Awaiting partial discectomy

**Mollyhopp** · 01-11-2010, 01:44 PM

Hi,

I'm new to the Society. This probably isn't the best time to write. It's 7pm and I just woke up; feeling guilty, worthless and down in the dumps about failing to complete just one normal day. Again. On the other hand, I suppose I'm not alone in my feelings, and maybe there's someone here who has similar days from time to time due to pains and medications. That's part of what made me interested in SPS when I stumbled upon the forums yesterday.

I live in Sweden with my 6-year old, I started having back problems 2004, though only with mild or moderate pain, and usually only when I was stressing too much.

In September a disc herniated and I developed sciatica.

Mid November I had an MRI, it showed major herniations of L4-5 and L5-S1. The same week I was hospitalized for 6 days due to uncontrollable pain.

Since then I've tried conservative treatment with physiotherapy (incl. auto-traction and TENS)

I'm on a cocktail of Oxycontin, Oxynorm (aka Roxycodone?), Paracetamol and Voltaren; and hating every minute of my drugged state.

I'm going in for my second MRI on Wednesday, and waiting to be scheduled for a discectomy soon (hopefully this month).

Apart from the pain, which prevents me from sitting or laying down, it's the medicines that are hardest to live with. I'm not myself, I can't focus, and all feelings are numbed. I am still working part time to stay sane, but I can't take care of my son. I'm a monster with the pain, and a junkie when I try to suppress it... He's lived with my parents for the past month, coming home in the weekends.

I've never been sick before and everything is new and scary to me. I never thought I'd actually be looking forward to surgery, but now I'm putting all my hope to it.

Oops, this is becoming an essay... I'll see you around the boards instead.
Have a lovely day

**Dave** · 01-11-2010, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mollyhopp

Hi,

I'm new to the Society. This probably isn't the best time to write. It's 7pm and I just woke up; feeling guilty, worthless and down in the dumps about failing to complete just one normal day. Again. On the other hand, I suppose I'm not alone in my feelings, and maybe there's someone here who has similar days from time to time due to pains and medications. That's part of what made me interested in SPS when I stumbled upon the forums yesterday.

Welcome Molly,

You are not alone in your feelings. We have all had down times when it comes to pain and the long wait to have it go away. Hang in there.

I live in Sweden with my 6-year old, I started having back problems 2004, though only with mild or moderate pain, and usually only when I was stressing too much.

In September a disc herniated and I developed sciatica.

Mid November I had an MRI, it showed major herniations of L4-5 and L5-S1. The same week I was hospitalized for 6 days due to uncontrollable pain.

Since then I've tried conservative treatment with physiotherapy (incl. auto-traction and TENS)

I'm on a cocktail of Oxycontin, Oxynorm (aka Roxycodone?), Paracetamol and Voltaren; and hating every minute of my drugged state.

Apart from the pain, which prevents me from sitting or laying down, it's the medicines that are hardest to live with. I'm not myself, I can't focus, and all feelings are numbed. I am still working part time to stay sane, but I can't take care of my son. I'm a monster with the pain, and a junkie when I try to suppress it... He's lived with my parents for the past month, coming home in the weekends.

Living while taking narcotic medications can be a hard thing to deal with. Unfortunately when trying to relieve the pain, the "fog" sets in and can really take it's toll. Do not feel like a junkie. Most, if not all, of us would rather not be taking drugs, but the alternative is debilitating pain.

I've never been sick before and everything is new and scary to me. I never thought I'd actually be looking forward to surgery, but now I'm putting all my hope to it.

Surgery can be a very scary thing to have to deal with. Support groups like SPS can make a huge difference by learning what to expect and leaning on someone when you need to.

Once again, welcome and we will be here for you when you need us.

**Keano16** · 01-11-2010, 05:25 PM

Mollyhopp, what type of surgery are you having.

I hope we are talking about minimally-invasive discectomy?

Regards.

