Had back surgery yesterday at the ripe age of 25...

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

I've been very active in sports since I was about 10. Little League baseball, then high school, wrestling, track, BMX for the past 10 years of my life, weight lifter, on and on...

For the past few years my back has bothered me, and for about a year now I haven't been able to do anything without being in severe pain. Long story short I found out I have a herniated disc that was poking out pretty dang far; pinching my ciatic nerve and causing me severe pain (and I mean SEVERE... I've had 2 previous elbow surgeries, both ankles broken twice, and separated shoulder and the back pain was the worst of them all). After nearly a year of rehab, & chiro nothing helped.

I went back to a neurosurgeon and opted for surgery.

So, just had this performed yesterday. I was walking right after surgery, but my back still hurts bad due to the face they had to go inside and cut the portion of disc out. But, the good news is that I should be back on track in a few weeks.

Just wanted to share and see if anyone else has had this done and what their results were.

*goes to walk around some more*

Click to read more...

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

i had same surgery a few years back....i can't stress this enough to you ...DO NOT overdo it the first week. i know it feels ok and it ain't that bad....but TRUST me..if you overdo it you will pay for it the 2nd week.

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

I actually had/have 2 herniated discs in my lower back that also pinch my sciatic nerve. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

I just had medication and did physical therapy. I'm better than I was 8 months ago but are nowhere near 100% yet. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

The next step, if I decide to go through with it, is to do steroid shots in my back. I'm hoping that just by working out and getting back into shape that I can relieve the pain.

Never bothered with a chiropractor because I visited two of them and both stated that they couldn't "correct" the problem, but that I could "live with it" if I made visits to them bi-monthly. Screw that. Plus one of them originally told me I had scoliosis when in reality it was just the herniated disc that was causing me to stand improperly. I almost want to go back and b*tch slap that chiropractor for almost screwing me over. Tried to set me up on some 6 month plan that would have cost $4000.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

i had same surgery a few years back....i can't stress this enough to you ...DO NOT overdo it the first week. i know it feels ok and it ain't that bad....but TRUST me..if you overdo it you will pay for it the 2nd week.

The heaviest thing I've lifted was the laptop. I'm milking it, lol.

I try to get up every hour or so and walk for a good 5-10 minutes per the instructions the Doctor gave me.

It's amazing... I have no leg pain whatsoever. Been a while since that's not been an issue.

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

mine was a lumbar laminectomy...disc btween L4 and L5 was bulging and pressing on my sciatic nerve. Had to take surgery to avoid permanant nerve damage. I went back to work 4 weeks after surgery...big mistake...take all the time your doctor will give you

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

I actually had/have 2 herniated discs in my lower back that also pinch my siatic nerve. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif
I just had medication and did physical therapy. I'm better than I was 8 months ago but are nowhere near 100% yet. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

The next step, if I decide to go through with it, is to do steroid shots in my back. I'm hoping that just by working out and getting back into shape that I can relieve the pain.

I did all of that. Epidurals definately help, but it's only a temp fix.

I used to workout a lot and I manged on my own to recover from my 3rd/4th degree shoulder separation by getting online and studying exercises to do. That didn't work with my back.

Seriously, it's hard to explain the pain you feel with an injury like this. I seriously mean it when I say that I couldn't walk for than about 5 minutes without having extensive leg pain.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

mine was a lumbar laminectomy...disc btween L4 and L5 was bulging and pressing on my sciatic nerve. Had to take surgery to avoid permanant nerve damage. I went back to work 4 weeks after surgery...big mistake...take all the time your doctor will give you

That's the exact place my disc was blown out. L4/L5.

I'm almost scared that I waited too long to not have to worry about permanent nerve damage.

Luckily my work knows what's going on, so they said I can take however long I want. Plus, the work I do isn't manual, so that'll help.

I'm just doing my best to sit up straight and walk around.

When you say don't overdo it, what exactly do you mean?

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

I did all of that. Epidurals definately help, but it's only a temp fix.
I used to workout a lot and I manged on my own to recover from my 3rd/4th degree shoulder separation by getting online and studying exercises to do. That didn't work with my back.

Seriously, it's hard to explain the pain you feel with an injury like this. I seriously mean it when I say that I couldn't walk for than about 5 minutes without having extensive leg pain.

Thats how I was back in february/march. I would literally have to lay on my back with my legs bent to feel any sort of relief. It didn't matter if it was in dirt or on a concrete floor, I would lay down just to feel better. It was real bad. I still cant bend down very well. You should see me try to put on my socks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

Back about 8 months ago I would have a burning/stinging sensation in my hip and my leg and foot would always go numb or tingle. Since I started physical therapy back in september I've been supremely better, but I am starting to get more pain in my hip unfortunately. 6 months ago I couldn't even sit down without being in pain, so I know I'm at least better than I was.

That original pain....was the worst thing ever. Blinding, extreme pain. There were times where I just wanted to curl up in a ball and die because it hurt so bad.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

You should see me try to put on my socks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

LMAO. I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. It's like bringing your foot up so your arms can reach.

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

That's the exact place my disc was blown out. L4/L5.
I'm almost scared that I waited too long to not have to worry about permanent nerve damage.

Luckily my work knows what's going on, so they said I can take however long I want. Plus, the work I do isn't manual, so that'll help.

I'm just doing my best to sit up straight and walk around.

When you say don't overdo it, what exactly do you mean?

try not to sit straight up...thats bad for you...get up and walk occasionally..no hitting your lady from the back..while it feels so good, its really bad for healing.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

^ Don't sit straight up?

My instructions say to keep good posture and not slouch. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

Yea, no *** for at least 2 weeks... dude, my package was numb from the shots they gave me, lol.

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

honestly....i would lie down as much as possible .. sitting up puts alot of pressure on that area of your lower back= bad for healing

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

LMAO. I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. It's like bringing your foot up so your arms can reach.

It's a very intricate plan. I have to put my foot up on my bed, but not too high, then I have to bend my other leg at the knee as to not bend my back over. So almost like a crouching motion. Then I sort of "lean" my body forward and at that point I can get the sock over my toe.

It's quite an inconvenience.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

My sister has been sleeping a lot since her surgery. I think she has gotten addicted to the pain pills. I have no idea where she keeps getting them. She was in a car accident and they treated her for a concussion, then a week later her legs just gave out and she had severe back pain.

Sucks.

They originally prescribed me Loritabs but since I'm allergic to hydrocodone, I was prescribed percoset (sp?).

I take one every 5 hours. It seems to help, but I do my best not take anything for a few personal reasons.

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

honestly....i would lie down as much as possible .. sitting up puts alot of pressure on that area of your lower back= bad for healing

x2.

Laying down feels the best for me. Takes the pressure off the discs.