NOO! my back has 'gone'! It can't!

[PavlovtheCat]

FFS
I have had increased pain for a couple of days. Today, it was worse than it has been since surgery (discectomy) two weeks ago today. But I expected some increase as it all heals and not huge sciatica; of course it's going to hurt a bit, had bone and disc removed, muscle cut into, nerves and ligaments shifted out of the way.

But, today, I felt flu-like this afternoon, like I have before my back 'goes'. I had often wondered if it was due to gunk seeping from my disc and causing inflammation and sort of 'toxic' so making me feel ill. I didn't really think much of it today though, although DH checked my incision to make sure that's ok - it's fine, what he can see through the million steri-strips. He then said 'do you feel unwell like your back is going to go?' and I thought about it, and yes, that's how I feel. However, still put it down to a bug.

Then, about 1 hour after than convo, I do my log roll onto my bed, stop it a little early and sit up too soon - bamm! it's gone. Searing pain through my back, like something has rubbed against each other, shooting pain right into my right foot, a little into my left. I had the left side of the disc removed, but not the right as the surgeon didn't want to destabilise my spine by removing bone on both sides (have an unstable vertebrae).

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I don't know why this has happened. It may be that the vertebrae has shifted a bit - the surgery was never going to fix that - but the leg pain, that worries me. 1) what if it has just gone on the other side?

I am meant to be going away on friday to stay in a Yurt! It 'went' a few weeks ago, right before going away to a Yurt then too! We are going with friends, they are looking after me with DH, they have it all planned to help me convalesce, my friend is a district nurse, she is going to check my incision, remove steri strips, replace if necessary (DH is squeamish), they are going to help me have a good time while doing nothing at all. We are being ultra organised so we don't have to do lots (they even, I won't be doing much). But there is a difference between me taking it easy and not pulling my weight, and being an absolute fucking burden, someone who needs complete care. I might not be able to go!

But, more than that, what if I have done too much, too soon and have just fucked my back up, again, two weeks after surgery?

oops, stupid touch pad on computer set to sensitive, only have to think about posting and it posts it.

Was going to say, and so after DDs birthday on Monday, I have kept it really easy, stayed in bed most of yesterday and today, only got up to walk about a bit clean kitchen and make a drink, get something to eat, did my physio exercises.

Argh Pavlov nightmare!

You have definitely been doing too much - slow down woman.

And tell DH to keep the floor tidy!

youarewinning thank you. I really appreciate everyone letting me moan. I really thought I was fixed. I have been feeling so good! It's been amazing, friends have commented on my posture, my face has been almost pain free so I have been looking happy, I am walking with no limp or crutches (mostly, I take them if I am unsure of even surfaces, or if DH is not with me, as my backup rather than because I need them). Parents at school have been amazed at me being up and about so quickly.

Amazed, as clearly I shouldn't have been.

ali he is doing his absolute best, but with the best will in the world I can't alter his spacial awareness he can't see things on the floor I swear. I often watch him step over a large pile of wet towels after the children have had their baths and discard their towels in the middle of the hallway. He will swerve around a dangerous toy, you know something with wheels that will have you zooming along the corridor before falling on your ass? He never does that, he walks around it. If I point it out, he's like 'oh! I didn't see that huge pile of white towels in the middle of the dark grey carpet!''

I feel really cross! I feel tearful, frustrated. I have taken a huge step backwards even if it's not too bad, and that's just fucking shite as I was doing so well!

I think we would all rush to get back to some kind of normality though, don't feel cross with yourself about that.

Do go to the GP and speak to your surgeon tomorrow though, and if you get more pain overnight then think about 111 and/or A&E. Fingers crossed it is just a blip.

Don't worry, I expect its a blip.
I've been kicking myself over trying to do stuff after my op and ended up with quite a fright over the weekend. A few days later and things are looking like they are getting back on track.

Take it easy post surgery ladies! They say there's a 6 week recovery for a reason. Don't be too hard on yourself Pavlov. This is just a reminder that you're not totally fixed yet. Will you be able to sleep?

oybbk oh ark at me banging on! you have had an op too! how are you doing now?

oh I am sure it will be fine crosses fingers, not sure about sleeping. I suspect it's going to hurt trying to shift to my side and I found in hospital lying on my back meant I snored, and kept waking myself up I didn't know the first night if I could move into my side or not. Bloody hell that was an appalling night's sleep, lying on my back! So, we shall see how it goes, but I am not expecting a good night's sleep!

