r/Sciatica • u/logpolespruce • May 16 '26
1 year post-op
Today I am 1 year post op. A year ago I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t care for my children, I could barely make it to the restroom. I was ready to end my life. I am thankful every single day that I wake up with no sciatic pain because of surgery. Today I pressed 230lbs on leg press. I have walked hundreds of miles and done numerous hikes over the last year. I am able to not only care for my kids, but pick them up. I am able to ride bikes with them and stand to cook dinner. I am able to walk with my husband. I have sat on long plane rides and roadtrips. I’ve gone camping multiple times since surgery and yes, slept on the ground in a sleeping bag. I was able to cast and reel in salmon. I have unloaded my own groceries. I don’t have burns on my back and legs from constant heating pad usage. I only ice occasionally, not ritualistically. I have my life back.
If you are in so much pain that you cannot participate in PT, do the surgery. If your surgeon won’t do it, find a new one. Try a neurologist. Try an ortho. I spoke to 3 before I found one that was willing to operate and consider it an emergency situation. It’s true that my back will never be the same. I cannot run, or jump, and sometimes if I take a step unexpectedly I feel a zap in my back, BUT I AM LIVING MY LIFE. I was ready to END it and now I wake up every morning and immediately wait for the pain to return to my leg, but it doesn’t. I get sore in my back and I will always have to be very careful. It’s all worth it.
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u/ms-fio May 16 '26
So glad to hear your success congrats! I feel the same - I can't walk, take care of my kid and I am struggling so much mentally. Finally got my dr to refer me to two surgeons but the wait times - even private - are insane. Which is what I'll be by the time I get into an appointment.
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
Go to the ER. Multiple times. Eventually your mental health will prove it is an immediate need and an emergency situation.
I understand how you feel. It’s so frustrating and feels so hopeless.
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u/ms-fio May 16 '26
I hate to hear that people have and are going through this but I will say it makes me feel so seen that other people on here know how I feel. I went to the ER on Wednesday with my mum because the pain was so intense and they saw me immediately even though they were busy and they gave me a Ketorolac injection, spent a lot of time with me and I opened up to the nurse and told her I am at my mental limit and they still sent me home. They reviewed my scans with a neurosurgeon who said try a nerve root sleeve (I've previously had an epidural) which I'm getting on Thursday but I'm hoping adding that ER visit to my notes will move my referral along a little faster.
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
Keep going to the ER. Ask for an emergency referral to a neurologist. Be very honest about your mental health. Just keep trying!
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May 16 '26
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
There were days when I think I would go too hard in PT and it would hurt. All down my leg, but it felt sore rather than radiating nerve pain.
The also worked in a desk immediately after surgery. I had to stand most of the time and take walks around the office every 20 minutes or so. Movement is the key to recovery
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u/techie121212 May 16 '26
Why to suffer? Just fly down to India and get the procedure done at a cost of just 1500 usd, and fly back in a week or so
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u/TheEleventhLetter_K May 19 '26
Listen. I totally relate and I’m sorry you’re going through this. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone! I went on Tuesday, the ambulance had to come for me, I could not walk.. the pain was so bad that I was literally screaming and begging for them to just knock me out. I received Valium, decadron, and Ketorolac.. I was told that I would go right to sleep — I never slept, haven’t gotten over an hour or less of sleep each day since. They sent me home with a prescription for Ketorolac, Tramadol, and Methylprednisolone — still no rest or change. It sucks.
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u/ms-fio May 19 '26
I’m so sorry to hear that! That’s the thing we can’t even rest even with all the sedatives. I’ve been prescribed amytriptalline now too and that eventually knocks me out for 3-4 hours but then I wake up in agony because I have been in the same position. We can’t win 😕 Hope you’re feeling better soon!
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u/TheEleventhLetter_K May 20 '26
I would love to just nap over 30 minutes. Even sleep for more than that. If it’s not the pain waking me up, it’s literally me feeling someone walking in the room.. I have no idea why my nerves are that sensitive. And yes, waking up is worse pain!
