Microdiscectomy L5-S1 - Back Problems Message Board

Maximus53 · 08-03-2003, 09:56 PM

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.

JohnnyBravo · 08-04-2003, 05:38 PM

Hi,

I am about three weeks post op from a micro-d at L45. I still have pain in my left leg as well as burning. I know what you are going through. I scheduled another MRI for this coming Saturday. I really pray that everything is okay, for both of us.

BTW, I am 27.

------------------[list=a] [*] 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.
[/list=a]

photogman · 08-04-2003, 07:02 PM

I can identify with you guys. I had a microdiscectomy on 5-28 and having a ton of pain. I had another MRI today, first part of it today was without die and the second part was with die contrast. About 5 days after surgery I had 3 great days feeling wonderful. I fell asleep at 7pm and my wife didn't wake me until 7am the next morning. I woke up and was in terrific pain and haven't felt good since. I had a nerve root block about 3 weeks ago and then about 1 1/2 weeks ago had an epidural flood. Those didn't do a darn thing for me and may have me feel worse. I'm just starting to maybe, I mean maybe notice a slight pain decrease but maybe I'm hallucinating from the massive amounts of hydrocodone I'm taking. I've got an appt with the neurosurgeon in two days and maybe he can tell me something after the radiologist reads the MRI for him. I wish you luck and hope you get pain relief!