2 Years After my Microdiscectomy: My Sciatica Update

two years after microdiscectomy2 Years After my Microdiscectomy: My Microdiscectomy Recovery Update

The two year anniversary of my microdiscectomy recently passed and I thought I should write an update on the long term effects of a microdiscectomy! I want to write about my lifestyle, pain levels, routine, and how things are generally going two years after my microdiscectomy. I can’t believe so much time has passed already! I hope this helps those of you who are curious to know what the L5S1 microdiscectomy recovery is like.

Also, this is a microdiscectomy success story! There’s a lot of negativity floating around out there so I wanted to provide my positive experience.

Also, as always, I’m not a doctor certified to give you any sort of health advice, so please consult your doctor for your own situations. I just want to share my microdiscectomy  recovery experience.

If you haven’t read them already, be sure to check out my posts about life with sciatica and decision to get my microdiscectomy and the first 12 months after my microdiscectomy!

I now have a post about the third year after my microdiscectomy, too!

So, how is the second year of microdiscectomy recovery different than the first year after my microdiscectomy?

It is very different! I am much more active now! But I also had to digest the fact that I still have some pain and probably will always have to manage some level of pain due to my L5S1 disc herniation. The microdiscectomy results were awesome and I felt  90% better. Getting the L5S1 microdiscectomy completely changed my life. During the recovery I realized that it reduced my pain so much but it did not eliminate my sciatica.

But no doctor ever told me that an L5S1 microdiscectomy would eliminate my pain. Plus, some aches and pains may just be a result of getting older. I’m not an  elastic 6 year old anymore…

But overall, I would describe my post L5S1 microdiscectomy recovery feeling as stiff.

Mentally and emotionally, I’m doing great. So many of my anxieties and problems dissolved once I healed from my microdiscectomy, but of course a lot of them persisted.

I think I have grown to know myself better and understand the complexities of certain things in my life…AKA it was too easy to blame all of my personal problems on sciatica/ my herniated L5S1 disc. Now I can focus on resolving the things that weren’t fixed by the surgery!

I am also not so paranoid about re-herniating my disc anymore. During the first year of my microdiscectomy recovery, I was constantly worried that one wrong move would bring me back to where I started. That’s really not on my mind now, two years into recovery.

My Microdiscectomy Recovery: How I am Doing Physically Two Years Later

Weird, I know, but I still can’t touch my toes. I don’t even know if it is a question of flexibility anymore. It really just feels like I am completely incapable of bending over and touching them. I thought this would just during the beginning of my microdiscectomy recovery, but I guess now it is just my new normal.

Other than that, I feel like I am physically capable of doing what any moderately fit person without a history of sciatica can do. Do I do all of these things? Absolutely not! But if my life depended on it I could climb a tree with a backpack on or whatever. I’m just trying to say that I do not have other physical handicaps after my L5S1 microdiscectomy. But being able to do lots of things doesn’t mean I can do them without pain. The results of my microdiscectomy were great, but once again I know I’m not going to be 100% pain free anymore.

It has been a fun, active year!

Things I do not do 2 years after my microdiscectomy

  1. I do not lift things over 20 lbs (9 kg).
  2. I do not do things that involve lots of bending (like weeding the garden without kneeling on something). I never try to bend my torso at an angle greater than 90°.
  3. I don’t twist in weird ways. If my pencil falls behind my chair I get off my lazy butt and stand up to get it instead of twisting around.
  4. I try not to sit upright in a chair for long periods of time. Or, if I do, I sit on my amazing balance disc that I will love and use forever and ever. I’m seriously obsessed!

Sports during my microdiscectomy recovery?

I think these basic Things I Do Not Do can expand to cover more extreme things that I do not do- like rugby or extreme skiing. I actually do feel like I could participate in a lot of (sometimes extreme) sports two years after my microdiscectomy. I just don’t have a lot of opportunities to play organized sports.

In the last year of microdiscectomy recovery, I have played ice hockey and badminton. The hockey was fine, but I was slightly nervous about how hunched over you need to be while playing. I didn’t have a problem, but that also may be because I put a lot of time into strengthening my core.

Ironically, one sport that I probably would try and stay away from during myL5S1  microdiscectomy recovery is golf, which is probably the least intense sport you can play! It’s mainly because of the twisting. Apparently Tiger Woods has had recurring problems after his microdiscectomy. But I’m not a surgeon so I don’t want to advertise that you will never play golf again after a microdiscectomy. I honestly have no idea. Plus I wouldn’t consider Tiger Woods to be a typical case since his day-to-day physical demands are much different than those of a more normal person.

Also, I hate golf!!

I am very happy to say that I  started jogging after the first year anniversary of my microdiscectomy. I am thrilled to be able to run again without microdiscectomy complications!

