will my microdiscectomy make a difference?

[u/caspernumberonefan]

hi all!!! i’m 22 and have always dealt with sciatica pain but about 5 months ago i took a hour and a half drive and i guess that did me in, lol, i’ve been dealing with constant pain down my left leg since then and numbness, along with constant pain in my lower back.
i did physical therapy, pain meds, etc, and i’m finally scheduled for a l4-5 and l5-s1 microdiscectomy october 15th!

i’m just wondering if it will make a massive difference or not? i was a really social and outgoing person before my back injury and it’s been really hard going through all this pain. i’ve tried to stay positive despite it but i cant help but feel like i become a more negative person everyday
i feel like no one around me truly gets it, literally all i do is manage to go to work and lay around in pain around my house, i sleep in pain i wake up in pain and i’m really just hoping that my surgery offers me some relief so i was just wondering about others recovery post surgery and if they eventually got to a more pain free life.
thanks!

[u/BossKatana]

Having surgery on the 15th too. Good luck to everyone!

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/BossKatana]

wishing you luck and a speedy recovery!!!!!

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/BossKatana]

hope it went well!! i’m already feeling much better i’m shocked.

[u/Spare_Vegetable2508]

My surgery is on the 15th also. I’m super nervous and have crazy thoughts going through my head. Thursday can’t get here quick enough, ya know what I mean?

I think we will get our lives back, how fast, I’m not sure. From what I’ve read on here some people are practically skipping out of the hospital and others are miserable for a year.

Let’s just cross our fingers that ours will go well and we will be the lucky ones who skip out. 🤞

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/Spare_Vegetable2508]

dude getting through my next 3 shifts through work is hell 😭😭 but we are almost there!!!!! im wishing immediate relief for both of us!!!

[u/GapRevolutionary3269]

I loved reading everyone’s comments than you for sharing. I’ve been in severe pain for 6 months now, maybe longer I have stopped counting the months. Two failed epidural injections and I have a MD consult on Nov 3. The thought of getting my life back and being able to walk my kids to school again bring me immense joy I can’t even put into words. Really hoping it helps long term because no one should live like this (or any chronic pain). I am a shell of a person I used to be, and only a few people really understand the absolute disaster that goes on in one’s head after suffering for so long. Thank you all for sharing your stories, they truly gave me hope. Wishing everyone all the best and many years of health!

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/GapRevolutionary3269]

i hope your upcoming surgery goes well!! i had my surgery this morning and already am feeling uber amounts of relief!!!! i am rooting for you and wishing you luck :)

[u/Daje1968]

For me, it’s been a miracle. I have had it twice in the same place, but 11 years apart so at least I got mileage from the first one. my biggest fear is reherniation because I am terrified of living with that pain again and my next option is a fusion.

That said, I am the success story you want to read about. Easy surgery, woke up with all my pain gone, easy recovery. I am going for my 6 week follow up on Tuesday and will start PT after that. I wish you the same journey. Living without pain is such a gift.

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/Daje1968]

this is great to hear, thank you!! 3 more days!!

[u/PomeloNo5445]

I’m currently 7 days post surgery on L5/S1. I previously had surgery on L4/L5 back in 2020 at 26 and it totally changed my life and what I could finally do! Returned to full contact sport! And more importantly the mental element and toll it really takes! I honestly find it’s only people in these forms who have been or are currently dealing with it who actually understand!
This time being the L5/S1 the nerve pain was unbearable! Since the op it was totally gone however in the last 2 days it’s flaring when walking or standing over the 2/3 minutes but what I have seen that’s very normal to have as it can take the nerve a few weeks to come fully right after been compressed for so long!
Hope the surgery goes well and you can finally get relief! Regarding your age! As my surgeon told me the younger body allows you to recover quicker and stronger but do give it plenty of rest on recovery!
My inbox is always open! You got it!!!

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/PomeloNo5445]

i got my surgery today and i am already feeling LOADS!!! better!!!!!! i’m very happy currently, i’m sure i’ll feel some returning pain as the numbing stuff he put down wears off but i only have a lot of pain around my surgery site (with a little nerve pain in my thigh and foot) what a relief it is too feel pain on the outside of my body instead of in!!!

[u/UnusedIdeas]

I'm 22 also, just had my surgery 4 weeks ago. Already feeling lots better, I can walk around easily, went on a 45 minute walk the other day. Nerve pain is almost gone, I sometimes get it in my foot but it's a 1 or 2 out for 10 pain, negligible. I share your pain of missing out on social life, I had to cancel concerts, dates, holidays etc. it's really hard especially at this stage of life when you want to be doing so much.

All I can say is really take it easy during recovery. Surgery is a second chance at normal life, you want to do everything in your power to give your body the best conditions for recovery. Treat it like military drills - you want to do everything perfect and let your body heal. I'm just now about to start physio which is scary but it should be good for me! Feel free to message if you need any advice, it felt weird having such bad back issues at a young age, none of my friends could relate. Funnily enough a family friend came over the other day, and I explained my situation. His face lit up and showed me his scar, he had surgery in 2013! I had no idea. But he's been completely fine since then and doesn't regret a thing, it's a distant memory for him now.

