Experiences having a discectomy

[LittleBrownBaby]

Hello, I’m assuming the injection I had to deal with excruciating pain of a C7 (lower neck) disc herniation has failed. Next option will be a discectomy. I really don’t want the downtime (time off work, no driving etc) as have tricky job and three kids. I’m also hearing lots of different opinions on spinal surgery. Terrified of the pain getting worse though. Would love honest experiences positive or negative! Thanks

I had a discectomy l5/s1
mine was quite complex as I had cauda equina, 5hrs in theatre. I stayed overnight in hospital, home the next day and didn’t need anyone else there
back on a horse after 7 weeks or so

Thank you @buffyrebootamaxibg to hear about your recovery

I had one but it was lower back (L5). I had terrible sciatica and the second I came round from surgery, I felt utter relief because the pain was gone. Was back at work after two weeks and have never looked back. Wishing you all the best. 💐

That’s amazing @rollerblindthis is so good to hear!

C5/C6 amazing pain relief. I was training for a triathlon in a matter of weeks having been pretty disabled by pain beforehand. Mine was pretty significant & acute (5 weeks from onset to surgery) and I'd have lost use of my arm without surgery. But recovery was pretty good

This was my exact experience too.

I’d had a year of sciatica so bad that at one point DH had to bring me to A&E for morphine. I had 2 spinal injections that gave me a couple of days relief before the pain came back. I gained 10kg because all I could do was lie on the sofa and take pain killers.

I then had the herniated disk reduced but it bulged again two weeks later. At that point I couldn’t even stand. I went for surgery and was up and about the next day. Physio said I could go home once I’d climbed the stairs. Haven’t looked back.

My partner had one, but lower back. It was brilliant and made a massive difference to her pain. She could hardly walk before it, and now can go to the gym etc and only occasionally gets a small amount of pain. But I appreciate there are many experiences.

I had a lower back discectomy after several years of painful sciatica and then cauda equine. For me it was an absolute relief to not be in pain. I have got lasting nerve damage but that’s more to do with how long the nerve was impinged for. I was off work for about 4 weeks. I had 2 young children at the time one of whom is disabled, DH and my mum helped so I could recover.

@ArtichokesBloom- would you mind explaining what you mean about losing use of your arm. I lost feeling in my arm months ago 😟

@PegDopethank you this is so encouraging. Sorry to hear what a horrible time you had

I had one. L4/L5. I was effectively disabled before it and being given morphine and tramadol for the pain. I couldn't do very much at all. The relief was immediate, although it took some time and physio to regain movement (the discs had been herniated for 4 years at this point and I had muscle spasms). I still have nerve damage, but I'm active and can do most things except acrobatics and trampolining.

I was very nervous about the surgery and I think I was lucky it worked so well, but I'm so glad that I had the operation.

Thank you @Chaoticaand sorry to hear about your pain. It’s crazy how disabling it can become. So great to hear your experiences

Thats what the surgeon told me. I'd lost use of that arm, no strength etc and he said had I not had prompt surgery he would gave been permanent. I had surgery 5 weeks after a sudden onset. It was very severe and I was admitted as soon as MRI was done

Thanks @ArtichokesBloomso crazy how severe the nerve damage can be so quickly