2 years after my microdiscectomy, the pain is worse when…

  1. I sleep on a mattress that is too soft or doesn’t adequately support my back. This usually happens when I sleep on couches too.
  2. I spend a lot of time sitting up straight. For example, when I sit at my desk and write articles on my blog all day, or when I practice my musical instrument with bad posture. ALSO, long car rides, bus rides, or flights are KILLERS. I leave them feeling like I am 90 years old.
  3. MOST IMPORTANTLY my pain is at its worst when I do not maintain my exercise routine. This is so important during your microdiscectomy recovery!

 2 Years After my Microdiscectomy: My Microdiscectomy Recovery exercise routine!

I wanted to give a general overview of my exercise routine 2 years after my L5S1 microdiscectomy. BUT I also want to emphasize that this may not be right for you so consult your own doctors or healthcare professionals before starting new forms of physical activity.

And don’t worry I am not going to package this up and sell it on instagram or whatever as some magical cure-all to sciatica.

My exercise routine after my microdiscectomy is especially focused on keeping my core strong. If I have no time for anything else, I always try to fit a few core exercises in here and there. With all this focus on core training, you may be thinking, does this girl have awesome, ripped abs? The answer is NO haha.

I can’t emphasize enough that staying active and fit is the best way to keep the pain levels down 2 years after my microdiscectomy!

Here are some microdiscectomy recovery exercises I do TWO years out. I would not recommend these right after the surgery.

Running:

I try to run two times a week. I could run more, and I admit I sometimes have to actively fight the temptation to run more. My doctor just recommended that I not overdo it since all the pounding on my joints and fragile spine probably won’t be good for me in the long run.

I generally run 5k on my running days. But once again, I didn’t run at all during the first year of my microdiscectomy recovery. Be really careful!

Strength Training exercises post microdiscectomy:

I also try to do a strength training session two times a week for around 30 minutes each time. I focus on core training, and it usually isn’t so intense.

My mother freaked out when she saw me working out during a visit. She was convinced that I was going to damage my back again. I had to convince her that the workouts were preventing more injuries!!

Two years after my microdiscectomy I was even physically able to do the popular BBG program for a few months without a problem before I fell off the bandwagon and never got around to getting back on. My non-exercising French roommates would smoke their cigarettes and drink their apéro and watch me as I squatted around the garden holding a giant rock since I’m too cheap to buy real exercise equipment.

If you’re at a loss for where to begin or what to do, one exercise app I really like is called Sworkit. They have a free version and you can just download it on your phone and have access to lots of core exercises and workouts whenever you want. I like to use that while traveling or just if I want some fresh ideas. Note that there are a few core exercises on it that require you to bend more than 90°, and so I avoid those after my L5S1 microdiscectomy.

Sworkit did not pay me for this plug!! I just like it. I never tried the paid version, though.

Yoga during my microdiscectomy recovery

I do yoga maybe once a week or so. I mainly try to do sequences that are focused on stretching and strengthening the, you guessed it, back and core muscles! I’m happy to be able to add it to my routine two years after my microdiscectomy, but I admit that I am not flexible at all!

I just recommend being careful because some of the more advanced yoga poses may not be possible or smart to do if you have back problems or herniated discs.

If you’re at a loss, try searching ‘yoga for beginners’ on youtube and have fun.

Walking

I love taking long walks and hikes. I usually go for an hour+ long walk on the days of the week when I am not running or doing strength training. It is simple but great exercise for a microdiscectomy recovery, especially if you hike or walk on uneven ground.

Balance Disc

balance disc sciatica
I love my balance disc

My balance disc is my new favorite thing. It has other names too, like a wobble cushion, a stability disc, a core balance trainer…they are all the same thing.  I use it when I have to sit in a chair for long periods of time. Working at my desk or sitting through a French dinner party are two examples. It keeps your core muscles engaged and forces you to always slightly change your position.

I guess you could say that it is a thriftier version of a ball chair? You inflate it and sit on it, that’s it! Mine actually isn’t inflated too much and it still works well. You can also use it in your workouts if you want.

Obviously a balance disc isn’t going to eliminate your pain during your microdiscectomy recovery. A family member really recommended it to me and honestly I have noticed a difference in my own pain levels since I started using it this year. It’s more of a “take the edge” off sort of improvement, but I’m really happy with it nonetheless.

And yes, full disclosure, that is an affiliate link there. Am I being evil and profiting from your sciatic pain? Nah, if money were my goal this page would be caked with random, dubious product endorsements, or I would have become a chiropractor (OK THAT WAS A JOKE DON’T FREAK OUT). If you buy a balance disc with that link I, at no extra cost to you, *might* receive approximately $0.38 cents. Plus I’m only writing about it because I actually really like it!

ok enough.

