Post surgery recovery - L5-S1 microdiskectomy, S1 Laminectomy

[armygirl46r]

Hi all--I got so much good info from this forum PRIOR to my surgery, I want to chronicle my recovery for others to learn from, too.  Thanks to all who have posted before me--your experience and your advice helped me prepare for my procedure and recovery.  Thank you.

--Hours 1-12 post-op---->  Pain Rx, intravenously--Dilaudid.  I was on PCA pump, a dose every ten minutes if needed.  Needed to pee a lot because the IV fluids and also I drank a lot of water--the anesthesia and pain Rx left me with cotton-mouth.  It was difficult to pee, which is to say, I didn't have the muscle control at first.  (The muscles were still "asleep", I guess.)  I did quite a bit of walking from bed to potty, which made my wound bleed.  My bandages had to be changed twice.  I had a hard time learning how to log roll the first few times.  ADVICE--The BEST way to get up and down from a sitting pos'n is to place all your weight on your HEELS--it forces your back to be straight and makes all your leg muscles work, taking the strain off your back.  Place your feet shoulder apart and point your toes out like a duck.  It helps--A LOT.  Or at least it did for me.

--Hours 12-24 post-op----> Pain Rx was changed to Toridol, by injection.  IV Rx changed to Morphine, PCA every 10 mins as needed.  The Dilaudid and anesthesia coming out of my body made me ITCHY!!!!  So I got benadryl in my IV to stop the itching.  Slept for a few hours, then woke up at 4am and couldnt get back to sleep.  Did a lil more walking, but not as much as the previous 12 hours.  Appetite was back with a venegence!  ;-D  Only hit the Morphine twice in the 12-24hour period--and once was just because it was there and I couldnt fall asleep!  LOL  But right before leaving the hospital 24 hrs post-op, I hit it three times in 30 mins because I had about a 30 min car ride ahead of me and just wanted the little extra pharmaceutical help for the ride.   Oh yeah--they gave me Colace to help loosen my stool and also IV antibiotics before I left.  (I started passing gas in the 12-24 hrs post op.)

--Day 2, post-op-----> Consitpation.  Not a lot of surgical or incision pain at this point.  Insomnia again at about 4 am.  (That has GOT to stop LOL!)  Got out and about at the grocery store.  Went to have lunch at pizza joint.  Was a lil scary at the grocery--wearing the brace under my clothes where people can't see it makes me nervous--afraid to get bumped or jostled, esp with lil kids running around.  Hypersenstivity to "touch", which is to say, I don't want people touching me, even my loved ones.  I just want to be "left alone" in that way.  I dont want hugs and I dont want hand or arm rubbing--my body is already hypersensitive at this point, I don't want more nerves "on alert."  (Ordinarily, tho, I am a touchy-feely person...but the last couple of days I just want to be left ALONE!)  Oh yeah, I am on Darvocet as needed for pain.  I took one before bed last nite, one this afternoon at lunch.  Took one just now (approx 2.5 days post-op) because muscle spasms are kicking in.  Dont know if its because I was sitting in chair awkwardly or because I couldnt get comfy sleeping on my back so i slept on side w/pillow tucked between knees for a couple hours.  in any casse, standing is best right now.

This is my experience so far.  Oh yeah, the smallest movements are the hardest (like, scooching into a car seat sideways, or up or down on the pillows to get comfy.)  If you have any advice or questions, feel free to post.  I'd be happy to offer any help and/or welcome advice.  

