Has anyone ever had or know someone who has had a Micro Discectomy or Laminectomy?

[nickerjones]

I had a discogram today. It's where they pressurize each disc to recreate the pain. I want to be honest and admit ... this test is TERRIBLE!!!!! I was bawling it hurt so bad and wouldnt stop. Apparently "this is normal" , said the doctor. Then he asked " on a scale on 1-10 can I assume your pain right now is 10?"

Anyway I will know more from this test and the MRI next week hopefully.

[Sr. Mints]

I've said this many times here (and I don't mean to sound like broken record, but I can't remember if I've told you or not) but I've had a lot of success going to a physiatrist.

Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians, are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move, and they treat people with problems resulting from disease or injury.

The focus of treatment a physiatrist provides is on the development of a program--without, or before surgery.

Here in Calgary (I seem to recall you're in the States,) mine works in conjunction with a team of back specialists including a neurosurgeon, musculoskeletal radiologist (injection guy,) physiotherapists, and even the much-hated chiropractor.

Although miserable lots of the time, I'm still much better than I was even two years ago.

I go through Caleo: <www.caleohealth.ca> and Aspen <www.aspenpmr.ca>

[nickerjones]

I have exhausted all possible options here. I am in pain and am now looking at surgery. I have a surgey consult tomorrow ( on my 15th day of being stuck in bed and not being able to get up without severe debilitating pain).

Here are the results from my discogram:
Severely degenerated , Severely painful L3-4 intervertebral disc produced concordant low back and leg pain at low intradiscal pressurization

Severely degenerated , Severely painful L4-5 intervertebral disc produced concordant back and leg pain at medium intradiscal pressurization

Severely degenerated , painfree L2-3 intervertebral disc

mildly degenerated , pain free L5-S1 intervertebral disc

[nickerjones]

Surgery is set for Monday Sept 10th at 7am

[Caged Great]

Best of luck with the surgery. Totally sucks that you have to go through that. I hope all goes well.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Best of luck with the surgery. Totally sucks that you have to go through that. I hope all goes well.

Thank you. People go through worse every day. That's how I deal with a lot of things.. I always remember someone is worse off than me. However, I watched the actual surgery online with a well reputed Neurosurgeon in Miami. He talked the camera the surgery and said what he was doing while he working through the whole thing. Talked about recovery time etc. It really eased my mind about some of the apprehension I was having.

There is also a husband wife goalie duo that plays at the rink I play at. We got to talking this weekend at the tournament my team hosted. Apparently his wife had the same symptoms as me and had the same surgery. He said she had immediately relief and was up walking around virtually symptom and pain free ( other than incision from surgery pain) the same day.

There is still a 3-6 weeks recovery before I can go back to work or doing anything. I am relieved that there could now finally be a light at the end of this tunnel. My dream of being one of the replacement players for the NHL this year is prob dashed but hey... it happens.

[Puppet Guy]

we're rooting for you, Nicker.

[nickerjones]

I literally just came out of surgery and woke up. I'm alive but in a lot of pain. They got in there and the herniation was a lot worse than they thought . I had to be admitted to hospital instead of being outpatient .

[Puppet Guy]

hope everything went well. Gotta give you all the credit in the world for logging on to CP immediately!

[nickerjones]

Well I am a CP trooper. Oddly enough I just woke up and came to post that i was alright on CP.... I didnt realize I already did right after surgery. I might have a problem ?

[FlamingLonghorn]

How long until you know the results on whether you will still have the pain? Here's to a swift recovery and a pain free life.

[edmontonice]

Good luck dude. Hope you're back playing hockey again soon.

[Nage Waza]

Super glad you are back posting! I am avoiding a similar procedure as long as I can, I have spinal stenosis with a bit of tingling. I am super nervous about surgery, so am avoiding it all that I can.

Protip: If anyone here has a neck injury, make sure your car head rest is far enough forward as it should be in case you do get in an accident. a simple rear ender can cause months of problems with a poorly setup neck rest.

