Spinal Stenosis

[Davidpeaty]

I was diagnosed with this condition almost 3 years ago and initially advised to consider surgery (not urgent) which looking at the details, was for me quite scary, so with some physiotherapy and occasional paracetamol help, I am coping. So what advice from someone with a similar condition would advise please?

[BobD Volunteer]

Did you mean to put this in the Atrial Fibrillation Forum?

[Davidpeaty in reply to BobD]

If its helpful yes but ideally in the appropriate forum??

[10gingercats]

I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis many years ago .Then I was attacked by sciatica. Surgery was suggested for the former but like you I decided to try and manage it myself. I used physiotherapy,privately, and hydotherapy on the NHS . I was lucky enough to get about 14 sessions of the hydrotherapy(most large hospitals have a pool) and cannot praise it enough. So I had physio. in the pool and and on land but with different therapists.

[bigsquid60]

After issues with numbness in my legs, feet and groin and pain in my lower back around 6 years ago I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and recommended for surgery, then developed PAF after a DVT and blood clots on both lungs after a long haul flight. Spinal stenosis surgery was delayed by a couple of years until consultant was happy the PAF was not causing any major issues. Came off Rivaroxaban 24 hours before op. After a bit if chiseling of bone off the base of my spine, under general anaesthetic, I've been numbness and pain free for the last 3 years, although PAF has got worse, now on the long waiting list for an ablation.

[Chrisdave in reply to bigsquid60]

Thats very interesting, I'm in Very similar circumstances at 73 and having been diagnosed a number of years ago and putting it off for a number of reasons, fear of the unknown for one of them together with the permanent AF too

[Davidpeaty]

Thanks for taking the time to reply I am tempted to look at the hydrotherapy suggestion as I would like if possible to avoid surgery but do worry it could in time get worse although the jury seems to be out on that one,I find walking helps too so its at least making me exercise more.

My PAF has to my amazement improved over the last year I think because I have been rather preoccupied with my back and maybe moving the focus has inadvertently reduced that stress ...who knows!

[Hdev]

I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis a few years ago and afib 5 years ago,,,the stenosis has become very limiting in the the past 2 years to the point where I can’t stand/ walk for more than 5 minutes at a time,,,now I am told surgery is the only thing that will help me,,,,but at age 75 the risks are there,,,,with afib,blood thinners and a pacemaker,,,add the risk of infection,wound healing etc,,,,it’s not a good picture,,,plus no guarantee the surgery will turn our well,,,,I just can’t risk it right now with COVID still around and not getting a more optimistic response from my doctor,,,so I bend over my shopping cart to move in a store,,,that relieves some spine pressure and get my errands done,,,thank Heavens for a very helpful hubby in my life! Wishing you the best possible,,,stenososis is nasty in its own way,,,just like afib

[Davidpeaty in reply to Hdev]

Thank you for your reply.....I am also 75 with afib and blood thinners, and have this constant "debate" over treatment and get the message have the Op only when you are truly in real pain and its thus the only option left after physio etc etc. Interestingly I read in Mondays (4th April) Telegraph p19 how an operation has clearly worked for this individual who had "lateral recess stenosis" that apparently causes compression of the nerves in the spine, which to me seems similar to spinal stenosis, and after much debate he had the two hour Op which fortunately worked. According to Lee Breakwell (same article) a consultant spinal surgeon at Sheffield teaching hospital says he hears concern over the Op all the time, patients being frightened that the Op could lead to paralysis adding that... " obviously such surgery shouldn't be taken lightly and should only be done when other treatments have failed. But the risks are far lower than patients assume. And decompressive surgery has a 90% success rate" ........

Unfortunately I have a friend for whom it hasn't really worked but I guess we are all medically different and possibly the surgeons skill to. So I will keep doing the exercise until I have no option. Good luck to you as well, and thankfully I have a great wife too.