L5-S1 Hemilaminectomy with microdisectomy 2

daubie

Hi all. Wow, is my computer dragging tonite. Hopefully I remember everything, but I'm not toggling back to see cause it's taking 5 minutes to switch screens! Making that high speed internet look better and better!
Rosa~ I know what you mean about "I'll do it later" and it never gets done. Urgh. But, I still let it go and wait for someone to do it. Like feeding my dog every nite. Have to ask sometimes 3 times before it gets done. Oh well, usually hubby is pretty good, so I guess I can't complain. But, I definately can relate. We're just so used to doing things ourselves that it is annoying to have to rely on others for simple things. This too, shall pass (whatever that means!). Hope you're feeling good today!
Butler, thanks for the flowers! Are you a fellow Micro-D???
~Thom, how was your first day back? Tired??? That's great that you're walking so much. I still haven't been able to get into that, but I do my PT exercises religiously. My pain originally was left butt down back of leg into foot. Then after 3 ESI's, the butt and leg pain got a lot better, but the foot and calf numbness were a constant, and I daily had the burning foot pain as the day wore on. Since returning to work after surgery, I still have the burning foot pain, although I must say it is getting better. When I get it, it is still as severe, but lasts not as long, and doesn't come as often. I credit a lot of that to PT and Tens unit. PT has been doing ultrasound every time on the nerve (left and right leg). He is really working on trying to loosen the nerve up so it doesn't send that darn signal. He also told me the other day that this is relatively new therapy (I guess I'm kind of like a guinea pig!) He told me I was a perfect candidate for them to practice their technique on. That's ok with me, cause I am definately no worse for wear, and do think I'm getting better. As far as any new sensations, yes I do have some. A lot of times I have a buzzing sensation in my foot where it's really numb. This started about 2 weeks ago. I explained to PT that it feels like sometimes I still have the tens on, when I don't. He was very excited to hear this and says it is definately a good sign. However, it doesn't burn like my regular pain does. If you are just developing the burning pain, I would suggest you slow down. Maybe walk a little less if that's when you get it. He told me if I'm doing anything that brings the pain on, to stop because I am irritating the nerve. The only thing that consistently brings on the pain is driving, and I can't stop that, so he has me doing an exercise to help (and I think it is. Sometimes I can drive all the way home without pain, and I never could before). Am I rambling??? The new shoes really really help too.
Anyway, I think I've taken lessons from Laura on how to write a book!!! (smile)
Take care everyone~ Daubie

------------------
Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03

__________________
Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief, but constant foot pain and numbness continued
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
9/5/03 still have foot pain and numbness but recovered fine from surgery
1/19/04 I am 7 mos post op. I still have the same foot pain as before surgery. Doc agrees it is probably permanent nerve damage. Started neurontin this week. Still glad I had the surgery though!

daubie

Thom, oh yea, I use the tens behind the ankle and above (and behind) the knee. Anywhere along the nerve pretty much. Hope this helps...

__________________
Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief, but constant foot pain and numbness continued
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
9/5/03 still have foot pain and numbness but recovered fine from surgery
1/19/04 I am 7 mos post op. I still have the same foot pain as before surgery. Doc agrees it is probably permanent nerve damage. Started neurontin this week. Still glad I had the surgery though!

Rosarita

Hello gang,

Just a short note to say "hello." The heat is really wiping me out and that's with the air conditioning running. My husband says that when I go and see my doctor Sept. 9, I'm to ask for PT. I'm still having trouble with simple things like getting out of the car I have to move my legs with my hands. Luckily, I'm not really having any trouble with pain in my legs or hips, I have what's like a crunching in my back. I was told I didn't need a tens unit. I don't know what it's for anyway. I was just trying to get stuff.

Tung-Sol, it's great you were able to go to the office today. Don't overdo it. I was told that walking on a treadmill is jarring. Are you doing this or walking around the neighborhood? I can't jar because of what I had done and I don't believe you had the same procedure. I'm really happy your chair is working out. I just need a simple little chair I can roll around the kitchen so I can at least bake. I use to bake all the time and I really miss it.

