Anyone ever had a microdiscectomy?

[Mischance]

I am beside myself with pain from a sipped disc. Even an opiate patch does not begin to touch the edges. Only option seems toi be microdiscectomy.

I have two options - normal op on the NHS (after Christmas sometime!) or spend my savings on same op privately (and eat up my savings) where it is a lighter anaesthetic and you are out the same day.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Thanks.

Nothing post op. I managed alone, you just have to remember to not do things like bend over to spit out toothpaste, or pick a dropped shower gel bottle up!
They didn't tell me I couldn't squat down so that's what I did

DP Just went private as NHS wait list was so long. He had not left the house in 3 months and honestly looked like he was dying, he lost so much weight though pain and lack of sleep.
Best money we ever spent, he walked out of the hospital the following day.

Yes. I had a double microdiscectomy on L3 and L4 in December 2017 - eased the pain and numbness immediately and for four years I haven't taken a painkiller.
Unfortunately I'm now back on naproxen and awaiting a date for another double microdiscectomy on L4 and L5.
Recovery was 4 weeks and the relief was immediate.

Icanflyhigh Good to know the relief was immediate. I have about 5 weeks to my surgery and even that feels intolerable. Such a a shame for you that this now needs more surgery.

catfunk walked out of hospital sounds good!

Forgot some tips! Some are overboard probably but I was absolutely determined to get back on my horse so googled and did it by the book plus I was alone

Walking is important to stop scar tissue sticking. I built it up until I was walking 5km, use different ground like flat, slopes, grass, cobbles etc (I walked an hour post op)
Do tiny core exercises like standing on one leg cleaning teeth
Google log roll out of bed (they should show you but it's the best way in and out of bed!)
If you can afford it then I had physio after and 8 personal training sessions working on my weaker leg
If you sneeze then it felt safer bracing my back against a wall!
Laxatives. Have some in as the anaesthetic might make you constipated and that's the last thing you need
Have easy food ready in case you're tired
Find a box set to binge or something to do as you'll need to lie down/stand rather than sit
Plan how to get your bag from hospital - car - home. I had one on wheels but the taxi driver carried it in for me
Don't worry about random sensations. I had hamstring cramps, tingling in my hands, odd back/nerve pain. Apparently it's from them moving the nerves about

Ask for an NHS choose & book referral to your nearest private hospital,you get the op done privately but paid for by the NHS.

Had pre-op visit yesterday and have been shitting bricks ever since .... need a hand hold ..... can't hold a real one as I am supposed to be social distancing pre-operatively.

You'll be fine hand hold here

Gratefully received!

Hand hold from me too. It really is worth having the op. (I had one 20 years ago after 4 years of pain - I'm so glad I did.) I realise that they don't work for everyone, but the pain is so extreme that it is worth the risk.

I was recovering for about a week, then I needed physio to get moving again.

Good luck.

Thank you - I am glad it was a success for you - I just have to keep my fingers crossed. The pain is dreadful so I will be very disappointed if it does not provide the hoped for pain relief - I know that to begin with I will simply be adding in post-operative pain to the mix and I am not looking forward to that. And I am anxious about my heart rhythm problem with the anaesthetic.

@Mischance I had v little post op pain. Took 1 codeine and that was it
Weird sensations like pins and needles and tingling but no actual pain. I'm also fat and no anaesthetic issues

That was good going!

At the pre-op I was told I would have to be in elastic stockings for 6 weeks! Did you have to do this? - there is no way I will be able to get them on or off by myself! - especially if I am not allowed to bend.

Er, no! They took them off after I did about 3000 steps round the hospital complaining I wanted to go home

DH had this and was told off for not using the pain killer pump post-op, but the pain after the op was far less than before. He was up and walking next day when I went to bring him home.

Up and walking is what I like to here. I am, as you say, already in loads of pain, so am hoping that some of that will subside after surgery - I am told it might take a while to go completely. Not looking forward to all this - I am a definite wimp when it comes to surgery!

I won't lie: I was in pain post-op and needed the pump, then strong painkillers for about a week. But the unbearable nerve pain in my legs and feet was gone immediately when the disc was removed. Very soon, I was pain free (for the first time in 4 years).

Only afterwards my consultant and medics I knew all said that they were surprised that the operation was as successful as it was.

I was more.. stiff in my back than actual pain. Wasn't on a pump or offered one, but they did force a codeine on me at about 3am!