Doctors, Chiropractors, Therapists, Painkillers? What to do during my microdiscectomy recovery…

In a perfect world, I would get a massage every week regardless if I had sciatica; a herniated disc, or an L5S1 microdiscectomy or not. Unfortunately, that is not possible for neither my routine nor my budget!

I live in the middle of nowhere on a farm and I don’t usually have access to a car, and so nowadays I only go to healthcare professionals when I am sick or something isn’t quite right. If I stick to my exercise routine and stay active I usually feel A-OK during my microdiscectomy recovery.

I rarely take over-the-counter painkillers now during my microdiscectomy recovery, and when I do it is never for back pain.

 

Soooo that’s about it! Thanks for reading! I hope my L5S1 microdiscectomy recovery experience may answer some questions you have about microdiscectomies or sciatica. I am so thankful that my microdiscectomy was a success story! Unless I am particularly inspired and want to say something beforehand, I will post another update in a year! I hope things are as good as they were this year!

Related posts:

  1. Traveling Around the World with Sciatica: Why I did it and What I Learned
  2. My Herniated Disc Experience and decision to get an L5S1 Microdiscectomy: Why I Chose Surgery
  3. Months 1-12 After My Microdiscectomy: My Recovery Experience

Related Posts

66 Comments

  1. KHALED HASSAN Reply

    Thanks for your article its really helpful, I just had my operation last Thursday, I cant really say if there’s any progress or not, I think its too early to judge

  2. Moises Inestroza Reply

    Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. It is pretty helpful. I have a herniated disc myself (L5/S1) and I’ll meet with an orthopedic surgeon next week to see if I need or would benefit from surgery. I’m both terrified and frustrated as the pain in my back sciatic pain are horrible and always there. I have a question for you, where did you have your surgery at?

    Thanks a million.

    M.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Thanks so much for your kind words!I understand how horrible it can be and I hope you will find the best solution for you! I will email you with the hospital details.

  3. Dan Reply

    Hey! Just writing to say that your sciatica blog is great. I relied on it heavily to ease the anxiety from the uncertainty of my own sciatica experience (which has been the bane of my existence for the last year or so). You write very accessibly (and humorously) and I basically binged on this (and the videos) in the weeks leading up to my L4/L5 procedure (which happened today and seems to have gone well!)

    So thanks for documenting your experiences. It was nice to be able to relate to someone else and I wish you all the best!

    -Dan

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Dan! Thanks for your comment. I’m really happy that this helped ease your worries! I am so sorry to hear that you had been suffering for so long, but I hope that your recovery from your surgery goes really well and that you can start getting your life back on track! All the best to you!

  4. Edward Reply

    Hey, is that photo in Comino, Malta?

    I am from Malta and will soon be having surgery for my pinched sciatic nerve due to a slipped disc at my lower back. My worst pain from lower back down to my left leg is while sitting down. Standing up is fine but with some pain. The best position is lying down in bed.

    Thanks for the encouraging articles!

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Edward thanks for stopping by and commenting. You’re right! That photo is from Comino! I had such a wonderful time in Malta- you are from a very beautiful country! I hope that the surgery goes well for you and that you will find relief!

  5. Vidal Reply

    Hey Barbershop,

    You were so close you should have stopped by for a tea here in Qatar.
    I found your videos and loved your positivity. I had my surgery L5S1 just two weeks ago and the tingling and shooting pain started and I went to check online to see if this was normal and found you. My shmthoms were exactly yours prior surgery.

    I wonder how you feeling lately. Please tell
    It gets better and it’s hard buts worth.

    Thanks

    • Babeesh Reply

      Thanks for your comment, though I have no idea why you think I am named Barbershop ;P
      I hope you continue to get better. It takes a long time even after the surgery for the pain to go away because the nerve needs to heal. Be sure to take it easy and listen to what your doctors tell you! Good luck!

  6. Tutku Reply

    Thanks for sharing your story. I also had discectomy 4 months ago. Did u feel any numbness around inner thight i mean perineum? And around buttocks? hope u doin well right now.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Thanks for your comment! Yes I felt a lot of numbness around the buttocks during my first year out of surgery. Now I do not feel that anymore. I think it takes a lot of time for the nerves to heal and also to adjust after the surgery. Stay patient and I hope you will continue to feel better! After 2 and a half years I am feeling great.

  7. Emma W Reply

    Hello Babeesh,
    Thank you for posting your 2 year post disectomy recovery journey. It gives people like me ( recovering from microdisectomy and 6 month post op) lot of hope and strength. It is so encouraging to read your post and know thought the healing can be long with up and down there is light at the end of the tunnel. So happy for you where you are right now and best wishes to those still in the process of recovering.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Thank you Emma for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I am so touched that you found it helpful and I really wish you the best in your journey towards recovery!