Butler, the flowers are really lovely. I really missed a lot when I was away. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you before you surgery.

Daubie, my mother said the same thing you said. They make me sick, not really. I keep pretending I don't see it but it gets worse. I thought I would have had Molly Maid by now but forgot I had to pay tuition and books for my big boy, buy school clothes for the other two and my daughter is also in dance drill which costs a fortune. I haven't worked in over a year so Molly Maid will have to wait a little longer. It'll be okay. Husband mainly cooks. I've cooked maybe ten times in the past five months so it could be worse.

My big boy started school today. One down and two to go. My other two start in two weeks so I'll really be a happy mother.

Talk to you all tomorrow,

Rosa

daubie

Butler~ ahhh, how are you? I was wondering where you went!!! Yes, the flowers were beautiful, both times! How are you getting along? Do you still have any problems??? I am definately feeling improvement in the last 2 weeks. Today I am testing. I am not using my tens unit until I get pain, which I have not had yet. Time will tell! So good to hear from you.
~Rosa, OK, I do cheat and have someone come and clean my house every other week. There is no way I can scrub bathrooms, vacuum and the whole gamut. I haven't done those things since I injured my back 18 months ago. I'm telling you, it is well worth the $ (if you can at all afford it). But even with that, I still have to get hubby to do other things (like pick up the garbage that fell over last nite, before my dog gets into it!). Oh well, refuse to sweat the small stuff! Hope you're doing well today. I'm at lunch, so I gotta go. Talk to you all soon. ~Daubie

------------------
Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03

__________________
Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief, but constant foot pain and numbness continued
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
9/5/03 still have foot pain and numbness but recovered fine from surgery
1/19/04 I am 7 mos post op. I still have the same foot pain as before surgery. Doc agrees it is probably permanent nerve damage. Started neurontin this week. Still glad I had the surgery though!

Raiza

Hi every one! hard to read all the posts. I will print out this page and read it tonight. They are all interesting.

I have some questions for those who would like to share their experiences with me. I just under went back surgery 5 weeks ago. L5-S1 herniation. Well, even though it is much better than before surgery, I still have pain.

This is how I feel right now: I don't have the arthritis/rheumatoid pain on both of my legs, that is gone. And the horrible throbbing buttock pain is gone also. I have now a different kind of pain, still the nerve pain and the right buttock hurts (and sometimes left) but is not that horrible throbbing sensation anymore. The pain is lower in my buttock tho. Before surgery was coming from higher. Don't know If I am explaining right. Basically goes bellow my right buttock and then goes down to the back of my thigh... and every now and then I feel it a little bit lower down the leg. The first two weeks after surgery, I felt my right foot in pain as if I had twisted my ankle. That is gone now. So I don't know. I thought the nerve pain would be gone after surgery.

I am still taking pain killers. The doc told me to start swinging the pills, such as extending the period of taking it. Right now is every 6 hours, he wants me to take it every 8 hours and then longer until I drop it. But right now, I can't wait two more hours. I don't understand, perhaps the surgery didn't take. I don't know. Some people say it take months after surgery to start feeling better because of the damaged nerve. The doc says that the nerve had been pressured for 2 years and it will take months (up to a year) before I start feeling better. Perhaps I waited too long to have surgery? Is this familiar to you? How long after surgery did you stop taking pain killers? I have a friend that had back surgery only 10 days ago and he is not taking pain killers anymore. He feels fine.

I am 37 years old. I don't have children. My hubby and I were talking about having kids when I was 35 and then I got this herniation. I can't get pregnant if I am still taking pain killers. My doctor is a Neuro Surgeon also and someone recommended him to me. Please let me know if it is normal that after 5 weeks I still have pain. I must tell you though, surgery has made feel such much better.

God Bless you all, and I hope he is healing you as well.

[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-19-2003).]

