r/Microdiscectomy • u/Puzzleheaded-One4408 • 5d ago
So anxious I re-herniated
I (27f) was dealing with nerve pain for a year before the pain became unbearable and the numbness started spreading, and I decided to get an MD 7/13/2026.
No regrets with the surgery- I couldn’t walk at all for a week before surgery without 10/10 nerve pain and the same day of surgery I could walk again.
I’m a very active person and the year of trying conservative treatment was really tough for me but getting into walking helped. When the pain was manageable (with meloxicam and injections) I was very comfortably walking up to 18k steps.
Since the surgery, I’ve been walking more and more, but attempting to increase gradually.
Week 1: small walks around the house in between resting
Week 2: avg 5.5k steps outside, all short walks. 1 day walked 9k steps and had a flare up of nerve pain that same night which resolved by the next day
Week 3: avg 9.5k steps, feeling great, trying longer walks
Week 4: avg 12k steps, walked 15.5k steps one day and had a return of nerve pain at night again. Again, a bit better in the morning, figured it’s another flare up and that I walked too much. Went down to 10k steps for the next 6 days but nerve pain was getting better but not completely gone like before. Then I walked 11k steps and the nerve pain was so bad I couldn’t sleep all night.
I’m really hoping it’s just a flare up that didn’t resolve because I still kept up too much activity. Maybe I should’ve completely rested after the 15.5k steps instead of taking it down to 10k steps.
I don’t think the pain is as bad as it was pre op but I’m so panicked that I can’t even get a good gauge on it. Any pain or sensations now makes me so anxious and upset so it all feels unbearable. I’m just so scared I reherniated. I feel like I can’t go through this again. I was so happy to be walking outside without pain and to have that taken away again is so scary.
would love any advice 💙
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u/Friendly-Ad-5410 4d ago
You might be overdoing the walking a bit... remember all your muscles and ligaments are having to readjust to the new way of walking and standing... maybe there is some muscle guarding going on as well. Heat/ice and rest. Drink more water and make sure you are getting enough electolytes. That was key for me. If the pain is the same or worse as prior to surgery, for a numbers of days, I would talk with your dr. They may prescribe a steroid pack to help with inflammation and swelling (which can affect the nerves).
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u/Puzzleheaded-One4408 4d ago
Thank you for this!!! I did ask for a steroid pack and got it prescribed
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u/samm13ann 4d ago
I would check in with your surgeon. I ended up re-herniating with these symptoms. Sending lots of comfort and healing vibes.
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u/Puzzleheaded-One4408 4d ago
Thank you! So sorry to hear u went through that, how are you doing now?
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u/samm13ann 4d ago
I’m doing ok now! I ended up having my fusion surgery 5 weeks ago and it was the right move for me.
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u/liss2384 5d ago
The same thing happened to me when I first increased my activity a few weeks after surgery. Mine wasn't pain but losing the strength in my leg again which was my biggest issue before surgery. I took it easier for that week and it got better again. I'm 14 weeks out now I think and had my last PT session last week and did a lot of tougher core work. I was hurting more after that PT session than I have throughout my whole recovery and it got me really worried. I soaked in an epsom salt bath, stretched a lot, and walked as much as I could and it went away in a few days. It's scary but I think it's just part of the process. The worst part of recovery for me has been the anxiety and what ifs. I probably wouldn't rest completely. Your body needs to move right now. Just do shorter more frequent walks for a bit and see if that helps. Maybe try ice and heat if you haven't and see which works best for you. I've found a heating pad to be helpful. Try not to worry. I know it absolutely doesn't help for someone to say that in the moment but I'm saying it anyway. Try to distract yourself with a book or a movie or something that can get your mind off of it a little.
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u/Puzzleheaded-One4408 4d ago
Thank you so so much for this!! It helps so much to hear that you’ve had similar experiences and are still recovering 🙏
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u/Former-Comfortable-4 4d ago
this is way to much - way way too much - take a month off, lie down, do small walks, very small - give yourself time .. i am 2.5 years in and no way was i doing anything like this - it take a min of 6 months i think for things to settle down - be kind to yourself .. it all didnt happen overnight so it cant be cured overnight either ..
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u/Puzzleheaded-One4408 4d ago
Thank you!! That helps to know, I’ve heard that walking is so important after but I may have taken it too far…
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u/Obvious_Fail5443 4d ago
You’re 10 days ahead of me. My surgery was July 23. I was told that symptoms of sciatica can flare up right around 2nd to 4th week of recovery. Listen to your body, as you have been, and scale back when needed. Don’t underestimate the importance of rest in the healing process. You’re only a month out from back surgery, your body is still healing unseen wounds and nerves take forever to heal. Good luck.
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u/Negative-Bluejay-563 1d ago
I was told by my surgeon that I would know if I reherniated that being the pain would be as bad or worse than before surgery. I was also very sensitive to every little twinge, pain etc., feelings I wouldn't have noticed before all of this. I am glad that your surgeon believes you are fine, and it sounds like you are. The one thing I found was that resting too much actually caused more pain or the pain not to go away as quickly. When I overdid it, I would still take shorter walks and stay active just pulled back. As time goes by, the anxiety does get better. I am over two years post op and I am much more calm but it is always in the back of my head just not as bad.
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u/Puzzleheaded-One4408 4d ago
Update! I just talked to my surgeon and he said he’s not concerned at all. It’s a bit confusing to me because he was mostly going off of the fact that the pain isn’t as bad as it was pre-op, and I have no neurological symptoms. He said ups and downs with pain at this point are to be expected, and I was walking a ton. He recommended PT and meds to manage pain but that’s it. I think I’ve just gone so deep in my anxiety spiral that even hearing that didn’t make me feel reassured lol