Spinal Stenosis... anybody get the operation?

[Papa Deuce]

My mom has it. She is going tomorrow for an epidural. She gets one every for months. But the benefits she gets from the shot only last about one month.

She can barely walk and is now falling down from the pain. Yet she doesn't want the operation.

Have you had it. What was the end result?

Thanks.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I haven't but my husband did. He had it in his neck...they did the plate and screws. It worked perfectly and he has no restrictions and no pain. But then, he was asymptomatic in the first place.

 

[Papa Deuce]

bumping..... thanks

 

[LindaR]

I've had two spinal operations. The last was fusing my lower spine (graft and two screws). It was difficult BUT it WAS a huge improvement over the condition I was in.

Before my first surgery, the shots gave me no relief whatsoever. I tried the shots again before my second surgery and they gave me a little bit of relief and each one lasted about three weeks (enough to get me by til the operation).

Because of the problems I have with my spine, I could potentially have the same problem (and do) and require surgery after surgery. Not a happy prospect, but I will not/do not take pain medication and the surgery is a better solution for me than possible paralysis, not having control of bowels, injury from falling, etc.

PM me if you have some specific questions. This could get graphic.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I've had two spinal operations. The last was fusing my lower spine (graft and two screws). It was difficult BUT it WAS a huge improvement over the condition I was in.

Before my first surgery, the shots gave me no relief whatsoever. I tried the shots again before my second surgery and they gave me a little bit of relief and each one lasted about three weeks (enough to get me by til the operation).

Because of the problems I have with my spine, I could potentially have the same problem (and do) and require surgery after surgery. Not a happy prospect, but I will not/do not take pain medication and the surgery is a better solution for me than possible paralysis, not having control of bowels, injury from falling, etc.

PM me if you have some specific questions. This could get graphic.

I'll let my mom know.... I'm a wuss when it comes to "graphic"....

But last night I came home from work and she was supposed to be watching my kids ( well, she was, and it was midnight ) and I found her laying on the floor. She had fallen and couldn't get up for half an hour.

 

[LindaR]

Yep, I got stuck in the tub one afternoon. Could not stand to get out. Spent 2 hours warming the water up, letting a little out, waiting for dd17 to get home from school.

Another time, I went to step up on a sidewalk with my right leg (I have permanent nerve damage now) and it gave out. I went backwards flat on my back into the parking lot. (I was taking my poodle into the groomers). Tons of older people (also dropping off their pets) tried to help me, but Todd (the groomer and an ex-cop) who is a bodybuilder was the one who understood how to correctly "help" me up.

The problems don't go away by themselves and only get worse OR cause permanent damage.