__________________
-Raiza
-Surgery (07/16/03)
-Laminectomy, Lumbard L5-S1 herniated disc.
-Started with back problems on 08/27/01.
-Had 3 epidurals. First they missed, Second worked, however, pain was right back to square one by the fourth month. Third one didn't help much.
-Went to chiropractor for 4 months, I was worse after each session.
-Went to acupuncture for 3 months, Dr. told me I needed to go to a specialist that he could not help me.
-Body massage, would relief pain for a couple of hours.
-Did exercises/stretches, no help.
-Changed insurance. Kaiser was just sending me home by saying: "It will get better" ...never did !!
-Went to see a new NS with a different insurance, in w/in a week he was doing surgery on me.
-2 first weeks post/op was feeling better (too drugged).
-The next four weeks It became worse than before surgery. Dr. told me it was normal.
-I am in my Third and half month post/op and it feels so much better.
-I am glad I went through surgery. Life is better now.

Rosarita

Hi Everybody! My sister just finished updating my computer and thought I would check in. Yes she still comes over everyday and twice on Sundays! I'm not going to make this long because I need to go for my walk before it gets too cool, maybe not 4 miles but a few blocks will do the trick.

Raiza, I'm sorry you're still having so much pain. Everyone's pain tolerance is different and my tolerance is high. I can only tell you what happened to me. I didn't feel any pain in the hospital and was feeling realllllly great at home...until the morphine wore off. It was like "Oh my God!" Started taking those pain pills then. I still take them only when I absolutely have to and it's been 4 months. I had them change me from Vicodin (made me sick) to Darvocet. The Darvocet isn't as strong as the Vicodin but the Vicodin side effects were too much for me. I also had a great deal of nerve damage because my dumb butt didn't know I had a back problem. My ns said nerves heal at the rate of approx. 1mm/day. So it could easily take over a year for our nerves to heal. I know it's a pain! Hang in there. As a little more time passes and you become a little more active, the pain should lessen. Don't freak just yet. If you have anymore questions, just ask.

Daubie, I called a service in and they wrote a contract for me and I thought I could afford it. Guess what? Added my son to the car insurance. I tried to die. I suggested to my husband that our son make a choice to either drive or eat. I don't have a problem starving him but my husband said no. The insurance rates are ridiculous. I wanted to be a good mother and have my kids just concentrate on their grades and maybe work little jobs for pocket change. I'm starting to change my mind quick about that! It's okay. My youngest is still a sucker and tries to help a lot so I'll take advange of him until my mother finds out. Guess what, I finally know what "LOL" means.

I'm glad you can really pace yourself on the Tens unit. I don't have one of those either but it sounds like you're doing quite well. Good for you.

I know I'm forgetting something. My memory is working better since I'm no longer on Lithium but forgot to take notes. Good night to everyone and have a pain free day.

Luv,
Rosa


[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 09-02-2003).]

Onyx

Hi everyone, I've been sitting here reading all the posts I missed over the past week. Rosarita, what was with that "onyx, be good", have you been spying on me? LOL Yep, I have been over doing it, such a hardhead, thats me ;^). I drove Sunday and Monday briefly out of necessity, the first time, I thought I was going to die! The pull you feel from the foot all the way up into the back blew my mind. Second time out, didn't really bother me much. Been busy around here, my kids started school in this awful heat this past Monday, but seems to be leveling out okay, once I worked out the schedules ;^). Okay, I need to ask, when I say I have been overdoing it, I've been trying to walk around my home with out my walker, hobbling is more like it, woke up yesterday in more pain than i have felt since surgery , thank goodness for the pain pills that I rarely take, spent most of the day sleeping;^). What I want to know is when recovering from the surgery, have any of you had pain in the hips, shooting down the legs especially the side that was damaged in the first place? I literally tried to roll over in bed, and swore I heard my hip pop, and omg did it hurt! Well anyways, hope y'all are doing well and smiling all the way ;^)

------------------
L4/L5(9mm)L5/S1(6mm)Herniations since 12/26/02 Severe Spasming down Left Buttock/Leg and Foot
Two Level Discetomy/Laminotomy (Micro)on 8/5/03
Leg Pain Gone Still some numbness in lower leg and foot, but was worth it. Hoping to heal well.

