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I've been depressed for the past six months .

Posted , 6 users are following.

essie71629
essie71629

I've been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and  I'm so scare about the surgery,I'm suppose to see the pain specialist in four week time because I'm having severe pain and numbness in both leg,I'm so scare and can't stop thinking about it.I just need someone to talk to,thanks

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX essie71629

    Posted

    Got it in October '16.  MRI was inconclusive.  Doc did a CT/Myelogram with contrast to find it at L2/L3.  Since I was already fused L3 through S1, he gave me a choice.  Here's the story...

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-expandable-spacer-570509

    Update:  Search YouTube of "Globus LLIF" for the animation.  

    Literally, a miracle op.  Pain free immediately, one night in the hospital, no rehab, no brace.  Total fix in 24 hours.  Pictures...  Pre-op lateral, post-op posterior, post-op lateral.

  • samantha08562
    samantha08562 essie71629

    Posted

    I also have spinal stenosis cause from herniated disks in my lumbar region, i know the pain and the lack of being able to do things is very depressing, I have had several surgeries and injections and all i can tell you is that you need to be comfortable with your pain doctors, and be able to trust them, since they will be doing a lot of the procedures on your back. It will get to a even level of pain also, i cant say you will ever be pain free but it will become easier to manage. I will also say that in the beginning of seeing pain docs they like to have you go through alot of PT, i think its mostly because the insurance companies require it, and you will get frustrated, however after a few months things will start to get more manageable, I know this was my case. i have had several shot and a L4-L5 laminectomy, i just got done my trail for a neuro simulator and i will say the trial went great for me, i get the permanent on put in on the 30th of April. I wish you the best of luck and hope you stick with the doctor there will be a lot of trial and error but they will figure it out
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX samantha08562

      Posted

      Read the above.  It worked for me.  You would have to be evaluated as a candidate by your neurosurgeon.  The LLIF is one of the best kept secrets in back surgery.  Look into it and find a doc with lots of experience in the technique to see if this procedure will eliminate your stenosis pain like it did mine.
  • Kyle62901
    Kyle62901 essie71629

    Posted

    I've been there. I was really worried before my surgery, especially since it was basically an emergency situation and I was away at college with my closest living relative over 200 miles away. I had a microdiscectomy and hemilaminectomy on L4-L5 in 2015 for SEVERE pain. It got to the point where I couldn't move at all without practically screaming in pain. In hindsight, the surgery itself is really nothing to be scared of. The results may be a different story, but more likely than not, your symptoms should be better after recovery.

    Unfortunately, I hurt my back again. In fact, I just found out this morning that I'll need another surgery; this time on L2-3 and L3-4. I'm not worried, though, because I trust my surgeon and I know things will get better.

    • essie71629
      essie71629 Kyle62901

      Posted

      Thank you kyle62901 and Samantha 08562 and CHICO MARX thank you all very much for your wonderful advice,but the sad thing is I'm now having burning pain in my right shoulder and burning in my left shoulder and so scare it's  cervical spinal stenosis I'm having also I can't function because I'm so worried because I heard that one is dangerous because it can put you in a wheelchair.thank you all again.

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX essie71629

      Posted

      My issue was lumbar and it was fixed instantly by the LLIF.  I have no idea what they do when the stenosis has a cervical origination.  Gotta see a very, very good neurosurgeon...like NOW.
    • samantha08562
      samantha08562 essie71629

      Posted

      I understand scary, i had a C-spine fusion 8 years ago. Mine was multi layer, C4, C5 and C6. i was very scared before it was done i also had burning down my arms along with loss of control in my hands. every time i went to pick up something it would fly out of my hands or just fall to the floor. The compression in my neck was so bad that, it was causing severe migraines to the point i couldn't even drink water without getting sick. If you truly believe that its spinal stenosis in the neck, you have to have it evaluated and taken care of quickly, I will say the surgery was not as bad as having a laminectomy at the L5, my symptoms went away instantly. I felt so much better and the healing process was very easy, i would have it done again if needed. The most important thing is 1 get evaluated and soon and have a good neurosurgeon do it, make sure your comfortable with who is working on you, And as always get a second opinion if you don't like some of the doctors explanations of your symptoms

  • allaroundanne
    allaroundanne essie71629

    Posted

    Numbness is a scary sign in itself to doctors, never mind the pain. It means that the nerves to your legs are being compromised, pressed on, like when you lay on your arm to long and it gets numb?  That's what is going on in your legs.  This is serious in that you don't want any permeant damage to happen to the nerves to your legs. So, you really don't have any choice in this matter, you have to trust the pain specialist's recommendation.  I have stenosis at several levels and have been able to stay away from the surgeon's knife, so perhaps you will too, but you do need to seek medical attention, for sure.

    • essie71629
      essie71629 allaroundanne

      Posted

      Thank you allaroundanne for your advice I'll  bare that in mind because I don't really want to the surgery.

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