Hello Gary,
Firstly, I’m sorry you’re going through this, it’s definitely not fair, but positivity and steadily working at recovery can produce good results. Have you seen the thread at Just had surgery for spinal DAVF ? A number of us including me posted about our experiences which may be of interest.
I’m now 11 months after my spinal laminectomy and sdavf removal and I’ve been walking well again for the past few months but can’t run, the pins and needles and lack of sensation in my legs remains but is slowly, incrementally, improving and I can now (for the first time since 2020) can feel differences in ground texture through my feet even when wearing trainers. I recognise your mention of feet feeling like you have wet socks on. The ‘saddle area’ is proving slower to improve but is improving. Like you I was fully catheterised, shortly after my operation upon going home in my case, and after a month had a failed TWOC and given a large supply of the single use catheters. I have gradually used these less and less and now generally only when leaving the house or about to leave a destination to come home as I still don’t void fully when my bladder is full and I hope to see continued improvement. Bowels are sluggish with movements 5-6 days apart and I’ve only seen small improvements yet with ED. My leg and feet nerves still spasm, particularly at night, but the intensity is reducing as time goes by. I was told at the beginning the saddle area and pins and needles in my feet would be the last to come back and I’m not expecting this for another 12 months this or so.
I went back to work after 5 months but working from home entirely and count myself extremely fortunate despite the associated isolation that my job can be done online, most of my team and stakeholders are in other parts of the UK, so there’s been no pressure as yet to visit the office and I haven’t since a May 2025. That flexibility is one of the few perks of my job tbh and is the main reason I’m still there.
I’m determined to get running and driving again in the future.
If you fancy a call I’d be happy to.
Danny.