Hi. I had a microdiskectomy/laminectomy recently. I'm interested to know if you have had the same experiences I have had. I'll be posting my survey tomorrow. I'm changing the topic title to attract more replies. Please watch for my survey. Ricebird

[This message has been edited by ricebird (edited 08-30-2003).]

ricebird:

I encourage you to read the posts in "L5-S1 Hemilaminectomy with microdisectomy 2" ... You will find many answers to your problems. I am in my 7 week post/op and still have pain and taking anti-inflamatories. Gradually getting better though. Sometimes better days than others. I compare it with a Rollercoaster, only that is not fun http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

That section will take you a little bit to read it since we are going through the third page, I would print it out (that is what I did at the beginning). Even thought it is long, you will find it very entertaining, educating, helpful and you will find a lot of support from us.

Take care,
Raiza

Ricebird, I would take Raiza's advise. However, there is a Part 1 to that thread. It was discontinued when it got too long. Whatever date the recent thread is, part 1 ended on that date, so you can go back and find it. It has about 6 months of data.
Anyway, I had micro-d on 6/6. I had burning foot pain prior to surgery, and for the first 2 weeks after surgery, it was much lighter (I think). As I resumed more activity, it came back. I still have it but within the past couple weeks, I've noticed it comes less often. It is just as severe, but goes away quicker. My therapist used a TENS unit on my leg and it really helps the foot pain. I have one now at home and use it several times a day. It really helps. My doctor told me the pain should go away in time, but the numbness will probably be permanent. I went 16 mos before I had surgery, and waited too long! I did not receive post op instruction except no bending/lifting/squatting, and no baths for a month. I learned a whole lot more here (like how to get out of bed, limit your sitting, etc.) With regards to weakness, my doctor said I didn't have any, but when I went to PT, he showed me how weak my left foot/leg was. He said when the doctor said "no weakness", he was talking in terms of is it severe enough to be considered a symptom. Well, I walk normal so it wasn't. However, my left leg was much weaker than my right when doing exercises etc. It is now pretty much the same as the right because I've done a lot of work with it. Are you in PT? It really helped me a lot, but I think it depends where you go. I went to a place that has one on one. I always saw the same therapist, every time (almost 2 mos, 3 x's a week). I have not had any post op tests.
I think most of us expect too much after surgery. I know my doctor said "2-4 weeks, you'll be doing great! Back to work, resuming normal activities except bending/lifting etc." I've read others that have said the same thing. Well, I think that's hogwash. Maybe the doctors really think this, but being on the thread of laminectomies etc., it's just not true. It seems to me that everyone had their improvement really start in the 3-6 month range. Granted, I improved from the actual surgery in 2-4 weeks, but the symptoms I had the surgery for are taking a lot longer.
Anyway, enough of my story. Hope this helps you in your quest for answers. 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

I am about 6 and a half weeks post op and I still feel like crap. My legs are always burning and my sciatica is killing me. We should all start a rock band and call it "sciatica".

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27 years old computer programmer
April 1996 - Bulging L4/L5 disk from car accident.
October 2002 - Low back pain and pain in left leg.
October 2002 - See chiropractor with minimal relief.
November 2002 - MRI shows L4/L5 moderate disk herniation (left and center)
January 2003 - Try PT for a couple of weeks some relief until chiropractor visit.
February 2003 - Chiropractor does traction, resulting in first instance of numbness in foot.
Late February 2003 and still going - New Physical Therapist, not much relief yet...
March 2003 - Very light pain in right leg in addition to left, EMG suggests nerve damage/irritaion in both legs.
March 2003 - Second MRI shows L4/L5 moderate disk herniation (left and center), slightly larger
April 3, 2003 - Epidural Injection, slight pain relief, more tingling in left leg and right.
April 17, 2003 - Going for second epidural injection.
April 22,2003 - Feeling some relief, started doing exersices from the McKenzie book.
May 1, 2003 - Third epidural injection
May 7, 2003 - Still in pain, less numbness and tingling
June 21, 2003 - Fell in the house, ten times worse.
July 14, 2003 - Had laminectomy / micro-discectomy, decompression of nerves on both sides all done from the left side.
July 23, 2003 - Lots of burning in both legs.
August 8, 2003 - Still feel like crap, PT makes me feel worse.
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Hello, I'm posting this message on behalf of my mother, who just had hemilaminectomy with microdiscectomy. She is still in the rehab center (in California) and is very eager to have the chance to talk to someone (anywhere in the U.S.) who has gone through this recovery phase after the surgery. If anyone on this message board would be willing to have my mother call him or her, please let me know by emailing ar915@yahoo.com. My mother, whose name is Carol, would be ever so grateful. As she is still in the rehab center, she doesn't have access to a computer, so that's why I'm trying to find someone she can speak to over the phone. Many, many thanks!