[nickerjones]

Well back home in bed. Every hour that Im awake I plan on being up and walking 5-15 mins. The reason for this is walking re-strengthens the back and keeps the scar tissue to a minimum. While I have been up walking I notice that I no longer have pain in my buttocks or down my leg. The only pain I am experiencing is from the actual surgery it seems. Hopefully when this heals up the other pain stays away too and we can call the surgery a success.

I am out for up to 6 weeks. I cant drive, bend, twist, or lift up anything heavier than 5 lbs for 2 weeks. Then Im evaluated. I would like to go to work sooner than 6 weeks since as a contract oil and gas guy i have got to bill for a whole 16 days since June 1st. However, if I have to wait 6 more weeks then I have to wait . I'd rather miss a couple more weeks of pay rather than re-herniating and having to go back to surgery.

Edmonton Ice : Thank you. Although I should have all my restrictions lifted after 6 weeks I promised my wife I'd stay off the ice til December.. Bummer eh?

Nage Waza: I exhausted every avenue I had until surgery was my only option. I would suggest you do the same. I think if you go get treatment earlier you can maybe stop the pain from getting worse.

FlamingSHORThorn: I have heard of all different time frames. My pain seems to be gone in my buttocks and leg. I have maybe a quick shot of pain down my leg or in the butt. Im not sure if this is my imagination or if it's real. I think it might come and go as the nerve heals and adjusts from one being impinged for so long and two just recovering from the surgery. They said the herniation was bigger than expected so there might be a little more trauma to the nerve as they had to prod and move it as they scraped the herniation out. Oh and BOOOOOOOOOOOOMEEEEEEEERRRRR! ; )

[Cheese]

hope this works long term nicker...you might want to reconsider playing hockey again if it does work...never know when someone will decide to crosscheck you across the back.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Cheese

hope this works long term nicker...you might want to reconsider playing hockey again if it does work...never know when someone will decide to crosscheck you across the back.

Thats true. I am 30 and dont really want to give up things I like to do yet but I asked the doctor if I should quit playing sports. He said after you are healed there is no greater chance of re-herniation doing any one thing. He said playing hockey , lifting up a pet, sneezing are all things that can cause a herniation. He said take it easy and if anything you do causes any soreness.. stop doing it until the soreness is gone.

I will be doing a lot of back and core strengthening before I get back to sports.

[nickerjones]

2 week ( actually 16 days) post op appointment was today. I have zero pain. A bunch of weird sensations in my lower leg. That is supposedly just the nerve healing itself and is very normal. I just got cleared today to drive. They want me to stay out of work for another 2-4 weeks. While my job as a landman isnt very demanding there is a lot of bending , twisting, and lifting pretty heavy land books. This sucks bc I am a contract employee. Other than that, I got my staples removed and start PT in 2 weeks. I wont be back on the ice for 6 months but all studies point to the fact that I dont have to give up hockey. 89% of people who have this procedure ( that played sports pre injury) return to their active sport within 18 months.

[Puppet Guy]

Is the depression fading away?

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

Is the depression fading away?

Yes I think a lot of the depression was not being able to do anything plus the new stomach pains I was going through. The doctor gave me cymbalta to use for a month. I was supposed to use 30mg for a week and then up it to 60mg. I used it for 4 or 5 days and then forgot to take it. I have been feeling better every day so I figured maybe I dont need the drugs.

The only problem I have now is not being able to sleep. I was on so many narcotic pain killers that my body was used to those putting it to sleep. I went off the pain killers and now I cant sleep. My doc prescribed restoril. It will put me to sleep but I only stay asleep 3-4 hours. He prescribed Ambien today if I wanted to try it. I am going to try a new nyquil product first tho. Nyquil has a new sleep aide that is supposedly non habit forming.

[Aeneas]

Get better, I need that one game of hockey a year to keep in shape.

Saddledome this year?