[phipps88fan]

I just left my primary and he wants me to go to an orthopedic surgeon for my back. I've got herniated disc in the L-4 and L-5 region and sciatica. The nerve blocks I've been getting from my pain management doctor help but wears off after only 3 months so it's a temporary solution. Anythings better than being in pain though. I'm not sure what to do about that one. I'm scared of surgery on my back. My dad had the same thing and got shots forever. He had surgery and hasn't had pain since. It's the idea of operating on my back that scares me. Any thoughts?

[krzyk101]

Hi phillips88fan,

I am really uncomfortable myself when it comes to surgery on my neck or spine. I wonder if a Neurosurgeon would be better for operating on your back than an orthopedic, the spine and all is such a delicate area. I don't really know what to say about surgery, as I too am quite shy of the idea myself.

I do hope that you get some relief though, and make sure not to take the first surgeon that they suggest. I would really research a lot about the surgeon and what his success and failure rates are and such. I know I sound paranoid, but would hate to see you have surgery on your back and it be a failed back surgery. We will have hope that that is not the case here.

Take care,
kk101

[(JD)]

I, too, have not considered back surgery; they seem to still be practicing.
However, since your dad had the same issues and was helped by the surgery, that goes well in your favor.
That area of the back is the weakest for all of humans. The L4-L5 area, and it does infringe upon the sciatic nerve(s) at times.
My issue is more than just that though, and I hope you have a full eval for yours as well. One reason surgery won't help me is that the ilia are also involved. Those are the horizontal bones (think sacro-iliac.) I'm sure you know.
When my sacrum goes out, well, it's out most of the time, but when it creeps onto the sciatic nerve or both ... that pain is excruciating. But it isn't just the bone on the nerve itself causing the issue ... often it's the swelling from the bone being that far out ... or more than one being out of place. I take Toradol for the inflammation and the pain lessens considerably. Have you tried anti-inflammatory medicine for this intense pain? I would hate for you to have surgery, yes that scary intrusive, no-guarantee surgery, when maybe it's the additional swelling that is causing it to be unbearable.

[phipps88fan]

I've tried numerous anti-inflammatories with no relief. When the sciatic nerve pain is bad I can't even sit down. If I have to ride in a car I'll be crying by the time we get where we are going. I just hate the idea of getting the blocks over and over just for the pain to continue. I'm definately going to look into a neuro surgeon verses an orthopedic surgeon. Thank yall for your input. I need all the help I can get. Hugs!

[(JD)]

Yes, sciatic pain is excruciating!
I've cried myself to a 15 minute night's sleep many a time on my knees by the bed, trying to stretch my back out over the edge for some relief. I've rubbed my back skin raw from ice massages etc.
That's why I suggested toradol. Decadron shots also help.
I don't use them regularly, but only for flares.

I think it would be good also to learn some pain management modalities, biofeedback and mindfulness, CBT and the like, as you would want the surgery to be as successful as possible. Constant stress could cause the same thing to occur again, after surgery.

As I said, if it helped your dad, it may very well help you, and I hope you are able to find relief.

[shezbut]

Originally Posted by phipps88fan

I just left my primary and he wants me to go to an orthopedic surgeon for my back. I've got herniated disc in the L-4 and L-5 region and sciatica. The nerve blocks I've been getting from my pain management doctor help but wears off after only 3 months so it's a temporary solution. Anythings better than being in pain though. I'm not sure what to do about that one. I'm scared of surgery on my back. My dad had the same thing and got shots forever. He had surgery and hasn't had pain since. It's the idea of operating on my back that scares me. Any thoughts?

((phillips88fan))

Personally, I was extremely hesitant to do anything surgical for my herniated discs. I have family who suffered the negative consequences after their surgeries. My uncle was just about 30 years old when he had his surgery.

Since then, my uncle will always have weight lifting restrictions (20 lbs max.) which has not been easy for him. There have been emotional, physical and financial consequences due to those restrictions. He was manager of a mechanic shop, which does require a lot of lifting, bending over, etc. Getting into a different profession has been really hard for him.

