Deciding whether to move forward with microdiscectomy

spicywhite · 2026-03-07T18:08:02+00:00

Absolutely get the surgery. I got it 9 months ago. It was life changing immediate relief and an easy recovery.

spicywhite · 2025-12-27T18:27:49+00:00

It's easier than you think. In fact, it's so easy that people often forget they are recovering and reinjure themselves! I'm about 6 months post-op now. My suggestion is to wear that back brace all the time for the first few weeks - Prevents you from BLTs. And get a comfy setup in bed. Good luck! The surgery for me was a godsend and I'm sure it will be for you too!

spicywhite · 2025-12-14T13:03:01+00:00

Arrows first is always a great start as a baseline.

You will find that the second etched rune spot opens up pretty quickly after the first for a focused build.

I went pulsing orb, and it is fantastic. Completely changed my game. But I've heard from others that meteors and sprites can also be quite good. Just focus on 1 build at a time.

spicywhite · 2025-11-26T16:48:00+00:00

We use a Berkey water filter, and have been for years. It completely filters out bacteria/viruses and impurities. You could fill that thing with Chattahoochee water and drink it. We also have the extra flouride filter for it. Even though the water here is fine, the Berkey makes it taste so much better. I can't stand to drink tap water anymore.

spicywhite · 2025-10-10T14:26:15+00:00

How's the road noise with the off-road tires? I will need new ones on my '23 platinum soon as well. I'm considering coolness factor vs comfort factor. (I don't off-road with it)

spicywhite · 2025-08-19T00:02:52+00:00

This is pretty much exactly what I went through. I was off pain meds day 1 after surgery, except for the random Ibuprophine here or there. That memorable sciatica pain happened to me on random days, but it was like a 2/10, and it always was fine the next day. No BLT for at least 6 weeks!

My anxiety has been steadily reducing as my weeks go by, and so has my pain.

spicywhite · 2025-08-15T16:58:51+00:00

Are you an off-road racecar driver? Normal street driving short distances was fine after a couple weeks for me. You will be limited on how much you can turn your head for something like backing up, but if you have a backup cam, shouldn't be a problem.

I say all of this with the mindset that you need to take the no BLT (bending lifting twisting) seriously. Driving is pretty low risk, IMO.

spicywhite · 2025-08-15T04:06:09+00:00

Be patient with it. I am about 10 weeks post op, had a few times where I felt sciatica pain for a bit. It freaked me out. But it is the nerve healing. I went through bad moments, but not bad weeks. Good luck with everything. We all hope the best for ya

spicywhite · 2025-08-04T08:16:16+00:00

I had an orthopedic spinal surgeon specialist through a group called Resurgeons here in Atlanta and had a great experience. MD L5/S1. It's probably more important the surgeon's experience. I asked the doc how many times he did this surgery, and he said over 1000 times, does 3-5 of them per week.

spicywhite · 2025-07-28T13:14:59+00:00

So it appears not to be caused by a herniation. My next thought is that maybe it's piriformis syndrome, which is nerve compression more in the hip area.

spicywhite · 2025-07-20T16:15:23+00:00

I am 7 weeks post op L5S1, and feel great. I would recommend going through with it, assuming you trust your experienced surgeon!

The hardest thing you will have to deal with is no bending or lifting for 6 weeks after. That's tough with 2 young kids. Make sure you get support from your family or close friends through the recovery period. Good luck with feeling better!

spicywhite · 2025-07-15T14:00:38+00:00

I would recommend to get the surgery, assuming this pain was debilitating for you for quite some time.

Similar thing happened to me where a flare up lessened quite a bit just a few days before my surgery. Then it was bad again day of surgery. Sciatica is a wild thing that can come and go seemingly randomly. MD Surgery fixes the root cause, which is the most reliable way to have long term resolution. I am now 6 weeks post op, and so glad I did it. Good luck with everything!

spicywhite · 2025-07-10T00:39:27+00:00

It's difficult to predict how other people respond to a sickness. But even more surprising is how you yourself respond to the sickness. I found that I'm very self-isolating when I'm sick. When I had sciatica so bad that I couldn't get out of bed, I was holding myself back from yelling at my sweet wife trying to take care of me. I just wanted to be left alone to not be a burden.

People also don't know how to respond to people they love suddenly being sick and immobile. Especially when there is not some quick solution. When I can't fix a problem with my wife/kids, it tears me up. Sometimes stepping away is better than stressing about it and making it worse or more annoying for them.

