I meant INTERNAL inflammation/swelling, which you may not be able to detect from the outside. That's why ice helps when applied to the incision area - it helps reduce the internal inflammation that's causing pressure on that sciatic nerve running from your back down to your foot. You can have pain anywhere along that sciatic nerve path - usually when there is pressure on the sciatic nerve in the disc area. If ice doesn't help- you may want to ask your doc for Vioxx to take with food for awhile. If you're not on any anti-inflammatory medicine (just pain meds) - you may be happily surprised at the results. Worth a try!
Good luck!
Laura :)
------------------
Mar 2003:Micro-Discectomy w/Hemilaminectomy L5-S1
Prior to that 4 mos of Sciatic pain; left side
Herniated Disc L5/S1
Bulging Disc L4/L5
Just wanted to clarify what I meant about swelling at the incision site. I meant INTERNAL inflammation/swelling, which you may not be able to detect from the outside. That's why ice helps when applied to the incision area - it helps reduce the internal inflammation that's causing pressure on that sciatic nerve running from your back down to your foot. You can have pain anywhere along that sciatic nerve path - usually when there is pressure on the sciatic nerve in the disc area. If ice doesn't help- you may want to ask your doc for Vioxx to take with food for awhile. If you're not on any anti-inflammatory medicine (just pain meds) - you may be happily surprised at the results. Worth a try!
Good luck!
Laura :)
------------------
Mar 2003:Micro-Discectomy w/Hemilaminectomy L5-S1
Prior to that 4 mos of Sciatic pain; left side
Herniated Disc L5/S1
Bulging Disc L4/L5
rlcowboy2
08-20-2003, 06:39 PM
Hey I had a spinal fusion 5 moths ago almost and I still take pain meds, but I do have some other problems, but anyway he should send you to pain managment to continue your pain meds or they will usually try to give you an epederal injection but thats all too soon. I would say its really kinda soon to be getting off the meds, I was on and still am on Oxycontin20mg and 5 mg percocet and then stoped those after 8 weeks and went to Lortab 10 for another 4 weeks,Wow I just think its really soon to be thinking about getting off the meds, but Im not a doctor.
Raiza
08-20-2003, 06:58 PM
Laura:
Yea, I got you. It makes sense. It may be still inflamated deep inside. I have ice on right now. The doc talked to me about VIOXX but I didn't want to buy it because for some reason my insurance didn't cover it and I found out it costs about $300. So he gave me the antiflamatory "Hydrocodone/APAP 7.5/500" to take every 6 hours. That helps while I take it, but when it is getting close to the time I am supposed to take it next, the pain starts getting strong gradually until I can't helped anymore and I take the pill. I just wish it does not happens like too many people taking pills for too many months. The more pills I take, the less probabilities I can get pregnant... u know what I mean? meanwhile my clock is ticking.
rlcowboy2,
Sorry to hear you still with pain. I may be following that road. I don't want to have more epidurals. My doc told me they are not good... and just a camouflage to the real problem. Is your pain getting better after you had your surgery? or it has been constant since then?
thanks guys for your responses.
raiza
Yea, I got you. It makes sense. It may be still inflamated deep inside. I have ice on right now. The doc talked to me about VIOXX but I didn't want to buy it because for some reason my insurance didn't cover it and I found out it costs about $300. So he gave me the antiflamatory "Hydrocodone/APAP 7.5/500" to take every 6 hours. That helps while I take it, but when it is getting close to the time I am supposed to take it next, the pain starts getting strong gradually until I can't helped anymore and I take the pill. I just wish it does not happens like too many people taking pills for too many months. The more pills I take, the less probabilities I can get pregnant... u know what I mean? meanwhile my clock is ticking.
rlcowboy2,
Sorry to hear you still with pain. I may be following that road. I don't want to have more epidurals. My doc told me they are not good... and just a camouflage to the real problem. Is your pain getting better after you had your surgery? or it has been constant since then?