All in all, thus far, the recovery is fine.  I feel ok (considering) and the pain is really just localized.  And now it's time to get up because I've been sitting in this chair for waaay too long!  :-)

[nuggetone]

I have 2 herniated disc.  L5-S1herniation encroaching on the lateral recesswith what appears to be disc material immediately adjacrnt to the right S1 nerve root.  Facet joint tropism at several levels most at L50S1 Mild circumferential disc protusion at L4-5 slightlymore marked on right.   This is per MRI report.  Also Spondylosis with disc desiccatioon at nultiple levels.  Suppose to have surgery by end of week per my dr.  Which I go to surgeon Wed.  Is this something like what you had on your MRI?  I have buttocks and leg pain on right side and foot stays cold.  Also veins have broke in back of thigh.  Please get back with me.  nuggetone

[armygirl46r]

Hey there!  Sorry to hear you are in such pain.  The good news is, your doc is helping you find a way to get relief.  HANG IN THERE!  :D

I did not have Spondy., nor did I have multi-level herniation.  (I'm told mine was just really, really "big", as in--a LOT of disc material.  My surgeons were very good about explaing and showing me everything on MRI ina way I could understand it.)

I had the same buttock/leg pain but only on the left side, as the protrusion was on my left side.   No vein issues for me.  My feet are cold since the surgery (3 days ago) but i attribute that to healing and my body working extra hard to heal my lower back, so of course, my circulation, although normal, may be a little off in my lower legs/feet.  (go figure--I just had major surgery on my lower back! LOL)

What are your questions/concerns?  Maybe I can help?  I'm not a doctor, but maybe I can at least help you be a little less anxious.  My experience continues to be a good one, and I will be happy to share any information/experience I have with you.  

Take care of yourself and in the meanwhile, write down all your questions for the surgeon before your appt and do as much research as you can.  These forums are great for that.  Talk soon!

[nuggetone]

i find it weird that today I have no pain, just a little tender in right buttocks area.  Even when I cough it dont hurt.  What's up.  I have rested alot but does that mean if I went back to same ol routine that the hurting will begin again?  Did this happen to you?   Just wondering.  I do have questions for surgeon.  Like I said I go see him Wed.   nuggetone

[teacher19]

I had a diskectomy & laminectomy about 11 weeks ago. Recovery has been very slow. I am now able to get around ok but if I do too much, later that night I have a hard time walking. I was given exercises to strengthen my muscels but when I do them I'm shot for the day. I have tried to speak with the doctor but he will not see any patients until 90 days after surgey. I am now experiencing burning in my right leg and pain in my back on the same side, up till now the pain has always been on my left. Is this normal? Is this just another step in the healing process?
Any insight to how long the healing normally takes would be a great help.    teacher19

[hnp]

I had an extensive  l5 s1 laminectomy and foranotomy for a very large rt sided herniation on 3/10/08. Experienced excruciating pain and spasms in my right buttock, exc. pain in back of leg and behind rt knee, outside calf, right ankle and numbness on outer side of foot. Since surgery, I feel no pain at all. Did not require pain medication but still taking muscle relaxers but do not think I really need any. started walking on 3/11/08 and was up to 3 miles per day by the 7th day post opt but told to back off by the home nurse so I am back to about 1 mile. Only problem is some painless swelling at the bottom of my incision - kinda looks like a small egg when I stand. not a big deal but I don't like how it looks so will cover this with the dr when I see him on 3/24. hang in there

[MzAaby]

Just a surgery on L5 S1 (laminectomy). Dr. told my husband it took longer than exspected due to i was worse than he thought it would be. I had a cyst that calsified around bones and nerve. My question to anyone is, Is it normal to be told to remain flat till the 3 week check-up? It seems impossible being I have a 1yr old.  Plus, I'm a bank teller and on my feet, and lefting coin boxs all day, how long is it till I'm back to my daily tasks?
Any help will be gladly welcome!!!

Thanks: Mz.Aaby 4-13-08

[talkingtoolbox]

I can't type out all the big words.Friday the 20th because systems were breaking down fast I went to the DR at 2;15 and was out of surgery at 7pm.

The fires are gone from my r calf, ankle, buttock, big toe,. basically I am in no pain but I get tired quickly.

I still have no sphincter but was told will come back after swelling goes down.

