Thanks Megs for sharing, I watched all your videos and its so helpful. I wasn’t able to walk for many weeks but now I’m able to walk and move more but after a couple of car rides and dog walks my flare ups started back again and im really concerned to have the same pain again. I’m considering getting a surgery but I am worried if i am rushing it.. diagnosed 4 months ago, had the worst pain 2 months ago and been spending most of my time in bed 😢
My recommendation to anyone that works an office job is 1) don't sit at your desk more than 30 minutes at a time or 1 hour at the most. Put a timer on your computer or whatever to remind you to get up and move. 2) Talk to your employer and see if they'll purchase you an option for an adjustable stand up desk that you can raise or lower with ease. Sitting at our desks for prolonged periods of time is wreaking havoc on our spines.
So true Doug! I have always worked an office job, so it would make a lot of sense. Long periods of inaction followed in my case by intensive exercise like boxing or tennis, must be giving our spines a frightful time!
It’s a pleasure Kathleen! I hope he has a successful surgery soon, unfortunate to have it so young but I’m sure recovery will be even speedier for him 💛✨ here’s to a bright new chapter on the other side!
I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I have the surgery scheduled. These are the things the surgeons don't make time to discuss beforehand.
Hi. I am based in Pretoria and a day away from a Discectomy. I am hoping this gets me better from a L4/L5 herniated disk. Your story is hopeful and thank you.
Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience. I am 12 days post surgery. I had an L5/S1 microdiscectomy and L4/L5 laminotomy. At 62, I obviously am at a different life stage than you but can relate to your love of having an active life. I am in that resting and short walks phase of recovery and still having some nerve pain. I was told at my post op yesterday that all looks good and I just need to be patient. I was interested in other people’s recovery experiences and that’s how I found your videos. I live in Colorado, USA, and very much look forward to doing some hiking this summer and skiing again next winter. Your advice is very helpful! Good luck with your new chapter in Australia!
Hi Meg, thank you so much for your videos. I have been procrastinating surgery for sometime now. I will talk to my surgeon again. Your videos are quite encouraging. Thank you. God Bless you and your family
Thanks for sharing both vids Meg. You put them together extremely well and I applaud your efforts. I’m having my second discectomy this September , my first was 24 yrs ago when I was 30. Now at 54 I’m still waiting for the pain free days… flair ups can occur very often despite how well you manage the rebuilding/strengthening process. I say toothaches come and go but back related pain stays with you always. Regaining flexibility in the legs is a huge challenge. I found that doing less activity means less pain… but less activity means gaining weight and losing out on a bit of fun etc. good luck in Australia. Again thank you for sharing… I don’t feel so alone now with my pain and whole process. 🤘
Good luck for the surgery in Sept, I hope it’s a great success! Flare ups sound very disheartening and I must say I do still have twinges here and there but we have to stay positive and be grateful for the pain free days! Wishing you a speedy recovery and thank you so much for such a kind comment 💕
Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom, Meg. I watched and took notes on both videos! I am having similar surgery in less than a week. I had a numb hip, terrible pain and spams in my right leg. It's a horrible condition, so I am willing and almost eager to face surgery. I'm a couple decades older than you, so I don't expect to recover 100%, but 95% would be lovely! I guess I've been too sedentary, so now I need to face the music and pay for past mistakes. I like your positive attitude toward rehab. If you can work full-time and plan a wedding while having to recover from this, I guess I should not feel sorry for myself as I do neither. I hope you continue to recover and have a beautiful life!
Thank you so much for such a kind message 🥹♥️ it means so much!!! I will be sending all the best vibes your way ahead of the surgery. It is an absolutely dreadful experience to “want” to have a surgery just by virtue of living in pain. You are so brave and it’s all going to get better from here!!! ❤️🩹 As soon as you have a long phone charger and loads of choccies and books, you can get through it!