  8. Natty Reply

    Thank you! I’m curious to know why you didn’t have the surgery in France. I am a few days post op from a 2nd microdiscectomy. I reherniated 4 days after my 1st surgery. Two surgeries in the course of 4 weeks. I am being very careful, but I’m nervous. Your blog has helped me know that I will eventually be back to running, yoga, surfing, and just being an active mom

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Natty thank you for commenting! WOW I am so sorry to hear about your reherniation and the other surgery! That is so intense and I hope you are recovering well this time! I agree that being very careful is the best thing you can do but with time I really do hope that you will be back to your physically active self!

  9. Roger Reply

    Thanks Babeesh for the informative information you have so kindly provided. I have been suffering with the same pain as you for the past 9 months. Thankfully I was in a position to pay for an MIR scan and a steroid injection which reduced my pain by 85% of daily pain levels. That is until I over do it at work, take a car journey longer than 30 minutes or most anything else which involves bending or starching. I have been having weekly chiropractor sessions which don’t really do anything for the sciatica pain, but helps with the mobility of my back. I’m now 2 weeks away from my first hospital appointment to assess my fitness to have an anesthetic before the operation.

    Things I would like to be able to do after the operation;
    karate (which I have practiced for over 20 years)
    snowboard (which I have practiced for 16 years)
    circuits and gym (which I have practiced for over 30 years)
    Work which I don’t really want to do but you have to pay the bills some how.

    You have given me a glimmer of hope and thank you for this.
    regards
    Roger

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Roger-
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I am so sorry you are stuck in this mess and I really hope that you will find the best solution for you very soon so you can get back to what you love to do. I wrote a list of things I wanted to do after my operation, too, and I am so thankful and happy to say that I can do all of them now (though I do admit that my list was made up of pretty boring things like “stand for more than fifteen minutes” and “sneeze without pain” haha).
      But you seem like a very active person and this will only help you with your recovery and keeping the pain levels down. The main thing I hear over and over after my surgery is that I need to be careful about gaining weight because that will make me more likely to re injure myself. It seems like you won’t have that problem once you are back on your feet!
      Good luck with everything and I hope you find relief very soon!!

  10. Brandon W. Reply

    Thank you for this, I actually started tearing up when I was reading all of your posts. Mostly when you were talking about the paintou were in when you sneezed. I know that pain and I just had my surgery a few days ago and I haven’t sneezed yet. Hopefully when the time comes I will not have any pain. I went ahead and bought the balance disc with no hesitations. I really hope you get back to living your completely normal life and I hope the same happens for me. Like i said it’s only been a few days and I can’t tell if the small pain that I’m in right now is from surgery or if it is still the sciatic pain just less painful. I had to take off of work for a few weeks because I couldn’t even walk to my car which is why I ended up getting the surgery. I’m currently sleeping in a recliner because whenever I lay down on the bed, my lower back starts to hurt. The pressure is too much so I like to switch it up between the bed and recliner. Thanks again for writing this I truly appreciate it! Goodluck in the future!

    • Babeesh Reply

      Wow Brandon! Thanks so much for your kind words. I am so happy that you enjoyed my post, and I am even happier that you were able to go through with the surgery. It will take months to heal, so don’t worry if you have lingering pain. I had pain that bothered me even 9 months out that I do not have anymore. I really hope that you will heal and get back to living a normal life! First things first…I hope you experience a pain-free sneeze very soon! Even more than two years later I still get tense before I sneeze because I remember the pain, but it makes me thankful that I am pain free when I sneeze!!

  11. Susan Reply

    Thanks for writing this and the previous account of the first year after your surgery. I massively herniated my L5 disc in October of 2016 and had a microdiscectomy and laminectomy on both sides of L5 in October 2017. It’s been tough honestly and I’m still really struggling at times. Reading your posts gives me hope that I’m still on the mend despite the lingering pain (especially after a sneeze or tripping over my own feet). It’s so hard to be patient (and positive) and heal. Not that I’m glad you had to go through it, but I’m glad you wrote about it. I’m glad you’re well on the mend!

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Susan-
      Thanks for reading and commenting. I am SO sorry you are going through all of this and I really do hope that you continue to be on the mend! I was still feeling pain even a year after my surgery so don’t lose hope!! I was very frustrated as well. I understand how hard it is to be patient and positive, but you seem to be on the right track to finding the relief you need! All the best to you!

  12. Andrew Reply

    Well Babeesh not to put a downer on it but your one lucky woman!, I had an l5 s1 done over 18 months ago and have got to say apart from the sciatica going I’m in worse pain than ever in my lower back.
    I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and try to do very low intensive exercise but I do not seem to be getting any better, I had a very sports type life before and a very good but hard labour job that I have now lost.
    Unfortunately since then I have also found out I’m grade three arthritic in both shoulder and I have damaged discs in my neck (did I actually say I had a GOOD labour intensive job) lol.
    I really hope mine is just taking longer to get right even disc epidurals to help pain don’t work for long, but I do hope in the future I can still get back on track again as it’s hard to see my tiny wife doing the things I should be doing.
    I think in these procedures they tell you the risks as the operation doesn’t always help but we do it as we need the hope it will.
    Good luck for the future!

