Another microdiscectomy journal

Hello to all on here, as a first timer on here let's start with offering my apologies if I use terminology anybody is not familiar with. I am from the UK and things (medicines etc.,) are somewhat different in the script name although they are all usually generically the same.

I found this site just after my microdiscectomy (October 29th 2014) when I was so afraid that it had all gone wrong only to be positively reassured that all was normal in the world of recovery. THANK YOU to pie for your continued posts which have been my 'bible' over the last 5 weeks. This lead to me wishing to continue where he had left off.

I am, female, 57 years young and have just finished 6 years as a Carer for my lovely dementia suffering mummy.

Well, 3 weeks on a prescribed cocktail of pain numbing, mind numbing drugs and the operation on L5S1. Like all others here, immediate relief and a 10 day belief that all was well. Refused drugs (scared of dependency) and scar closing a super fast pace. That's were the joy stopped and the fear started to set in.

Unexplained 'sparks' electrical pulses and all manner of unexplained phenomena happening ALL OVER my body, especially in my hips, legs, feet and toes. I never had problems with my feet pre-op just the natural route of sciatic pain (left leg) now the right leg and buttock are paining me too.

I gave in and went to the Dr. who gave me Gabapentin and Amatriptalin. I take the amatriptalin (10mg) to aid relaxed sleep (when I can) but never took the Gabapentin as the side effects listed read like a horror movie and scared me more than the pain.

When I read these posts on here I realise that we are 'mostly the same' doing this journey together without having been given prior notice or post-op advice about the side effects.

So.......in the hope that it may help one other, as it helped me, let's begin.

Being fearless is the biggest aid mixed with a massive dose of patience and lots of common sense.

I walk about 1/1.5 miles each day. Not all at once most days I split into two or three sections. I sit for as little as possible 30-45 minutes and I lay on my bed as often as my body let's me. I sleep little as each turn means moving my pillows to support myself. I have unexplained, random bouts of pain: right buttock, right ankle, chest, forearm, neck. My left side has the repeated line of pain that it had before the op (absolutely no where near as severe) and then I start the 'OMG' thing again.

First drug I use - 'Back to the mindful chat of conquering the fear.'

I think I am doing really really well. I have my first outpatients appointment soon and I have a whole list of questions to ask so after that I hope to let you all know how it is going.

Its Xmas soon folks. My letter says......"Dear Santa, all I want is good health"

Love and light

Thanks you Aussie, the encouragement is welcomed.

The GP gave me the amatriptalyn to take at night (10 mg) to relax the muscle only and aid a more restful sleep. TBH I am taking 29 mg to be of any use.

I took the Gabapentin in January this year at the same time as taking naproxen and Valium and the amatriptalyn for bed (I was doing 140 hour week with mom then disputing her final weeks) and I was physically and mentally inept.

Again in early October this year I was prescribed enough drugs that according to my GP he kept me medically 'stoned' for 21 days until I could undergo the operation. Zoramorph, Gabapentin, oramorph, Valium and 40/50 mg amatriptalyn.

I have very little memory of that time frame and it scared the life out of me. I went cold turkey after discharge and have only been taking a mild NSAID each day.

The pain is tolerable TRUELY it is. My day to day, hour to hour issue is the continual 'sparks' that cover my entire body especially behind my eyes and under my breast implants (double mastectomy 2006) .

If thus is the normal route to recovery for some/most/all after discectomy then that's just fine. I can run with that, safe in the knowledge that I'm on the correct path. Every little 'neuro blip' is one less to bear.

I have an appointment thus coming Monday 8th October with the consultant and a list of questions I wish for him to answer. Information is very important to me so that I may take a more pro-active part in my recovery. Even if it's just learning to do meditation to cope.

I'll do my update in due course. In the interim ....... Love and light to all

I made some paragraphs in your post to make it easier to read. Some of our members have tracking problems when reading. Thanks

Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 12/5/2014 9:14:46 AM (GMT-7)

You have certainly been through it that's for sure. I do completely understand the not wanting to be loopy or in a fog. As long as you feel comfortable with where you are that is the important thing. Not being able to remember things is a tough one & I am like you I have no interest in being that way, lol. I have too many things to do every day to keep me busy, lol. Amitriptiline is used off label for a lot of different conditions. I was put on it for migraines, a very low dose & could not tolerate it.

I hope you continue to improve & keep us posted on how you are getting along. Take care.

I want to say you posted an update on PieNic's thread & I asked you to go back to your original post which is this one so not to be hijacking PieNic's thread. Is that the post you are talking about?