Thank you, this was very informative. I live in S.A Gauteng. Battling back ache for +- 2 years! Have been advised to have a dics replacement L4/5. Keep trying conservative treatment but hasn't been too successful. Extremely nervous to have the operation. Im an 'over thinker'😅😢! So pleased you are generally- back on track😊 and managing to run Parkrun, this is my goal as I haven't run properly in 2 yrs. Thanks again for sharing! All the best in Australia ❤
Thank you so much for such a sweet message Samantha! Thinking of you and hope you are able to find a solution to this awful pain sooner rather than later. It really is a mental battle and any surgery is terrifying 💞 I hope you can find a solve soon and focus on recovery! ❤️🩹
I had a micro discectomy on 2/20/24. I'm 61 y.o. And a retired fireman. Very active in my life. My right leg was weak, numb, etc. I went through similar experience as you (GP, Chiro, PT, became a yoga instructor) I'm an avid golfer and can't play as of yet. I'm hopeful that I'm able to get back to my regular activities. I appreciate your videos and happy to hear you are feeling better! I'm doing my best to be positive and patient😊
I’m right there with you Tim! Patience and positivity is all we have sometimes 🥹 I really hope you speed through your recovery and get back to what you love 🥰 sending all the healing vibes!
I am curious if there are any long term restrictions you were told about, or foresee happening? My son is so young, I am just worried about his long term limitations. We did get a second opinion, and they suggested at least trying the shots, although the neurosurgeon was pretty adamant that surgery was the only way to go. So happy to hear your journey- thank u again!!
That’s very understandable 💛 must be very difficult as a mom to go through! I wasn’t told about any long term effects but I would definitely double check with the surgeon! I managed to run my first Park Run this weekend when you run 5km “competitively” and I managed to run it in my pre surgery time! So even running with people is back on the cards which is pretty incredible. I think the biggest thing for a young boy is probably the no lifting thing for a while, I wasn’t tempted but I’m sure when you are younger you still feel like superman 😅 and I’m guessing sports like soccer with jerky movements you might need to put off for a while 💛
Hi!!! Thanks for your beautiful support for those who suffer from the same problem. I’ve just wonder if you could tell me, and I hope I’m not been rude to you or people to ask you that, if the doctors gave you a percentage on the success or not successful prior your surgery and also what could be risk on having the surgery? Thanks ❤
Thanks for the sweet comment Bibi! I sadly wasn’t given either bit of info. From Dr Google (lol) it’s an 80-90% success rate. I would assume it also greatly depends on how closely you follow doctors orders after the procedure, especially regarding not lifting anything. I hope if you are experiencing something similar you have the help you need 💞
Im in perth and due to get my surgery in 2 weeks Im only 30 and terrified but your videos have been so helpful Been dealing with the pain for 4 years i also have a toddler so not sure how thatll go too Just hoping its all worth it
Surgery is terrifying, but once it’s over you know your job is mainly to rest and follow doctors orders! I promise it’s only up from there 💛 Your body can recover from some pretty insane things so you have to trust that between medical professionals and your sheer determination that you will get through it. Sending good vibes that the surgery will be a great success 🤗
Hi Meggs, I hope you are recovering well. Please confirm if you are able to run longer distances without any pain? Also, are you running more often now and able to do hikes as well?
I had the same surgery L4 L5 laminectomy discectomy, a 3 1/2" incision but no back brace. Is the brace your decision to wear it or surgeon's advice? If yours, where did you get it. I think I could you one. Interesting and helpful video. I'm 2 weeks, 4 days post op and struggling with painful exhaustion in my legs but sciatica pain gone. Saw surgeon yesterday for staple removal and f/u and he said it sounds like I have a vascular problem now. I have a history of vascular, and surgeon is suspecting blood clot. There is a risk on blood clots with any surgery unfortunately. Will be having vascular tests/doppler done this week.
