Has anyone had a microdiscectomy? I have a herniated L5S1 disc, which is also degenerative. need advice!!?
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Sounds like you've tried every every option and they did all that they could for your disc problem...18 yrs ago I had my 5th & 6th cervical discs fused together. I would've been parylized from arthritic tissie that was putting the squeeze on my spinal cord. ..I've had absolutely no problems ever since.. Only you can decide if (according to the Drs reports)you can stand living with the symptoms that your dealing with.
I did. I felt the same way as you...i did not want surgery because my aunt suffered from failed back surgery syndrome so I tried everything you mentioned for about eight months and the only thing that helped was predenisone (sp??) and the doctor would not give me another prescription. I ended up deciding to get it because the nerves that were being severely impinged were the ones that control my bladder/bowel control so I couldn't go much longer with them being impinged without having all kinds of other trouble. So I had the surgery on 9/11/02 and the original sciatica and lower back pain went away imediately but I started to suffer some other symptoms (lower back pain but not as severe) and my right foot always went numb and tingling and numbness in my leg. Also, my doctor "forgot" to tell me that I needed to be up and about within the first couple of days after surgery but I though I was being cautious and pretty much stayed in bed which caused the formation of scar tissue at the L5 which is what was causing my new symptoms and you can't get rid of scar tissue no matter how much I worked out later (after the first eight to ten weeks). However, once I started to work out, it did start to slowly get better. It took me a long time (about two years) before I could sit in my office chair without being in pain (never as severe as pre surgery) for an entire day. However, I am very anal about how I move, sleep, etc. I never bend at the waist, do not lift anything over 5 lbs, I always sleep on my side or back so as to not avoid bothering my back and definitely keep up with rehab. After almost five years, I still have some twinges and I have flare ups every now and then (about once a month) but other than that I am fine. Would I recommend the surgery-not sure because I think I would have gotten better on my own but there are issues that can get worse if you do not take care of it right away. Just hang in there.it will get better even if it does not seem like it!!
First, and foremost, everyones' overall health, disc damage, surgeon, and a large number of other factors will vary, so your experience with something like this will be unique. That said, my own experience with microdecectomy, a little more than 5 years ago, is a mark on the positive side. After living with sciatica for almost fifteen years, the L5S1 finally gave out completely, rendering the back of my leg paralyzed, and I was left with no choice but to have the surgery. I found a doctor that was highly recommended, working with a medical group that was highly specialized in neuro surgery. I have about a 2 inch incision scar, recovery time was reasonably short, and now I am working a fairly physical job. Don't let people try to scare you with stories about how bad it can be... do your own research, learn about the risks involved (there always are risks), and make your own decision. Good luck.
yeah everybodys situation is differnt,my husbands and L3,L4,L5 herniation lived like that for six years,then had surgery,with a fusion and al the hardware,he hasnt faired so well,maybe if he had had it earlier he'd be better
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