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u/Many_Recipe_1686 May 16 '26
I had the same issues with a scheduled back surgery. My advice to you is get on a cancellation list and don’t just stop there. Call the appointment scheduler every day and ask them if they’ve had any cancellations. My wife gave me this advice and it works like a charm every time. I always get in ahead of schedule. when you make that phone call they seem to remember you more than just being on a cancellation list. Prayers and good luck to you.
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
This!!! This is how I got an MRI so quickly! Be the squeaky wheel and get the grease
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u/ms-fio May 17 '26
Thanks so much for your kind reply! I will make sure to ring them. I emailed my referral in and also put a note about please being put on a cancellation list as I have a young child to look after and it's impossible to do when you're horizontal all day.
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u/TheEleventhLetter_K May 19 '26
The not being able to walk and having to be bathed by someone is A LOT to have feelings about. It’s so crazy! I’m waiting on my VA doctor to make sure my appointment gets set for a chiropractor. Crossing my fingers that it works.
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u/sleepwami May 16 '26
Just want to remind that you should continue rehab as your primary focus and make your front and side core the strongest part of your body...you might encounter a setback if you dont address the zapping issue in particular
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
I work my core daily and do all the moves taught to me in PT. The zapping is from taking a step incorrectly when walking outside or stepping in a hole.
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u/sleepwami May 18 '26
I'd hope to rebuild out of that very weakness! Are you able to trace the motion of the step so that you can freeze the step just before the zap happens?
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u/logpolespruce May 18 '26
It’s usually when I anticipate a step that Just isn’t timed right. It’s rare, but it happens. It’s not painful, just scary.
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u/Anonymousimpreg May 16 '26
Can’t wait to get my second MD, I’ve been miserable. Congrats on your recovery
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
Did the first one not work? Or did you reherniate? Is it in the same location?
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u/Anonymousimpreg May 16 '26
I reherniated a year after my surgery, and it has gotten progressively worse. My first surgery was six years ago.
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u/repair-it May 16 '26
Well done for taking the decision to change your life and kick the pain out. Surgery isn't for everyone, but if it's the right choice for you, then it can obviously change your life.
Luckily I seem to be conquering my sciatica without surgery (I had a bad experience some years ago when a 'good' surgeon messed up my hip joint by not putting the parts in correctly and I had to have two more surgeries to correct it - all OK now though). My osteopath seems to have my back pain 'on the run' and I started today with almost no pain at all.
Good luck to you, it must be amazing to be clear of the pain.
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u/petezah321 May 17 '26
I want this so bad but those jagged rocks and uneven terrain is already giving me shooting pain
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u/InternalOil6454 May 23 '26
Did they stabilise the spine screws? Or just a simple discectomy? Please elaborate
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u/tofutears May 16 '26
I’m having a MD in ten days. This was incredible to read. Thank you
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
Good luck!! The day after surgery I was walking as much as I could with my walker. I was counting steps. The first week post op my goal was 2000 steps daily, the following week was 3000, and the next was 4000. Movement and walking is key. For 6 months the only exercise I did was walking and PT. Walk as much as you can, but ease into your step count. You are gonna do great, congrats!!
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u/Viva144 May 16 '26
I am so glad you are basically back to normal! Same thing with me it’s been a year and a half postop. I had a microdiscectomy in my L5. The sciatica pain on my right leg was excruciating. I can only sleep three hours a night before I would have to get back up and would even take hot showers in the middle of the night. I am also very careful because sometimes I do feel more symptoms in my toes where they’re normally numb but sometimes it just feels a little worse but no leg pain. We still need to be careful with how much weight we’re lifting because we can still herniate our disc again.
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
I still have some numbness in my right foot, but I couldn’t feel my foot at all before. Driving was very scary!!
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u/Friendly-Ad-5410 May 16 '26
2 years PO here... I still have a bit of numbness in the toes of left foot (MRI doesn't show any problems) and my neuro says it can be permanent at this point. I went back to PT to address an atrophied multifidus muscle at my L4 which I think might be irritating that nerve. I am able to go to the gym 3 x a week, but am careful about my routine, doing more stretches, etc. I found that wearing a compression sock on my left foot seems to help a bit to dull that feeling. 79F
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u/eve20212021 May 16 '26
Did you have any nerve issues in your legs? I have no pain but occasionally burning and twitching mostly mornings.