    • Babeesh Reply

      Wow Andrew thanks for sharing your experience. I am so sorry that you are still going through all of this mess! You are absolutely right that everyone is different and that surgery may not be the answer for everything. It is humbling to read about so many peoples’ experiences and I truly hope that you will find the best way for you to improve and feel more comfortable on a daily basis!

  13. Rae Reply

    Thank you! This is very encouraging. I’m now at 2 months after my surgery and starting physical therapy. I used to do yoga everyday, but now I am barely able to straighten my leg. I’m motivated to change that. I now plan on reading your other blog posts to see your healing journey.

  14. Jennie Reply

    Hi
    You give me a glimmer that my life will return to (somewhat) normal.
    I had my first surgery on L5/S1 in Jan 2017 after a 2.5cm bulge crushed my sciatic nerve. Unfortunately, by Apr 2017 I had reruptured at the same level and had a repeated surgery in May 2017. I would like to say ‘and that was it’ but sadly it was not. In June 2017 I was diagnosed with osteomyelitis (bone infection) in L5 which required emmergency treatment in hospital to ensure the infection didn’t travel to my spinal cord, or worse, my brain. A PICC line was installed directly into the heart for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for antibiotics at a cost of over $2000 a day (thankfully I live in Australia where medical treatment is covered). By late August the PICC line was removed but I now face the battle to return to normal activity. I’m not in pain every day and I believe I’ve turned the corner where there are more without pain days than there are days with pain, but some days are tough. I am still on medication, albeit much lower than ever before, but I am desperate to come off any form of medication.
    I’ve recently returned from a holiday to Germany, Austria and Switzerland and this was BY FAR the best thing I could do for my confidence. I realised really quick, I’m not broken anymore. Im fixed and I can move on with life.
    So thank you so much for your honest account of your journey. I have set myself a goal to learn to ski in 2019 (the year I turn 40!) and hearing that your are able to RUN, something I never thought I would do again, well you girl are my inspiration! Thank you! xx

    • Babeesh Reply

      Wow Jennie I am so sorry to hear about this nightmare, but I am also so happy to hear that you are feeling like you are moving on and enjoying life and setting physical fitness goals! And yes! I never thought I would be able to run but it is such a joy to be able to do that (within reason of course) now!
      Thank you for sharing your journey. That is so scary to hear about the infection but I am so happy that you improving and feeling less pain as time goes on.
      Also, not to get too political, but I happen to be visiting my parents in the USA right now and am avoiding going to the doctor because my health insurance at the moment isn’t so good and so it would be too expensive! It’s not related to my back, but still I am so happy to hear that you were able to get the best treatment you could and not have the added stress of paying the bills! Oh I do hope one day the USA will catch up (I doubt it will during the next few years…), or else I will just have to try to stay in France permanently!
      Thanks for reading and taking the time to share your story. I hope you will enjoy skiing somewhere wonderful somewhere soon!

  15. Samantha Reply

    So thankful to have found this blog! My surgery was just over two years ago and my results seem like they’re about the same as yours. My exercise routine includes weight training, time on the elliptical, and stretching. When winter’s over, I may try getting back into running. I’ve been anxious about running, but after all this time I still miss it so I think I’ll try. This time of year I have to be in the office 10-12 hours a day and the sitting is making my back ache something awful. Ive got a standing desk coming in about a month. For now though, I’m going to try the balance disc.

    Two years on everyone assumes you should be totally fine.Thanks for sharing your experience; it’s nice to not feel quite so alone going through this!

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hey Samantha! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, and I am happy to hear that you are doing well! It stinks that you are stuck sitting for so long, but I hope you will find some relief with the standing desk or balance disc. It helps me a lot and makes me feel less worried or guilty if I have to sit at my desk for a super long time!
      Good luck with running! I still have to take it easy but it’s nice to be able to do it now 🙂 But I still limit myself to 30 to 40 minutes maximum. At least I have a valid excuse for never running a marathon now!
      All the best to you!

  16. Janell Reply

    Thank you for the series of articles. This is very informative. I had surgery at L4 and L5 about 9 months ago. I was told I need to get up and about the next day. I took only 2 days off of work and then was back to full-time status. I did not receive physical therapy and was not given much advice. I was given stretching exercises to do and was told to begin yoga. I invested in flat shoes (as I have always worn high heels). I recently bought 2 inch block heels (for formal occasions) and my pain has really increased. I seemed to recover quickly and was pain free the first 6 months when I really took it easy. But my pain has returned – at much lower levels and I am frustrated. I do feel better when I exercise – but I haven’t gotten into a good routine. I sit all day at work but do get up every hour. I really wanted an assessment of sitting, walking and bending but have not found such a thing. Do you have any advice – I know that it is not medical but experience only. Can I never wear heels again?