Glad to hear sciatica is gone and hope any complications resolve! I was instructed to wear the brace, and got it from the hospital. Hope you are 100% soon!
Our stories are so similar. I spent most of last year thinking that my sore back was due to tight hamstrings. Then when the pain moved to my hip I became convinced that I had arthritis. A MRI confirmed it was a L4-5 hernia. I’ve been doing physio diligently for 2 months but that hasn’t helped much. Today I had my first cortisone injection (horrible experience). Now I need to assess over next 3 weeks if I am improving & if not surgery is on the table.
Ah man this is tough to read. I’m so sorry you are going through this! I feel like any kind of shape shifting pain results in feeling gas lit by our own bodies because it’s so hard to get to the root cause. Going in for surgery when you don’t have actual back pain is not something anyone can take lightly. Glad you have an MRI at least to see it with your own eyes but it’s still a struggle. I don’t think I mentioned it in the video but I had a lot of dry needling and that kind of thing (biokinetist, physio etc) but honestly maybe felt slight relief for a day before the pain would come back. I hope the cortisone gives you some relief in the short term at least and you can make a decision on what will be best for you 🙏
Thanks so much for the sweet comment! I hope yours was a great success 💞 I don’t have any more tingling but do still have pain in one hip which I am not sure if it’s related or not. Hope your symptoms are all solved!
Thanks Megs for sharing, I watched all your videos and its so helpful. I wasn’t able to walk for many weeks but now I’m able to walk and move more but after a couple of car rides and dog walks my flare ups started back again and im really concerned to have the same pain again. I’m considering getting a surgery but I am worried if i am rushing it.. diagnosed 4 months ago, had the worst pain 2 months ago and been spending most of my time in bed 😢
My recommendation to anyone that works an office job is 1) don't sit at your desk more than 30 minutes at a time or 1 hour at the most. Put a timer on your computer or whatever to remind you to get up and move. 2) Talk to your employer and see if they'll purchase you an option for an adjustable stand up desk that you can raise or lower with ease. Sitting at our desks for prolonged periods of time is wreaking havoc on our spines.
So true Doug! I have always worked an office job, so it would make a lot of sense. Long periods of inaction followed in my case by intensive exercise like boxing or tennis, must be giving our spines a frightful time!
My son is 14 and was just told he needs this surgery. Watched your 1st video and now onto this one- thank you so so much for this info!!
It’s a pleasure Kathleen! I hope he has a successful surgery soon, unfortunate to have it so young but I’m sure recovery will be even speedier for him 💛✨ here’s to a bright new chapter on the other side!
Thank you so much for making this video. ♥️
Thank you for your video. I have to get surgery on my L-5 in the near future. I was scared, but after watching your video, I'm excited and ready.
I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I have the surgery scheduled. These are the things the surgeons don't make time to discuss beforehand.
Hi. I am based in Pretoria and a day away from a Discectomy. I am hoping this gets me better from a L4/L5 herniated disk. Your story is hopeful and thank you.
Thank you for sharing. I am having surgery in 2 weeks. Appreciate your first video too
How did surgery go? I’m getting a epidural first hopefully that works if not a surgery will be required
Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience. I am 12 days post surgery. I had an L5/S1 microdiscectomy and L4/L5 laminotomy. At 62, I obviously am at a different life stage than you but can relate to your love of having an active life. I am in that resting and short walks phase of recovery and still having some nerve pain. I was told at my post op yesterday that all looks good and I just need to be patient. I was interested in other people’s recovery experiences and that’s how I found your videos. I live in Colorado, USA, and very much look forward to doing some hiking this summer and skiing again next winter. Your advice is very helpful! Good luck with your new chapter in Australia!
Hi how long did it take for the nerve pain to alleviate?