Anyway...due to my uncle's tough time and my previous brain sugery, I was very against having spinal surgery. I had shots, to relieve the pain from the nerves being pressed by the swelling. The shots helped a little bit, not much. The most helpful thing for me was doing exercises with occupational therapy to slowly and carefully work the area. The pain eased slowly as the swelling went down. That encouraged me to keep at my exercises and doing what I could to relieve pain and prevent worsening.

Very best wishes to you!

[phipps88fan]

I appreciate everyones advice and input. I do want to hear the good and the bad sides of it. This is a serious decision I need to make and I need to consider all the pros and cons and what might be best all around for me in the long run. Thank yall so much. Hugs!

[pondbc]

I had back surgery for L4-5 sixteen years ago. Had episodes of considerable pain which I dealt with (somehow). Then one morning the back pain disappeared and a pain like a flaming blowtorch settled in my left calf. It never went away.
Apparantly a piece of the disk had broken away and was pressing against part of the sciatic nerve. I started limping and had 'footdrop'.
Surgeon removed it in 20 minutes and the next day I was walking about perfectly and painlessly. It was truly miraculous. I have to be careful about sitting too much, lifting too much and vacuuming. Also doing exercises. If I do that I am fine, if not I will suffer.
You have to trust surgeon's opinion. Usually if pain has gone below the knee, it is a red flag. Mine would not do surgery if it was just back pain with no nerve involvement.
Hope this helps.

[lorna]

well i would highly suggest physical therapy and alternate ways before any surger. Pool exercises, accupunture, massage, chiropractor...surgery should be last resort. I had neck surgery and i'm worse from it.

[bebop]

for me I never want to have surgery done on mine. I have seen too many bad outcomes on it. I have 2 cousins that are brothers. they both had the same surgery..one did really well..the other one is worse now than he was before it.

I'm with bebop, and lorna--they wanted to do it in 1995- but I wouldn't let them . I still won't let them--all my nerve reflexes, all my plexuses are through spine--nope-not for me.

Stick to low weight, yoga, lidoderm patches, warm baths, Naproxyn, breathing, meditating, walking alot, and pushing myself to walk through the pain...I feel my spiritual pain is far worse than any of my physical ones-JMO
And I do not want anyone in my spinal column!!!!! Wishing you all the best--theo

[Perna]

I have a good friend who, it sounds like, had almost the same experience as you are having (herniated disks, nerve blocks not working, etc.) and he has had surgery on that area twice (once for each "side") and had wonderful pain relief. He only gets bad pain when he overdoes it now, and he tries to be more careful with his back than in the past, has given up some strenuous hobbies but otherwise is doing great. The surgeries only took a day or two in the hospital (but they didn't let him out unless he was up and walking, and could climb stairs, etc.).

[phipps88fan]

Now it's gotten to the point where my back has given out on me. I can't bend, lay, sit, or anything without being in horrible pain. I had a MRI ran yesterday but still have to suffer 2 weeks until the results come back. I appreciate everyones opinion and honesty with this subject. Thank you so much!.

[jen29]

About 10 years ago or so I had to have surgery on my lower back. I lost feeling in my right foot and it turned out so when I walked it looked funny. I had to walk with a cane for a month before the surgery and about 2 weeks after. I have to say that without the surgery I wouldn't have feeling in my foot. The reason this happened was from riding in a car for over 20 hours in 3 days. I have done that
many time riding to North Dakota from Wisconsin and back for small visits to family but this time it just seemed too much. I had a very bad herniated disc and they had to take out part of a vertebra because it was protruding into my spinal cord.
It's 10 years later and I still have the occasional back problem but not like that. That was the one of the worst painful moments in my life. I am just saying that the surgery saved my back and the feeling in my right leg and foot. Sometimes it can be a good thing and sometimes not so good.
I would get many opinions from professionals if possible. I know I did, and they all said I needed surgery right away. I only spent 2 days in the hospital and 2 weeks recovering at my mom's house. I couldn't drive for 2 weeks, but that was ok for me.
I occasionally do go to the chiropractor to get adjusted and just in the last week in a half my back went out but that's because i lifted something wrong. Not because of the surgery.
I hope something I said helps and if not I am sorry.
Hugs and good luck,
Jen

[phipps88fan]

Hi, thank you for telling me about your experience. I just had a MRI ran so a lot depends on what comes back. I'm just tired of the pain.