__________________
L4/L5(9mm)L5/S1(6mm)Herniations since 12/26/02 Severe Spasming down Left Buttock/Leg and Foot
Two Level Discetomy/Laminotomy (Micro)on 8/5/03
Leg Pain Gone Still some numbness in lower leg and foot, but was worth it. Hoping to heal well.

Rosarita

Funny thing happened to me today. Sister came on her lunch break to check on me. Yes, she's still doing it and I told her my dilemma. Was wearing my James Bonds hat and made everything too hard, it's very simple. Everything you need to know is right here. Can you imagine James Bond and me, I've never seen a James Bond movie before.

Can't really talk now. Completing Emergency cards for the kids. Will be back later.

Rosa

daubie

Hi everyone! Hope you're all feeling good today! Well, I think I can confidently say I am seeing some great improvement over the last week. That's not to say I feel great, but the foot pain is definately getting much better! I am having issues with my back right now because of that stupid 4 hour drive home last Thurs after the blackout, but it is back pain, not nerve pain. I tried yesterday and today to not use the tens unit to see how I am doing, and yesterday I only used it once and today not at all, yet. I don't want to jinx myself, but it is a pretty good feeling. Still have the same numbness in foot, but the pain is almost gone. PT still wants me to use the tens regularly, which I will start back on tomarrow. Just wanted to test it. Anyway, even when the therapist works on my nerve, it hurts a lot less. Must say I'm very pleased (unfortunate that I have to deal with the back thing right now, sure would be nice to feel good all over for a change!).
Butler, I am so glad you're doing so well! I know what you mean about being healthier. I too am on a fitness quest. Have every intention of continuing exercises after PT is over. Drinking lots of water too.
~Laura, nice to hear from you. Last time I tried the smilies thing, all it did was type my text, so I quit trying! Hope you're doing well. How's the PT going?
~Raiza, welcome! If you go back and read our first thread (same name but no #2 after it), you will see there are a lot of ups and downs for a few months. I am just now feeling like I'm getting consistently better (10 weeks post op). The different types of pain are very common. I didn't worry about it because I figured unless it was really sharp and severe, I didn't reherniate. Give it time, you'll feel better. Have you seen your doc yet? Is he sending you to PT? I really credit a lot of my recovery to PT. And if your nerve was compressed for 2 years, it may take you a lot longer to lose all your nerve pain (sorry, but it could be permanent, that's what my doc told me). Actually, he said the numbness may be permanent, but the pain should eventually go away. Anyway, PT used a tens unit and it really blocked the pain, for hours. Maybe this is also something you could check into. Helps reduce the meds you need to take, and no adverse side effects like meds. If you want more info, ask away!
~Onyx, how are you? I think I addressed some of your questions in my reply to raiza. Regarding the hip pain, I never had that, but I certainly had some shooting pain down the back of the leg. Even today, when I was doing an exercise I do all the time, I got one of those pains. Told the therapist. He adjusted my tailbone and then told me to do it. I did it, and no pain. He says anything out of whack will produce those twinges because the nerve was compromised for so long. So, don't get discouraged. Hope this helps and you take care.
~Thom, how are you since you've been back for 3 days! Did you survive???
Hi to everyone else too. ~Daubie

------------------
Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03

__________________
Car Accident 2/2/02
Herniated disc L5/S1
Epidurals x3, PT 4 mos, some relief, but constant foot pain and numbness continued
Microdiscectomy 6/6/03
9/5/03 still have foot pain and numbness but recovered fine from surgery
1/19/04 I am 7 mos post op. I still have the same foot pain as before surgery. Doc agrees it is probably permanent nerve damage. Started neurontin this week. Still glad I had the surgery though!

