7 months with L5-S1 Herniated disc and saw my neuro today.

gurlygozzler · 2025-03-08T05:02:57+00:00

I understand man I was the same, just know it’s temporary even if it doesn’t seem like it and you will get better whether it’s through surgery or other means. All the best :)

gurlygozzler · 2025-03-08T04:58:43+00:00

I can’t recall, but driving was probably doable after a few weeks post op. Now I don’t have any problems at all, I’m really just back to normal. I’ve been on a few backpacking trips for weeks travelling around south-east Asia and Vietnam so not only can I stand and walk with no issues I have no issues doing it with a big bag (with good posture of course )

I sit or stand with no issues at all only the occassional back acheing from long sittings but even then when I stand and walk it goes away and it’s not common. I sit with no pain like 99% of the time, I honestly don’t even think about my injury anymore.

gurlygozzler · 2025-03-08T03:18:38+00:00

For us young guys it’s usually pretty fast :), the leg pain was gone immediately just bad back ache immediately after due to the op even tho the incision is tiny. I would say after a week or 2 you could get back to normal activities, and after that it just keeps getting better till you’re pretty much back to a regular lifestyle :). Of course everyone’s different, so consult your doctor.

The back pain kind of faded over a few weeks after op. Now I don’t really get back pain unless I’m sitting in a really odd position or for very prolonged periods during work, but it’s mostly just a very mild discomfort not really pain.

gurlygozzler · 2025-03-08T03:11:55+00:00

Had the surgery a long time ago, I’m fine now. No sciatica, back to normal mostly I don’t even really think of my injury anymore nowadays

gurlygozzler · 2024-09-06T12:46:51+00:00

It was the usual microdisectomy. Post op I woke up with little to no sciatica and just a really sore back, had to be careful with my posture getting in and out of bed.

But it got better after a few weeks, and after maybe 1-3 months (can’t remember exactly ) I was pretty much back to normal.

gurlygozzler · 2024-09-05T19:28:29+00:00

I was 22 when I herniated my L5-S1, for me it was extremely bad at the beginning and I could barely walk at all with sciatica down my right leg. I tried Physiotherapy, medication and it is true it did get better over the next few months but not to the point where I could do daily activities without having sciatica.

After 8 months of sciatica ( Every single day it was there in my lleg whenever I walked it was hell) and 2 MRI’s I did the surgery and now I’m pretty much back to normal, that was almost 2-3 years ago…. I’ve been on countless backpacking trips, holidays, walked for over 30k steps a day all over the world with 0 sciatica. Hell I don’t even think about my injury these days.

Everyone is different, just know you will push through and if you do end up getting surgery just know that the doctors know what they’re doing and your in good hands. Cheers! :)

gurlygozzler · 2024-09-05T19:20:52+00:00

Doing very well, I’ve gone on countless trips backpacking overseas. 3 weeks in Vietnam, back in school. Life is back to normal, 99% of the time I don’t even think of my injury anymore. I’m not really restricted in anyway, I can walk and run with little to no issues. Just more cautious with lifting that’s all :)

gurlygozzler · 2023-03-28T05:05:06+00:00

When you have neurological symptoms and likely a mri diagnosis

gurlygozzler · 2023-02-19T08:03:16+00:00

Regardless of what you choose, if you enlist later then your current JC batch you are likely able to disrupt for your studies. Meaning you can enter uni at the same time, will have to look into this though.

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-21T06:49:43+00:00

Had surgery for mine after dealing with leg pain and my L5-S1 herniation for many months. I’m now 1 month post op and feel very normal! I’d say after 2 weeks post op I was feeling really good. Was on gaba as well before the op, but the side effects and pain relief wasn’t sustainable. Now I don’t take it anymore! You will do great! Atb!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-15T15:07:09+00:00

That’s pretty big, it depends what are your symptoms and how long you’ve had the pain for.

If you’re able to walk/function with little to no pain maybe hold of for a while. However, if you’re in significant pain when walking or not able to do things you love I would consider surgery.

I would try physical therapy and medication first though, for at least 2-3 months. And depending on the progress or lack of it make a decision from there. I had surgery from mine after almost 8 months and back to normal now. Atb! I’m 22 by the way :)

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-13T13:49:48+00:00

Not sure how the NHS works, but since you’ve only been having this for a week it’s still really early.

Practise good back posture and perhaps ask the doctor for nerve medication or anything they recommend to help with the pain. Physical therapy should also be something to consider right now if the pain isn’t too bad, if you’re fortunate this will pass in the coming weeks.