    Thank you.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Jannel! Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m really sorry you are feeling pain again! I still get pain also, and I find that I feel less pain after exercising. My pain increases if I spend a lot of time sitting, and it seems like due to your job you may be having a similar experience. I have been trying swimming lately and just using a kick board and doing low intensity swimming once a week has improved my soreness and pain. But of course I recommend talking to your doctor or a professional trainer since they will know what is best for you! Also, to tell you the truth I never wear heels so I don’t know the answer!
      All the best to you and I hope you find the relief you are looking for!

  17. Emily Reply

    Hi, great to find this blog. I’m 4 days post surgery on L5/S1 and feeling deflated. I thought I’d just wake up and just have a bit of incision pain but that’s it. Im still getting nerve and muscle pain down my right leg. Currently still taking lyrica and paracetamol but tapering it off slowly. Reading this gives me hope that everything will be fine and just need to be patient and take the time to heal. Wishing everyone the best with their recovery.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Emily thanks for stopping by! Be patient! It took months and months before most of my pain went away! But you’re on the right track! I hope you continue to have a complication-free recovery and that you will get back to doing what you were doing before having back problems! All the best to you!

    • Marcie Reply

      Hi Emily,

      I read your post and made a connection because my situation is very similar. I am 2 weeks recovering from my L5/S1 herniated disc surgery. I am still on Lyrica after my dr recommended to stay on it for a few more weeks. I’ve already been taking it for 7 months. How do you feel now since your surgery and when did you stop taking Lyrica?

  18. Clare Brennan Reply

    Hi,
    This blog has been the best one I’ve read so far when trying to find comfort with my recovery from a Microdiscectomy. I’ve been suffering for over 18 months now and finally had the operation 2 weeks ago.
    I could totally relate to everything in your blogs…. sneezing (oh my god the pain!) people thinking yoga is the answer…feeling paranoid that people think you’re putting it on.
    Within 1 week of the operation I felt amazing, I actually walked down the street pain free with the biggest smile on my face, because for the first time in ages, I felt great!…. however this was short lived as just under 2 weeks post operation, the siatica has returned down my left leg SO bad it’s worse than it ever was pre operation. It’s waking me up in the night the pain is so bad:( I’m due back to work tomorrow and am so worried this will cause me pain all day… I may look at having an acupuncture appointment to manage the pain in my leg as I’m fed up of taking painkillers that don’t even work! But I’m worried that acupuncture may be too soon after my op if my body is still healing?

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Clare-
      I’m so sorry you are going through this pain! That must be the worst after you felt relief. I am so so sorry. Have you been able to speak to your doctor about the pain coming back? With the surgery so recent they may have a better idea about your specific condition and whether or not acupuncture would be a good idea. Or you could ask the acupuncturist about his or her experience with post op patients. I mean, they aren’t going to stick needles into your incision area so as just a third person it would seem to be ok, but I’m not a professional so I would ask before doing anything!
      I truly hope you find relief soon during this frustrating process. Thanks for sharing your experience.

  19. Baraa Reply

    I really enjoyed reading your blog it is an eye opener.
    I am in my first year post operation, around 8th month.
    Pain almost 90% gone. Unfortunately, I sleep and wake up with a cramped back. I guess my matters is not got for my situation.
    Any recommendations?

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hello Baraa!
      I am happy to hear that so much of your pain is gone! I don’t have any specific recommendations but if you maintain a healthy lifestyle maybe things will continue to improve. I still had pain even 8 months after my surgery as well. Good luck and thanks for sharing!

  20. Greg Reply

    Hi,
    I am one week out of a L4-5 microdiscectomy surgery. I was so elated after waking from surgery with NO pain. And very little pain into the next day. The third day was a different story. The incision area was very sore and I had sciatica in my left leg although not as bad as pre surgery. Now after one week the sciatica in my leg is becoming less and I believe I truly am on the road to recovery. I had suffered with sciatica in both left and right legs for about two years before I could take it no longer and opted for this surgery. At this point I am taking Ibuprofen to deal with the pain and am pretty much off the heavy painkillers. Just wanted you to know that it is very helpful to read about someone else experiences and use those experiences as a point of reference. I glad you have had a good outcome and have your life back.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Thanks Greg! I am happy that you are also on the road to recovery! I am so sorry you had to deal with all of this…I had sciatica for two years also and I couldn’t even function. I hope the surgery gives you your life back like it did for mine!