thanks guys for your responses.
raiza
Raiza
08-21-2003, 04:15 PM
Dos and Don'ts
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_down.gif Key NOT TO: DON'T BEND, DON'T LIFT, DON'T SIT, and DON'T DO MUCH AROUND THE HOUSE. For some reason that was hard for me not to do. I think I over did it. I hope I haven't created scar tissue. I guess, if I would have created the scar, It would be getting more painful than getting better. I don't know, I would imagine.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif Key TO DO: ICE IT, ANTI-FLAMATORIES, WALK, TAKE VITAMINS, SPECIALLY VITAMIN "C" TO HEAL. There is a drink called Super Energy Booster "Emer'gen-C and they have different flavors (e.g. Instant Tropical, strawberry) and 1,000 mg. Comes in little bags and you dissolve it in water. Actually I am going to start doing it myself. Why do I know all this and don't do it????!!!!! Cheezzzzeee Luizzzzzz!! :-)
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif This is my 5th week after surgery, and I still have pain. It feels is getting better tho, however, sometimes I can't tell :-(. Unfortunately, it may not be the same feeling tomorrow since this pain is like a rollercoster. I think it is too early to tell.
Ttys guys,
Raiza
*******************************
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif A little bit of History:
August 27, 2001 got hurt (started with R-buttock pain, 2 days later - R-leg pain, 2 days later limping, 2 days later crawling.
:mad: Went to Kaiser (hospital/insurance): A doc told me it was pulled ligament. Another one told me it was in my mind. Others would send me right back home and said: "Don't worry, it will get better". Never did. Then I begged them to see an specialist. I was in tears. After 5 months finally they referred me to one, which sent me back home and said: "It will get better". (#$%&!!)
In 2002 got 3 epidurals. Pain always came back. Second specialist told me that he was not impressed that actually my hernia had gotten better 50%. (How could he say that?)... And also said he could not guarantee me that I was going to be better after surgery, that It may be worse.
December 2002 got last epidural at Kaiser.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif Jan 2003 changed insurance (United Health Care). Tired of Kaiser treating me like if I was crazy.
March 2003, my last epidural was wearing out.
July 2003, again, could hardly walk, move, sit..etc. and a friend told me about my NS. I saw him on July 3 & July 16, I was going through surgery. He said, He could not believe that Kaiser had done this to me. He saw my first MRI Kaiser took me in 2001 and it clearly showed that I needed surgery big time. He said he is amazed my nerves don't seem to be damaged and that I went through hell because of Doctors that didn't care. I guess we will see if my nerves react positively after this surgery.
NOTE: I tell everyone if you are starting to feels these problems, Don't get fooled, and do something soon. The more you wait the worse it is. Don't be afraid of surgery. Now days they know where to go to fix the problem if it is not too late.
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-21-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-21-2003).]
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_down.gif Key NOT TO: DON'T BEND, DON'T LIFT, DON'T SIT, and DON'T DO MUCH AROUND THE HOUSE. For some reason that was hard for me not to do. I think I over did it. I hope I haven't created scar tissue. I guess, if I would have created the scar, It would be getting more painful than getting better. I don't know, I would imagine.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif Key TO DO: ICE IT, ANTI-FLAMATORIES, WALK, TAKE VITAMINS, SPECIALLY VITAMIN "C" TO HEAL. There is a drink called Super Energy Booster "Emer'gen-C and they have different flavors (e.g. Instant Tropical, strawberry) and 1,000 mg. Comes in little bags and you dissolve it in water. Actually I am going to start doing it myself. Why do I know all this and don't do it????!!!!! Cheezzzzeee Luizzzzzz!! :-)
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif This is my 5th week after surgery, and I still have pain. It feels is getting better tho, however, sometimes I can't tell :-(. Unfortunately, it may not be the same feeling tomorrow since this pain is like a rollercoster. I think it is too early to tell.
