Getting concerned now...9 days post-microdiscectomy and I couldn't sleep at all last night, the pain is steadily increasing to the point where I can "feel" my nerve all the way down my leg, like a bump almost. Has anyone else had this? My NS won't be in til next week so I don't know what to think...I'm going to start Arthrotec (an anti-inflammatory) today and the Tylenol 3's are still OK. It seems like my doctors don't know what to tell me. Could the surgery have been a mistake? Or is the nerve just really aggravated? Does anyone know what it means for the nerve to actually be irritated - is it because it's getting used to a new "unimpinged" position?

Any thoughts would help so much - thanks everyone.

Thanks Al, don't want to jinx it but I woke up this morning feeling quite a bit better - right now my calf just has the "echo" in it you described. Do you think it could be the Arthrotec (anti-inflammatory)? I started it yesterday, not wanting to continue with Bextra or Celebrex after the warnings.

Thanks so much for your well-wishes, and keep your fingers crossed...I'll do the same for you!

It could be the Arthrotec. It could also be that you are getting a little better. Did your doctor suggest icing your back at all? If you have swelling, this can really help. I use a reusalbe ice pack for about three or four weeks post op. For me, it made a difference. Good luck and Happy New Year!

Alan

Hi Sue,
How nice to check the boards for the first time in 2005 and receive your lovely & reassuring post! Knock on wood, it's now 11 days post-op, I started Arthrotec (an anti-inflammatory) on day 9, and I now feel quite a bit better. I'm hoping every second that I'll stay on this "getting better" track. I just wish my doctor had told me that this might happen - except for these boards, everything I've read says "In terms of leg pain, most feel immediate relief following surgery." My doctor only said I'd possibly have some leg pain for the first 2-3 days. Such a discrepancy between what he said and what all the nice people here say, and they're the ones who've been through it! I'm certainly going to bring it up with him this week when he returns from vacation.

One curious thing - I still have this pulse-like feeling in my leg when I'm lying down, don't know if this is like the "twinges" others describe. Just feels like the nerve is moving somehow...

Thanks again so much!!