Spinal stenosis anyone?

[Simba's Mom]

What were the treatments? What were your symptoms? And if you had surgery to cure it, tell me about it. I haven't been to a doctor yet, but from all I've read, that's for sure what I've got. I'm planning to go to an Orthopedic doctor, then a neurologist surgeon if surgery is necessary after DH checks with his HR office on the insurance's exact requirements (such as, so I have to start with PC doctor). And does this seem like the best course of action for what seems like spinal stenosis, start with orthopedic doctor? It hurts like H***, but I'm not fond of pain pills-masking the pain doesn't solve the problem, so that's why I think surgery of some sort might be in my future. Or I'd love to hear of a non-surgical treatment. Any comments would help!

 

[gator75]

My mom has/had this in her case the treatment was surgery she had some sort of spacer put in she also was in alot of pain she also had a herninated disc that was also removed. as far as her recovery it went well i'm not really sure if there where any non surgical treatments as it didn't really apply to her , but i don't think there as its stenosis that means narrowing if you have questions i 'd be happy to try and answer any more you have. What are your symptoms?

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

My mother has been dealing with Spinal Stenosis for the last 12 years. She also has disc problems as well. She had a Fusion of the L4 L5 and S1 area of the spine and she also had lamenectomy to clean out the bone spurs she had.

She now is facing a full fusion of the rest of the spine because the area above her fusion is now weakened partly because of her stenosis partly because of the original Fusion.

Surgery was the last step its a huge step to take and the dr that did the 1st fusion wouldn't go with surgery until she was ready for it. Took about 2 years from the onset of pain, physical therapy, spinal injections of pain medications, and other various treatment options for her to know that surgery was the next step.

I would recommend speaking with your PCP if you need a referral otherwise an Orthopedist and see what they recommend. Good Luck and hope your back pain subsides and that it isn't too serious.

 

[Otimon]

Have been there and done that. I know your pain.

Back in '07 developed a a pain in my left leg for several weeks when walking. Stopped suddenly and immediately transferred to the right leg. Worst pain was along the crease where my leg met by body.

Went to Ortho. Dr. who was no help. Just gave me pain meds. and said I might want to consider surgery. He thought the lower spine was involved. My own Dr. tried several medications to no avail. Got to the point where I could barely walk and had to take leave of absence from my job.

That's when I got on the internet and began to search different kinds of pain, particularly pain in the areas I had. That's what led me to spinal stenosis which I had never heard of. That pain at the crease just jumped right off the page at me! It mentioned The Laser Spine Institute here in Fla. (Tampa) so I pulled up their website and researched them. All doctors were Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons and the laser surgery is done on an out-patient basis. It is minimally invasive surgery and required no hospital stay.

Went back to my Dr. who arranged an MRI for me and sure enough spinal stenosis was what I had.

Sent the Spine Institute a copy of the MRI, they advised I was a candidate for the surgery, and shortly afterwards began the 5-day process of getting my life back. Would do it again in a heartbeat and have had absolutely no pain since recovery.

Possibly your local hospital does laser spine surgery now. I urge you to at least look into it before considering open back surgery.

Feel free to PM me if you would like more information.

Best wishes to you.

 

[Jeafl]

I have Spinal Stenosis, as well as Degenerative Disc Disease. I can honestly say that there is never a minute where I am not in pain. The instant I wake up it is the first thing that I am aware of, and the last thing I am aware of before I fall asleep.

Mine started about 12 years ago with a herniated disc. (The L4-L5). I had severe pain down my hip and leg. After seeing my regular doctor, and an orthopaedic surgeon, I was referred to a neurosurgeon who specialized in disc problems. He gave me a Medrol dose pack of steroids and the pain went away.

Several years later the pain came back even worse and the steroids did not help. To make a very long story short, I ended up with cortisone shots in my spine. This got rid of the pain for a few months, but it came back with a vengeance. Fast forward to about a year ago. I saw yet another neurosurgeon who diagnosed the spinal stenosis, and also told me that I have degenerative disc disease. I have virtually no discs left in two different places. He recommended physical therapy (worthless for me) but said he did not want to do surgery...YET.

Basically I am in limbo. I can't find a doctor who can help me, and I live with constant pain. I get through the day by taking 4 Advil at least 3 times a day. I KNOW this isn't a good thing to do, but it is the only thing that takes the edge off. I do have Some Tylenol 4 with codeine that I take along with the Advil when the paini s unbearable.

I would love to hear if anyone has found success with any treatment. I guess surgery is an option, but I can't find a doctor willing to do it, at least not a doctor in our insurance plan, which is a whole 'nother story.

 

[ElaineMarch]

There is a web site with info and a discussion board like this for spine problems, spine-health.com. They are very informative. First step would be to get an MRI. You should try all conservative measures before surgery. Good luck. Back problems are no fun.

Elaine

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have Spinal Stenosis, as well as Degenerative Disc Disease. I can honestly say that there is never a minute where I am not in pain. The instant I wake up it is the first thing that I am aware of, and the last thing I am aware of before I fall asleep.

Mine started about 12 years ago with a herniated disc. (The L4-L5). I had severe pain down my hip and leg. After seeing my regular doctor, and an orthopaedic surgeon, I was referred to a neurosurgeon who specialized in disc problems. He gave me a Medrol dose pack of steroids and the pain went away.

Several years later the pain came back even worse and the steroids did not help. To make a very long story short, I ended up with cortisone shots in my spine. This got rid of the pain for a few months, but it came back with a vengeance. Fast forward to about a year ago. I saw yet another neurosurgeon who diagnosed the spinal stenosis, and also told me that I have degenerative disc disease. I have virtually no discs left in two different places. He recommended physical therapy (worthless for me) but said he did not want to do surgery...YET.

Basically I am in limbo. I can't find a doctor who can help me, and I live with constant pain. I get through the day by taking 4 Advil at least 3 times a day. I KNOW this isn't a good thing to do, but it is the only thing that takes the edge off. I do have Some Tylenol 4 with codeine that I take along with the Advil when the paini s unbearable.

I would love to hear if anyone has found success with any treatment. I guess surgery is an option, but I can't find a doctor willing to do it, at least not a doctor in our insurance plan, which is a whole 'nother story.

Wow, so discouraging! But I really appreciate your honesty. I really wonder why he doesn't want to do surgery yet. I guess I'll learn more. It must be so frustrating to be in constant pain.

 

[Magic Mom]

I saw something in the news that there is a clinic here in KY that is performing a new, minimally invasive spinal stenosis surgery. Let me look and see if I can find the archived news clip.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I have it. I deal with the pain, since I have other medical issues. I could never do surgery.

 

[Magic Mom]

Found it!

http://www.wtvq.com/health/4356-mildr-procedure-for-back-pain-

It's offered in other states too.

 

[Jeafl]

Wow, so discouraging! But I really appreciate your honesty. I really wonder why he doesn't want to do surgery yet. I guess I'll learn more. It must be so frustrating to be in constant pain.

I'm really sorry, I did not mean to be so discouraging. I think a lot of my problems are due to the fact that I can't find a sympathetic doctor. We live less than an hour from Chicago, so my next step is to try some of the bigger hospitals there and stop messing around with the suburban doctors. Maybe they will have some hope for me.

 

[Jeafl]

Found it!

http://www.wtvq.com/health/4356-mildr-procedure-for-back-pain-

It's offered in other states too.

Very interesting article! I am going to look into that further.

 

[Magic Mom]

Very interesting article! I am going to look into that further.

I really hope it's something that will help you.