TAKE 3 or 4 different kinds of socks with you; your feet can't decide if they are hot cold itchy

Doing well on percecet every 6 hours.

talkingtoolbox

[msfergy]

My Doc is having me have a disc protrusion Thursday, has anyone had to have that prior to beibg fixed? He is trying to find out if all my pain which is lower back,right butt, lrg to calf and foot, or if it is due to a deform in my L5 from a past fracture, I have been in pain for a yr and 2 months now, the past week i can no longer walk,stand,sit or situp and nor can i hardley go pee it hurts so bad in by buttock, its crazy! Has anyone been like me? My bonescan scan showed hotspots in SI Joints an right hip i have had steroid injections in si 2 times, right hip joint today,facet joint and a complete nerve ablasion last yr. none of it helped. Anyway the disc protrusion will tell if i need fusion done.

[msfergy]

ERROR- I GUESS IT IS CALLED DISCOGRAPH, IF YOU GO TO COLUMBIA ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP THEY HAVE VIDEOS OG ALL PROCEDURES AND PROBLEMS IT IS A NIC WEBSITE TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL BE GOING THROUGH. IT IS COLUMBIA ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP IN COLUMBIA MISSOURI, REALLY HANDY MATEREAL.

[mightymy]

had l5 surgey done on 08-04-08 .pain is minimal but i,m still feeling weak.i get the jimmy legs at night and cant keep my left leg from flinching. but my main concern is my left but cheek is still numb right by my ffistuala and i have a hard time getting an erection.is this common because of the operation and i,m just tying to fast or is this something i should look into. i would also like any advice on any post-op rehab anyone could offer. going back to work after my first dr. visit next week 09-02-08 thanks anyone

[jon78]

I just had surgery on my back L5-S1, im still feeling pain and numbness on my left leg, my question is, is it normal to have pain after surgery? how long is the recovery process for the inside of my body to heal?

[MMCKAY186]

The following is a list of surgeries I had: I still have leg pain and I am goig in for a Fusion for my L5 - S1 on the 30th hoping it will help with the pain. I am tired of taking all these drugs and will try anythiing for the pain just to stop and lighten up. Most all back surgeries take about a full year to heal, don't let anyone tell you different. I find wallking right away helps you, take little steps at a time, but don't just sit around thinking the pain will go away by itself and keep taking these damm drugs...

The drugs only take the edge off and remember, you will get hooked on them. Make sure you have a Great Doctor and Make sure you have a Pain Dactor as well. He will be the one giving you your Heavy drugs and helping you with your pain.....Good luck to all with you back problems, I know what you are all dealing with, and I know everyone is different and dealing with there own pain....But get out there and walk more than anything.

My e-mail is ***@**** if I can help you with any other information, I am NOT a Doctor, I am an Author of a new novel called A Big house for Little Men - but I have been through my share of surgeries and Back Pain - Also if anyone wishes to read my new novel out there visit my website at www.abighouseforlittlemen.com or visit www.Barnesandnoble.com and see the reviews.

Here are the following surgeries I have had..

Good luck to all and God Bless,
Michael W. McKay

April 1999 Lumbar Diskectomy L -5  S-1- By Dr. Ronald Warren - Boston

September 2006 C 5-6 Neck Surgery Cut Bone out of right hip – By Dr Rydel - (Failed Fusion) Florida

June 2008 Surgery on C 4 5 6 7 with plate installed – By Dr. Small, F.O.I. Florida

April 2009 T 9 – 10 Laminotomy Diskectomy – By Dr. Small - , F.O.I. Florida

April 2009 Lower Back L -1, S 5 Laminotomy Diskectomy – By Dr. Small - , F.O.I. Florida

Aprial 30th -  Let's hope for the best with this Fusion - By Dr. Small - , F.O.I. Florida

[BrokebackGarry]

Hi guys,

I had a discectomy at L5-S1 four weeks ago. I must say the recovery has been quiet good. I had pain throughout the entire period with slight improvements everyday. For the last twentyfour hours I must say I have experienced a slight increase in pain while lying down. I d put this down to a slight increase in activity during the day of the onset.
I can report the pain directly after the operation being much less and the only pain I can report was that associated with site of the operation. Very bloody bad too I must say. After the op the referred pain was still present but reduced. Anyway I guess Im back on reading these sites due to the recent onset of pain. I hope this is the norm. Other than this my life has improve since the op. Please comment if you had a mild agravation during your operation recovery? Also If anybody has any question feel free to hit me.

