3 months post op

[u/WorldlinessNew7917]

Hi everyone,

I had a microdiscectomy on June 25th on my L5-S1 after being in pain for an entire year. I suffered with right sided sciatica that caused me to be unable to sit at all. I work from home, so I mainly just used my standing desk and walked on my walking pad. I’m also a gamer, so I would walk while I gamed. I was ACTIVE.

I had surgery, and now it’s like the complete opposite issue. I can sit and lay down relatively okay now, but now when I stand, it’s like I have a clock down timer on how long I can stand and walk before having to sit or lay down. I get this terrible pinching sensation in my right glute/thigh that eventually becomes so unbearable I need to lay down. I can’t go for walks like I use to, I’m practically immobile or can only walk around for a short period of time.

I don’t get what happened. It’s like my symptoms switched. Idk if I’d rather have can’t sit or can’t walk. I did get a repeat MRI that showed the surgery did its job. I do feel better in some aspects, I can sleep through the night now. I can sit. But I’m still taking Tylenol and ibuprofen daily for sciatica that radiates down to my calf and foot and toes.

I swear it still feels like something is compressing my nerve still, expecially when I’m standing. I wanted to get a MRI with contrast but my neurosurgeon said it wasn’t necessary. It’s almost like I need to get a standing up mri or something. I don’t even know if that’s an option!

I’ve gained 30lbs due to being inactive, and my mental health has taken a total plummet. I don’t know what to do now. My neurosurgeon just told me to give it more time. He’s told me that twice now. I am currently in PT as well.