  21. Pete Reply

    Many thanks for this honest and helpful blog.I have just seen a surgeon and he has offered microdiscectomy on L5.Although I have two other damaged discs he thinks it is this one that would gain the most benefit from an operation.He also said he will shave off some ligament that is narrowing the spinal canal to free up space…I was surprised however that he said it will not likely help with the overall relapses, lower back pain and time off work that I have to keep taking.He said it will only help relieve the sciatica.This has made me think twice about having the operation with its risks.Can I also ask how uncomfortable and painful was the procedure?
    Did it involve painful injections before hand and afterwards I have heard the pain can be as bad as ever for a few weeks? ..Thanks again and keep up the healing.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hello! I was under anesthesia during the procedure and took pain meds immediately after so it wasn’t so bad. No injections. I did have injections but it was to try to relieve my pain and not related to the surgery.

  22. Heather Reply

    Hi Babeesh.
    Phew, a positive blog. Like many of you my nightmare began suddenly. I’m a massage therapist used to 13 hour days, within 2 1/2 months I was permanently horizontal unable to stand longer than 10 minutes, couldn’t walk or sit. I have a high pain threshold but wow! Never known pain like this. Finally had my L5S1 microdiscectomy to find my disc had blown and was calcifying. It’s so great to read your blog. 4 weeks post recovery and it’s a bitch! It’s like riding a roller coaster with no idea when the lows will hit. Still have sciatic pain but now with paranoia that it’ll re-herniate. And it looks like my massage career is over. Fortunately I started a new business during all this but Babeesh it’s good to hear about your experiences as I keep trying to be patient. A bashed up nerve for 9 months is going to take time to repair. So thank you. For re-assurance & hope.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Oh my gosh Heather I am so sorry to hear about your pain! I know that feeling of being unable to stand and it is heartbreaking to hear about how that affected your career. I am happy you found my posts helpful and yes, it took me months before a lot of my sciatica was gone so stay hopeful!!

  23. Kim Reply

    Omg I’m having surgery next week for this very same problem, I can’t thank you enough for all your feedback, it very interesting to hear other people going through the very same pain as you.

  24. Komal Reply

    Hey Babeesh. I am a photographer and a documentary filmmaker. I had a lower back pain for the past 12 years (I had two back injuries) and for the past 7 years and it worsened over the years and specially worst during my university years. I recently was taken into emergency because of the extreme shooting pains in my lower back and left leg. A doctor from neuro department came and quickly adviced that I should go under microdiscectomy. Next day I was went under surgery. It has been 20 days lying on bed, walk g and sitting around a little. However, the thought of happening it again scares the shit out of me. Also, not carrying around my equipment like I used to before has been bothering me as wel. My field demands a lot which means walking or standing for very long hours or even sitting and editing for hours. When my NS told me you won’t be able to pick up things more than 5 kgs and the recovery period is long… I quickly went into depression.
    However, there are few things I can relate to. Like getting afraid of sneezing. After the surgery, when I was about to sneeze, I thought I was going to get this excruciating pain but I didn’t experience it. I was relieved. Although, I am experiencing pins and needles sensations every now and then and a continuous burning sensation not in the spot of the surgery. But a little upwards to which I am still paranoid about. I am scared that it isn’t relating to recurrent disc herniation. Maybe it is some muscle spasm or something else ( I am clueless about these burning sensation and bit of pain on the opposite side of the incision).
    Nevertheless, reading your blog gave me an insight to how much patience is needed because I was running out of patience.
    Thank you for writing everything in detail. It is a slow process but I am hopeful.

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Komal- I am so happy you were able to undergo the surgery but I completely understand how recovery can be scary! It’s daunting to think that your lifting will be limited but for me, three years after my surgery, I feel comfortable lifting things! Though of course I am very careful and there’s a limit. I bet you will be so happy to stand for a long time without a ton of pain! I was so happy to go to a museum after my surgery since I didn’t need to sit down every 5 minute! Thanks for sharing your experience and I wish you a good recovery!

      • Sandra Reply

        Hi Babeesh,
        Your blog right now is my ‘bible’. I had the microdiscetomy exactly two weeks ago. I’m still sore, stiff and certainly still have sciatica. I start to feel like I’m making progress and the next day seems like it’s not as good again. Every time I feel an ache or pain I start to panic that the procedure didn’t work. I go to your blog everyday and keep re reading where you said it takes TIME, and that it’s not unusual to still have pain. Could you please give me a word of encouragement? I’m getting scared that I’m not going to get any better. 🙁

        • Babeesh Reply

          Sandra! I’m so happy this blog has been a good resource for you! I remember that panic so so so well! I thought the silly surgery didn’t work for a really really long time…my post says it better but off the top of my head I still was convinced it didn’t work all the way for over a month. Your nerve needs to heal and every body is different. I was just thinking today, over three years after, that now is the first time where I truly feel like I am “better”. Sure some positions give me weird pain, but much less than before…much less than even two years ago. What changed between year 2 and 3? I have no idea. But I do know that it takes time. All the best to you!

