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Anyone here had a lumbar discectomy? I’m having the surgery in 6 days and I’m a bit nervous! Not so much about the surgery itself or general anaesthetic, but the stay in hospital and what the recovery will involve. I’d appreciate any insight or advice from people with experience!

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in reply to Laura Kalbag

friendica (DFRN) - Link to source

Tio

Oh I have a lot of back and leg pain for the past year and we are investigating why. Tingling, numbness, etc.. Sorry to hear that, but at least you have some answers and perhaps a solution. I was wondering how long it took the doctors to discover what was the issue? Drives me nuts we can't figure why I have these issues and I work on my computer a lot so sitting down is a "pain in the ass" almost literally :D.

Had MRI and all sorts of muscle/bone specialists looking at it. So far nothing they see.

Hope it goes well for you the surgery.

in reply to Tio

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Laura Kalbag

@tio I hope you find the cause soon! I get how frustrating it is. The back pain got really bad in February, and only turned into nerve pain in March. I put off getting an MRI and was handling it like it was muscular for too long. Fortunately once I went for an MRI, it clearly showed the disc bulging and pressing on the nerve.

I’ve found lying on the floor with my legs at a 90 degree angle (resting on a footstool) helps decompress the spinal area. (Monitor overhead!) But that’s quite specific!

@Tio
in reply to Laura Kalbag

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Mab_813

I had a lumbar disectomy (L5/S1).

I'd say it's important to not speed run the recovery, taking it as slow as possible, avoiding sitting, and I was only allowed to lift 1 - 2 kg of everyday stuff after surgery and told to stay off work for 6 to 12 weeks (I have no idea if these are general recommendations or different from case to case).

Physiotherapy is vital and physical reha is also great.

I was told I will have to do exercises for the rest of my live, because the hole created by the disc remains, so that's a weak point that needs support by the muscles. So I started with the exercises from my physiotherapist as soon as I was allowed to after surgery and have continued.

Wishing you all the best! It's a small OP for neuro surgeons and I was so much better afterwards!

in reply to Laura Kalbag

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That Hoopy Frood, Karstan

My big sis had a cervical disectomy a couple years back. Had a synthetic disk implanted. I don't know how much that differs from a lumbar one though. I was there to help her out for part of her recovery and she was shockingly mobile much sooner than I expected for such invasive surgery. Up and about, able to do things for herself almost immediately. My help was almost superfluous. Very short hospital stay too iirc. I think just a day or two? Very minimal after surgery pain.
in reply to Laura Kalbag

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Anne Ominous

i have no idea where youll be receiving care,
but my stays and my fam's stays in the hospitable have been memorable for how bad the food was. and i checked myself out once, bc they would not respect my request for vegetarian meals.

i'd mention to some friends or fam who might visit you, what kind of food you like, and ask them to bring you some.
little things like that have made my time in hospitals much easier.

good luck!

in reply to Laura Kalbag

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Ollie Boermans

I’ve had a partial too. The result was transformative. My hospital visit was horrible only because my level of pain going in. The drugs helped though, I was able to walk again before my surgery!

Came away with a lot of physical homework. Feeling grateful for the relief from awful pain – I was happy to do. Muscles took a while to unlearn their overprotective spasm. Physiotherapy and pilates have been helpful.

Wishing you my luck Laura. Sciatic pain is the absolute worst!

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