Thanks,
Brokeback Garry from Australia

[Copco]

I had a lamminotomy ten days ago. They removed a spur at L4 and found a herniated disc L5 S1 which was reinserted. Prior to the operation I had excruciating pain on my Left hip and going down to my knee. I also experienced numbness and tingling from the hip to the bottom  of my foot.Prior to the surgery I could not sit at all without developing excruciating pain when I sat and stood up. Now it's more than a week after surgery and I've started to experience the same symptoms as before. I haven't talked directly to the surgeon since surgery but I was told by his assistant it may be due to pressure from the surgical site. Has anybody had recurring symptoms like this after having the surgery?  What should I discuss with the surgeon? Ice packs are my life now. any suggestions?

[lisanroni]

I had a L5-S1 laminectomy for herniated disc with root compression...seems simple enough to me compared to those that have had fusions and such. I had gotten to where I was unable to sit, stand or walk with the pain radiating from my groin down to my left foot. After many doctors and procedures, I finally sat at the pain management place and cried, refusing to leave until they recommended an MRI...needless to say, I was schedule for surgery the next week when I met the neurosurgeon. The surgery went fine, I guess, and I had a really hard time moving afterwards but figured it was normal. (having to have 2 people literally move my hips to move) On my 6th day home, I was taken to the ER at 2am with a spasm, from my groin to my NUMB COLD foot, that just would NOT quit! After pain and steroid shot, it sort of relaxed. All that drama has calmed down a bit with taking SOMA, but I still have this cold, numb foot that just feels really weird to walk on or feel! I have the mild "almost a cramp" in my calves every now and then, but its my foot that is bothering me!

[aimasin420]

I am 29 yr old woman who had the L5-S1 fused back in 2005.  Needless to say, I had extreme sensitivity,spasms, and pain for about 6-7 months from my ribs to my abs, and all the way around to my back and legs after my sugery.  The sensitivity did lessen but the pain did not.  It was hard to move around for a long time as it still is for me now.

Overall, my symptoms never really went away.  I had a degenerated disk and sponylisthesis.  I have problems with my pedicles getting gnarled, joint pain in the spine, and fluid that built up around the spine.  What the fluid is from is beyond me.  

But yes, I have all my symptoms (stabbing, shooting, burning, aching in my middle back, lower back, hips, butt, thighs, calves and feet: don't forget the nummies and tingles too) and for me personally, I do not think that surgery has made my situation better.  It's hard to get comfortable, it's hard to sleep, and I do rely on a lot of heavy narcotics for relief, as well as ice, hot baths, and massages, I've tried it all from injections, to epidurals, physical therapy, meds, surgery, pain management.  But I am still trying to find someone to help me find relief and deal with this pain.  Its a very hard struggle, frustrating, and depressing (IM ONLY 29! IT BEGAN WITH AN ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS 22).

[ChrisMck]

As I type this I am 10 days post-surgery for L5 S1 microdiscectomy/laminectomy.  Thankfully today I am pain free, and have not required the medication for pain that started over 3 months ago.  Often I am asked how I injured my back, but I honestly cannot recall what it was that brought on the initial localized pain in my right buttock that eventually spread, traveling down my right leg over a period of 2 weeks plus.  
Basically I had what felt like a bad bruise in my right hip, burning bone-deep pain in my right thigh and cramping, right knee would have shooting pains, and a stabbing/electric bolt sensation in my right heel.  I could hardly walk or get into or out of bed due to the pain.  It would wake me up at night and was not improving after about a month so I scheduled an appointment with a specialist.

