Spinal stenlsis

[gracie1]

I really feel for you, it’s horrible to be in such pain. I was told by my doctor to come off tramadol and now take gabapentin and paracetamol. What is your health issue. I have spinal stenosis and today am in a lot of nerve pain. Tried a lot of different medications haven’t yet found one that really helps. Hope you find comfort, best wishes

[Barbola]

So sorry for your pain, have lumbar stenosis, herniated discs, arthritis bone spurs etc. could not even walk, sciatica become a chronic condition. Pain doctor prescribed 3x weekly physical therapy, Tramadol only when pain became unbearable, did not help much. Emergency room, so bad. Then had a series of three steroid epidurals, each two weeks apart, the nerve just was too inflamed ....last July. Under x ray guidance, did not hurt much. Done by a certified sport specialist.

Pain slowly subsided, took few weeks. Never came back! But: was told to resume therapy and stretching/strength exercises at home daily, which i do upon getting up morning 15min, before sleep 15 min. Right now bc Corona virus cannot go to therapy but the home exercises i do daily and now can walk again, no pain, for miles! When the sciatic nerve is too inflamed those epidural injections are a godsend......if it goes on too long permanent nerve damage could result. Dont let anyone scare you off epidurals......Most insurance covers them.....but it has to be at a facility with xray guide so it goes right to the darned nerve root! Good luck! My MRI by the way looks terrible, so dont look at yours........wishing u the best......have not taken Tramadol or oxy in months but protect my stash for an emergency...they are only 50 mg....hard to come by from my orthopedist.

Well, im 82. take no meds of any kind, no vitamins, nada.

[gracie1 in reply to Barbola]

Could I ask what exercise you do, thanks

[Barbola in reply to gracie1]

I purchased $50 BACK TO LIFE video, amazing, but there are free youtubes for exercises for sciatica and spinal stenosis....i find the lying on my back, knee to chest, hold count of 30, good to start with. All lying on floor are safe. Make sure u know what NOT to do, like standing up exerises where u bend down...no, no! No twisting! I will look up free you tubes and send you the links. Hang in there!

[Barbola in reply to gracie1]

youtu.be/n6Etl3x9AnU(Not working as expected?)

Also „Bob and Brad“ have many videos for stenosis and sciatica .

Most importantly,start slowly and as many times a day as u can....and be patient bc it really takes months for your ligaments and muscles to re arrange themselves. Stretching is important and not sitting too much keep moving....get up every 15 min or so, walk around a minute or more before you sit again.....sleep on your side with a hard pillow between legs

[gracie1 in reply to Barbola]

Thankyou so much for your reply

[Emma2017]

Started with a bad back, then could not get of the floor. MRI showed badly herniated disc. Had physio, did nothing, then had X-ray guided injection which did nothing. Was referred to neurosurgeon as had bladder probs, had another MRI which showed condition had worsened into slow onset CE. Had op. Had countless X-ray guided injections after that and 2 denervations. Then 2 more ops (microdiscectomies). It seemed to inprove until it did not, further MRI showed severe stenosis plus further herniation so had a fusion a few months ago. Have ongoing nerve pain and now back pain. I was on gabapentin but switched to pregabalin which helped more plus tramadol. After last op was switched from tramadol to dihydrocodeine which kind of helps. Nothing helps completely but at least it helps some. Apart from that I find baths very soothing and am starting with physio, now via video link. It’s often hit and miss as we are all different.