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Large Seroma Post Microdiscectomy
Hello. I have posted several questions on here regarding recovery from a lumbar microdiscectomy.
On October 23 I had a microdiscectomy of the L5/S1 disc space. I was feeling a ton of pressure in that region about 1 week post surgery. I followed up with my neurosurgeon who said that the pressure was probably due to a large collection of fluid around the disc space. He didn't seem too concerned and he upped my pain meds, put me on a high dose of steroids, and gave me a small prescription of Ambien to help me sleep at night.
On the 3rd and 4th of November I actually felt AWESOME and for the first time I didn't regret having the surgery. On the 5th of November I bent over to pick up a couple bottles of things from the shower so that I could spray it down. I felt a LARGE pop and was suddenly in excruciating pain. Of course, I immediately called my doctor and they recommended that I take it easy until the 10th. They explained that even if I DID re-herniate the disc, they wouldn't be able to do an MRI until 6 weeks post op. I asked them why and they explained that this close to the actual surgery date it is hard to tell on an MRI what is normal scar tissue from the surgery and what is a disc herniation. They told me to resume taking my pain medication and muscle relaxer and rest the back.
I went ahead and called my husband to come home (we have a 16 month old...and there was NO way I could lift her...) Later on that evening I was feeling a ton more pain in that area and so I lifted my shirt and asked my husband to look at it. His first response was, "Dear God". I had swelling about the size of a golf ball on my lower back. We proceeded to me laying on the couch with ice in the area...and I got absolutely NO sleep that night. The next day my husband checked the area again and by this time the swelling had gone from golf ball size to about the size of 2-3 eggs. I was in significantly more pain by this time...and so I took 2 Percocet and a Flexeril and laid back down with ice.
I called my doctor and they told me to come in. When I got there (I think they thought I was exaggerating) the nurse was shocked to see my back. The doctor came in and was surprised as well at the level of swelling. We talked over my options and I chose to have a small amount drained off to relieve the pressure. The doctor got 20cc's of blood and fluid out and then put me in 3 pressure dressings. His DX for the time being is that I have a large seroma and that the fluid busted through the internal stitches and I busted a blood vessel. I was then sent for blood work just to ensure I didn't have a post-op infection.
Okay...so here is my question. The swelling HAS gone down a bit....I still have a large amount of swelling...but nothing like yesterday. However, my pain is now going UP my back and down to the tailbone. Is this normal? I would really like some insight to this before I call my doctor. I have already called them several times since the surgery...and don't really want to call again unless there is a good reason. I should probably also mention that I now have bouts of nausea and chills. This began last night.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
On October 23 I had a microdiscectomy of the L5/S1 disc space. I was feeling a ton of pressure in that region about 1 week post surgery. I followed up with my neurosurgeon who said that the pressure was probably due to a large collection of fluid around the disc space. He didn't seem too concerned and he upped my pain meds, put me on a high dose of steroids, and gave me a small prescription of Ambien to help me sleep at night.
On the 3rd and 4th of November I actually felt AWESOME and for the first time I didn't regret having the surgery. On the 5th of November I bent over to pick up a couple bottles of things from the shower so that I could spray it down. I felt a LARGE pop and was suddenly in excruciating pain. Of course, I immediately called my doctor and they recommended that I take it easy until the 10th. They explained that even if I DID re-herniate the disc, they wouldn't be able to do an MRI until 6 weeks post op. I asked them why and they explained that this close to the actual surgery date it is hard to tell on an MRI what is normal scar tissue from the surgery and what is a disc herniation. They told me to resume taking my pain medication and muscle relaxer and rest the back.
I went ahead and called my husband to come home (we have a 16 month old...and there was NO way I could lift her...) Later on that evening I was feeling a ton more pain in that area and so I lifted my shirt and asked my husband to look at it. His first response was, "Dear God". I had swelling about the size of a golf ball on my lower back. We proceeded to me laying on the couch with ice in the area...and I got absolutely NO sleep that night. The next day my husband checked the area again and by this time the swelling had gone from golf ball size to about the size of 2-3 eggs. I was in significantly more pain by this time...and so I took 2 Percocet and a Flexeril and laid back down with ice.
