Spinal stenosisu: Hi I would like to hear from... - Pain Concern

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Spinal stenosisu

Rusty8 profile image
20 Replies

Hi I would like to hear from someone with severe spinal stenosis and other spine problems that stops them from walking and is now wheelchair bound and have been told that there is nothing can be done due to low immune system (kidney transplant ) just to help with pain morphine steroids gabapentin etc

Doesn’t help on movement lying down fine just don’t move lol

Would appreciate a response so I don’t feel alone

Thank you

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Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8
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20 Replies
annmike2 profile image
annmike2

Sorry Rusty, hope someone’ can help you, there must be people with same problem as you,

Stay strong

Karjade profile image
Karjade

I have not got spinal stenosis but my friend has. She too could hardly walk and has recently had a spinal operation to remove spurs from her lower spine which were pressing on the nerves. She is waiting to recover from this operation which has been very successful and then the spinal surgeon will operate on the upper spine. She is now walking without a stick and sleeps much better. Would it be possible for you to get a second opinion xx

Bendytoy profile image
Bendytoy

Hi Rusty I have spinal stenosis for about 13 years 10 yrs ago I had a spacer put in and it was successful but 6 yrs later it came back. I've developed scoliosis now gradually it got worse now walk with crutches and a wheelchair for distances. I'm sorry I've nothing positive to say. I react badly to a lot of the medication I think nerve pain is hard to treat but if your like me I live in hope. My doctor has emailed when it was passed that they could prescribe.canabis oil but as yet not getting any, I don't know anything so far to be positive about sorry

Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8 in reply to Bendytoy

I know what you are saying about meds for nerves

As for the oil I have to be honest I don’t like the thought of it and after just recently going through withdrawal symptoms from a hospital mistake of stopping them without realising it I’m unsure of putting anything in my mouth

I understand how the hospital are busy but I do think when it comes to meds they should be getting them right

Yes like you I live in hope

What else can we say

If you come up with a miracle cure please let me know 😂😂😂😂😂

in reply to Bendytoy

Medical marijuana oil is the thing for pain, stiffness and pain.. please look into it don't believe the Reefer Madness BS.. Older folks don't smoke marijuana for pain but add it to coffee in am.. please research this. My State is finally legal esp. sense Doc are afraid to refill pain pills

Bendytoy profile image
Bendytoy

Definitely I'm on Tramadol and it lets me function but all the others like gabapentin pregablin don't work for me slow release morphine affected my breathing so same things I'm back to. Go to pain clinic this week but I'm not looking for any good things but hey just want the pain to go away ditto if u find a miracle pain relief

Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8 in reply to Bendytoy

Please let me know how you get. On

Don't feel alone Rusty, same here I feel over my daughters baby gate, no big deal but I have spinal stenosis 'narrow space in spine that pinches on nerves cause numbness, tingling, weakness and falling very easily. I still refuse surgery as I have did a lot of research on surgery for Peripheral Neuropathy, which has a lot of different names like Spinal Stenosis, Myelopathy etc. but deals with the nerves and spinal cord.

micox profile image
micox

Hi. I have a degenerate lumbar scoliosis with stenosis which laves me unable to stand for more than 60 secs or walk without a stick. And with a stick I can only walk about 20 yds. After those limits I'm in bad pain. I'm now 80 and this was diagnosed in 2010 after progressively losing the ability to walk for 10 years and advised not to have treatment because of other impairments. I was prescribed all sorts including morphine. Then Tramadol, which I ditched after bad side effects. Pregabalin and Duloxetine were successful in dulling the pain but also the intellect and after a couple of years I came off them gradually after a nightmare six months of withdrawal symptoms. I then found I could sleep in a manual reclining chair with my left leg bent upwards at the knee. I continue this to date. Good luck to you in your search for relief. I do have an excellent GP who includes me in all decisions which makes a huge difference.

Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8 in reply to micox

That’s good when you have a gp that hasn’t given up on you

Take care

Gigi71 profile image
Gigi71

Hi Rusty I have severe canal stenosis and grade 2 anterolisthesis of L4 on L5. Dx last November after an MRI scan requested by my pain management doctor. I was referred to Complex Spinal MDT and from there to a neurosurgeon. They then ordered a CT scan and Flexion X-Ray's. I went back on Wednesday to see the surgeon and offered an op with screws and rods. I have gone on the waiting list. I have many health issues, Erosive RA, Hasimoto's, osteoporosis, lung issues, high BP. I have been on pred for 33 years , latter years low dose 5mg. I have Gabapentin for my back pain, naproxen, mtx and a bio injection for my RA. B12 inj and folic acid tabs also Calseos and drops for glaucoma. My waking is limited and I recently bought a rollater, which is a great help. I also have support stockings after an ulcer last year. I have great family/friends support, but some days, mainly the mornings the contant pain gets to you. I have always been a fighter and want my life back. X

Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8 in reply to Gigi71

Thanks for replying to me the only difference I can see is that I’m now at the stage where I can’t walk at all this I believe was because for the first time in my life I had a blackout

Since then things got worse

Do you mind me asking your age I am 73

The consultant years ago spoke about the rod but said did I want to have to stand up straight all the time so he then didn’t advice it plus he was concerned about my transplant

Sometimes I wish now I had told him to do it at least I would have probably been walking now but we can’t go back so it looks like it is onwards and up

Please let me know how you get on will be thinking of you

Are you in England

Gigi71 profile image
Gigi71 in reply to Rusty8

Oh dear Rusty what caused your blackout, was it too do with your back problems, sorry to hear you are worst because of it. I am 73 too, my back problems started 3 years ago and have deteriorated the last 6 months. I always said I would never have a back op, I know a few people who have not had successful ops, however I have got to go for it as I don't want to live like this. The surgeon has a good reputation in our region. Could you please explain what you mean by standing up straight, I would love too, as I am getting bent over. I've had many ops for my RA, nothing recently though. I worry I'm getting older and have med induced immune suppression. My rheumy thinks steroids are the root cause of my spinal problems. I have OP in my hips and top of the femur, my spine seems to be ok. I go out as much as possible and meet friends, I do chair yoga on a Monday. I have an appointment on Wednesdsy this week to see the physio for pain management. I do exercises as much as possible. The pain does get you down. Yes I live in England. X

Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8 in reply to Gigi71

You must do what you think is right but please keep me informed

My big problems started when I was 14 car accident about 5 ops on right hip over the years they have been ok then in 1997 I had a discectomy where they left a piece of bone behind so had to have it done again renal people weren’t happy and since then nothing but problems with spine

As for the standing up I was told if you had rods done you wouldn’t be able to bend over to pick anything up

I can’t now get up straight the more I try the worst pain I’m in

That I believe is the reason I can’t walk no moe

Would you believe it the pain is not in back it’s in big muscle down my GOOD leg lol I have gone for a physio visit over the years and finally got told they don’t want nothing to do with me

I also now believe they have been using my transplant as a excuse going on about immune system

I have had my transplant for 28 years and no I don’t want to loose it but I’m sure there must be people out there with transplants that have had ops

I might just ask that question later

You take care

Gigi71 profile image
Gigi71 in reply to Rusty8

You certainly have been through the mill over a long part of your life. I'm sorry I don't know the implications of surgery after a kidney transplant, certainly I would ask though. My partner went to watch my grandson play rugby today, it's too much for me when it's cold, windy and muddy. I hate missing out on these things. The NHS are so pushed these days, most physio's are only for a short period anyway. The surgeon only advised of the possible complications after surgery and not about bending over after. When was the offer of a back op made to you. My Pain is mostly in the right buttock going down my right leg to my feet. He only thinks it will help my leg pain, a slight chance the back may be helped. I certainly will keep you informed, the waiting list is 4/5 months, a friends brother waited 14 months after being cancelled a few times so

I am not holding my breath. Take care. X

Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8 in reply to Gigi71

It was a good few years ago wasn’t offered just spoke about it

Strange my pain is mostly in left buttock and left thigh muscles lol swop legs 😂😂😂

Gigi71 profile image
Gigi71 in reply to Rusty8

Could we make two good legs, I doubt it lol. !!!

cantusethestairs profile image
cantusethestairs

Hi Rusty, I have stenosis in spine and same problem, only relief is lying down, walking and standing impossible, I know what you're going through.

Stbede profile image
Stbede

Hello lm 76 and have suffered with stenosis of the spine for eight years ,was offered surgery however when l asked the success rate was informed less than forty per cent,therefore l decided against surgery ,lve got worse over the last few years and again my G P asked if ld consider surgery as lm in a lot of pain not able to walk any length of time in fact a couple of steps also bent over only relief is lying down ,not sure what more can be done for this condition

Rusty8 profile image
Rusty8 in reply to Stbede

Nothing I was told also told a small percentage of people in England has to live with it I said how strange that was you can put a man on the moon but not be able to help with pain

I asked if there was anything I could do and his answer to that was euthanasia

I didn’t know wether to laugh or cry

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