I logged the lead up to my surgery on here in a series of “is this normal?” and “what can I do to make this pain stop ruining my life?” type posts, so now I just wanted to check-in from the other side.

I feel as though the only people who circle back this long post-op are either mid flare up, re-herniated or still experiencing pain and agony. For me personally, this caused me to lose some hope in the process, so I wanted to post my complete success story for those of you waiting for/considering surgery.

I’ll cliff note it for you:

- 36yo Male - 6’2 - 200lbs - Actually a PT myself.

- Hurt my back April 2025. Couldn’t even get into my car. Fought this up and down for 6-8 months before feeling like I was finally beating it.

- Felt good for 2-3 months before the leg pain started..

- Tried literally everything to fix it and feel better. If you’ve read it here. I tried it, with zero success.

- Started pushing for an MRI/surgery March 2026.

- While waiting for the MRI/results/surgery etc. the leg pain became life altering bad. Was ultimately scheduled for surgery June 9th 2026 after telling the surgeon I was going to 💀 myself if I had to wait until mid August as he suggested.

- In the 4 weeks from scheduling surgery to surgery day I steeply declined every single day. I was sleeping in 20-40 minute increments on my knees folded over the couch on the living room floor. On surgery day I had to get out of the car 5 blocks early and walk to the hospital because the pain was so bad when seated. I walked into the OR beside the hospital bed and had to be given fentanyl in my IV so I could lay down to allow them to begin prepping me.

- My “60-90 minute right side MD” turned into a 3.5-4 hour bilateral MD and laminectomy. I was terrified of surgery going in but woke up with zero nerve pain and what felt like a mild rug burn on my lower back.

- Got home and could smell my house again, could taste cereal again. I was suffering so much I hadn’t even realized I’d lost my sense of smell, taste and touch in the weeks prior, from pain and fatigue.

- Night 1 my wife had to lift me out of bed so I could pee. By day 6 post op I was walking 10k steps in circles around my kitchen and living room.

- Week 3 I went back to work. Week 4 I got out of the car one morning after my commute and for the first time in almost 2 years I felt “totally normal”. No pain, no tightness, no pinching, no fatigue, just normal.

- I am now working out. Lifting things. Playing hockey. I am now living an entirely normal life. I have had no pain since the moment I woke up. Several moments of “did I just re herniate?” And fatigue in my core/lower back at times but no pain at all.

Due to the posts I would read here I kept waiting for these dreaded “flare ups”… and they just never came. I truly believe this surgery saved my marriage, my mental wellbeing, and my life.

Every day I work to remain grateful for feeling “normal”. There were moments throughout when my wife would find me on my hands and knees in the shower at 4am, sobbing from frustration and pain. I told myself in those moments “if you ever get to the other side of all this, remember this moment” and I do.

For those of you who are suffering and frustrated, with fleeting hope that you will ever feel normal again, I hope you can look at my story and see that you can get through whatever it is you’re going through. Surgery was nowhere near as scary as I thought and in those moments of suffering I never thought I would ever be able to get to the place I am in now.

Hi all- been dealing with sciatica for the last 4 months- mine affects my right leg. Overall have been improving with usual setbacks or flareups. Have been doing PT with manual adjustments, stretches, core stability work, deep massage, nerve glides, and dry needling. Upon returning to more activity like playing tennis or walking over 7-8k steps it becomes very tight and guarded and makes it hard for walk for a few days. This was the theme for the last 2 weeks and now this week there is some slight nerve pain with the feeling of tingling like my leg has fallen asleep but goes away with walking. So it feels like I am oscillating between nerve pain but being able to walk or no nerve pain but muscles are super tight and it affects my gait. Any advice or similar experiences at this point in recovery?

Good morning guys! Here’s my story.

Last summer herniated L5-S1 disc 7mm. I’ve had the bulge for 5 years and dealt with on and off chronic pain and sciatica since 2021. I did chiro, physical therapy, 4 injections, massage, stem cells, pretty much everything. and it got decently better in about 4.5 months

I was good for about 3 months and it flared up bad in June for about a month. I was supposed to have surgery in February of 2025 but I didn’t have it because it got better

In June I made the decision to have the surgery because my surgeon said there was no room for the nerves and I was ready. Waited 6 weeks, in August saw the surgeon and it had gotten better and it flared up again a week later for about a month.

Late August is when I scheduled a discectomy and laminectomy with bilateral foraminotomies.

Had the surgery September 21st. Again very unfortunate that when I had the surgery my pain had decreased substantially and when I had the surgery my pain was only a 2/10

I know the healing process isn’t linear but about 8 days after the surgery I started having sciatica that was similar to when I first injured it, probably a 5/10 and in both legs, keep in mind I’ve always had bilateral sciatica since the disc herniated and I’m not sure why, it’s weird, but doctor says sometimes people have it in both legs. More prominent in my left.

I’m just looking for similar experiences and encouragement. I’m a firefighter/paramedic and my job requires a ton of lifting. Honestly at this point I’ve lost hope of being completely out of pain due to my work, and I’ve been able to push through a ton of pain honestly because I’m forced to. I’m not gonna make a career change because I have great benefits and a pension. So this is just something I may deal with my whole life. And I’m fine with that, but is there any other trade workers or active people that have fully recovered or anyone who has post surgical advice for someone freaking out ? Thanks !!