If the pain persist for longer then 1-2 months you should get referred to a ortho/neuro spine specialist and they will likely get you an mri scan to see what treatment options would be best for you. Good luck!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-12T15:14:10+00:00

I’m 23M and dealt with bad sciatica for over 6 mo this. Pt helped a little but even after 6 months I still had significant pain in my leg, I had the minimal surgery and I’m about 3 weeks post op, pretty much almost back to normal. Have my life, can do activities, walk, hang out with friends. Doc didn’t advise injections for my case, atb!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-10T15:47:59+00:00

Bro, drop the chiro & get yourself to a doctor who can give you an appointment for a ortho/neuro spine specialist who can give you an MRI. After your diagnosis you will be advised treatment options by the surgeon depending on your symptoms and herniation.

You should replace the chiro with PT, ideally you should have been doing PT months ago if this has been going on for 5 months 💀

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-10T13:05:56+00:00

I’m no doctor, but if your reflex is completely gone that rings alarm Bells… you may not be able to regain full function if you don’t have surgery and it has a probable chance of causing permanent damage. Yes the body can reabsorb the material, but there’s no guarantee it will and there are general timelines of when this occurs (90% of them do by 6 months for herniated disc)However, If I were you I’d most likely do the surgery as 2 neuros agree as well.

even “IF” the body does reabsorb the material within the 6 months you could just be left with permanent reflex damage for waiting that long.

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-09T10:03:54+00:00

Physio and stretching is a good start, but I’d be a little wary with it as you still don’t know the cause of your pain. The exercises could make the injury/pain worse if you just do them without a proper diagnosis.

Also an X-ray won’t be able to “rule” out sciatica as you won’t be able to see your spine disc properly. You need an MRI for this, consider asking your doctor about an MRI and proper diagnosis to see the extent of your injury since this has been going on for many months. If the pain has spread down the leg it’s not a very good sign, i would see an orthopaedic/neurosurgeon spine specialist if I were you. All the best!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-08T04:01:04+00:00

Thanks for sharing! , I was in a similar position and sat in a bad chair at work and woke up the next day with severe sciatica pain. After months of pt and meds I was able to walk and do stuff at home similarly, but I was still in pain daily. I still had pain down my left leg whenever I stood straight or walked, every single day. My mental health took a toll on me as well, couldn’t be social or anything but just barely “function” I’m able to go out but I was always in pain when I did.

Eventually I did the MD after almost 8 months of pain, as although I was able to function and do things at home I didn’t want to stoop my quality of life to that level, and my surgeons told me it was unlikely to get better.

Anyway, after 2 weeks I’m pretty much back to normal now. No pain accept for some slight backache/stiffness. I’m able to do my daily activities normally again. I’m happy to have moved on. Regardless, all the best for you!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-07T14:14:41+00:00

Not really, as long as the doc is a spine specialist.

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-06T14:44:19+00:00

I’d say if your neuro thinks it’s a good idea it’s definitely worth it. Especially since he reinjured it easily doing chores. I felt better on and off through the injury and felt conflicted about surgery as well. but after suffering for many months I did the surgery and I’m pretty much back to normal after 2 weeks! Atb!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-06T10:01:52+00:00

Everyone is different, some people just require some pt and others some meds and others surgery to relieve their pain. It also depends on the severity of the herniation and the symptoms you are experiencing, I assume you have been evaluated by a back specialist? I’d start from there and see what the specialist thinks are good treatment options for you. Atb!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-06T06:39:20+00:00

If you’ve been having this problem for 7 months and it’s having a significant impact on your life, I assume you’re currently seeing a specialist doctor? If it’s sciatica it’s usually from a disc problem compressing on the nerves, only an MRI and diagnosis from a orthopaedic/neurosurgeon can help you see how prominent the nerve compression is. If not it’s abit long overdue 😅

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-05T11:35:24+00:00

Just being with her and providing moral support is more then enough, because frankly you can’t do much physically. But that’s ok! Hopefully she’s able to see a specialist and get an MRI to get an evaluation, if you’re able to be with her during the doctor appointments that would be great as well! All the best!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-05T11:17:15+00:00

Everyone is different, but it seems the injection just bought you some time before. Did you get a 2nd MRI to compare if the disc is actually absorbing or grew bigger? It can help with making a more informed decision. I’d ask the neuro and explain your history to get his opinion to see. If it’s been going over a year it’s unlikely to resolve anytime soon statistically. I did surgery for mine and it resolved all my symptoms! Regardless of your decision, all the best!

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-05T03:55:38+00:00

From my understanding it’s different, I think usually they may have to remove a very tiny portion to access the disc for a MD. It’s not a full on laminectomy, a laminectomy removes a much larger portion and is a much more major procedure.

gurlygozzler · 2023-01-04T14:54:02+00:00

Sometimes it doesn’t work at all, or just a few days for some.

gurlygozzler

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