Not sure of the type of disc used but I had the two level adr operation on the 7th March 07 by a Mr Borree in Southampton England. I am at this moment very despondent and in alot of pain especially down the sides of both legs both hips and the core of my back in the op area with siatic pain returning down my right side. I am honestly unsure of how much more of this pain I can take, it seems I am either trying to put up with the pain or am dosed up and drowsy on Tramadol tablets. After initially feeling a little better at about four week post op I am finding each day a little harder to cope with now, the only relief I get is when I don't use my back at all and just lie down all day on painkillers. I do walk most days for around 20 mins a two to three times a day. My surgeon has recommended I go back to work now but my physio (started physio last week) disagrees, I seem to agree as my job as a surveyor involves driving long distances. I am pleased to have found this site and hopefully can gain some optimism from it. Sorry It's not good news but hopefully I will get there in the end.

Hi Carwyn,
The Usual Recovery Time from two-levelADR is usually between four to six months.

From what you say, try breaking your walks down even further. Maybe make it four 10 minute walks rather than 3 20 minute walks.

It's extremely early days, and I don't think that your surgeon is very experienced in this or he would not be suggesting going back to work, knowing that your work is mainly driving and sitting which are some of the worst things for backs.

Listen to your physiotherapist, and follow their advice in this instance may be?
Best,
Alastair :)

Hi Carwyn

Sorry I've only just seen this message. I think you & your physio are right, it's far too soon to be thinking of returning to work. No two people will have the same recovery so your Dr certainly shouldn't be rushing you back to work!

How are you doing this week? I hope that you're starting to get some relief now :)

Take care

Hi Lyndsay and all, I had Hydrotherapy on Tuesday for the first time and found it relieved my leg nerve pain a lot afterwards but unfortunately it has now returned, I do think Hydro is the way forward for me. Walked for an hour yesterday and it was only painful for the last ten minutes but today I can hardly move and am chucking down my Tramadol so It's the old too much too soon again thing with me. :rolleyes: Going to take it easy for a couple of days then slowly start again.
I have Physio next Tuesday morning and Hydro in the afternoon so hopefully it wont kill me :o

Cheers,

Carwyn

I think you're going to have to learn to "Pace yourself" a bit better, going from crisis to crisis is not a way to be doing this. Good luck with it, and take care
best,
Alastair

Four month follow up

Just got back from my check up and x-rays (they showed a very near normal bending arc) and all seems to be going fine. The pains in my legs and feet are nothing to worry about and the fact I get a mild sciatic pain still is the nerve settling down they say. Also I continue to get an ache down my right hip but again It's nothing wrong. It's early days and I should expect less nerve pains in 18 months + so be patient I was told.
I've been back at work 4 weeks and I would say all the travelling involved has most defiently slowed my progress and if the funds were there I would have stayed off. Anyway onwards and upwards , I walk a couple of miles a day, watch TV sat on a gym ball (inner core stability) and lift dumbbells. All these exercises used to end in an agonising back pain then spasm but now It's the more I can do then the better/looser my back feels. So in summary I am more than happy with the ADR op so far and I hope I continue to feel the benefits I am feeling now,

Cheers,

Colm, YGM ,

Cheers,

To clarify my situation right now It's not great but alot better than it could have been without the op. ;)

If I'm being honest I was forced financially into getting back to work and it has I think mentally made me take stock, grit what teeth I have left and get on with my shitty job but it has also stopped me questioning the ups and downs of my post op. It's more good full day/ bad day rather than good/ bad hour.

I still wish I could take Tramadol every day but it effects me far too much...dizzy, feel sick and the biggest problem is I cannot sleep. So now It's 2x ibroprufen , 2x paracetomol and a devil's claw for breakfast then more ibro for lunch and after that It's red wine :rolleyes: But some weekends are set aside for my Tramadol days where It almost feels like heaven to be totally out of pain but can't find my way to the kitchen :o maybe I take too much? :D

I am far from being pain free and would still try any other miracle remedy a go at the drop of a hat !

I could type away all night but here's a summary.. I still get foot pain 16 plus weeks on, get major hip pain (right side mostly), milder (right) sciatic pain and a general deep ache lower right back BUT[B] I put the ache down to two previous bungled ops :angry:

I have developed a new pain which the consultant would not comment on, It's just behind my belly button (I have a vertical six inch scar just left sideof my belly button) and getting more tender by the day. "See how it goes was the answer" . I went from 14 stone pre op at 5' 11' stocky to around 12 stone 6 weeks post op, now back at my fighting/running away weight I am thinking it's putting pressure inside my stomach pushing on all there cuts and stuff, what do you think?
Also had my vein/artery nicked and lost loads of blood at time of op, this could be the cause, maybe?

Cheers,

Onwards and upwards...hic :)




Carwyn.

Hi Carwyn,
First of all 16 weeks IS back too early for some people, have you tried lyrica for the pain? I think its expensive so not all GP`s will give it.

You need to "Pace" yourself a little more and back off some of the exercise maybe?

How is the incision going- -- - I didn`t like the sound of it as described by you.

Did you ask Mr Boree how many ADR he has done ? 2 level as you had is a BIG step up from the single level.
Take care
Best
Alastair :D

Hi Alistair, I unfortunately HAD to go back to work but to be honest I was going insane anyway ;) What is this lyrica drug ? I am up for anything. I have just ordered more Devil's claw, which do seem to help ..I think, and also the normal anti inflammatory I still take.

Believe me I have no choice about weather to or not going to work so I will endeavour to spend my evenings making up for the damage I am doing driving around the south of England all day in my car :( by walking a couple of miles a night.

I have laid off the dumbbells now you mention it , it was a bit too much too soon.


"How is the incision going"- This is ongoing, I do not like to tender feeling I have now but given the fact of the weight gain I will give it a bit more time to settle down. For the record my horizontal scar is tender to touch.is yours? and behind the belly button is tender to push not touch? any one else had/has this?

Boree..I should have spelt Boeree originally (sorry) lectures on such ops so I guess he has done a few..I hope!!

How are you Alistair?

Hi Carwyn,
Lyrica is a pain killing drug only available from your doctor. Lyndsay is taking it at the moment and is doing great things for her. It's one of those medications which either works and it's wonderful, or doesn't suit you at all and is horrid. :P

I don't know how hard you are pressing on your wound but I never had any problems with that after about six weeks -- -- -- we are all different though. My advice to you on that one is to get the GP practice nurse to look at it if you feel worried about it, they see more wounds and are more expert than the GP I usually find. ;)

I can understand the problem that you're having with your recovery because sitting for long periods does not help with your recovery, (driving) and especially as the roads in the UK are not exactly the smoothest in the world -- -- -- lol :D

Do you have to get back for a six-month checkup with Mr Boeree? It would be helpful to ask him how many ADR he has done when you see him, and also make him aware of this website.

The information that we have here saves surgeons loads of explanations and problems and is sooo helpful to potential patients, and many of the surgeons that we mention, actually give their patients a piece of paper with the website on and tell them to come and look at it. Two Surgeons acually have this website reference on their headed paper

I hope things easy up for you soon, have you tried some long warm bath's to help your wound? Not too hot, or may be cold if it feels inflamed?Don`t poke it though!!
Best,
Alastair :)