I called my doctor and they told me to come in. When I got there (I think they thought I was exaggerating) the nurse was shocked to see my back. The doctor came in and was surprised as well at the level of swelling. We talked over my options and I chose to have a small amount drained off to relieve the pressure. The doctor got 20cc's of blood and fluid out and then put me in 3 pressure dressings. His DX for the time being is that I have a large seroma and that the fluid busted through the internal stitches and I busted a blood vessel. I was then sent for blood work just to ensure I didn't have a post-op infection.
Okay...so here is my question. The swelling HAS gone down a bit....I still have a large amount of swelling...but nothing like yesterday. However, my pain is now going UP my back and down to the tailbone. Is this normal? I would really like some insight to this before I call my doctor. I have already called them several times since the surgery...and don't really want to call again unless there is a good reason. I should probably also mention that I now have bouts of nausea and chills. This began last night.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
Nausea can also be from increased pain meds...if you're taking more than you were, due to the increased pain.
I haven't had a fever. Nausea, yes...but it is normally right around when I take my meds...so I have just chalked it up to that. The doctor also said that my level of pain could be contributing to the nausea.
I am sorry to hear that your back is starting to hurt again! Although the fact that you had a pretty uneventful 6 years. I can't wait to get to that point!
My doctor DID warn me that the seroma would most likely re accumulate. There isn't much they can do about it...unless when it re accumulates it is just as severe as this last time.
I just finished a course of Dexamethasone steroids...so they can't put me on anymore for a while. The doctor mentioned calling and checking in on me today...so I will mention that the pain has spread.
I am sorry to hear that your back is starting to hurt again! Although the fact that you had a pretty uneventful 6 years. I can't wait to get to that point!
My doctor DID warn me that the seroma would most likely re accumulate. There isn't much they can do about it...unless when it re accumulates it is just as severe as this last time.
I just finished a course of Dexamethasone steroids...so they can't put me on anymore for a while. The doctor mentioned calling and checking in on me today...so I will mention that the pain has spread.
Sorry for your pain. You know sometimes we (people with back problems) just have tell our doc LISTEN TO ME I HURT YOU HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING!!!!!! Until I did that my dr. just thought I had strained my back until the MRI! Now I have had lower lumbar discectomy in feb and it did get inflammed cause I fell over a reliner that the bottom part was pulled out. The steroids helped. Later I felt better. But now I am worse off. Another MRI Nov 20th. They think I have another herniated disc. I do have DDD. and spurs. I am an anemic and am looking at blood transfusion if counts dont go up. I also have graves disease so I just tell whatever Dr. I am seeing listen to me and then I will listen to you. (after all they get paid) If your Dr. doesnt help go to the ER. Our backs are to precious to limit us from a happy daily living. Demand some answers. Dont leave the office until you get a full understanding of what is going on.
Do you have a fever along with the nausea and chills? If so, I'd call right away. I'd probably still call to let them know that the pain is changing and your other symptoms. I know you don't want to feel like a pain in the @ss, but hey--he is your doctor, and should know what's going on with you.
Seromas often reaccumulate. I had them after my second mastectomy, for many weeks. Mine came back so often I had to have a drain put in (but I don't think they'd do such a thing after a micro-d.
I had a L5-S1 microdiscectomy too, back in 2002, only it went uneventfully. I did have a return of a lot of pain and tingly feelings a couple weeks later, and was similarly put on steroids, which helped. I did have another MRI like 2 or 3 weeks later, but all that was seen was "post operative changes" and no diagnosis could be made of a possible re-rupture. Then everything gradually got better so I'm assuming I didn't have one.
Now, 6 years later, I'm having more problems in my back this week, and a tingly foot. Oh well, I got 6 good years out of it!
Seromas often reaccumulate. I had them after my second mastectomy, for many weeks. Mine came back so often I had to have a drain put in (but I don't think they'd do such a thing after a micro-d.
I had a L5-S1 microdiscectomy too, back in 2002, only it went uneventfully. I did have a return of a lot of pain and tingly feelings a couple weeks later, and was similarly put on steroids, which helped. I did have another MRI like 2 or 3 weeks later, but all that was seen was "post operative changes" and no diagnosis could be made of a possible re-rupture. Then everything gradually got better so I'm assuming I didn't have one.
Now, 6 years later, I'm having more problems in my back this week, and a tingly foot. Oh well, I got 6 good years out of it!
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