Microdisectomy: The dreaded re-herniation update
Alright peeps, so time for a crappy update.
We are 2 months after the microdisectomy and we got the sad news today that the disc reherniated. We have to meet with our neurosurgeon (we still really trust him) about what our next steps should be. The PA told us the chances for it to be fixed with a second surgery is good, but we are both eh about having a second one. I will keep you updated after the appointment with the surgeon. If you have any questions you want me to ask him about the second surgery let me know and I can ask.
The sciatic pain from the second herniation has so far been less than the pain before surgery, which we are counting as a blessing so far. The pain could go up as the nerve continuous to be compressed, but we will see.
To put it with some perspective, before the surgery he was taking 2 narcotics, 2 muscle relaxers and 2 anti-inflammatory to keep the pain manageable. Right now we are taking 3,200 grams of ibuprofen which is high but is not a narcotic so again we are counting our blessings.
I won't lie, this fucking sucks. Bad.
The surgeon did warn us there was a 5-7% (I found a study saying as high as 12%) of people re-herniate for silly reasons like sneezing, farting, etc. You just can't help it. There is also a chance that my husband spine moves in a wrong way (idk how to explain it) which might make it near impossible for him to heal properly from a micro-disectomy. I'm researching if there is a way to figure this out before we risk a second surgery.
Now, would do I think the first surgery was still worth doing?
For me, yes. It was a good fucking chance that we would be some of the lucky ones who gets fully cured from a microdisectomy. It happens a lot. And listen, even now the pain is lower than it was before. That is not nothing.
You gotta take your best chance and then hope for the best truly. Take as many precautions as you can and then just....keep on keeping on.
If you have any questions let me know.
If you are someone who had a second microdisectomy then please let me know. I would love to meet more people in the same situation.
Past posts:
Day of OP:https://www.reddit.com/r/Sciatica/comments/arsvuy/night_before_the_microdisectomy/
2 days post op: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sciatica/comments/aszc9x/microdisectomy_2_days_post_op/
1 week post op: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sciatica/comments/auvkck/microdisectomy_one_week_post_op/
2 weeks post op: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sciatica/comments/axmwe2/microdisectomy_two_weeks_post_op/
Posted May 1, 2019, 6:37 PM UTC