I was initially told to try physical therapy to see if that would resolve the pain. After two visits to PT and no improvement, and having to be helped out of the chair in the waiting room for my next appointment, the Doctor scheduled me for an MRI.  The results showed a herniated disc at L5 S1 and he recomended surgery.  He specializes in Microdiscectomy surgery.  Dr  Mathur in Cary, NC was my surgeon.

Waiting for a surgery date I was put on prescription meds. I took Percocet and Vicodin for the pain, typically as needed which for me at the time was 1 Vicodin every 4 hours or a Percocet every 6-8 hours, depending on how busy my day was. I tried to remain active while waiting for surgery, doing what I could around the house such as dishes.
Of course I have been unable to work since the pain meds are Narcotics, and I am an airline pilot.  Thankfully I have built up enough 'sick bank' pay to cover my loss of trip pay for the duration of this ordeal.

My surgery involved General Anesthesia. I was also catheterized before surgery, which I am glad for since post-op I was instructed to remain in the hospital overnight due to complications from a bone spur puncturing the epidural lining of my spine during the procedure.  Thankfully I did not get any tell-tale 'headaches' indicating loss of cerebral fluid from the puncture.  I was not happy about being bedridden for almost 24 hours when I was told initially that I would be going home a few hours after surgery, but thankfully I had a lot of visitors to pass the time of the unexpected overnight stay.

Post op I woke to localized burning pain in my lower back, so much that I could not, even if I tried, sit up or roll out of bed.  I was on IV fluids, and morphine every 10 minutes as needed. Initially I did not hit the morphine button, until the Percocet I was given wore off.  My appetite returned with a vengeance and I was soon woofing down hospital food to my satisfaction.  Cotton-mouth (dry mouth) was another annoying thing as it made eating difficult.

After a few hours of being on my back and the pressure on my incision, I really needed to move, just to adjust the pressure to another point. I was advised against rolling on my side which would have been awesome at the time, I recall. At 6 hours post-op it  took a Bolus shot of Morphine to relax me.  As it turns out, the PCA Morphine that was at my disposat was NOT working!  So after several hours of increasing pain from the pressure, and even the Bolus of morphine, and even two valium at midnight, I forced myself to roll onto my side by grabbing the bedrail. I finally could relax and fall asleep!

Since returning home, there have been small improvements each day over the past 10 days.  I sometimes get pains that seem similar to the pains I had prior to surgery, but they are most likely from localized swelling and me over-doing it.  I have yet to return to work but thankfully at this time I am pain free, and can sit in my computer chair and type this post.  Just a few days ago I'd be back in bed to relax and popping 2 Percocet every 5 hours or so for the pain of being up and about.  I have been waking up in the middle of the night soaking wet in sweat since surgery, which I never had a problem with prior.  Hopefully it is a side-effect of the medication, because it's getting old. Sometimes twice a night. The first time my sheets were so wet I slept on the couch after taking 2 percocet and waiting 30 minutes for them to kick in so I could get back to sleep.  

Looking forward to putting this all behind me and returning to a normal Prescription drug-free and pain free life!

[erikg7]

I am on Day 11 of L5S1 lumbar discectomy, laminectomy. I put this surgery off for a year fearing more pain and extended recovery. I though I had to write this because I just keep reading abut the problems and worsening conditions of most. I am here to tell you for me it has worked so far. After surgery I had localized pain at the incision and was very unhappy to feel my left leg was still hurting. Nowhere near pre-surgery but I expected all pain to be gone thinking we corrected the issue. I was told to wait and that the nerve is still inflamed, it was pinched for over a year, give it time, blah blah. I am very negative. I didn't need ANY pain meds post surgery. I was told by many to take them anyway to begin the healing and feel better about myself. Day 4 I was doing more than I should have been. My wife just keeps yelling at me to take it easy. She won't let me do anything but sitting in bed is way too hard. By Day 9 all pain in leg was gone and I really just have incision pain, which I was hoping would be gone by now so I can really start rehabbing. I have to say I am so happy I did the surgery. It was scary but now so worth it. I just hope I am not speaking too soon. As I said, I am very negative by nature. I feel so terrible reading these and other sites' posts. I truly believe you need a really good Dr. for this to work. I was told right before going under that mine was maybe Top 5 in the nation. What a relief to hear before being unconscious.

