Surgery it is

[FASTFJR]

After screwing around for the past 14 months I'm going with a Discectomy on January 10th. Overnight stay, and 4-6 weeks home I should be good to go. I'm having it done by a Neurosurgeon and not an Orthopedist. The Neurosurgeon's seem to be much more conservative. Wish me luck.

[Capt. Fred]

Wow. Good luck with it. I know they have gotten a lot better with back surgery. My mother had back surgery done a couple of years ago. She was 75 at the time and I was not so sure it was a good adea for someone that old. It worked out great though. She was a lot better within a week or so and withind a couple of months was pretty much pain free. Still is.

[FASTFJR]

Thanks, I decided after spending the 6 weeks seeing three surgeons. My MRI in October confirmed things have gotten worse. I feel great right now because the day before Thanksgiving I had another (4th this year) steroid epidural injection. I'm pain free for about 4-6, then it comes back with a vengeance. It looks like I'm a text book case, L4-5 herniated disc with stenosis. If all goes well the surgery will be about 60 minutes long. I think the worst part will be arriving at the hospital at 5 AM, surgery is set for 7:30.

The other day my wife had asked what I wanted for Christmas?
To be pain free and walking for a while I told her

[Angler Systems]

Best of luck to you. You'll be ready to rock and role well before Spring!

Jeff

[Garett]

Originally Posted by FASTFJR

The other day my wife had asked what I wanted for Christmas?
To be pain free and walking for a while I told her

IMO that is not to much to ask for.......prays have been sent.

[Escape2895]

Very best of luck to you.
I had a discectomy just about 10 years ago now and it was the best thing I've ever done. Went from living in absolute agony with unbearable sciatica as a result of a herniated L4-L5, to being just about completely pain free with no limitations. Recovery really wasn't too bad either...my work had me traveling quite a bit and I was able to do a 7 hour NY> London flight less than three weeks after surgery.
I hope you have the same success.
Mark

[southern fried]

It was the best descion I made. Good Luck !
The pain down the leg will soon disapear! I had the same discectomy jan. of '06. I also used a neurosurgeon too.

Best of luck & speedy recovery.

[Blue Water Runner]

Prayer sent. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

[farmerjane]

Daddy'O's mom just had that surgery done last week. She was in a car wreck this Spring and her lower L4-L5 (something like that) was damaged. Much pain for many months. Decided to have the surgery and said she woke up pain free. What a relief!! She's already up and walking - just a little stiff but NO PAIN~! Can't ask for more than that! Besides ~ we all know how you guys tend to wake up stiff ~

[Daddy'O]

FASTFJR -

Good luck on your surgery! Like Jane said, my Mom just had this done on the 13th and is feeling great. For what its worth, she's in her early 60's.

Jane, you're a clever one aren't you?

Wayne