Newbie to website, Upcoming TDR Surgery 2 Levels

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

Hi Everyone,
I've taken the plunge and joined this website, having had a little look previously. Thanks to all who set this up.
I'm having TDR Surgery at 2 levels next Thursday and am a little nervous now it's approaching. Have had surgeries in past, but, this probably my biggest, so am looking forward to a future with a lot less pain. Fingers crossed. Have suffered for about 23 years now from being a youngster and feel I've reached the right point to take this risk.

[Lynda]

Hello there and welcome to the forum, 23 years is a long time to have been suffering and I hope your forthcoming surgery gives you much relief. Some pre-op nerves are very normal, think positive and be optimistic.

Which levels are you having replaced?

Very best wishes to you

Lynda

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

L4/L5 and L5/S1 did ring me and offer me tomorrow and strangely that was first offered date. But, felt all a bit of a rush and work expecting it next week etc. Am lucky in being allowed to work from home for now, which is a really big help as it is a distance for me to work.
Quite optimistic, don't think you can have the surgery otherwise, can't think about a negative outcome can you?
Hopefully Mr Shackleford does his magic for me!

[alyssa.star]

Hey there, I have a Guinea Piggy and I wish I could have more but my mum wont let me lol, though I do love her to pieces. Anywho...

I'm Lyssie (21 y/o),

I just really wanted to welcome you to the ADR Support forum,
I'm sure your surgeon will do wonders, meanwhile take it easy!

Lyssie

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

Hello there!
I have 9 of the little tinkers at the moment. 2 living inside for the winter as 1 of them has had pneumonia. He's doing really well considering not the most robust animals are they. It's quite nice actually he can live with his girlfriend, they have had babies in past, but, been together now since last October, so think nothings going to happen.
Thank you for the welcome to the site. Nice to talk to people in same boat and for the support.
Jen

[csutton1]

Welcome Jen.

Think positive and good luck with your surgery, please keep us up dated
xxx

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

Hi Carole,
thanks for the good wishes. I'll keep you posted! Just hope next week doesn't get knocked back.
Feel it's right time as can't carry on as I am and want to get back to going into the office and moaning like everyone else. Surprising how you miss out, working from home is ok, but, not the same.
Jen

[ajj1001]

Hi and hope your surgery goes well. Looking forward to hearing of a fast recovery for you. Have you had spine surgery before?

alison x

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

Hi Alison,
No had plenty of other surgeries, appendectomy, open reduction & pinning of tibia and fibula and a further couple of surgeries to the ankle, cholecystectomy, but, no spinal surgery before. Hoping all goes well and feel I'm making the right choice, Mr S's registrar (Mr S was ill) was persuading me shall we say after the discogram. About 15 years back I saw Mr Findlay at Walton Centre who looked at doing a fusion, however he said I was way too young and the prognosis wasn't good enough.
So I'm a little nervous as it's getting nearer, was offered op today as there was a cancellation on tuesday late morning, but, decided it was too much of a rush.
Thanks for the good wishes, feeling like I've lost the plot a couple of times at moment which is not like me at all. I normally just get on with it, whatever.
Jen

[Alastair]

Hi Jen,
Good luck with the surgery, you are in "Safe Hands "with Mr S.

Do come back and tell us how you got on
Best
Alastair

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

Hi Alastair,
Thanks for the good wishes I hope so. He has a good reputation and I've been in his care a long time now. This time next week hopefully I'll have been done or nearly done. Am a little anxious and just want it done now so I can move onto my recovery.
Have found a lot on this website that has helped so thanks to everyone. It really does help, people try to understand but, it is like a lot of people post on here, until it happens to you, you don't really know. I've had back pain and leg pain for 23 years and am looking forward to less pain and no pills!!!
Thanks again!
Jen

[Nailah]

Hi Jen - hey good luck for next Thursday.

Sending you positive thoughts through the airways!!!

I had my first episode of loss of bladder control last week. What a shock and found it very distressing. Luckily I haven't had another one since. Just hoping that I can have the operation before it happens again. I think everyone who is about to go through surgery is just as nervous as you.

Keep your chin up - you have a lot of friends here who are supporting you.

