L5-S1 hemilaminectomy with microdiscectomy

[pumaknight]

Hello,

I hope you don't mind me writing in this thread, but I wanted to say thanks to you all.

I am now in my 4th week post op after a Micro Discectomy on a L5 Prolapsed disc.

To read your words, reassured my totally that I am right in the ball park as far as recovery is concerned.

My surgeon has told me that I am making great progress. However, the mind is a terrible thing and I have been worried that the surgery was not a total success. Yep I know, silly!!! But reading experiences of others in the same boat has lifted my spirits.

Thank you.I wish you all a very speedy recovery.

M

[Traweaver]

Good Morning!

Hi M,
You are always welcome to post here. I encourage you to continue and compare notes if you wish!

It must feel good to be 4 weeks post op. I am now 12 days and have learned recovery will have it's ups and dowsn. Saturday I felt great and didn't take any meds at all! Yesterday, I couldn't get comfortable to save my life! I am walking a lot and up and about often. I have read the other post where you gals speak to that guy Rudy. Is he the master of recovery or what? Back to work after 2 weeks. I couldn't imagine going back to work on Wednesday. I too have breaks to lie down and all, however just the demand of the day would take its toll for sure. Does he have secrets he isn't telling!! LOL

Back to the subject of ortho or neuro. I had an orthopedic surgeon do mine. I was warned that they are "bone butchers" which turned my stomach, but my appt. for the neuro doctor of my choice wasn't until April 27th. I just couldn't wait that long.

Diane, I related to the description of the "specialist." I saw the lumbar specialist of his practice, and oh boy, what a pompous ***! When I would complain people would say "You aren't having dinner, he is doing your surgery...if he is good, go with him." I just couldn't though. He was so sarcastic and full of himself. I met with this jerky doctor (well, to give him credit, he didn't give me the run around and sent me to the MRI right away )from Oct.-Feb. In late Feb. I went to see the director of the Emory Spine Center here in Georgia. Dr. Boden is an orthorpedic surgeon as well. What a differnce. He SAT with me and heard me out. He wanted to take new MRI's and we decided surgery
was the way out of pain. He booked me as soon as he could. I had surgery on March 19th. I am happy with my surgery and just wish I could see just how much bone he did cut away to get to my herniation. The doctor said it was a "massive" herniation, so I worry he had to take quite a bit of the lamnia bone away, which would worry me. But heck, I can't see it, so I will think positive that a wee little piece was drilled away!! :wink:

I am so jealous all you gals exercising and getting in shape. Kristen, that IS the same exaxt Yoga DVD. I am so happy to have it, and think it will be perfect for me when easing back into exercising. Did you show it to your PT? Did it get the thumbs up?
Keep up the great work. I sounds like you'll be sporting those bikinis in no time!!

Speaking of exercise. Has anyone heard of the ABswing? I saw an infommercial on it. It said it worked the abs, with NO stress the lower back. I would love something like that. I don't find the 'ol pelvic tilt does the trick, ya know?

Well, off to lie down. Hope you all have a great Monday!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gifTra



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Herniation L4-5
Left Buttock and Leg Pain
Tried Meds, steroid meds, chiropractor, massage, epidural injection, Vax-D treament, Matrix & Tens Unit~ No Relief
Hemilectomy-Discectomy on 3/19~ Awoke Pain Free!!

[ddp11]

Happy Monday Morning everyone!
Welcome pumaknight! You have come to the right place!! How has your recovery been? You sound as though you're right on pace with a lot of us.

Di, your last post was hilarious. Glad you were able to get a few laughs out of your doctor! So many of them seem to have no sense of humor, so it was probably a relief to have a doc. that did have one! Congrats on sitting through a movie!! I did the same thing this past weekend. It's amazing how such a small thing can be such a big accomplishment for us.

Tra, I definitely can relate to your concern about orthos being "bone butchers." I, myself, never had that perception but the day before my surgery, someone actually said to me "Good luck on the butcher's block tomorrow!" To tell you the truth, I have not even thought about how much bone they took out of me. Did you have a hemilaminectomy or a laminectomy? I believe with the "hemi-" they just drill a hole in the lamina and the regular "lami" they take out a large portion--that is what I had. My ortho. specialized in spine surgery, but he didn't have the ego to go along with it, so I was happy about that!

Carol, your training coming up sounds intense - advanced cardiopulmonary life support? WOW!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wow.gif That's good that it will be hands-on, so maybe you won't have to worry about sitting too much.

