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 (new member)Help Pleaze! bulging disc
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Sunny D Newbie  Posts: 1 |
posted 04-19-2003 05:55 PM
  
Hi all, I'm hoping someone can help me Pleeazze! I am 29 yrs old with 3 children. I have suffered with lower back pain for about 5-6 yrs now, with occasional pains in the leg/s. This has always been put down to sciatica, 6 mths ago I was closing the curtains (of all things lol)and got a sharp pain. which left me so I could hardly move. I thought go to bed for a few days It'll be bearable again, as had worked before. But it didnt happen and the more I tried to carry on the more pain I was in, eventually I learnt to accept that I could'nt do most stuff anymore. And my husband was having to do more and more, plus working full time!. I could'nt even go shopping, as I couldnt stand up for long enough. I could'nt bear the pain after about 5 mins,and I felt ashamed of the way I was standing, now I am managing 10-15 mins! yay!. I waited 4 mths for an MRI scan which shows I have a large bulging disc EEK!,I went for a consultation with the surgeon tuesday gone and I am TERRIFIED!!at the thought of an op. I asked if there were any lflt's etc to help to encourage me to do what I thought was right. But I am really confused as there was no help available, which is how I come across you guy's. You's are great, the help that has been given on this site. Now he has left me with the decision and I really want to say NO! just to stop me from worrying ,as as far as I can gather I could end up being left worse anyway. But I feel really guilty on my husband then, as he has some time off now, due to stress understandably, as he's doing almost everything I used to do plus working fulltime. He returns to work though 29th. I feel like I would be being selfish if I did'nt get the op and just relying on him to do everything. Although, the doctor has put me on trial with Voltarol and I am not leaning right over to the side as bad any more or arched over as much as I used to, and the pt dept has loaned me a tens machine. Can anyone help I'm soooo confused by it all as you can probably see. I don't know what is the right thing to do, also I am only getting ssp from my work I have been off 6 mths almost, and don't even know about benefits or anything. I do apologise if this turns out long and I go on, and I Thankyou in advance for any help I recieve (hopefully) on here. Thanx Sunny D xxx [This message has been edited by Sunny D (edited 04-19-2003).] IP: Logged |
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hawks066 Member Posts: 49 |
posted 04-19-2003 10:03 PM
Hello It will come to the point where the pain makes the decision for you. If you've been suffering for 6 months or more and have tried all conservative care, I would consider the surgery. I had 2 op's 5 weeks apart. The first surgery, a micro endoscopic discectomy, failed for one reason or another and it did leave me in worse pain 3 weeks after it. I either reherniated or my surgeon missed a piece. The second was 5 weeks later and I am in better condition then before the first one and after it. I am not 100 %, but it's only been 8 weeks. I don't plan on being 100 % but I hope to get to 95 %. One can only live in pain for so long. I do have some pain still, but for the most part, i'm in good shape.. Hope the helps. Take Care IP: Logged |
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out2lunch Senior Member Posts: 198 |
posted 04-19-2003 11:47 PM
Hi Sunny D, welcome!! I really wish I could tell you what you should do, but you're the only one that can answer that one! You have to ask question after question and way the pro's and con's til you're satisfied with the decision. I am practically like you. I have bulging discs in my cervical and lumbar spine, from a car accident almost 5yrs ago. I also have 3 children and a hubby that works long hours to make ends meet and takes care of things I can no longer do here! Yet, there's never been any dr to offer me surgery! I'm told to take pain meds and pace myself! I even had one dr tell me "I'm sorry but surgeons only fix what's broke and your spine's only severely cracked"!! Nice eh?? Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with your decision! Only you can make it and I know you'll figure out the right one for you eventually! By all means, please don't do this surgery for anyone but YOU! Take care and keep us posted!! I'll be praying for you!!! ------------------ IP: Logged |
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etoile du nord Senior Member Posts: 135 |
posted 04-20-2003 04:25 AM
Hi Sunny D, Sounds like you're having quite a lot of pain. Sorry to hear that.  I had pretty bad pain for about 2 years when I finally decided to go ahead with getting surgery, and I am SO glad that I did. It's been almost 9 weeks now and I'm back to work, walking the dog, doing things that were painful before... I would advise you to get a second opinion about your MRI and find a good surgeon. What kind of surgery did you doctor recommend? Also if you plan to get the surgery, plan for about 2 months off from work and you'll need a lot of help especially the first 4 weeks when you won't be able to do anything for yourself (well, major things). Come see the topic "L5 S1 hemilaminectomy with microdiscectomy" - there's quite a bit to read, but there are great people there who have had surgeries that have been mostly successful. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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HNPatL4L5 Member Posts: 60 |
posted 04-20-2003 09:18 AM
Welcome Sunny D!  I also had sciatica (episodes ranging from intense pain for 2 weeks to moderate pain for 3 months) before I had a large herniation at L4-L5 last September. I was terrified of surgery so toughed it out for 6 months with oral steroids at first, then massive doses of ibuprofen and physical therapy. I could only spend about 4 hours a day vertical (sitting, standing, or walking -- could walk on the best days only for 15 minutes). But I didn't schedule surgery until a reherniation left me able to spend only 1 hour a day vertical. I really appreciate all the help family members gave me those 6 months. I was driven to and from work (it is an hour from my home), my beloved took over all domestic responsibilities (but I don't have children, so your situation is much more difficult), and my work load was lightened so I could work half days (since Jan). I'm really glad noone rushed me into surgery. Take your time with this decision. IP: Logged |
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oakleygirl Member Posts: 31 |
posted 04-20-2003 10:25 AM
Sunny D- You are getting some good advice here. Listen to your body, continue your research, and you will know when the time is right for surgery. FYI - It was approximately 6 months after I herniated my disk that I capitulated and had a micro-diskectomy. The recovery is not that bad, and I saw immediate results from the leg pain. But, if your main problem is back pain, a microdisckectomy will not help. I am still battling major back pain. My neuro told me it would not help the back pain, but I think the butt/leg pain was masking just how much my back hurt, too. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. And, ask all the questions you can! IP: Logged |
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