Mumsnet Talk

Title says it all! Almost 4 months ago I had surgery on a prolapsed disc. It has been a huge success and as long as I am reasonably careful my back is great and my sciatica has disappeared . I had reached the halfway point in the NHS running plan before my symptoms became unbearable and would love to start again as the feeling of achievement is wonderful. Has anyone any experience or advice in this area as I couldn't bear to undo the surgeon's work...

I am in almost exactly the same situation as you! Had a microdiscectomy on a prolapsed disc three months ago. I was desperate to get back to running and I started a bit too early, about a month post-op. Although I had been cleared by the surgeon it really was too much too soon, and I could feel my back muscles protesting. I have to be careful as the MRI showed I have another compromised disc - not prolapsed (yet) but has lost a lot of springiness and is very flat.

I decided to relax for a bit, concentrate on my physio exercises, which are all about building up core strength, and have just started gentle running and yoga in this past week. I haven't had any problems with my back but am being very careful to listen to my body and stop as soon as it feels like it's too much. It's just so wonderful to be free from the sciatic pain after living with it for a year before I had the op!

I've had 2 prolapse discs operated on, the most recent was 5 years ago and now finding running is the best excersize for my back, make sure to do plenty of warm up and stretches. I was told to wait 6 months post op tho. I wake up stiff most mornings and have a hot bath and then I'm ready to run. Good luck

Hurray! Just checked in on the off chance... Yes Tired, I'm v stiff in the morning too but usually wears off quite quickly. I'm so pleased that I may be able to get going again (motivation allowing)- Thank you for replies and here's hoping all our discs behave themselves. That sciatica was miles worse than childbirth plus neverending.

very of those who have had successful disc operations. I had mine (L4/5) 11 years ago and my back has got worse since then. I wish I never had the surgery. Saw a chiropractor last year who was shocked when he saw my x ray and he said he'd never seen one like that. Apparently the surgery I had was 'pioneering' at that time (so I was a guinea pig?)

I have more back pain and less movement than before surgery.

Good luck with you all though and your running, wish I could join you

Oh MOS, that is so crap for you. I swear, if the surgery hadn't been successful I'd be deranged by now Can nothing at all be done to help you?

Lifthatup, I honestly think I was just unlucky and also I slipped through the next. I had absolutely aftercare once I was sent home and within a few days was admitted to my local hospital with a DVT! It turned out that the hospital where I had my fusion should have told me to stop taking certain medication some weeks prior to surgery but failed to do so. I had no follow up appointments at all which did suprise me.

Last year my back was so bad I saw a chiropractor who was shocked at how bad my back was and how little movement I had. If I dropped my keys/phone on the floor, I simply couldn't bend to pick them up. I had intensive treatement for three months, going three times a week which helped a lot (and cost a lot!) but it seems when I stop going it gets worse again.

Have just started going to Pilates which was recommended to me and a few other exercise classes and am keeping my fingers crossed that this helps. It is so depressing and I realised recently that I've had back pain for over half my life now

Good grief... What a nightmare. Is the mobility issue due to stiffness or does it feel more like nerve pain? I know that with the sciatic effect of the prolapsed disc I could have screamed as I walked never mind sat in a car. I remember DH and DMum driving me around for 2 months prior to op as tears just flowed with trying not to be dramatic! My mum has parkinsons, replaced hip and vv wonky ankle so you can imagine looking into her car at the traffic lights Seriously, if you can at all, pursue getting an MRI etc. You cannot go through life like this...

Thanks lifthatup for your sympathy. I think half the problem is with back problems, people can't see it. I've even seen my husband roll his eyes when I'm in agony, it sometime feels like people think I'm imagining it.

A lot of my pain (and lack of movement) is the stiffness but I've started going to the gym and am hoping that will help. Will start swimming a few times a week next week too and see how that goes.
I still get a lot of sciatic pain which doesn't help and I think the cold is making it a lot worse. I've lived in the Middle East the past five years and definitely find my back is worse now so think it probably is the cold.

I will go back to the gp but I don't hold out much hope. I had my accident which caused the injury in 1991 and it took around 4 years to get referred to the 'right' people having been fobbed off for years and they didn't operate until 2000. I was told later that if I'd had the right treatment sooner I may never had needed the surgery.

Your poor mum Its so frustrating isn't it?

Right, getting ready to go to gym. A bit of a warmup then zumba!

You go girl!! Have heard swimming is great for the likes of us. Sadly it requires waxing, tanning and too much maintenance for my liking!