Raiza

daubie:
Hello, How long back did you have surgery? Are you still taking pain killers? Mine was on 7/16/2003, it is still painful. I have my post on "How do you feel after back surgery?" ... I am still taking antiflamatory. Today has been ok, only feel muscle pain on boht leg. My herniated disc was to the right. I also feel like if some one has been hanging on my waist all day and pulling me down. Reason why my pain on my legs. I just wish I could stop taking pain killers. I want to be to that point.
take care,
raiza

__________________
-Raiza
-Surgery (07/16/03)
-Laminectomy, Lumbard L5-S1 herniated disc.
-Started with back problems on 08/27/01.
-Had 3 epidurals. First they missed, Second worked, however, pain was right back to square one by the fourth month. Third one didn't help much.
-Went to chiropractor for 4 months, I was worse after each session.
-Went to acupuncture for 3 months, Dr. told me I needed to go to a specialist that he could not help me.
-Body massage, would relief pain for a couple of hours.
-Did exercises/stretches, no help.
-Changed insurance. Kaiser was just sending me home by saying: "It will get better" ...never did !!
-Went to see a new NS with a different insurance, in w/in a week he was doing surgery on me.
-2 first weeks post/op was feeling better (too drugged).
-The next four weeks It became worse than before surgery. Dr. told me it was normal.
-I am in my Third and half month post/op and it feels so much better.
-I am glad I went through surgery. Life is better now.

Raiza

oh dubie, thanks, I read better your post. I read you are into 10 weeks after sergury. So you say the damage may be permanent and the numbness may not go away but the pain should go away. Well I don't have numbness, just the pain radiating back from buttocks to legs. Yes, I will hang in there. Like I said in my last post, I feel ok today, at least don't have the cable/nerve aching, but I know tomorrow I may have.. u know what i mean? it is like a rollercoster.

Thanks goodness you people are there to give us support. You know for what I am going through and I know everything you guys say really mean good. Some people that I talk in person, sometime I feel they are not really there and many times I wonder if they really care. These forum has really help me today and yesterday, I was really down.

thanks guys,
raiza

__________________
-Raiza
-Surgery (07/16/03)
-Laminectomy, Lumbard L5-S1 herniated disc.
-Started with back problems on 08/27/01.
-Had 3 epidurals. First they missed, Second worked, however, pain was right back to square one by the fourth month. Third one didn't help much.
-Went to chiropractor for 4 months, I was worse after each session.
-Went to acupuncture for 3 months, Dr. told me I needed to go to a specialist that he could not help me.
-Body massage, would relief pain for a couple of hours.
-Did exercises/stretches, no help.
-Changed insurance. Kaiser was just sending me home by saying: "It will get better" ...never did !!
-Went to see a new NS with a different insurance, in w/in a week he was doing surgery on me.
-2 first weeks post/op was feeling better (too drugged).
-The next four weeks It became worse than before surgery. Dr. told me it was normal.
-I am in my Third and half month post/op and it feels so much better.
-I am glad I went through surgery. Life is better now.

Raiza

ooppss!

[This message has been edited by Raiza (edited 08-21-2003).]

__________________
-Raiza
-Surgery (07/16/03)
-Laminectomy, Lumbard L5-S1 herniated disc.
-Started with back problems on 08/27/01.
-Had 3 epidurals. First they missed, Second worked, however, pain was right back to square one by the fourth month. Third one didn't help much.
-Went to chiropractor for 4 months, I was worse after each session.
-Went to acupuncture for 3 months, Dr. told me I needed to go to a specialist that he could not help me.
-Body massage, would relief pain for a couple of hours.
-Did exercises/stretches, no help.
-Changed insurance. Kaiser was just sending me home by saying: "It will get better" ...never did !!
-Went to see a new NS with a different insurance, in w/in a week he was doing surgery on me.
-2 first weeks post/op was feeling better (too drugged).
-The next four weeks It became worse than before surgery. Dr. told me it was normal.
-I am in my Third and half month post/op and it feels so much better.
-I am glad I went through surgery. Life is better now.

