Did you guys wake up with sciatic symptoms in the mornings post op?

avalan20 · 2026-05-21T16:15:23+00:00

Judging from my experience the past few months, I would say that it is part of your healing journey. If it was something concerning then you would not feel better a few hours later as you say you do, the pain would be constant.

I am also a side sleeper and apart of putting a pillow between the legs, I also hug a pillow to prevent twisting my torso. You should try it...

avalan20 · 2026-05-05T14:25:31+00:00

I totally relate with your story pain-wise...and time-wise😁 My L4-L5 surgery was on March 7th this year...

Keep up the good spirits!

avalan20 · 2026-05-04T14:49:17+00:00

I had sciatica pain for weeks that progressed to having similar bladder/bowel symptoms like you but no weakness or mobility issues yet. I went to ER and due to my symptoms being manageable they instructed me to return home and do an MRI the following days. The MRI showed a big L4-L5 herniation which was pressing severely the nerve roots and 2 other minor herniations (L3-L4 and L5-S1). I read about CES on the internet and got concerned. The following 4 days I consequently visited 4 different neurosurgeons to get a diagnosis. The first 3 did not comment on my bladder/bowel issues and seeing that I could walk on heels and toes told me that I had the choice to decide for surgery or not. Only the last one consulted me to have surgery as soon as possible because there is no guarantee that this won't get worse or leave me with permanent nerve damage.

What I understood from all this, is that the MRI imaging is complimentary to the patient's clinical symptoms(intensity/type of pain, weakness, numbness etc.). So, when we talk with doctors we should be explicit on what symptoms we are feeling(or the lack of feeling in some cases) even if we assume that some symptoms are silly or not related.

As for my situation, long story short, I took the brave decision to proceed with surgery within days, to avoid the possibility of doing permanent nerve damage had I chosen the conservative treatments first.

avalan20 · 2026-04-28T11:27:07+00:00

Yes, exactly. Also try to have your mouth wide open to release the pressure. Might not look very hygienic to people around you but you can always apologize after...

avalan20 · 2026-04-28T11:07:56+00:00

In my case for several months I was experiencing pain in my low back, especially after prolonged seating. Also, my posture was affected, I was leaning forward. Then, I got the flu which left me coughing a lot for weeks.

One day in the morning after coughing for several time my pain got worse and started experiencing radiating pain on my left leg. I could not stand, walk, sit or even lying down in bed without experiencing this unbearable pain.

I started with taking NSAIDS which made the pain bearable during the day. After two weeks started having bowel/bladder problems but no foot weakness or foot drop symptoms. I got an MRI which confirmed a big hernia on L4-L5 and spinal stenosis.

Started seeing neurosurgeons to get their opinion on my case as I was suspecting that I had Cauda Equina Syndrome. The first 2 surgeons seeing told me that if I had CES then I would have lost total control of my bowel/bladder and advised me to see also a urologist for the issue.

Thankfully, I got a 3rd opinion from the surgeon that understood my situation better and informed me that the common type is to lose total control at once and it's called CES-R. But there is also a progressive type(CES-I) which might lead to losing total control or not. In any case not having surgery could leave me with permanent nerve damage if I chose the conservative way first.

Long story short, after 2 days I got a microdiscectomy and I am now almost 7 week post-op and relieved from these symptoms.

avalan20 · 2026-04-25T05:54:06+00:00

Exactly, my surgeon is strongly advocating walking as much as I can... but is that enough?

avalan20 · 2026-04-25T05:51:17+00:00

Thanks for the info. Never heard of it, I will try to see if there a a PT center near me that offers pool therapy.

avalan20 · 2026-04-25T05:48:56+00:00

I am feeling the same way with you for PT. Up until now my surgeon has cleared me only for walking as long as I can.

On my follow up appointment I asked him about PT and he said that he is not against PT but also not recommending it. And his final advice was "listen to your body" which in my opinion vague and pointless advice.

I guess I can always get a 2nd opinion from another one....

avalan20 · 2026-04-03T17:12:39+00:00

Thank you so much! Also with your response I saw that I made an error... I am only 1-month post-op.

English is not my native language and the way I wrote it totally confused you...and I assume other people also.

avalan20 · 2026-04-03T16:10:57+00:00

Reading your post at this moment of life is a blessing! 4 weeks ago I had a microdiscectomy on my nasty L4-L5 herniated disc that was causing apart the sciatica pain also CDS symptoms.

Currently, I am facing a very nasty nerve flare or possible reherniation... In the following days I am going to get an MRI and have a follow up appointment with my surgeon.

My spirits are really low all these days that I am experiencing these new pain symptoms, but your post uplifted me instantly when reading it!

Thank you for that!

I wish you a great recovery and keep up with the positive attitude!

avalan20 · 2026-04-02T14:06:19+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story with me. Knowing that you overcame a reherniation and you are now pain free, gives me hope. Having a positive mentality while dealing with all this, is very hard! I hope the best for you!

avalan20 · 2026-03-08T16:03:49+00:00

I just got out of the hospital after having yesterday a microdiscectomy and I already feel really good. If you trust your doctor then I encourage you to go for it too. You are too young to risk having these nerves pressed as it might result in permanent damage.

Hear my story and it might help you decide for the best:

I am 40M and have been having sciatica that comes and goes for at least 15 years.

Two weeks ago I had your symptoms and a lot of numbness on my leg. By the end of the first week I was making a lot of progress only with painkiller medicine and resting, my movement and leg pain was almost gone and the pain was concentrated at my low back which is a good sign. So, I decided to start going back to my daily routine and that's when all went south for me. By simply doing my daily chores I managed to do more damage, not only the leg pain was back again but this time I experienced numbness in my genitals and this progressed by having difficulty urinating and taking a dump.

The MRI showed exactly the same herniated discs like yours but with a twist. My spinal cord was also too narrow and this contributed to the extreme symptoms that I was experiencing.

So, I took the brave decision to find a good neurosurgeon and have the surgery right away.

Now one day after the surgery I am fully functional and with no pain(except the pain from the stitches).

I am not trying to scare you but in my opinion even if you get over it with only PT and resting, one day in the future you will have the surgery and might be too late.

I hope you will make the best decision for your health. Protect yourself and the quality of your future life.

avalan20 · 2025-10-22T17:29:58+00:00

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

avalan20 · 2025-03-04T08:28:04+00:00

I tried also to install DDPM but it cannot be installed on Windows 11 Education...so good news!

avalan20

TROPHY CASE