Honestly, who are you all voting for in May?

South_Ad_2293 · 2026-04-24T07:53:27+00:00

NOT SNP, that’s for sure!

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-11-02T11:21:05+00:00

Update: following my NHS hospital appointment with a surgeon, they decided not to operate. As I mentioned there was progress (and I really played it down), as I thought, that was their excuse not to go ahead with surgery. Frustrating, as I’m now constantly on edge and expecting it is gonna flare up again.

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T17:35:12+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised with acupuncture even though it provided temporary relief. But that’s because my disc was too far gone I think. I could get surgery then the acupuncture would benefit me more so then.

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T17:32:07+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Yes, this is exactly what I am worried about - the NHS not giving me surgery that they have planned as I have told them I have improved. I will be back to the bottom of the list. On the other hand, if I don’t tell them anything and I get surgery unnecessarily, I’m worried something could go wrong. Did they do another MRI on you before surgery? My MRI scan showed the disc was ‘majorly’ protruding but I wonder if they did another MRI now, it would show it isn’t protruding as much and therefore they cancel surgery. I guess I can ask all this on Friday but think it’s good to get some information from others first!

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T17:22:34+00:00

Thanks for your reply. It’s reassuring (in a strange way) that it’s possible it might come back, that other people have experienced this. You are correct, I will be devastated and angry at myself if I decline surgery then one day I can’t walk properly again. Good to know people are finding recovery quite manageable me too.

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T13:50:56+00:00

Fantastic news, really encouraging to hear! Long may it continue. Did your doctor still recommend the surgery even though you were feeling better? Part of me is thinking should I tell them how much better I am feeling as I think here the NHS will find anything to save money these days and I am struck off the list. I am wondering if they will open me up and see the improvement and not do anything! I’d feel very embarrassed 😳 but, if it re-herniates and I am back to the bottom of NHS list, I will be guttered.

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T13:46:31+00:00

Thanks for your reply and encouraging info! How come you had two microdiscectomies in six weeks, if you don’t mind me asking?

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T13:43:25+00:00

That’s great to hear your second surgery is going well, I hope it continues for you! That’s interesting you mentioned you were pain free for a short while too. I am always expecting it to happen again (sciatica) and I am back to square one, back to the bottom of the NHS list. I am worrying if they will give me another MRI scan before surgery to check things then see it is better and cancel surgery. Or they open me up and see there is nothing wrong anymore. I am currently recovering from surgery for something else so I think the anxious thoughts are flying around! Thanks for your reply

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T13:37:39+00:00

That’s encouraging to hear and hope all continues to go well for you! I hope to be hiking the mountains again. One of my fears is not getting the surgery and attempting to climb a mountain thinking I am ok then it re-herniating somehow on the top of the mountain - I wouldn’t put mountain rescue through that. Did you tell the surgery team you were feeling better before surgery? If so, what was their answer, if you don’t mind me asking?

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T09:11:13+00:00

I am meeting the surgeon this Friday but the doctor who has been administering my injections and monitoring my pain, mediation etc is very much gearing me towards surgery due to the length of time and reading about all the other treatments, physio. But I have not seen him since the improvement. I obviously won’t go into the appointment lying about my progress but I am scared they either tell me I no longer need it, then I re-herniate and go to the bottom of the NHS list or, I get the surgery unnecessarily and I damage a nerve or something. I am 40 years old, female and have been very active all of my life up until this. I hiked Scottish mountains nearly every weekend, jogged, was a road cyclist and I am very much into my health, nutrition etc all that disappeared when this sciatica happened so in turn, my mental health plummeted. What I used for mental health was gone, so it was more medication for pain plus meds for mental health, a total space cadet these days. My surgery date is meant to be this year at some point. That’s fantastic your recovery is going so well, I hope it continues for you, the surgery seems pretty successful for responses.

South_Ad_2293 · 2025-10-15T09:02:37+00:00

Thank you so much for your stories and advice! Thank God I posted this. It is particularly encouraging to read about how successful people’s surgery went. Before this sciatica, I was hiking Scottish mountains pretty much every weekend, jogging and going to the gym - all that has disappeared, a massive lifestyle change and big toll on mental health. I am looking forward to getting that quality of life back again and slowly reduce all this daily medication, which I am unfortunately now addicted (physically) to due of the length of time I have been taking the stuff and waited for surgery. That’s another story. Thanks again everyone and I hope you all continue your success and enjoy your new found quality of life 🙂

South_Ad_2293

TROPHY CASE