I feel like I'm getting there now :) been a bit of a bumpy ride and I still need to take care but I can start to get back into life again. Hooray!

Pavlov, I know someone else who had very similar problems after a disectomy and it turns out he had an infection. I'm just worried because you said you felt a bit flu like.

He had to have another op about two weeks after the initial one to cut away inflamed tissue/bits of disc.

Can you ring your surgeons secretary today and tell her what's happened?

Viva* I am a tinsy bit worried it might be an infection too - I don't feel so well this morning - fluy, calves are throbbing and burning, feet are hurting, hands are hurting (so makes me wonder if leg/foot pain is not necessarily sciatic pain), ears are hurting a little, vague sore throat, and my incision is a little sore - not the actual cut, but sort of around/within it (not too deep), and not constantly sore, it feels bruised, not stinging, and a few little aches and pains here and there alongside it all (within pubic bone area, slight chest tightness which comes and goes). The horrendous back pain that made me worried it had 'gone' badly again appears to have let up somewhat, it is 'delicate' and feels like it's gonna go any moment, and is twingeing, but it's not horrendous to walk on like it has been before.

I am about to make a GP appt to see him this morning. I reckon I just have a bug that's coincided with my recovery and is making me feel more shite than I normally would, but, want to rule out anything more serious just in case.

Bloody hell they won't send me up to hospital will they? We got tons to do for our trip tomorrow! (of course my role is supervisory )

oybbk oh I hope things are on the up for you. for you for a speedy recovery too.

ok, so it can't be an infection, as just took my temp and it is low rather than high. I took it 3 times with a digital thermometer and it was 95.6, 94.5/94.5. It's quite low, so I'm back under the covers to warm up! I was cold when I came around from anaesthetic as well, got to have one of those padded blankets that blows heat all around you! They wouldn't let me take it home though, and apparently you can't buy them in boots

don't want to scare you Pavlov but an infection can present with low temperature.my friends twins first sign of meningitis was low temperature.I have no idea if this applies to adults too.I hope you feel better soon.

Pavlov how are you feeling? Have you spoken to your surgical team yet? Or at least the GP?

I think you absolutely do need to speak to your consultant and today.

I had one of those heated blankets too. It was lush! I was so shivery and then instantly warm. Later I couldnt work out why I was baking until I got up and realised I'd been sort of bubble wrapped!

temperature has steadied out, after I snuggled in bed with a ton of clothes on, went up a little, and then evened out. But was a little high at GPs surgery. She has given me the once over and thinks I have a virus. I talked about my concerns relating to infection and back etc and she said she was pretty certain it was not an infection related to surgery. She was pleased I went though, to see my progress and to be able to reassure me that it's nothing serious. She said re the back pain that 1) it will sometimes get worse before better, and 2) it can be exaggerated with the onset of a virus.
She has told me to slow down, take it easy, drink plenty of fluids and keep my meds up. She was not concerned.

Do you think I should call the surgeon too, just to get his view? as he is the expert in this, or do you think my GP would have enough knowledge about infections etc to be confidently ruling it out? She didn't check my incision, or take my temp, but did check my throat, ears, lungs and used the stethescope to check some other places (abdomen, sides lower down, back around incision area).

I feel a little better, having got up, gone out and walked a bit, now back in bed! Back is very very tender, and still threatening to 'go' and if I move wrong it catches really painfully, but GP thinks this is normal.

I say she GP, as the male is on hols, but they both 'know' me and my back woes!

I'd call, because at the very worst you would have full confidence in the reassurance and if it was something you'd be kicking yourself for not sorting it sooner.

I think OYBBK is right - better to call and check. How are you doing?

I have dipped again, but that is because meds have run out, I will feel better once they have taken hold. I am not getting worse, and back pain/leg pain is manageable, bruised feeling around incision area not got worse. I didn't call the doc as I fell asleep after posting and woke up too late wasn't intended, but obviously needed it! If I don't see an improvement by the morning I will call.

I am being ultra careful with what I am doing today. So, I am not doing lifting, carrying, bending etc, I am doing folding clothes that are the bed, and putting into our suitcase, folding up bunting (yep! I have bunting) unpacking light box and repacking it properly - you know, really useful stuff

when I say I will call the doc - i mean neurosurgeon doc, not gp doc!

Hi Pavlov. I had that operation a few years ago and the recovery was slower than I would have liked due to trying to do too much too soon. I really think you need to take it easy for 6 weeks. Think baby steps!

Are you sure sleeping in a yurt is wise so soon after your op?