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Newbie Here

Posted , 6 users are following.

connie00312
connie00312

I was just informed by my spinal specialist that I have osteoarthritis in my lower back. I'm very concerned that I will develop spinal stenosis at some point due to possible Spurs, but all my doctor keeps telling me is that I don't have spinal stenosis. He speaks as if I have absolutely nothing to worry about. Shouldn't he talk about what I can expect down the line? Possible surgeries and what not? Because he is not discussing these things, it makes me wonder about his competencies as a spinal specialist.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Enna1
    Enna1 connie00312

    Posted

    There is a difference between a Dr and a spinal specialist.are you saying the specialist is evading the issue. I have spinal stenosis but don't know how long I had before being told. I must stress you find a competent specialist/consultant. If you go onto adrsupportuk and look around the site you will see a list of competent spine consultants. both a bone and nerve consultants are excellent. This site really is for artificial disc condions which is not for us.

    Do you have private insurance? This makes a lot of difference in my opinion.

    Can you still go to a consultant anywhere I n the uk still?

    • connie00312
      connie00312 Enna1

      Posted

      Thank you Enna1. I'm not sure if he is evading my questions, but he just dismisses my concerns without explaining why he believes I don't have spinal stenosis. My mother had advanced spinal stenosis, which is why I'm so pressed to find out if I also have it. Oh yeah, I'm in the US, but I came to this site because I thought it would be good to communicate with other people with osteoarthritis. He is definitely a doctor, so I don't know why he doesn't at least give me some sort of explanation of what "could occur" in the future. I cancelled my appointment for today and I'm looking for a new doctor. Yes, I have private insurance and I am online now to find a doctor that takes my insurance.
  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 connie00312

    Posted

    Hello Connie,

    I have osteoarthritis in the spine since the age of 40, i amm now 59. There is nothing that can be done for this that i am aware of in the form of operations apart from fusion. I was told to pace my life and i take meds for it. I have other joints affected with osteoarthritis so i am on a combination of drugs. I am not sure what spinal stenois is so i cannot comment on this. If you feel it is something you may have then i would ask for a second opinion. 

    Elizabeth.

    • connie00312
      connie00312 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Hi elizabeth20203, I've scheduled an appointment to get a second opinion, and I am no longer seeing that other doctor. Spinal stenosis is when the spinal cord narrows, typically from Spurs that form from osteoarthritis of the spine.
  • alpine
    alpine connie00312

    Posted

    Hello Connie

    I have spinal stenosis and I'm having weekly shots of a nerve block at a pain clinic. After five weeks of treatment the pain is less. My physio told me about the stenosis

    and an MRI confirmed it. The pain clinic doctor told me I might not need surgery if

    the shots work for me.

    Alpine

    • connie00312
      connie00312 alpine

      Posted

      That's good if the shots are working. The longer you can hold off on surgery, the better.
  • jan56581
    jan56581 connie00312

    Posted

    New today.  Connie I have had arthritis and spinal stenosis for many years.  One of the approaches I try to take in life is that I take life one day at a time.  Try not to project the fact they you may get a medical conditon that has not happened.  Projecting into the future with What if's, causes me anxiety.  I have had two back surgeries and many injuries due to aggressive tennis.  Now I face 70 years old and I feel that I am stable but that said, their are many issues with my back.  I try many non medical approaches to help me to feel more comfortable.  Our joints need movement. Exercize , and several  prescriptions help me to be comfortable.  Do not discount homiopathic approaches.  Massage, hot baths or showers and stretching will help.  I wil not have another surgery, nor will I have metal rods put into my back.  Medicine calls my condition" failed back syndrome".  As we age our backs just simply collaspe and age.  Go with the flow and enjoy your present health without worrying about what might happen.  Its hard, but keep your chin up and cherrish the days with minimum pain.  biggrin
  • wall1409
    wall1409 connie00312

    Posted

    Hi, i live in the uk. Was diagnosed with oa of lumbar spine 2012 had injections and radio frequency treatment as well as physio, nothing helped. I was classed as a grade 1 and have spinal stenosis but refused any form of operation as i am not bad enough? I now have it in cervical spine and although neuro surgeon would like to operate on cervical soine he can't as it would be as he classed it a "domino" effect onto lumbar spine, i am stuck in limbo and mobility is severely restricted. Now having knee issues which is making me housebound. I know they say exercise but how on earth can you exercise when you can hardly walk? Im only 54 this year and struggling badly to the point its making me feel low. I have other complex conditions that really don't ease the situation. My biggest problem is severe fatigue due to liver issues. Who knows if surgery would help but it would be nice to have rpthe option as i am sure the oipiodes i take wont be helping my liver issues
    • connie00312
      connie00312 wall1409

      Posted

      I'm sorry about your condition. And yes, if you are having difficulty walking, then exercise would be almost impossible. Some people have received relief from surgery, but some of them needed more surgery later. So far for me, the doctor visits seem to be helping and I only see him once a week now. I don't know if I will get to the point when I can stop seeing him at all, so I will just keep doing what I am doing for now.
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