Hi, I’m new here and would really appreciate someone talking to me about spinal stenosis. I got told by my GP that I have a prolapsed disc in my back and spinal stenosis confirmed by an MRI scan. I’m 33 and I’ve been in pain with it for a while now. I’ve noticed that just walking my kids to school puts me in a lot of pain and feel almost numbing pains in my left leg. Sometimes it feels like my leg almost stops while walking and I almost stumble. I’ve looked for help online into what I do next. I work at a place where I have to stand for 8 hours a day with some areas involving heavy lifting and twisting. Can I still do my job? Can I claim for disability, a lot of places online say I can. I really don’t know what to do. Any help in understanding the next steps would be greatly appreciated. Cheers guys
Spinal stenosis: Hi, I’m new here and would... - Pain Concern
Spinal stenosis
I had surgery recovering now 21.days post opp but get MRI asap
My surgeries both worked for several years - and the most recent was 15 years ago and methods improve constantly. I hope yours is even more successful!
Which did you have and was you rehab about 6months?
The first was decompression of2 adjacent lumbar discs. The other was a 4 level fusion more than covering the 2 discs. I was warned that later on I could develop problems with the discs above and below the fusion - which has now happened. It is 15 years since that surgery though. But I am told that more surgery would be harmful and only make matters worse.
I was about 22 when I first had enough pain to get a hospital referral. But at that time the main problem was thought to be due to the scoliosis (which has worsened over the years so that I am now noticeably bent to the side and my clothes don’t hang properly!
I hope you get the right help - and soon.
I am.25.days post opp no fusion i am.improving but know it will.take time hoping to find support chat forum
Patience with yourself and your body plus any recommended exercise and, if/when recommended, physio are all good objectives. Also try to remember to pace yourself. I was once given the good advice to set a timer for 10-15 minutes as a reminder to change my position: eg. stand up if sitting. It’s tedious but good advice, and time can be extended with progress. Try to find something to smile about at least once each day!
Thanks lets stay in touch
May i ask.your age
I am rapidly approaching 74 but I first started having spinal,pain severe enough to see a dr hen I was about 21-22!!
I was also told I had scoliosis when I was ass about 14:and had rheumatic fever.
Oh sorry i see you had mri ask.yr dr their thoughts my sciatica was too painful.right leg after 11 weeks i had open decompression 3 level.surgery leg pain gone now need about 6 month for bone to heal. I am 65
Definitely no chiropractor for stenosis, could do more harm. Physical therapy and stretching and core exercises. Very good youtube videos for stenosis exercises. They are different than for disc herniation, i have both..you can get steroid epidural injections, series of three each two weeks apart. Helped me a lot but exercising is a must. Good luck, hope you find good doctors and insurance coverage!
Hi ,if you are living in the UK , it would be PIP or universal credit you try for and yes you should be able to claim . It is the affect the illness has on your ability more than the illness that counts. Standing 8 hours a day !! I had to be medically retired from my job ,as couldn't walk stand or sit for very long so couldn't do it. The years on i am now looking at surgery as I have further pain ,now bilateral sciatica ,can't walk up right for more than a few feet . I agree exercise ,build up your core strength ,it does help and if you end up with surgery will definitely help recovery .
If you are going to claim benefit ,then start to keep a diary of how you're affected ,it helps .
Best wishes jan
I don't know what type of place you work at, but could you find out if you can see someone from occupational health? They may be able to change your job to suit you better.
Hi, I have had Stenosis for several years. I found walking with a walker, I can lean on was helpful but as the pain diminished when I sat down, one with a seat gave me instant relief. I went through the medication from ibuprofen, amiltrytaline up to opioids, which they are now saying has to be reduced. I now have osteoarthritis and sciatica which is worse than the Stenosis.
Hi. I too have spinal stenosis as do my brother, sister and a cousin. My cousin had an operation a couple of years ago, he is over 80, and it helped him get back on his feet literally. My sister is on morphine, my brother on a different painkiller as his consultant advised him to avoid surgery.
I ended up in hospital last Christmas I think due to the cocktail of drugs I was given. I then had a spinal steroid injection which helped a lot. It lasted about 3 months but the effects are very variable which is why the NHS won’t cover the full cost now but this could vary depending where you live.
I had another injection a month ago and have not been on painkillers since though I am starting to have some pain now but want to avoid medication as long as possible due to it’s side effects.
I suggest you ask to see a neurosurgeon. I saw one in December but paid privately as was desperate for help. Was told they wouldn’t operate as the stenosis was in multiple places. After being in hospital I was referred to another NHS neurosurgeon and saw him in July. He was excellent and explained everything to me and why they couldn’t operate on the part which was causing my back pain for several reasons, being in mid 70s was one plus thinning of bones. He said had I been much younger they would have. The leg pain could be treated with keyhole surgery if I wanted it. I decided for me the risks at the moment outweigh the benefits but that might change.
I hope you get the help you need. I was also referred to the local Pain Clinic and have another appointment next week. They have been very helpful but there is a long waiting list.
Both my brother and I plus 2 cousins and another cousin’s daughter have all his had spinal surgeries. Other than my brother we are all female and have had 7 operations between us....
Just praying my daughters and grandchildren don’t get it as obviously runs in families. Think my mother had it though never diagnosed. Glad the surgeries worked for your family.
Oooooo any kind of injection just numbs what's going on in your back in a word is not such a great thing to have but it does take the pain away. On the other hand I've had seven lol. the injections just mask what's really going on in your back and you should really stop lifting heavy stuff and twisting and standing on your feet for 8 hours it's just going to get worse it's not going to get better. honesty yes I do speak quite honestly because I've had my back pain for 22 years I've had steroid injections I've had cortisone injections and I'm on the waiting list for surgery. you've got to take it easy ,you have to your only 33 I'm 49 and I've been waiting 22 years for mine. you can always ask your doctor for a letter explaining your condition or you can take in a hospital note that should give the diagnosis of what the problem is with your back and give it to your employees if they're not allowing you to sit down with whatever your job is doing. But honey you really do need to take it easy and stay off your feet as much as you can. good luck my love good luck with the injections and believe me once that pain has gone you don't feel so bad about having another one if you need it x
I had spinal decompression discectomy and facetectomy a couple if weeks ago,I'm doing great.
Can we stay in touch my name is tom.i.had laminectomy l3/4 and Foraminectomy L4/5 and L5/S1 i am improving day by day had surgery 25.days ago
Yes hope you're recovering well
Slowly but steady I know maybe 6 months or one year
What. Opp did u have
L5s1 discectomy and facetectomy
I:: have had spinal stenosis for more than 20years and can give you a lot of information, but i am a bit busy at the moment i will give more imformation tomorrow cheers Knees-up
Can you give me an update of the situation at the present time as i have not subscribed for two years, but have been diagnosed for 25 or so yearsmy age is 78, if you think this may bee helpful please reply lots of differant
information, but not good.
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