Had Nucleoplasty Yesterday

Kimdoc · 07-24-2003, 10:40 AM

Hi all, just thought I would let you know how my coblation nucleoplasty went last night and to answer some of the questions that you guys had (kennethhoff & gharari).

First, I have to say if you are going to have nucleoplasty, PLEASE find a doctor who does it with the coblation technique - not just regular nucleoplasty. When you read my story and then read others who have had regular nucleoplasty - our stories will be like night and day.

I had the procedure done about 7:00 p.m. last night. The procedure lasted about a total of 10 mins. I think I had the most mild sedation ever, because I remember every bit of it. I felt a bit of calmness, but that's about it. The doctor went in from one side (right) and made 6 passes through the disc. I felt him stick the initial needle in (Ouch!) but did not feel it when he was making the passes with the wand. If anyone had a discogram without any sedation, It felt exactly like it did when he doctor put the initial needles in for the discogram.

I was suppose to have 2 levles done yesterday (L3-4 & L4-5), but he decided to only do one level now and the other level in 2 weeks. He thought I would have a better chance at success this way because my herniations where pretty big.

After the procedure, I got dressed and put my brace on. I was given a prescription for oxycodone (pain) and cephalexin (antibiotic) - just to make sure I don't get an infection. I do not need to take the oxycodone. Immediately after the procedure I started getting pain down the front and back of my right leg, to the ankle (I have never had pain there before - it was always my left leg). The doctor said that they might have temporarly irritated something and to call them today. This morning the pain is gone.

I really have no restrictions after the procedure. I have to wear the brace for 2 weeks. Although I am taking it extremely easy for the next 4 day, I can do all my pre-procedure activities. It's hard to tell if the pain has gone away because I am still a little sore from where the needle was put in. In my situation, I have 2 herniations and a collapsed disc, each produce a specific type of pain, so it will be interesting to see if the pain from that disc has gone away. I was told it might be 2 days to 2 weeks before I might notice a difference.

I can honestly say that from reading other peoples postings about their experience after the procedure, that I am having none of those problems. I can easily walk around, shower, dress, make my meals, sit, everything. I am being very cautions about bending and twisting. But I feel absolutely fine. I am in no extra pain whatsoever.

As of now, I plan on returning to work on Monday. I am going to call the doctor today because between driving and my time at the job I sit for approximaly 9 hours a day. I want to make sure this does not irritate it. I will keep everyone informed of my condition and if I experience any changes.

I know a lot of people who read this may be shocked at the experience that I had with this. If you have any questions about it PLEASE write me and let me know. I would love to answer any of your questions. If you want my doctors name and # I can give you that also.

Thanks again for everyone's advice before my procedure.

- Kim

CMacL · 07-24-2003, 01:40 PM

Hi Kim,
Sounds like your procedure went really well. Hope everything continues on the same path. I am one week past coblation & nerve block, and still have sciatic pain into the back of my thigh. I'm best in an upright, standing position,and am very limited as to what I can do. Driving is tough, and I try to keep it short distances. I did not take the roxicodone either. Are you taking Bextra? I went back to advil, as it works the best for me. Am also trying MSM, which I read about on this site. Keep us posted on your recovery. Regardless of your pain, or lack of, go slow this weekend. My pain actually got a little worse at first, which is to be expected. Good Luck!
Carol

khoff · 07-24-2003, 01:51 PM

KimDoc -

I am very happy things went well for you and I hope they continue. My feeling has always been that experiences of procedures differ from person to person because of the condition they were in before the procedure. Some had major hernaitions, or DDD, or prior surgeries. Mine is a small-central herniation of L5-S1 according to my MRI.
I am wondering if you asked how many passes your doctor makes/made and/or how much disk nucleus he removes?

Kimdoc · 07-24-2003, 01:56 PM

Ken -

Sorry, I thought I already posted it. I did ask, and they made 6 passes through the disk and only went in through one side (right side). I don't know how much nucelus was removed. I'm having the second disc done on August 11th. So I can find out more then. I will keep everyone posted.

Kimdoc · 07-24-2003, 02:00 PM

Carol -

I am definiately going to take it easy for the next 4 days while I am at home. I am actually not taking anything for the pain right now. I am only taking the antibiotic. I stopped taking all of my meds back in March because I realized I was not feeling any better on them then I was off and I was just killing my liver by taking all those pills. I actually lost 10lbs in 3 weeks when I stopped taking the meds. Amazing how much they clog your liver. I used to take Bexta but it killed my stomach, I felt horrible when I took it. I only take pain med when I am in ungodly pain, otherwise I just suffer through it. I will keep you updated on my recovery. Please do the same with yours and let me know how it goes when you go back to your doctor for a follow up.