**Justin** · 01-11-2010, 05:28 PM

Hi Molly,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

I'm so sorry that you need to be here due to spine issues. We understand what you are going through--the pain, side effects from narcotics, the emotional roller coaster that's often the life of a Spine Patient. First and foremost, we are here to support you and let you know that you are not alone.

I'm glad that you are getting another MRI and exploring your options. I have to take my hat off to you for working part-time and taking care of your son while in so much pain.

Pain is powerful and can affect every aspect of a Spine Patient's life.

Please keep us posted after your MRI and do realize that things will get better. Keep your head up.

**Mollyhopp** · 01-11-2010, 07:11 PM

Hi again, and thank you for the warm welcomes!

Keano, I'm still learning the lingo, but as far as I understand it's the other kind I'm having (with a single, long incision (3-5") along the spine). What's that called? Maximally invasive discectomy?

At this point I'm ready to try just about anything... Tomorrow I've got an early pt appointment, so I should log out and go to bed. Apart from the ordinary traction and exercise I'm going to give acupuncture a go.

I'm so happy to have found this site! Your knowledge and care makes me feel much more confident and less alone.

Have a good night,

Linn

**ajj1001** · 01-12-2010, 04:00 AM

Originally Posted by Mollyhopp

I've never been sick before and everything is new and scary to me. I never thought I'd actually be looking forward to surgery, but now I'm putting all my hope to it.

Welcome, I am in the UK. Before my spine problems I had never had anything wrong with me and am still incredibly healthy apart from my rubbish spine. It is all a bit overwhelming facing surgery and all this medical stuff for the first time. Hope your PT goes well today and that you find a way forward with the disc problems that you have.

alison x

**Mollyhopp** · 01-13-2010, 05:00 AM

Thanks Alison!

I was pleasantly surprised by the acupuncture - first night in weeks I haven't had to take extra oxycodone last night, so I actually woke up non-drowsy and without a hangover this morning!

**Keano16** · 01-13-2010, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by Mollyhopp

Keano, I'm still learning the lingo, but as far as I understand it's the other kind I'm having (with a single, long incision (3-5") along the spine). What's that called? Maximally invasive discectomy?

3-5" is not minimally-invasive.

If you want to improve your chance of long-term recovery, go for second opinion and find a doctor that fully understands and use MISS (minimally-invasive spine surgery) concept.

Most of the modern surgeons around the world do not use classic open procedures (like you said "3-5""), and they switched to MISS.

I am quoting my spine surgeon who had education in world's best spine centres:
"Through the last decade the world’s leading neurosurgents have realised the imperfection of classical surgery methods and they are trying to introduce surgery methods with a minimal damage on the neuromuscular structures on the spine during the surgery. This leads to a development of minimally invasive neurosurgical methods on the spine. Minimally invasive neurosurgical spine surgeries include neuromodulating procedures, percutaneous intradiskal decompression surgeries, and the so called “key-hole” spine surgeries. The realisation of these surgeries imply excellent knowledge of the spinal column neuroanatomy, detailed surgery planning of neurosurgent and constant usage of the fluoroscopic controle (RTG-device). Because of the above mentioned conditions and according to the world’s literature data, a small number of neurosurgents does the minimally invasive neurosurgical treatment."

**Keano16** · 01-13-2010, 05:06 AM

Doctor who can help you in Sweden is surgeon Wolfgang Rauschning, he works in Uppsala University Hospital. He fully understands MISS concept and he regularly attend minimally-invasive spine congresses.

Contact him, and improve your chance of getting better with minimal destruction of already damaged part of your body, your spine.

Regards.

**ajj1001** · 01-13-2010, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Mollyhopp

Thanks Alison!

I was pleasantly surprised by the acupuncture - first night in weeks I haven't had to take extra oxycodone last night, so I actually woke up non-drowsy and without a hangover this morning!

Hope it continues to help. They have just started to give acupunture on the NHS here. Do you have a public or private health system?

alison x