[Guest]

I'm a 33 year old female who was diagnosed with a herniated L4-L5/S1 disk. The disk burst in April and pieces lodged in nerves surrounding my spine. During the emergency surgery, the disk was repaired and, luckily, I am able to walk (as I found out that this could have been a problem). Since April, urination has been only able to occur through a method called Crede (told to me by my urologist). However, the sensation in my rear thighs and perianal area has not returned. Urologist and Surgeon have told me to be patient and that sensations will return... I just have to be patient (which, by now I'm not!). Neurologist, however, doesn't seem to be as optimistic, but "doesn't like to use the word 'never'". I am currently trying acupuncture to try and open up the nerve pathways, but it's not working fast enough. Please help me find out what, if anything, can be done to speed up my recovery!

[Guest]

You sure have had a tough time. I would think that it is still possible to regain some feeling, since the surgery was 4 months ago, it certainly would be worth trying whatever seems to be helpful. The urologsit will be able to follow your bladder function by doing urodynamic testing, and hopefully you will see improvement as well.
[quote] I'm a 33 year old female who was diagnosed with a herniated L4-L5/S1 disk. The disk burst in April and pieces lodged in nerves surrounding my spine... [/quote]

[Guest]

Do not give up hope! Things will improve - take it from me. Your case sounds so much like mine but I had more loss. I ruptured my L5-S1 disk in 1996 when I was 30 years old and 31 weeks pregnant. Within 3 days, I had shooting pains in both legs from the base of my spine to the tips of my toes. I had numbness down the backs of both legs, numbness in my feet and numbness in my vaginal and perianal areas. I could barely walk and had lost control of my bladder. I went in for emergency surgery, which the doctor had not done on a pregnant woman. He told my husband that I may never walk or urinate on my own again. I am happy to say that today at age 35 I am doing both. I came home from the hospital with intense nerve pain. I could not walk or sit down for more than a couple of minutes. I walked with a limp and I needed to use a cane. My feet felt like bricks, but bricks that hurt so badly. My butt hurt so much that I sat on pillows for about 2 months. I came home with a cathater bag, then I was taught to self-cathaterize and after about 4 months I was able to urinate on my own using my stomach muscles to bear down on my bladder. I could not push up onto my toes at all. Eventually, I gained the strength back completely in my left foot but I limped for a year and a half on my right side. I thought I was going to be like this for the rest of my life. After 18 months, I stopped limping and today I walk normally. The nerves do recover and regenerate for up to about 18 months. However, I continued to improve in all areas even after that point. I still have some residual numbness in all of the original areas but it is soooo much better. You will continue to recover! Everyone recovers at a different rate. Do not give up hope! You could get all of your feeling back - it just depends on how long the nerves were compressed and how your body will handle it. I was also told to be patient by my neurosurgeon, my urologist and my physical therapists. It is a difficult emotional and physical battle but it will get better. I tried the acupuncture - it may have helped a little. I tried to keep active with exercise but I paid the price if I over did it. Try to do a lot of stretching (the types of stretches recommended for you by your physical therapists). Do your Kegel exercises - they really do help! Try to keep yourself busy with everything else you do, your body and your nerves will do the rest with time. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or just to talk. I know what you are going through. By the way, I had a baby girl 6 weeks after the surgery - she is now 5. I also have a 1 1/2 year old boy.
[quote] I'm a 33 year old female who was diagnosed with a herniated L4-L5/S1 disk. The disk burst in April and pieces lodged in nerves surrounding my spine... [/quote]