Prolapsed disk/ sciatica

chippy1970 · 25 Oct 2012

Wellswood,

No Im not scheduled for surgery i decided to let it heal naturally. The surgeon said its not a big bulge and should heal on its own.

Yeah I know all about cauda equina that's the first thing they checked for when the ambulance crew came to get me. They asked if I had any trouble peeing which is a sign you have it as I'm sure you know . I'm lucky I didn't.

It's up and down at the moment but I do feel stronger know . I'm still getting cold or hot feet every now and then but some days feel good.

WellsWood · 25 Oct 2012

Well surgery has it's risks too of course, it may be a fairly routine procedure but it's still pretty invasive, so I can certainly understand your decision. Fingers crossed you've made the right call.

Take it easy, and watch that posture.

chippy1970 · 25 Oct 2012

I wouldnt be worried about the op the surgeon has a very high success rate. I just think if I don't need things cut out of me then I won't . He actually said himself he wouldn't have the op.

Toolbox · 2 Nov 2012

hi all, I had the op on Monday as planned, all went well and just the recovery period to go thru.
I was up and walking about 3 hrs after I left the operating theatre which was a surprise, especially as I was in in theatre for 5 hrs.
Anyway apart from seeing my whole life flash before me just before I was anaesthetised it was a pretty stress free procedure, checked in 07:30 Mon Checked out 15:00 Tue.

I would just like to stress that all situations are different, and my Disc Bulge was particularly large so did cause me a huge amount of discomfort which for me made Surgery a no Brainer.

To all of you suffering some form of Sciatica pain you have my deepest sympathy and although it may seem there's no light at the end of the Tunnel for some of you, things can get better.

All the best
Toolbox

xy mosian · 2 Nov 2012

I hope the good progress continues Toolbox.
xy

chippy1970 · 2 Nov 2012

Keep us up to date on how you're getting on toolbox. I'm on my 11th week off now, I think I'm starting to get better but one day you feel ok next not so. I did have a thought yesterday, my legs are very skinny but my upper body is quite strong. My wife noticed I bend my knees slightly when picking things up but then I bend putting strain on my back. I reckon I need to build up my legs as well as my core.

Wildman · 2 Nov 2012

bad backs are a pain, Doctor told me to lay on a board for a month, I then could not walk, in desperation I called in a chiropractor who pronounced a slipped disc. spinal manipulation meant I could stand straight and walk for the first time in a month. However part of the "treatment" involved flexing my neck rapidly which it turned out years later caused whiplash injury to my neck. All of the exercises the physio gave me after the doctor had sent me for scan etc were later refuted as being unsuitable by experts at St Loyes college for the disabled. So everyone tells you something different. I was offered an opperation to hollow the disc but made aware of the risk of ending up in a wheelchair for life, the risk percentage was for me too great. I choose to treat myself, sciatica can be relieved by hanging from the top of an open door by your finger tips, this stretches the spine and allows trapped nerves to free themselves. It works for me. I now lead an almost normal life but a constantly weak back means I cannot lean forward over the bonnet of a car for instance. If you strain your back one day rest it the next three. You will eventually find your limits and learn to live within them. Good luck.