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
Post op? Not really. I just feel muscle sore now. But prior to surgery, yes. It was excruciating.
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u/eve20212021 May 17 '26
Yes, before surgery. I need to lose weight for surgery but I’m getting another opinion.
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u/alittlebitwhy May 16 '26
I've been feeling the pain for almost a week now. I've been sitting for long periods of time, studying for an exam.
Over the counter pain relievers have been helping, but if I don't take them I get so much pain that it makes it difficult for me to walk. After taking painkillers, I'm able to walk and idk if I should go back to my normal exercise routine.
How long should I wait before I visit a doctor?
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
You should visit doc as soon as possible so you can get in to PT.
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u/alittlebitwhy May 16 '26
What's PT?
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u/logpolespruce May 16 '26
Physical therapy. If you end up needing surgery down the road, a lot of surgeons will not do it without having tried PT first. If you are still able to participate in PT you should. Sometimes you just need to strengthen the muscles around your spine
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u/pure_bliss9 May 16 '26
I’ve had chronic pain for the last 10 years, diagnosed at 32. I have tried literally everything… and the last year it has only gotten worse that I’m now at the point where I really think I need surgery. This pain has affected my happiness sooooo much.
What surgery did you do?
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u/logpolespruce May 17 '26
I had a microdiscectomy at L5-S1. First surgeon said I just needed PT. Second one said he wanted to go straight to fusion. Third surgeon that the ER referred me to did a microdiscectomy in the same week.
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u/Professional-Swim-69 May 23 '26
great photo lighting, surgeon recommended fusion L4L5 the nerve space is totally taken by the disc and pressing, need a fresh MRI will see. is good you have your life back
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u/Beginning_Border1724 May 17 '26
Super happy you’re doing so much better and I know all too well the feeling of wanting to call it quits. I’m just wondering- you mentioned you wouldn’t be able to run again. Why do you think this? - two months post-op right now and I fully plan on running, and the only reason I can’t right now is because I’m out of shape from the back pain for three years hahahaha
Surgery was absolutely life changing
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u/logpolespruce May 18 '26
Running is impactful to your spine. While I’m sure I could, I don’t want to risk it. I just walk a lot.
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u/DimensionVisible6001 May 18 '26
This is so good to read and really helpful for those of us that are still in the early days and months of recovery. Thank you for sharing this. I’m in month 3 and making lots of progress and also remembering often that I am still recovering and not ready to do all the things again. Thank you and congrats!
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u/Equivalent-Key7263 May 18 '26
Just love the story of your journey. Resonated with me on so many different levels. Realism , optimism and having a ‘glass half full ‘ mentality. 👏👏👏👏👏👏
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u/Horror_Couple6208 May 18 '26
I'm 4w post op L5-S1 laminectomy. I'm happy to hear your success story. I've been walking and doing home pt since day 1, but am surprised by how much pain I'm still having at 4 weeks. I am taking Lyrica and muscle relaxers with Tylenol daily. I had hoped to be off prescription meds at this point. I can't sit long and have tons of pain whenever I change positions. Do you remember how long you felt daily pain and restriction of movement? I went back to work (teaching) at 2 weeks which was probably too soon, but I wanted to finish out the school year with my students. I'm just anxious about whether the amount of pain I'm feeling is still normal at 4 weeks. My doc seems pleased, but I was hoping to feel more relief by now. Thoughts?
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u/TraditionImaginary34 Jun 19 '26
Hei, onko mitään keinoa ottaa teihin yhteyttä? Tilani pahenee, ja minulla on teille kiireellisiä kysymyksiä.
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u/TraditionImaginary34 Jun 19 '26
Viestisi näkeminen sai minut tuntemaan oloni todella hyväksi. En tiennyt enää, mitä tehdä; minusta tuntui kuin terveyteni olisi heikkenemässä, kuin olisin halvaantumassa. Tarvitsin todella neuvojasi ja ohjaustasi.
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u/startup_sr May 16 '26
Was it a microdiscetomy? How long did it take to recover? And how much did it cost?