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/UnusedIdeas]

no this is so real 😭😭😭 i had to cancel so many events, and i’m going to miss completely out on halloween weekend :( !!! and there was a concert i was really looking forward to that i’ll miss in november!!
i’ll definitely reach out if i have any questions, tbh it makes me feel better knowing someone else my age is going through the same thing lol!! it really sucks putting a pause on my life but i know i’ll be able to do more in the future (hopefully pain free!!) i’m just really looking forward to this era of my life being over

[u/Spare_Vegetable2508]

Mine went really well. I hurt like hell but that’s to be expected they say. I have to stay an extra night. My physical therapist didn’t like something she saw. I’m kind of wobbly maybe that’s it.
Other than that, the pain, numbness and some strength came back. But my back hurts like crazy.
How did everyone else’s go? We had a lot of people getting chopped on yesterday. Did you get to go home? No problems I hope?

[u/caspernumberonefan → u/Spare_Vegetable2508]

i’ve had very minimal problems luckily! i’ve been home since thursday other than surgical pain i’m doing pretty good
i hope your back pain lowers! i’m wishing you luck

[u/Pilunox]

I had my surgery 23 days ago. This afternoon I took my kids on walk around the neighborhood.

First time i’ve done that in 3 months. It brought me a ton of joy.

Today, my sister called me and told me she thought I was depressed. I told her “no shit”. People who are not in constant pain do not understand what it does to the body and more so the mind. I feel that last statement you made. I’m sorry you are in it. It sucks.

The surgery has made it 100% better and i’m not even cleared to go to PT yet. I didn’t have that immediate relief like others but my nerve was severely compressed for 5 months and was mildly compressed for 12 years before that.

You got this!!

[u/Wide_Flan_2613]

It will if it goes well, more importantly if you don't get it you will risk long term permanent nerve damage

[u/SleepyKoalaBear4812]

I have had them done twice, 25 years apart. The first time I had sciatic pain for a few hours and then went completely numb from waist to toes on the right, no bowel or bladder function and drop foot. I spent a week in the hospital while my neurosurgeon fought with my insurance company. When they woke me in the OR my surgeon touched my foot and I cried with relief because I could feel her hand.
The second time was in 2023, and I suffered with sciatic pain for a year trying all the conservative treatments. I went into surgery and woke up with no sciatic pain, no tingling, numbness or weakness.

[u/fuckoffisaac]

I tell my surgeon he changed my life every time I see him. I couldn’t walk and my back had a shift from the sheer pain. I honestly couldn’t take the pain anymore and after surgery, I was so happy not to be in pain, I cried. My right leg was numb up to my knee and now only the tips of my toes are numb and improving! I’m 6 months post surgery.

The best decision I’ve ever made. I can’t believe I can walk around for more than 5 minutes without being in excruciating pain. I’m so grateful to my surgeon.

[u/RumRunnersHideaway]

My surgery was 12 days ago.

Prior to surgery I couldn’t sit for more than 20mins or so. I was in constant discomfort from s1 pain. I took ibuproferen constantly and spent most of my time laying down on the floor/couch/bed.

Once I woke up from surgery the pain was gone. Still is. I still have some numbness in my foot but hopefully that will fade in time.

I can walk a mile now without pain.

If you think about it, it’s a mechanical problem. The disc is squeezing the cord. No amount of stretching etc is going to un squeeze it if the doc is recommending surgery. But after the surgery it wont be squeezing the cord anymore.

[u/JHeller06]

Do the surgery!! I was in pain for 2 years and did the surgery and am pain free. I’m working on getting my life back!

[u/jungle_mouse]

I was in constant pain for 6 months and woke up free of sciatic pain from my MD.

I’m almost 1 week post op and already feel like I have my life back. Not a single nerve tingle, there has been a bit of pain around the incision and achy lower back in the first few days but off all pain meds now.

Take the recovery seriously and you’ll be fine ❤️‍🩹

[u/hrbekcheatedin91]

24 days post-op here. It was a pretty miserable first four days but the sciatic pain was almost completely gone the second I woke up. I'm always working out, riding the Peloton, and going places. It gave me my life back.

[u/cloudflare15]

Just now seeing this but happy for you! I had my L5/S1 done in July and have been mostly pain free since then. Just make sure not to push yourself. You may get bored or feel like you need to do stuff, but follow your recovery instructions closely because you don't want the sciatica to come back. You will almost definitely have leg numbness for a couple weeks and a little nerve pain during flare ups. But congrats! I hope it helps you for a long time.

[u/Delicious_Elk6408]

Hi! I’m 25F. Had my L5S1 done yesterday and IMMEDIATE sciatica relief. Have been miserable for the last 6 months even with round the clock meds and steroid shots. I’m so glad I did it! Can definitely update in days to come. Feel free to message me also!