Hey all. I'm 19 years old, and in the
beginning of August of 07, I started
noticing some back pain and I felt a deep
pain in my leg a few times a day. I never
had a defining moment of "Oh, my back!",
it just kind of came on gradually. It's
now April of 08, and I'm scheduled for a
double discectomy on May 2nd for two
herniated discs (my two lowest discs). My
back/leg pain has gotten worse over the
months, and I feel like I've tried
everything. We did physical therapy, pain
medication, anti-inflammatories, cortisone
shots, everything that my doctor has
suggested. Nothing has been helping me to
feel better or to even stop the severity
of the pain from growing. Anyway, I'm just
wondering if any of you have had this
surgery done, and if so, what are your
results? I'm obviously hesitant to going
into surgery, because I constantly hear
that people have to keep going in over and
over to stay pain-free (or at least live
with less pain). If you've had this
procedure, did it help your pain? For how
long?
Thanks, everybody.
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 910
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-23-08 20:48pm
Hello Spiffrijole,
Sorry to read about the back pain you are
having.
You have tried the non-surgical options,
and unfortunately they have not worked for
you.
I'm not sure how many spinal surgeons you
have seen, however, if only one, then do
yourself a favor and seek the advice of
two more spinal surgeons. It is ALWAYS a
good idea to get several medical opinions
before you have surgery.
Do stay in touch and let us know how
things go for you.
RichT
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eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 348
Thanks: 24
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-23-08 21:12pm
I had the surgery L4 and it was a piece of
cake compared to the pain I had been
suffering for the last year. I wish I had
had the surgery sooner. But...........it
has to be the right surgeon - get a couple
of opinions. I went to two different
surgeons and they had totally different
surgical procedures. One said I would be
in a back brace for 6 weeks, be off work
for 6 weeks, have a 6 inch incision, and
could not drive for 6 weeks. Plus, I
would have to wear a bandage for a week,
that would have to be changed and dressed
3 times daily, and would be in the
hospital for two days. Thank goodness I
went to another surgeon. I had it done on
an outpatient basis, 3 inch incision,
bandage for 24 hours, then removed, and
returned to work after 2 weeks. I had
this done 3 years ago and had no
complications or pain since!
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ashoverman
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 54 Location: ,
Posted: 04-23-08 23:25pm
I had a laminectomy and a discectomy for 3
ruptured discs L3, L4 and L5 on March 3rd.
I had 21 staples in my back. Honestly, I
am worse now than before surgery! I WISH
that I had just gone to pain management,
NOW I am having trouble getting in. Also,
on April 4th, exactly 30 days after the
back surgery, I had a disc removed and
fusion in my neck (C5-C6). To me
personally, surgery is NOT the answer. Try
pain management, but that is just my
opinion.
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eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 348
Thanks: 24
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-24-08 00:04am
That is exactly why I put my surgery off
for a year, because of all of the negative
feedback I had heard from back surgeries.
Thank goodness I found a good surgeon.
Both surgeons I saw did agree that mine
was not going to heal on its own. I have
heard that pain management is only
temporary (3 steriod shots every 3 months)
then what? My pain was so severe I could
not stand in a normal position and
eventually repositioned by body. When
wearing pants, there was an inch and a
half difference in length. I believe
there are good/bad surgeons just as any
doctor, just finding the right one is the
problem. I had a nephew born with spina
bifada, and the surgeon that delivered him
was not taking new patients. After
hearing what the first surgeon told me,
and help with family members of my nephew,
he agreed to accept me. Thank goodness he
did, or I may be in the same position you
are in now.