Tra, I have not heard of that ab thing you were talking about, but it sounds great!! Also, I have not yet asked my PT about the yoga video, but I really think it's fine. Some of the exercises are very similar to those that I do at PT, so that made me realize that the video is probably pretty good. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

I posted on the "Exercise & Fitness" board yesterday to ask about others experiences with Pilates. I have not gotten any responses, but have read some of the other posts--some of those people are brutal to one another!! It doesn't seem nearly as supportive as this "back board" so I think I may just stay put over here. hehe

Well, I'm off to do the stepper and then to PT. Tra, don't worry, your exercising day is coming soon!! Just keep on walking for the time being and before you know it, you'll be out and running again!

Sorry this is so long--I just can't seem to keep my posts short anymore, but at least I'm not alone!

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Kristen

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L4-L5 disc herniation
Leg/butt pain for one year
Laminectomy/Discectomy - 2/12/03

[This message has been edited by ddp11 (edited 03-31-2003).]

[Rosarita]

Good morning,

I'm almost at home alone. I have a little more than a week before surgery and had to stop taking the Motrin. I thought I could be tough and not take anything. Well, that didn't work. The doc prescribed Darvocet-N and it doesn't seem to work as well as the Motrin. Beats nothing.

I'm pouting right now because I planned to see a movie this week but thought better of it. The last time I went I would slide down in the seat, twist about, put my legs on the seat in front of me, stand up, etc. I spent more time trying to get comfortable than I spent on watching the movie. I don't remember what movie it was, so I decided to stay home. I've just been home, home, home. Okay, I'm going to stop this tirade.

Welcome Pumaknight! I haven't had surgery yet but I've learned a lot from these ladies. The support you receive is awesome and you ask whatever questions you want and one of them will answer you. I really because I haven't had surgery yet but I never run out of things to say.

Kristen, my daughter's team won 2nd for Small Military. They're at the end of the competition season and everybody is so happy. She's at school from 6:45am 'til 9:00pm. Most Saturdays she has to be there at 4:00am. She was in 4 dance routines, I told her it was too much, she didn't listen. She's 14 and knows it all. She confessed that it has worn her little body out. GOOD!

My doc said that while I'm in the hospital, they will start my pt. I was so shocked I didn't think to ask him what, but I'm sure it won't be that much. I'm also wondering if I'll be in a corset. See, I'm getting goofy!

I'm signing off and will be checking in later today. Have a wonderful and painfree Monday.

Rosa

[nordon]

Hi everyone!

Welcome, pumaknight! I'm glad you found this board - it has really helped me in getting through my surgery recovery.

Rosa, I'm sorry you're down - I can relate. I'm glad you decided not to go to the movie. It doesn't seem worth it when all you do is squirm. It's depressing, I know, I've cried about 10 gallons over my bad back, but soon you'll be in the recovery phase and will get your life back. Just hang in there. Not taking Motrin is going to be hard - I was taking Vioxx and the couple of days before my surgery I thought I had sprained my toes, when in fact it was the nerve pain unmasked. I woke up after surgery and it was gone.

Well, I think I got everything straightened out with my PT. I just talked to my surgeon's nurse, and she is faxing the order with my surgeon's signiture (actually I bet she'll going to sign his name ) which says I am to begin the work hardening program TOMORROW! Yea! Also, she is going to take care of the short term disability form and the work release form - I'm going back to work on April 15th!!! I'm so excited! I'll still keep the appointment with my surgeon on the 21st, which will be good to check in. Hopefully he won't be pulled away for emergency surgery again. I'll be released with a 50 pound lifting restriction, so that's great. I know people at work will be willing to help me out, too. I can't wait to get back to work! My job is like my hobby, and the people I work with are really great. The only thing I don't look forward to are the 12 hour night shifts that I do a lot... Oh well. I've been working nights since last August, and I'll probably stick with it until the summer, then try to get a different shift rotation.

Tra, I'm glad you're doing well; each day will get better. I noticed my improvement more on a weekly basis. I'd imagine myself and how I'd be able to work, and each week it became more of a reality.

Beware of the informercials, guys! I bought a Torso Track - the most ridiculous purchase ever. It hurt my back, too. And that was before my injury. Well, if they promise that it's good for the back, then that's good.

I'm off to do my PT - I hope you all are doing great, and I'll check in later!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Carol

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Had right pain down butt/leg/toes for over 2 years.
MRI confirmed L5-S1 disc herniation
Discogram confirmed L5-S1 disc tear
Tried chiro, PT, epi steriod injections, more PT... to no avail
Insurance denied IDET
Had L5-S1 hemilaminectomy with microdiscectomy on 2/18/03 - now pain free!!!