Hi Meg, thank you so much for your videos. I have been procrastinating surgery for sometime now. I will talk to my surgeon again. Your videos are quite encouraging. Thank you. God Bless you and your family
Ah thank you for such a sweet comment! It’s such a personal thing to work out what’s best for you but I hope you can find some resolve ❤️🩹
Thanks for sharing both vids Meg. You put them together extremely well and I applaud your efforts. I’m having my second discectomy this September , my first was 24 yrs ago when I was 30. Now at 54 I’m still waiting for the pain free days… flair ups can occur very often despite how well you manage the rebuilding/strengthening process. I say toothaches come and go but back related pain stays with you always. Regaining flexibility in the legs is a huge challenge. I found that doing less activity means less pain… but less activity means gaining weight and losing out on a bit of fun etc. good luck in Australia. Again thank you for sharing… I don’t feel so alone now with my pain and whole process. 🤘
Good luck for the surgery in Sept, I hope it’s a great success! Flare ups sound very disheartening and I must say I do still have twinges here and there but we have to stay positive and be grateful for the pain free days! Wishing you a speedy recovery and thank you so much for such a kind comment 💕
Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom, Meg. I watched and took notes on both videos! I am having similar surgery in less than a week. I had a numb hip, terrible pain and spams in my right leg. It's a horrible condition, so I am willing and almost eager to face surgery.
I'm a couple decades older than you, so I don't expect to recover 100%, but 95% would be lovely! I guess I've been too sedentary, so now I need to face the music and pay for past mistakes. I like your positive attitude toward rehab. If you can work full-time and plan a wedding while having to recover from this, I guess I should not feel sorry for myself as I do neither. I hope you continue to recover and have a beautiful life!
Thank you so much for such a kind message 🥹♥️ it means so much!!! I will be sending all the best vibes your way ahead of the surgery. It is an absolutely dreadful experience to “want” to have a surgery just by virtue of living in pain. You are so brave and it’s all going to get better from here!!! ❤️🩹 As soon as you have a long phone charger and loads of choccies and books, you can get through it!
@@MegsHollis WOW
a text from Australia and Meg Hollis! Thanks so much. It brightened my day and mood!
I just decided this week to get this due to nerve psin snd numbness. Its so scary
Thanks again- very helpful!
Thank you, this was very informative. I live in S.A Gauteng. Battling back ache for +- 2 years! Have been advised to have a dics replacement L4/5. Keep trying conservative treatment but hasn't been too successful. Extremely nervous to have the operation. Im an 'over thinker'😅😢!
So pleased you are generally- back on track😊 and managing to run Parkrun, this is my goal as I haven't run properly in 2 yrs.
Thanks again for sharing! All the best in Australia ❤
Thank you so much for such a sweet message Samantha! Thinking of you and hope you are able to find a solution to this awful pain sooner rather than later.
It really is a mental battle and any surgery is terrifying 💞 I hope you can find a solve soon and focus on recovery! ❤️🩹
Megs, my wife is having this surgery, we are both so scared, could you please make even more up to date video to give people like us hope?
I had a micro discectomy on 2/20/24. I'm 61 y.o. And a retired fireman. Very active in my life. My right leg was weak, numb, etc. I went through similar experience as you (GP, Chiro, PT, became a yoga instructor) I'm an avid golfer and can't play as of yet. I'm hopeful that I'm able to get back to my regular activities. I appreciate your videos and happy to hear you are feeling better!
I'm doing my best to be positive and patient😊
I’m right there with you Tim! Patience and positivity is all we have sometimes 🥹 I really hope you speed through your recovery and get back to what you love 🥰 sending all the healing vibes!
I am curious if there are any long term restrictions you were told about, or foresee happening? My son is so young, I am just worried about his long term limitations. We did get a second opinion, and they suggested at least trying the shots, although the neurosurgeon was pretty adamant that surgery was the only way to go. So happy to hear your journey- thank u again!!
