I'm new here and I'm 38 and have a few health issues. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, moderately controlled type 2 diabetes. In 1997 in ruptured L4-S1. Have done most things chiropractic, massage, lumbar injections and able to maintain. Starting last November starting having leg pain and numbness and nothing helped. In May I had a micro laparoscopic discectomy at L4-L5 with a lot of relief, but now have low back to foot pain and numbness when standing and walking. Can get a fair amount of relief from sitting. Had another MRI last week and after comparing my last two MRI's neurosurgeon believes there is quite a bit of stenosis from L3 through S1. So Tuesday I'm having a 3 or 4 level laminectomy.

Any advice or tips from those who have had this procedure.

Thanks
Jack

Hi Jack ~ I'm probably not the best one to give any advice, since neither of my surgeries were successful.

This sounds like quite a surgery! I hope you will have help at home afterwards, because you're going to need it. You won't feel like getting up alot when you get home -- although it's recommended that you do. Also, just a word of advice -- prolonged sitting isn't recommended for us since it puts more pressure on the discs.

It also sounds like you have sciatica -- pain from the back, going down the leg & into the foot?? My neurosurgeon told me to ice the back -- use ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours. That helps with inflammation & swelling in there, plus it also reduces pain. Don't use HEAT -- that draws blood to the heated area & causes more swelling and inflammation.

You might want to get yourself one of those "grabbers" -- they a long metal tool with a "gripper" on the end, so you don't have to bend over to pick up stuff or you can get something down off of a high shelf without reaching or getting on a stool. Mine has come in VERY handy.

I don't know how "steady" you'll feel on your feet after surgery, but you might want to have a walker available in case you're feeling a little uncertain on your feet. The LAST thing you want to do is FALL.

One thing you need to do is talk to your doctor about POST-SURGERY MEDICATIONS. You will need pain meds immediately after surgery -- and your present meds MIGHT not be sufficient. So have a talk with your doc.

Best of luck & please let us know how you come out. God bless. Hugs, Lee

Lee,

Thanks for the advice. I will have help and have always be a fan of cold packs and not heat. I have a grabber I use on the lawn mower, that's a good idea!! I've been using a heavy walking stick for a while due to the sciatica and numbness so I'll give it a try if not I'll rent a walker for a few weeks. I don't do real well with opiates so the doc and I have been having those discussions since the last surgery but I realize that this surgery will be MUCH more invasive that the last one.

I'm hoping to have some relief and get back to some normality in life without crazy drugs, but well see. I'm hoping for 75-80% improvement. I know it will never be the same. I'm sorry to hear that your surgeries didn't work and hope your able to find some relief. I need my legs back.

Thanks and I'll provide updates and add you to my prayer list!!