Nailah

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

Hi,
Thanks for the good wishes.
Sorry to hear you've had some bladder problems. Please promise me you will keep an eye on them. I didn't know I'd wet myself as as mortified as I thought I'd be to be admitting it on here. It is really important you go straight to A&E and explain that's happened. You must not ignore any symptoms such as that. I was lucky that somehow the pressure on the nerve must have eased after both episodes, I didn't even feel I was wet or know I'd done it which is most worrying. I drank more water and waited, but, I have been strongly advised never to do that again. It's a red flag symptom and if in any doubt, get yourself to A&E as it must be dealt with very quickly if cauda equina has happened. Hopefully it never does, but, please get checked even if they tell you you're ok. Even the Drs will admit they'd rather check you and send you back home.
Look after yourself!
Just back from the osteopath, eased my middle back and neck off ready for my op. He's good although I was laughing with him telling him it's all his fault. Plus feel better I'm finally having the surgery as he said that was what I needed many years back when he insisted I get myself referred to Mr Shackleton.
Anyway I'm waffling (very good at waffle - hubby & the animals would tell you if they could, the parrot probably would actually tell you).
Promise me any doubts over the bladder and you'll get checked out! I'm not trying to worry you, just nobody ever really told me the risk and anyone with lower back issues should be aware that if the nerve to bladder is compromised time is of the essence, if cauda equina happens you have 4 hours to get the surgery. Testing involves an internal, which is least of anyones worries with all we have to go through and scans if needed. Just don't ignore it if it seems very odd and unusual, particularly if like me you have no feeling. I've been fortunate, but, I wouldn't risk staying at home if it happens again.
Jen

[Nailah]

Thanks Jen. I didn't realise that I needed to go to the toilet when it happened. I did wet myself quite a bit. I just felt stupid and embarrassed. This happened two weeks ago and I haven't had another episode since - thank goodness. Gosh four hours? Thanks for your advice and I will go to the local A&E if it happens again. I hope it doesn't before my surgery on 12 November. Cross fingers.

It looks like you have a good rapport with your osteopath and getting your back and neck into shape in readiness for surgery. I bet you are counting down the days now.

Nailah

[Guinea Pig Crazy]

Hi Nailah,
That's why I posted it, not all Drs tell you, like me.
It sounds like we've been lucky and somehow the pressure has eased. I like you felt embarrassed and just drank lots to see if I went to the toilet normally. Mine were 2 episodes which were a few days apart and not long after last discogram, so whether it aggravated it somehow I don't know.
The second time I was warier and did weigh up going to hospital, as I'm working from home I let work know if I disappeared suddenly I was off to hospital. Occupational health got wind and I had a telling off and had to go and get checked, which was a few days after the event in fact. I think as long as you're sensible it will be fine, plus if you do suspect it's happened and you're in A&E (I always think somehow you'd know if had happened - but, not sure if I'm right) and you're waiting just hurry them up as it is 4 hours that's not scare mongering. Have been told that by Drs in A&E as well as occ health. Our occupational health nurse is good and I'm glad she was looking out for me, even though I felt like a child being told off at the time. Having been told what could happen the embarrassment has dropped and blimey I've typed it on here. I thought others may know and it was just me teaching Grandmother to suck eggs. But, I'm so glad I posted it now.
Look after yourself and good luck for your surgery, only a week after me, it will fly. I keep thinking of all I should do before I go in, it's not happening. Keep telling hubby he must give one of my guineas (well 2 really) who's living inside a hot water bottle morning and night. yes, they're pampered. He's had pneumonia and doing really well. They are not the most robust of animals after all. Usually they give up pretty quick. I think he'll miss me giving him cuddles anyway, maybe not all the jabbing with injections, still I've got him better or at least better than he was. First poorly this time last year and he's well known at the vets now.
Anyway I'm waffling I'm very good at waffle. I will be thinking of you on 12th and hope all goes well if for some reason I can't make a post. I think I'm going to come out similar to how I am now I'm sure. Anyway best wishes and I hope bladder holds up, any doubts at least see GP if not hosp. Might even be something as simple as a one off or even a mild urinary infection. if you want to find out more it's either caudal equina or cauda equina I'm sure tinterweb will chuck up some information. Dr in A&E said the nerves are al in a big protective sheath to the lumbar spine where it divides like a horses tail and that's where the pressure on the nerves from disc prolapses etc. does the damage and if the pressure isn't relieved the damage may be permanent. They can quickly get a good idea by an internal and testing, so don't worry and know you know the risk, I'm sure any embarrassment will just disappear.
You take care and I'm glad I've embarrassed myself by admitting it on this forum if it has helped at least 1 person.
Jen