u/Roccosq

I am 4 months post herniation, was terrible, hospitalized for a week for pain. I had 2 ESIs, heavy pt, oxy, flexeral, gabapentin, I’ve improved a lot since the beginning but am plateauing at about 70%. I have foot zings and pain while sitting, some minor weakness in toe, heavy leg when walking a lot but im significantly better than I was. Still doing pt, gabapentin, and being very careful with movement. Gabapentin is messing with my cognitive function and I really want to get off of it. When I try to taper, the zings and pain become too much.

My docs are offering micro discectomy but also not pushing as I’ve shown quite a bit of improvement with conservative treatment. One thing they’ve suggested is that I lose significant weight as fatty deposits are contributing to the compression on my nerve. I was thinking to get back on zepbound. Figure this will also help curb my appetite for junk food that contributes to inflammation. Anyone try this method and how did it work as an alternative to surgery?

Anyone decide not to get the surgery and recover conservatively? I slipped a disc about 7 weeks ago. Started with extreme leg and foot pain via the nerve. Was hospitalized for pain, on heavy drugs, pt. Had some minor weakness and foot drop. Life was terrible for a while. Got 2 ESIs that didn’t really work. I went to a neurosurgeon and asked for surgery but the availability was weeks out. So I set a date that’s now coming up.

Now that it’s been a while, I’ve tapered off of most drugs except gabapentin. Life is much better but not perfect. The foot drop and weakness improved a lot as well over the last few weeks. Still in PT 5x week, and I do the exercises several times a day, careful about diet, posture, etc.

Doc says surgery will help me get better in 2-4 weeks vs current path where I’ll prob naturally get better in a few months. Doc says outcomes after a year between surgery vs conservative are the same. Any advice?