Ttys guys,
Raiza
*******************************
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif A little bit of History:
August 27, 2001 got hurt (started with R-buttock pain, 2 days later - R-leg pain, 2 days later limping, 2 days later crawling.
:mad: Went to Kaiser (hospital/insurance): A doc told me it was pulled ligament. Another one told me it was in my mind. Others would send me right back home and said: "Don't worry, it will get better". Never did. Then I begged them to see an specialist. I was in tears. After 5 months finally they referred me to one, which sent me back home and said: "It will get better". (#$%&!!)
In 2002 got 3 epidurals. Pain always came back. Second specialist told me that he was not impressed that actually my hernia had gotten better 50%. (How could he say that?)... And also said he could not guarantee me that I was going to be better after surgery, that It may be worse.
December 2002 got last epidural at Kaiser.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif Jan 2003 changed insurance (United Health Care). Tired of Kaiser treating me like if I was crazy.
March 2003, my last epidural was wearing out.
July 2003, again, could hardly walk, move, sit..etc. and a friend told me about my NS. I saw him on July 3 & July 16, I was going through surgery. He said, He could not believe that Kaiser had done this to me. He saw my first MRI Kaiser took me in 2001 and it clearly showed that I needed surgery big time. He said he is amazed my nerves don't seem to be damaged and that I went through hell because of Doctors that didn't care. I guess we will see if my nerves react positively after this surgery.
NOTE: I tell everyone if you are starting to feels these problems, Don't get fooled, and do something soon. The more you wait the worse it is. Don't be afraid of surgery. Now days they know where to go to fix the problem if it is not too late.
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-21-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-21-2003).]
Raiza
08-21-2003, 04:49 PM
oops!
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-21-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-21-2003).]
successtory
08-21-2003, 05:31 PM
Hi Raiza,
Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in here too. The ice everyone has mentioned is essential. With the (internal) swelling down a bit, your nerves will get some 'breathing room'. The general rule of thumb for nerve healing....for every 6 months you have been in pain, it will take one month after surgery to heal (or stop hurting so much). So 2 months/year for every year you have been in pain. That is only a general formula...everyone is different though. It took me over 8 months to finally get control of my pain (to where I can manage 29 out of 30 days a month without pain killers)....and I was in pain for "only" 2 years (yeah...only 2 years of 24/7 pain, funny how perspective changes when it happens to you...huh?)--but I say 'only' because I have seen many here who have far surpassed my measily few years.
Try meditation, or rather (my preference) focus/concentration sessions. This will help you to focus on tasks at hand without the pain getting in your way. Go to the library (or look it up on-line) to pick up a book on how to focus/concentrate or how to meditate. Believe it or not....it is one of the reasons I CAN go 29 days out of 30 without pain killers. Another is try an Acu-Art (acupuncture or acupressure)...even massage therapy may be really helpful.
Just remember that there isn't just ONE cure-all (if there was we would ALL be on THAT bandwagon!) hehe You have to go out there and research everything. Then pick the ones that "ring true" for you. Try doing a search on "Alternative Healing Arts". You will get a tonnage of info of different methods and such that could very well help you get through a day. I also use a TENS unit, I (STILL) ice my back EVERY DAY and I use Biofreeze, massage, acupressure, PT, walking, and I do PELVIC TILTS all day long! While I drive, sit, stand....whenever I feel the need.
I also sit on a TushCush. It is the ONLY thing I can truly sit on without grimacing in pain. I can sit on a park bench with it...drive with it....eat at a restaurant....see a movie....just about anything, but only WITH that TushCush. Another contraption you may want to try is something called "The BackSeat". I can't really give you more info than that...just do some searches to find out costs, and where to buy and such. Reachers/Grabbers are essential. Another thing you may want to try (and it's pretty cheap) is a carpet sweeper. They are non-electrical (so there's no bending to plug into a wall) and will save your sanity on a daily basis (because now you CAN sweep up after your pets/kids/messy persons) hehe.