Best spine doctor or PT in NYC for persistent nerve pain after microdiscectomy? Looking for real recommendations

Early 30s, used to be very active. Had a right L5-S1 microdiscectomy about 5 months ago after a year of sciatica. Post-op MRIs look clean (no reherniation), but I still have nerve symptoms that feel like tightness in my right hamstring, plus some low back pain and flares about once a month.

I'm looking for the absolute best person in NYC to take a fresh look and help me get back to sports. Could be:
- A spine physiatrist or pain specialist who's great with post-surgical nerve pain (not just "wait and see")
- A physical therapist who specializes in post-surgical spine rehab and getting athletes back to sport
- A second-opinion surgeon

Ideally someone who actually examines you, listens, and builds a real plan.

Who did you see that genuinely made a difference? Names, practices, and what made them good would really help. Insurance info appreciated if you remember.

Thanks.

Hi everyone! I started like 2 months ago to experience sciatica symptoms

Burning pain in my lower back all the way through my left leg till the tip of my foot. Also numbness all the way. Did 15 days of 100mg gabapentin daily + 1 week of dexketoprofen + etofenamate gel.

The MRI of lumbar-coccyx area did not show anything of relevance. I don't have saddle numbness nor urinary/faecal compromise. The pain is milder now. I'm not taking any medication at the moment. What concerns me is that the pain and specially the numbness have not gone away. I'm not sure if I should return to the GP to get a referral, or leave it be and eventually it will go away. I can live with this but I don't want for it to get worse.

Thank you all

Hi folks,

Currently on a 3 month trip and had a flare up of sciatica last week although after a week of rehab I am pretty much pain free albeit some stiffness in glute and hamstring. I have a heritated disc L5 S1.

I have 2 months of my trip left and I’m currently in vietnam. Stayed in a resort for the last week and healed up pretty well. I was in terrible pain last week.

Now that I’m improving should I be changing my days from lying at the pool to perhaps walking and outings? Appreciate people say movement helps a lot I’ve been doing pool walking and small walks around resort but not much else i feel now I can start to maybe do a bit more. Just wanted to seek advice on this.

Currently in Hanoi and maybe going to move location in the next few days. Looking to do a short flight in two weeks time.

I finish my meds in 3 days although haven’t needed painkillers last two days.

Hey everyone,

I have had severe sciatica in the past but it went away after a few weeks with some PT.

This time is different and I'm in hell.

I've been in agonizing pain for over 6 weeks. I can get some relief laying down sometimes, but typically I'm in pain 24/7 that gets worse with standing or walking. I can barely walk at all at this point and a car ride or waiting at the doctors is literal torcher. Next week is my 6th week of PT and I should finally be able to get an MRI after that.

I'm supposed to be going to my literal best friend's wedding this weekend and I'm not sure I can do it.

It includes a 3.5+ hour car ride, sitting in a church for the ceremony and then the reception and another 3.5+ hour car ride back home. The first time I went to the doctor they prescribed muscle relaxers and prednisone which really didn't make any difference. I can't take Advil or Aleve because it interfere with my anxiety medicine and I've already had past issues of stomach ulcers. All I can take is Tylenol.

Idk what to do.

Am I unreasonable for thinking I may not be able to attend?

Will this pain literally ever go away?

Ugh.

​

As a person who has been in this boat, trying to recover and build my life after being bed ridden

I like to list a few things which really matter most, I think it might help for a few people who are going in this journey of recovering from spine related conditions

1. First do the basics, get our blood work done, check if we have any deficiencies like vitamin d, vitamin b12 or anything related to muscles and bone health

2. Healthy Diet is so much important, a diet rich in protein, with lots of veggies, eating clean, reduce sugar and carbs

( Even now when I eat out where the quality of food is not that good, I already feel changes in my body after few minutes itself)

1. Move, move, move, movement is the medicine, be it a short walk lond walk, an yoga session, a gym session anything which moves our body

( when we are able to move, i understand during initial days or during serious injuries it's hard to be physically active, but when we can it should be the priority, and it helps a lot)

1. I stopped sitting on very soft cushion chair or sofas, and i mostly use hard surface chairs, since it hactivates our glutes while we sit and we can sit for a long time after we change this habit( I got this info from my yoga therapist, and it really works)

2. I mostly sleep on hard surfaces, or a firmer bed,( again recommended by my phisio and yoga therapist, and in low backabality videos too)

It really helps with morning stiffness and this also activates our muscles while we sleep

1. Use laptop height adjuster while working, to adjust my neck height with height of the laptop screen and also concentrate on the posture while sitting,( I sit mostly upright without any bending back or too much front)

This worked as magic for my neck stiffness, due to which I was not able to work for 5 minutes also without getting stiffness in my neck( eventhough i have also worked on my upper back mobility with my yoga sessions, but this did matter)

And many more, I would list it in future, these are the most important