  25. Laney Reply

    I came across your blog the other day. I am having a L5-S1 Microdisectomey tomorrow!! I am hoping to have a smooth recovery since I am younger(25). I have been dealing with this pain for a little over two months which is not long at all. I have gotten to the point where I can’t sit longer for 10 seconds and my toes and calf has become numb. I’m starting to have shooting paIn in my ankle as well. I was up for trying other treatments before surgery but the pain has gotten so excruciating I could not handle it anymore. I’m hoping to wake up and be able to stand with no/minor pain in my leg. I loved reading your blog and it has given me hope for my recovery!

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Laney! I’m happy you’ll be able to go right away and get this fixed! And I’m glad you didn’t have to suffer with that pain for years! All the best to you and have a safe recovery!

  26. Abdullah Reply

    Thank you, that was helpful Babeesh. It’s good to hear from someone about that at a different time in the future.

  27. Donna Edmonds Reply

    What a great descriptive and informative summary of your journey pre and post a microdiscectomy procedure! I just had this procedure on my L5S1 4 days ago and my recovery so far is similar to yours. However, what drove me to get this surgery was the lack of muscle use in my lower calf and foot–no strength at all (sorta like a reverse drop foot). I can stand on my heels by cannot stand on my toes with my right foot. This causes a somewhat pronounced limp when I walk. I’ve had a few herniated discs for about 12 years without pain–keeping a consistent work out regime has helped that. My trigger was 6 weeks ago when I picked up my 65 lb. golden retriever to get her into the back of my car. Worst continuous pain I’ve ever had–went to ER and was admitted because they couldn’t get my pain under control. The pain subsided some and did the usual Steroid pack and then 2 weeks later an epidural. Came out without much pain but still the limp and no muscle strength in right foot.

    I haven’t noticed any difference in my muscle strength to date but I know it takes a while for nerves to regenerate. The surgeon said that my nerve was inflamed, red and very compressed. He had to take out a lot of calcification to open up the “tunnel”. I hope I have some improvement within a 6 weeks–leaving for Portugal and Amsterdam then. Unfortunately, the friend I’m going with is a very fast walker and me–not so much now! 🙂

    • Babeesh Reply

      Hi Donna-
      I’m so sorry you are going through all of this! Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope you have a wonderful trip with your friend despite the pain.

  28. Ezequiel Reply

    Really helpful post. Everyone is different, but sharing your own experience and what has worked/not worked for you is great. I’m only 2 months after my L5S1 microdiscectomy, and was definitely feeling better 3 weeks ago. Having said that, the pain I have today doesn’t nearly compare to pre-surgery scoatica pain. I’m definitely in a phase where I am wondering about longterm expectations, core strengthening exercises, pain killers, etc, so your sharings over two years really helped me. Thanks

  29. Rebecca Reply

    Hi Babeesh,

    Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am three and a half weeks post-op from a L5S1 microdiscectomy and the recovery has been harder than I imagined. I went online hoping to find the kind of information you shared. Your story has given me a boost of confidence and motivation! And I especially appreciate the dedication to document it all during a stressful and painful time.

    Thanks again!
    Rebecca

  30. Marcie Reply

    I am so appreciative of your time and effort to write so much information about your experience. I just had the surgery for my L5/S1 disc herniation 2 weeks ago. I was so relieved when I woke up lying on my back and not feeling any pain. The first week I only felt some pain around the incision and just general stiffness. On day 8 I woke up with my sciatic pain again. I have felt it every morning since then. Before the surgery, it used to be a shooting pain from my butt to my ankle. Now it is in 3 separate places, my butt and above and below the back of my knee. My family Dr assures me that is normal and it has really helped to comfort and reassure me when I read your blog and so many other people’s experiences. I will not see the surgeon again for a follow up until mid January, which I feel frustrated with. I was hoping for some reassurance and guidance, but now I have to wait almost 2 months for that. Reading other people’s journeys has helped to reassure me somewhat. You are very brave and invincible to go through everything you have experienced.

  31. Willy Castro Reply

    Hi Babeesh, thanks a lot on your stories. I just had my surgery 5 days ago and I am now recovering mainly in bed. This last 5 days are the longest days of my life, it is so boring and depressing, but reading stories like yours somehow help alleviate my anxieties.

    There is a litlle bit of pinching pain in my left butt right now but I’m positive that this is just part of the healing process. I hope and I pray that I will not go to this operation again since this is a very difficult and depressing situation for me.

  32. Kashif Reply

    Indeed a great read … while I am in the recovery phase – week 1 🙂 jan 2021

    My first 3 days of surgery there was 0% of sciatica pain but after day 5-6 I realise it was due to the anaesthesia given to the pinched nerve and as the time passes the nerve has started sending signals of pain … I think and like you said it’s matter of time… and as long the pain is bearable will have to live with it until it completely disappear hopefully one day …

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