[L_Syd]

I have an L4/5 disc protrusion pressing on the nerve root. Pain sitting and after lying down for more than 4-5 hours. Pain is in lower back and left buttock with pain in top of left foot.

I have been rushed in to see neurosurgeon as urgent case due to the nerve damage and they want to operate this week. So many forums and poeple only have horror stories and say not to do the surgery.

I am 30 year old surfer and athlete, run and exercise twice a day usually bu have been out of action for over 3 months now.

so confused - what should i do??

Australia, Sydney

[Debb2011]

Hi,
I am a farm girl, I have horses and a training/teaching facility. I do a tremendous amount of work, though to me it isn't anything! About 4 months ago I was riding my one gelding w/an instructor from GB and she wanted us to jump a good sized fence while at the end of our reins.. (as long as our reins cld go). Well, my horse decided it was the perfect opportunity to buck and twist after the fence. So, I stayed on, but it would have been better (I think) if I had gone off. Well, immediately I knew I had pulled everything in my lower back. So, I was careful, but still did what I needed to do and was still riding about 6/7 horses a day. Well, the pain kept moving around, sort of situating itself, finally ended up to be sciatica. So, I went to my doctor to tried to get him to send me for an MRI. Of course I had to jump through the hoops of  4/5 wks of PT beforehand. So, now I have the MRI which showed quite a good herniation of L5/S1. Well, I found a GREAT Neurosurgeon here in town, he had just moved here (all good things) and he said I could have steroid shots, but that was not going to treat the seat of the problem. So, I am opting for surgery, as this doctor has had a pronominal success rate. So they set my surgery for 5 Oct.. however; there was something that came up! So, it is now set for 11 Oct. Now though, I have had too much time to think.
So my question is post op, how long does it take to say get back to me being on a horse. I know that it matters how radical the surgery is, but just a ballpark.
Thanks!

[Debb2011]

Hi,
What did you end up doing and how are you now?

I would really love to hear!!

[acushla]

Hi. I had laminectomy and discectomy on my L4/5 region a month ago.  Before that I stopped working for more than 2 months because I was in such pain from just walking. Both of my feet had stabbing pains and my thighs and calf muscles twitched all day - the most awful cramps. I tried a week of PT but it didn't do anything so I had an MRI done and true enough my nerve was being pushed by the herniated discs. I also have DDD on my spine.
Post op, the pain in my left foot is gone but my right foot still has numbness. My Ortho doctor told me that it would take time for that to go away. I can't sit for more than 30 minutes at a time (there'd be hell to pay) and can't walk for too long. I still take pregabalin everyday otherwise the pain in my thighs won't let me sleep.
As for surgery, I don't regret having it done. What I regret is waiting too long to have it checked. It started 2 years ago - spasms, tingling foot- and I just ignored it. Now it's irreversible (the DDD, that is) and I have to keep faith that things will still get better.

[ALI51]

After five years of pain in the left hip, down the left leg and into the calf and foot and five years of PT, chiropractic treatments, decompression therapy, TENS unit, acupuncture, three orthopedic surgeons, etc., etc., I finally consulted with a neurosurgeon.  He did a microdiskectomy for herniated disc and spur.  I had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis 20 years ago when I was in my 40's. Surgery was on Oct. 20, 2011.  Went home following day.  I am pain free except for incision site sensitivity with some itching and a little swelling. I take Tylenol or Advil when I need to but not every 4 hours like I did for the last few years. I am thrilled.  I did not hesitate or have any second thoughts after the surgeon showed me the herniated disc and spur on the MRI.  My next step was either a psychiatrist or driving my car over a cliff.  I thank God for this new life He has given me!