That’s very understandable 💛 must be very difficult as a mom to go through! I wasn’t told about any long term effects but I would definitely double check with the surgeon! I managed to run my first Park Run this weekend when you run 5km “competitively” and I managed to run it in my pre surgery time! So even running with people is back on the cards which is pretty incredible. I think the biggest thing for a young boy is probably the no lifting thing for a while, I wasn’t tempted but I’m sure when you are younger you still feel like superman 😅 and I’m guessing sports like soccer with jerky movements you might need to put off for a while 💛
Hi!!! Thanks for your beautiful support for those who suffer from the same problem. I’ve just wonder if you could tell me, and I hope I’m not been rude to you or people to ask you that, if the doctors gave you a percentage on the success or not successful prior your surgery and also what could be
risk on having the surgery? Thanks ❤
Thanks for the sweet comment Bibi! I sadly wasn’t given either bit of info. From Dr Google (lol) it’s an 80-90% success rate. I would assume it also greatly depends on how closely you follow doctors orders after the procedure, especially regarding not lifting anything. I hope if you are experiencing something similar you have the help you need 💞
Thanks ❤. All the best for you ❤️
Im in perth and due to get my surgery in 2 weeks
Im only 30 and terrified but your videos have been so helpful
Been dealing with the pain for 4 years i also have a toddler so not sure how thatll go too
Just hoping its all worth it
Surgery is terrifying, but once it’s over you know your job is mainly to rest and follow doctors orders! I promise it’s only up from there 💛 Your body can recover from some pretty insane things so you have to trust that between medical professionals and your sheer determination that you will get through it. Sending good vibes that the surgery will be a great success 🤗
Hi Meggs, I hope you are recovering well. Please confirm if you are able to run longer distances without any pain? Also, are you running more often now and able to do hikes as well?
I had the same surgery L4 L5 laminectomy discectomy, a 3 1/2" incision but no back brace. Is the brace your decision to wear it or surgeon's advice? If yours, where did you get it. I think I could you one. Interesting and helpful video. I'm 2 weeks, 4 days post op and struggling with painful exhaustion in my legs but sciatica pain gone. Saw surgeon yesterday for staple removal and f/u and he said it sounds like I have a vascular problem now. I have a history of vascular, and surgeon is suspecting blood clot. There is a risk on blood clots with any surgery unfortunately. Will be having vascular tests/doppler done this week.
Glad to hear sciatica is gone and hope any complications resolve! I was instructed to wear the brace, and got it from the hospital. Hope you are 100% soon!
Our stories are so similar. I spent most of last year thinking that my sore back was due to tight hamstrings. Then when the pain moved to my hip I became convinced that I had arthritis. A MRI confirmed it was a L4-5 hernia.
I’ve been doing physio diligently for 2 months but that hasn’t helped much. Today I had my first cortisone injection (horrible experience). Now I need to assess over next 3 weeks if I am improving & if not surgery is on the table.
Ah man this is tough to read. I’m so sorry you are going through this! I feel like any kind of shape shifting pain results in feeling gas lit by our own bodies because it’s so hard to get to the root cause. Going in for surgery when you don’t have actual back pain is not something anyone can take lightly. Glad you have an MRI at least to see it with your own eyes but it’s still a struggle. I don’t think I mentioned it in the video but I had a lot of dry needling and that kind of thing (biokinetist, physio etc) but honestly maybe felt slight relief for a day before the pain would come back. I hope the cortisone gives you some relief in the short term at least and you can make a decision on what will be best for you 🙏
Megs amazing video. I too had a Discetomy.
Did you have numbness in legs or toes. And has it gone away?
Thanks so much for the sweet comment! I hope yours was a great success 💞 I don’t have any more tingling but do still have pain in one hip which I am not sure if it’s related or not. Hope your symptoms are all solved!
@@MegsHollis Surgery took place in February, so long way to be completely pain free.But reaching surely and steadily.
Yes , it will go away slowly
Welcome
Btw. I broke my back 6 odd years ago. I’m scarred too . I don’t care. Be good. 😀