Spinal stenosis
Posted , 45 users are following.
Had acute pain in right leg for 15 months which Gp was saying was hip and knee osteoarthritis and was prescribed cocodamol and later Tramadol which only took the edge off. Had knee and hip x-rays which showed minimal arthritis. Eventually I insisted on seeing a hip surgeon privately and he not only was the first person to listen to me but actually agreed that it was my spine. At last I was able to get an MRI scan done which confirmed lumbar spinal stenosis. The acute pain has eased now but I'm not able to walk far and have back pain as well as now both legs weak. I'm informed that steroid injection don't last long and surgery may have to be repeated after a couple of years or so. I'm not sure that it is worth the risk and considering to try acupuncture. I know there isn't a cure but some pain relief would be nice.
7 likes, 108 replies
flyntheointment Diorbhail
Posted
How's the foot doing now?
carole1959 Diorbhail
Posted
Hi- I had an mri quite a few yrs back confirming stenosis and degenerative back. I had an op in 2010 at first it helped but gradually I have become really bad again- sometimes havin to use wheelchair for zoo visits etc and sitting regularly to do whole shop. Tbe pain became my life and dominated my everyday life. I still pushed myself though and expected to do normal housework etc maming myself a wreck by pm. I was on gabepentin but it really upset ibs and i felt weigbt going on- panicked and came off (i hate drugs and scarred of addiction) The pain teams been more a hindrance than help, they said nerve block no good as wouldnt get tbru my scar tissue. Tbey said no to spinal implant stimilator trial as i hadnt 'been tbru tbeir whole programme' whatever that is! ( I didnt want to attend a 3hr per week talking group) they took 8 mths to supply a tens. Anyway i now decided tbat the gp who knows me is my best ally (my neurolovist is good but has to discharge you if youre not going for further op) My dr put me pn pregablin and its helping- not with numbness etc but helping get me thru day. I'm determined to stay on low doses as long as poss and keep weight off. Im managing as i believe it to be water. I also took up cycling!! Yes stenosis sucfers usually can and dispite being wobbly at times its helping SO much! I can actually be mobile WITHOUT pain. Its strengthen back and legs and makes me feel happy- if i can keep up motivation!? I also need to pace myself (do one targeted job-rest then another)
I dont expect miracles and maybe i will have set backs but i' m only 56 so have to keep positive. Wordt prob is that friends/family just dont know what im living with and as a nan but pressures on me which ive got to learn to say no to- somehow.😊 hope some of tbis helps
sondra1963 Diorbhail
Posted
I've had back problems from age 21 I did gymnastics when I was younger and I believe and doctors agreed that could have been part of it but I turn 53 sept 13th I have carried 4 babies suffered with low back pain sciatica I wanted to cut my leg off gone to chiropractor he had a hard time adjusting me I've had acupuncture suction cup therapy multiple injections 3 back surgeries 1st one was a laminectomy that's where they carve the discs that are buldged pressing against sciatic nerve that took the pain away in my right leg but I'm still
Left with back pain. I'm not sure while the surgeon was in my back didn't do the fusion because 2 years later I had 2nd surgery fuses L-4 L-5 I have cage 6 screws ok so still a year later my back hasn't gotten better another disc shot 3rd surgery a dummy disc was put in with a failure rate of 80% which I didn't know I would have not allowed it in in chronic pain everyday of my
Life in in pain management they've done multiple injections I'm not getting them
No more I've been on a pain
Medicine many finally found a medicine that worked my doctor moves 2 months ago to New York now I'm stuck with 2 doctors that think
They are going to make me all better. Ok mediation I was on for 5 years working for me doc leaves as I said new doctor takes me down strength and dosage hmm now I'm
Feeling a lot of pain they are pain management doctors that only want to do injections because that's where the money is. Well I'm am
Livid with these 2 doctors they refuse to listen to me about pain medication that has helped. I'm seeing another doctor next week and I'm really hoping he's going to listen to me and put me back on what was helping take the edge off. I'm also getting another opinion from another neurosurgeon my back is so bad I'm sitting here on Mobil device on heating pad and I'm so disgusted in so much pain. I should go to hospital something is so wrong in my back that it's affecting both hips my
Legs are aching really bad the past 2 weeks I've noticed that my pain levels are escalating I've been laying on my heating pad along with advils and pain medication ugh I'm so beside myself. I do not like this doctor he
Looks like he just got out of high school he thinks he's going to make me better what with injections that don't work I don't have the money for company's like that and they don't work. I'm on a Rant right now. I need to stop.
sondra1963
Posted
I meant don't have money for these co-pays. They are not making money on patients that come in talk with them write script nope the money is in injections Ugh I'm one sick and tired person. I've come to understand that I'll be in pain medication forever but I'm not in the right one. I'm disgusted with this last surgery that this doctor out this dummy disc in if another doctor says it has a high failure rate why would the surgeon not tell me.
rhona69228 sondra1963
Posted
God this sounds awfull. I feel for you. 3 years ago I had a laminectomy with spacer which left me in constant pain, but not as bad as yours. Now I am 80% pain free. How? I would never have believed it but I lost over 24 pounds in weight. The pain starting to go only towards the end of the loss, not slowly but at once after 20lbs.. It was super difficult but I can only put the improvement down to this. I was an ice skater for decades with all the terrible falls and unatural movements, that caused the problem I think. The first 2 years were like you, pills, pain clinic etc etc, all useless. But I did find exercise hurt like hell when done made things much better the next day. I know it is the last thing in your head but could you "walk" in the water in a pool? swimming hurt like hell but walking up and down really helped. Perhaps you don't need to lose weight but if you do it seems to help,but hellish to do. Both options should be almost free. I wish you the best of good luck, I know how you feel.
sandmartin rhona69228
Posted
davi30 sondra1963
Posted
I'm 50lbs lighter and don't feel any relief. I'm sure I won't either.
I have told dr after dr the exact day my back started hurting and what happened to make it hurt. They still say degenerative bone. I also have something growing on the right side of my back. Neck is worse these past few days. It's not going to get better.
Not going to va anymore. I have enough meds to last 2 months, beyond that I don't know what to do. It os very frightening to know that when I run out of mess life will become unbearable but I'm not going to be someone who is ignored and just fed pills to. I'm ready for this to be over. Tired of complaining about it.