[zonk1001]

Thanks for sharing your experiences so fully.  I understand a little of it, I think.

I don't believe there is anything more excruciating than nerve pain and my heart goes out to all of us who have felt it and live(d) with chronic pain of that sort for any length of time.  

It is like being burned alive, sent to fiery hell just for moving the 'wrong' way, without rules for what is wrong or any conservative solutions that work.  

I would do anything to avoid that pain again, I lived with it for so long it became like family. I even managed, through meditation, to ignore it for a while, willing it to go away.  But it was structural, not muscular.  It would not just ‘go away’ on its own.

I was so desperate for relief I went to see a few quacks, wasted time and money on stuff that didn’t work, that I intuitively knew wouldn’t work, but did anyway just to rule out the possibility I might get some small shred of, even if temporary, pain relief.  

I have come to the conclusion that there are a few quacks out there, but by and large there are incredibly empathic people in the health & human service professions, many just didn’t have the tools to help me with what I needed when I needed it.  Fortunately I met healers, mentors, and empathic souls too who, even if they couldn’t physically resolve my issues with their tools and techniques, emotionally connected with and supported me as I struggled to heal.  In some ways embracing that network was one of the most critical parts of my journey.  

I'm pain free right now, today.  And grateful, blessed to feel normal again.  So thankful and appreciative.  

And fully cognizant that could change tomorrow.  

So I worked my *** off to get here and want to share a window into my process with you who are hurting NOW, today.  

All bets are off, for me, as to whether that nerve pain comes back someday.  It could return after the next roll of the dice in this existence of being human and living our fates.  

It’s so basic but important to remember things happen to us that are beyond our control, and we must struggle to overcome, survive, and thrive.  Even if it takes years of swimming through liquid pain to break through the surface and be able to draw deep breaths again.  

In all of the control we try to exert on our own lives, I believe we must have hope that there will be relief from the pain eventually, to convince ourselves to get up out of bed, no matter how bad it hurts, and get to walking, moving, and simply living.  To have faith in our own conviction to stay the course, have the integrity and honesty to carry ourselves there, and find the minds, mentors, support, and perhaps even higher powers to remind us what really matters when we have moments of weakness…for there will be great weaknesses along the way.  So I’m here to say HAVE HOPE!  

It was expensive to get here, where I am right now, (over $10K), even though I have good insurance that covered the other $50K I estimate my treatments and surgeries cost.  I still owe medical bills, paying them piecemeal, but still paying on all of them.  

I had to stop deluding myself and truly re-commit to taking care of myself again in a way that incorporated exercise, nutrition, standing up for myself to extricate myself from bad juju, even when I feel it coming at me from within my own family, and re-awakening to the common sense of recognizing basic reality.

We only have 100 years to live, after all, give or take.  We MUST make the most of that precious time.  

Unfortunately, I had to overdo my ‘recovery’ after the first surgery and have a second, exactly the same but more difficult surgery 2.5 years after having the first to learn from my mistakes.  

Which is why I’m writing all of this, ultimately.  I started wondering about all the other people out there who have had L5/S1 issues and after searching google and reading this blog decided I am really lucky to be where I’m at, it breaks my heart to read the pain in these messages, and I think people should hear my story too.  

I hope many, other, even more lucky people out there try all the conservative methods and get 100% relief without surgery.  

I hope a few less lucky people out there have only one surgery and give themselves optimal odds for the best recovery by taking it easy in contrast to what I did.  

For some, like me, it will take multiple surgeries.  I wish everyone the best and no pain on the other side.  

Here is how my first and second laminectomy/discectomy surgery came about:  (part II to follow)