Another thing re: having kids. My niece has a herniated disk at L5/S1 and she has never had any surgery. She had a very large baby girl last year and it had NO ADVERSE EFFECTS with her herniation! She had "back labor" instead of regular labor due to her herniation...but other than that, she is no better and no worse off since having her 2nd baby (her first one she didn't have the herniation).
OK, that's it for now. Gotta run (yeah right) and go catch my boy before he turns the corner! (not really), anyway....talk to ya later.
------------------
successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.
Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in here too. The ice everyone has mentioned is essential. With the (internal) swelling down a bit, your nerves will get some 'breathing room'. The general rule of thumb for nerve healing....for every 6 months you have been in pain, it will take one month after surgery to heal (or stop hurting so much). So 2 months/year for every year you have been in pain. That is only a general formula...everyone is different though. It took me over 8 months to finally get control of my pain (to where I can manage 29 out of 30 days a month without pain killers)....and I was in pain for "only" 2 years (yeah...only 2 years of 24/7 pain, funny how perspective changes when it happens to you...huh?)--but I say 'only' because I have seen many here who have far surpassed my measily few years.
Try meditation, or rather (my preference) focus/concentration sessions. This will help you to focus on tasks at hand without the pain getting in your way. Go to the library (or look it up on-line) to pick up a book on how to focus/concentrate or how to meditate. Believe it or not....it is one of the reasons I CAN go 29 days out of 30 without pain killers. Another is try an Acu-Art (acupuncture or acupressure)...even massage therapy may be really helpful.
Just remember that there isn't just ONE cure-all (if there was we would ALL be on THAT bandwagon!) hehe You have to go out there and research everything. Then pick the ones that "ring true" for you. Try doing a search on "Alternative Healing Arts". You will get a tonnage of info of different methods and such that could very well help you get through a day. I also use a TENS unit, I (STILL) ice my back EVERY DAY and I use Biofreeze, massage, acupressure, PT, walking, and I do PELVIC TILTS all day long! While I drive, sit, stand....whenever I feel the need.
I also sit on a TushCush. It is the ONLY thing I can truly sit on without grimacing in pain. I can sit on a park bench with it...drive with it....eat at a restaurant....see a movie....just about anything, but only WITH that TushCush. Another contraption you may want to try is something called "The BackSeat". I can't really give you more info than that...just do some searches to find out costs, and where to buy and such. Reachers/Grabbers are essential. Another thing you may want to try (and it's pretty cheap) is a carpet sweeper. They are non-electrical (so there's no bending to plug into a wall) and will save your sanity on a daily basis (because now you CAN sweep up after your pets/kids/messy persons) hehe.
Another thing re: having kids. My niece has a herniated disk at L5/S1 and she has never had any surgery. She had a very large baby girl last year and it had NO ADVERSE EFFECTS with her herniation! She had "back labor" instead of regular labor due to her herniation...but other than that, she is no better and no worse off since having her 2nd baby (her first one she didn't have the herniation).
OK, that's it for now. Gotta run (yeah right) and go catch my boy before he turns the corner! (not really), anyway....talk to ya later.
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successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.
Raiza
08-21-2003, 06:25 PM
successtory:
I am glad you told me all these. I will check out the chair. I may help me too.
Also, I have been wanting to get pregnant since I was 35 (I am now 37). Unfortunately, when my husband & I were ready, I got my hernia and every since then I haven't been able to be off pain killers. The only time I can sore off manage the pain is when I have the "epidural", but doctors go in with X-Ray machines to put the injection. After it wears out, pain is back to square one. My NS told me there is not correlation in having a baby and the hernia that should not affect... and I agree. The problem is that I am still taking anti-inflammatories. He told me to wait until I can manage the pain without pills.