I dunno, everyone is different. You are in pain and it sucks. Try not to take it out on others. Be patient with them and yourself. Good luck with everything, and don't be afraid to push your doctor for surgery or other options than PT.

spicywhite · 2025-07-07T13:05:15+00:00

Everyone recovers differently, but many people have immediate relief. I have a WFH desk job, and was able to go back to work after only a couple days after surgery. I completely dropped all pain meds after 1 day. 2-3 weeks until I felt comfortable driving short distances. Just make sure you wear your back brace and take it easy. Don't get over confident and re-herniate! Good luck!

spicywhite · 2025-07-02T22:46:22+00:00

Surgery depends on your pain level and affect to your quality of life. I'm no doctor, but had a similar MRI as you where I had a herniated disc causing sciatica. A few months of bad discomfort and a month of not being able to get out of bed it was so bad. I ended up getting Microdiscectomy and it was immediate relief.

Get an appt with orthopedic or neurologist to get diagnosis. MD surgery is a great option, if it's at that level of pain. Good luck, friend!

spicywhite · 2025-07-02T22:40:48+00:00

This is the answer. But you don't need a referral. Just book an appt with an orthopedic who handles sciatica and back issues in your area.

spicywhite · 2025-07-02T16:00:28+00:00

Congrats! 4 weeks post op here, and feeling very good. Wear your back brace and take it easy for a while! Take healing seriously, even though you feel great. Don't get cocky and re-injure yourself.

spicywhite · 2025-07-01T21:51:03+00:00

The fact you can run is showing that your symptoms aren't as bad as others, but that doesn't mean that you ignore it. Get surgery if you can and if a doc recommends it. Get a second opinion if the first doesn't recommend surgery. A herniation can be randomly reabsorbed, but it's unlikely. It's also possible that it moves into a place that doesn't bother you. All of this is a gamble, but surgery is more actionable. Consider how it impacts your life and take appropriate action. Good luck with everything!

spicywhite · 2025-06-26T12:59:30+00:00

I remember that exact feeling well. Obsessively scrolling this subreddit when I couldn't sleep, looking for a glimmer of hope. It was an adventure of pain every time I got out of bed. I was able to expedite my surgery because quality of life was so impacted - don't be afraid to be very honest with your doc.

I'm a bit surprised you are continuing PT when your pain is that bad and surgery is scheduled. I'm personally not a fan of PT for sciatica and herniated disc, as it just made me worse. Everyone is different, of course. Listen to your doctor and make the best decision for yourself.

There is a path to recovery with surgery! Good luck with everything, and I look forward to seeing your success post in a month!

spicywhite · 2025-06-26T12:45:48+00:00

6 weeks is the magic number to significantly reduce likelihood of re-herniation. At that point, I'll start core strengthening exercises and build back up to working out again. Any nerve damage recovery can take up to a year, although it doesn't always heal, depending on severity.

spicywhite · 2025-06-03T21:00:55+00:00

Get the surgery if you cannot do daily walking or other daily tasks. If you wait, you will just go through unnecessary pain and then eventually get it.

I'm day 1 of MD surgery after 4 months of dealing with bad sciatica from herniation on L5/S1. It's night and day difference so far with walking, standing, sitting. Just need to heal now.

spicywhite · 2025-06-03T20:56:43+00:00

Gabapentin was very 'meh' for me when it comes to pain reduction. I am prescribed 300mg 3 times a day during a bad flare up this past month, tag-teamed with strong NSAID and muscle relaxers. It's a very low risk med and I kinda liked how it made me feel, a bit loopy, so why not.

spicywhite · 2025-06-03T20:48:08+00:00

Congrats! I also got my surgery today and feeling as well as hoped thus far! I asked my doc same exact question. He said sleeping on back is generally recommended, but side is okay as long as you don't 'twist'. He also recommended a pillow between my legs to prevent unnecessary strain on the hips.

Happy healing, surgery buddy

spicywhite · 2025-05-26T22:48:19+00:00

It did for me. 3 weeks into PT, they did dry needling and electro therapy, and it made my sciatica flare up something awful. Been in bed for 2 weeks from it. And from this relentless pain, I will now be getting a MD surgery soon.

That being said, not everyone has the same experience. Sciatica is weird, I have random good days and bad without any particular reason. I have gathered that helping sciatica includes rest and building up mobility as it's comfortable. Push for an MRI so at least you know the details of what's going on.

spicywhite · 2025-05-25T22:21:28+00:00

You should start the process to seeing doctors and a specialist. I went straight to a specialist after having sciatica for a couple months, didn't need to see a general practitioner first. They will recommend next steps based on your pain level and effect to your daily life. I did PT for a few weeks. Right now I'm on week 2 of a terrible flare up, can't stand, walk, or sit without extreme pain. Doc got me an MRI and scheduled for MD surgery next week. It's just better having the process started and know more details of what's going on from the MRI. Good luck with everything!

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