Anyone Out There Have Endoscopic Spinal Surgery??? for a Herniated Disc?

I had a herniated disc from an accident which got better over time with chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and lidocaine/marcaine (NOT cortisone) injections. I think you should try these and the epidural first. It took almost three years but now I rarely experience problems, which usually take one adjustment, one massage, or one acupuncture visit to help. I also work for a few chiropractors and massage therapists and have seen many people with herniated discs get better, only two that still needed surgery after.

Have you ever seen a chiropractor for your condition? I only ask because I have had 3 herniated discs and the chiropractor fixed me right up.

have you had an epidural? I have a herniated cervical disc and I am trying to avoid surgery. I had an epidural and it really helped, not 100% but I am working on getting it there.

I'm guessing your damage is at the L5-S1 level, I have had surgery here as well and things have certainly advanced since I started my treatment eight years ago. I had a "regular" surgery (discectomy) initally and this was not done via endoscopy. My daughter was eight at the time and they told me I couldn't drive for a month....I cried in the office. I ended up not driving for about two weeks and returned to work full time as a medical sales rep five weeks after surgery. I'm divorced and also live in a two story house so I didn't have a whole lot of support and stairs were the hardest part...my ex was great about driving her to school and such initially I have since had to have this level fused and then the next level above it fused (I am carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey on my abdomen!!). Epidurals and chiropractic care are helpful for the short term but this does not put the "stuff" back into the disc space or prevent it from pressing on the nerve root (which you have). I have a colleague that had this surgery on Jan 3rd and is back working in her office as of Monday. If you can get some help for a few weeks that would be great. I did hire a housekeeping service. Good luck.

Another vote for Chiropractic care; I'd recommend trying to find a NUCCA chiropractor at http://www.nucca.org/. Their adjustments are very gentle, no spine popping or cracking.
I've got a herniated disc, it must have started sometime last April/May, pain in right buttock, went to Phys. Therapy for 2 months, it got worse and worse, turned into sciatic nerve pain down my whole leg, got to the point where I'd walk at an angle (couldn't straighten up anymore) and was completely twisted. I would sit at my desk at work and try not to go to the bathroom because moving hurt so bad.
Went to a spine specialist, who recommended epidural cortisone shot and spine surgery. This was in November. I'm a big chicken, so followed my friend's advice and saw the NUCCA chiropractor instead. Now, mid-January, I'm walking upright again, I can sit on the couch without curling up in pain and watch a movie, I've got most of my energy back, and I can walk for about 2 miles before it starts getting painful again.
It's not fixed (yet), but 70% better, and we're continuing to work on it. He also had me get some massages to loosen up my cramped muscles (from all the pain). So far, the progress I made in the last 2 months has been incredible, and I'd definitely give NUCCA a try. I'd look at the surgery as the absolutely last resort.
Best of luck!!

You will have to hire a nanny. You can not do lifting and all that kids require.

I have 3 herniated discs and got an epidural, it's really helped a lot. I know nothing of the surgery and my doc doesnt recommend surgery...... it's supposed to be a slim chance of fixing the problem. So they say........

You may want to try the chiropractor again. Dr.Richard Hyde in wheaton is really good. I've been getting adjusted 3 times a week for the past 8 months and my herniated disks are no longer herniated. My hip was also out of alignment, almost one inch high on one side, and now it is only a quarter inch off. He does a free screening, xrays, etc. Even seeing him that often, is way cheaper than surgery and you actually feel feel better after a visit.

If you have an alternative to surgery, do it, surgery usually leads to more surgery.

Take care,

Keith.

My mom had the surgery for the herniated cervical disc and it worked wonders!

She was sore for a few weeks, and couldn't really drive for about 6 weeks, but the actual pain and numbness and such from the herniated disc was gone immediately.

Also, if they are using a bone to fuse, are they taking bone from your hip or using a cadaver bone? Cadaver bones are the best option, unless you have weak bones or are a smoker, then they need to take your own bone. If they take bone from anywhere in your body the recovery will be a little harder.

Now, yours is in the lower back region, but I believe the recovery is about the same. You really are going to need help. You can't drive or lift anything for weeks, including your children.