I am so for getting pregnant and I can't wait. That is why my days go by so slowly. I think meditating, like you say, will help. Since I still have pain after surgery, I got kind of depressed. Then I found this forum that actually has helped me to feel better and know that we all heal differently. Hopefully it will get better.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love1.gif
Raiza
I am glad you told me all these. I will check out the chair. I may help me too.
Also, I have been wanting to get pregnant since I was 35 (I am now 37). Unfortunately, when my husband & I were ready, I got my hernia and every since then I haven't been able to be off pain killers. The only time I can sore off manage the pain is when I have the "epidural", but doctors go in with X-Ray machines to put the injection. After it wears out, pain is back to square one. My NS told me there is not correlation in having a baby and the hernia that should not affect... and I agree. The problem is that I am still taking anti-inflammatories. He told me to wait until I can manage the pain without pills.
I am so for getting pregnant and I can't wait. That is why my days go by so slowly. I think meditating, like you say, will help. Since I still have pain after surgery, I got kind of depressed. Then I found this forum that actually has helped me to feel better and know that we all heal differently. Hopefully it will get better.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love1.gif
Raiza
Raiza
08-28-2003, 01:37 PM
Hi luvwindnhair, Laura, David, VPG, Lauren, Daubie, Lucid, and the gang!
How are you guys doing?
I had a really bad night, pain in my leg, pulling of the R toes and buttocks. Almost felt like back to square one. I had to get up at 4 am and take a pain killer.. still didn't work that much and then got up to put ice. That kind of helped better. Right now is 9:30 am and I am in pain.
In the last couple of days I was able to reduced pain killers to twice a day. That made me feel good. I thought: "Wow, perhaps I am getting better".. Well, last night it is all back.
I am depressed, even though NS says to wait 6 months to a year, I feel I will never get better. I can't wait, I am not patience, I am tired and frustrated.
Hope you are doing better than me.
Raiza
7 weeks post/op
How are you guys doing?
I had a really bad night, pain in my leg, pulling of the R toes and buttocks. Almost felt like back to square one. I had to get up at 4 am and take a pain killer.. still didn't work that much and then got up to put ice. That kind of helped better. Right now is 9:30 am and I am in pain.
In the last couple of days I was able to reduced pain killers to twice a day. That made me feel good. I thought: "Wow, perhaps I am getting better".. Well, last night it is all back.
I am depressed, even though NS says to wait 6 months to a year, I feel I will never get better. I can't wait, I am not patience, I am tired and frustrated.
Hope you are doing better than me.
Raiza
7 weeks post/op
daubie
08-28-2003, 02:01 PM
Hi Raiza. Can you say ROLLERCOASTER??? I know exactly how you feel, and it's normal. I have days of almost NO pain, and others I wake up with nerve pain and it's with me all day. I too sometimes take pain killers and get upset because I may have gone a week without them, and then BAM! I know it's discouraging but it will get less and less, mine has. Also, I started wearing an ankle brace to sleep in. Sounds stupid, but my leg/foot would flop over during sleep and stretch the nerve and I would sometimes have really bad foot pain in the morning, waking me up sometimes. I've used the brace for a week and haven't woke up once! You probably slept in a way that stretched your nerve. Anyway, hope this helps, and try not to get too discouraged. Remember, rollercoaster ride for awhile. Take care~ Daubie
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Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
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Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
DSH54
08-28-2003, 08:01 PM
Sorry to hear you've had a bad time over the last few days. I'm still tracking you - Tuesday was a nightmare (drove my other half mad with my moaning about it..) but Wednesday and Thursday have been much better. Friday?? - Who knows?!?
Keep smiling ;)
David
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Back pain since August 2002
PT, TENs, Acupuncture, Massage, Epidural etc - no relief
MicroDiscectomy July 11th 2003- Recovering...
Keep smiling ;)
David
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Back pain since August 2002
PT, TENs, Acupuncture, Massage, Epidural etc - no relief
MicroDiscectomy July 11th 2003- Recovering...