Raiza

Hi Rosarita,
thanks for your note. Same with me, when the morphine wore off, then all these weird pains were back. I can't take Vicodine... it makes me sooo sick. Vioxx is really good but my insuranse won't pick up and it cost $300. I am taking Hydrocodone/apap7.5/500 and it helps a lot, but when it is getting close to the 6 hours, pain starts getting stronger. I will be patience and see if it gets better.

I will keep you guys posted how I am healing (hopefully I do) so people that are going through the same thing can compare and I may help some one.

God bless you,
raiza

__________________
-Raiza
-Surgery (07/16/03)
-Laminectomy, Lumbard L5-S1 herniated disc.
-Started with back problems on 08/27/01.
-Had 3 epidurals. First they missed, Second worked, however, pain was right back to square one by the fourth month. Third one didn't help much.
-Went to chiropractor for 4 months, I was worse after each session.
-Went to acupuncture for 3 months, Dr. told me I needed to go to a specialist that he could not help me.
-Body massage, would relief pain for a couple of hours.
-Did exercises/stretches, no help.
-Changed insurance. Kaiser was just sending me home by saying: "It will get better" ...never did !!
-Went to see a new NS with a different insurance, in w/in a week he was doing surgery on me.
-2 first weeks post/op was feeling better (too drugged).
-The next four weeks It became worse than before surgery. Dr. told me it was normal.
-I am in my Third and half month post/op and it feels so much better.
-I am glad I went through surgery. Life is better now.

Tung-Sol

Hey all,

Daubie ... so glad to here you're much better in the nerve dept. but keep using that tens like your PT recommends, it must be doing the trick. back problems, hmmm, me too. Driving maybe? I'm so surprised as I had no back issues right after surgery, I wonder if it's PT or sitting too much. Yeah, three days and only about six hours max. I'm squirming in my Aeron chair, so I'm not sure it's going to work out, but then again, it may be to soon after surgery to judge any chair, or maybe it's just me, hehe.

I'm sitting in my recliner typing on the laptop and it feels like someone is passing a lit match around under the toes of my right foot, the "wrong" foot. Still nerve pains where the sun don't shine too. Was supposed to see my NS today, but they called and moved it to Friday, grrrr.

Interesting where you use the TENS, my PT only puts them around my incision, and the muscles on each side if they are burning. I wonder how the tens works down that low if the damage is in your back. Does he ever put them on your lower back?

Interesting search Butler. I used to travel a lot for my job and spent alot of time with the alchemist and barrister folks down on witherspoon. Sometimes Russell Crowe would even happen along, ahem. Wow, four miles a day, when was your surgery? That's really great. My leg gives out after half a mile and I start limping, but that's much better then three weeks ago.

Rosa, no I don't walk on a treadmill now, but I do find many "jarring" like you mentioned. Really good commercial (read expensive) ones are much, much better in that regard ... I don't have a problem with those, but have to travel to gym to use one. When I feel like getting back into the pool I'll probably be doing the treadmill too. I do have a recumbent cycling machine in the house and I'm starting to use it (after leaving it to gather dust for years) as walking is frustrating after about 10-15 minutes with the limp. At least I don't limp on the bike Cats like to sleep in the seat though, they are wondering "what's with all this" now.

Well, hi to all ... seeks, linda (where are you?), dee, laura, lisa, and all of you that I don't know but read your posts with great interest.

Take care,

Thom



------------------
herniated L4-L5, free frag with footdrop approx. 6-30-03 with a month of lower back pain prior to that
laminectomy/discectomy 07-14
I have 5mm herniation of L5-S1 on right side that is asymptomatic, no surgery recommended

__________________
herniated L4-L5, free frag with footdrop approx. 6-30-03 with a month of lower back pain prior to that
laminectomy/discectomy 07-14
I have 5mm herniation of L5-S1 on right side that is asymptomatic, no surgery recommended