Is a wheelchair my ultimate fate?

chrisitnav,
this is a very good thing that you've decided to do. I'm prepared to be your least helpful response. Your message is in the spine section, so it may take a while to get situated. A moderater may move you around.
You have been struggling with this for more than 52 years and know more about the intricacies than I ever will. But I can't help but wonder how aggressive your care has been. Have you been seen at a dedicated pain center. Bone spurs can be removed. The nerves these sharp protrusions spike can be stopped from sending painful signals. Have you seen an ENT. Most sinus infections are fungal, some now think. And require different treatment than viral. Some fairly simple procedures might make a difference for you.
I hope the responses you are looking for come soon. wishing you well

@christinav I have 7 spinal fractures (first one was T12, like yours) , cervical and lumbar stenosis, cervical myelopathy, bones purs in neck and hip, and some spinal cord damage and also the usual degeneration with age (I am 72). I also live alone. I am only recounting my issues to relate.

I walk every day so am better off for sure but have pain every day. Things that have helped me (that you may or may not be able to do): tai chi (I modify it, I used to do it full out), walking, a PT massage person who is amazing (with ultrasound, and I cannot do PT exercises so they only do massage) and I am considering swimming. Art class or art at home helps take my mind off pain.

Pain management programs can help a lot, especially when there is a team. Insurance and finances can be an issue so hoping you can try that.

Do you have a good mattress? I watch a lot of movies for distraction. Are you able to take any pain meds? I am sensitive to almost all possibilities but take 1/4 Klonopin every once in awhile. I feel for you and understand your fears about being in a wheelchair or more helpless while living alone. Sorry not to offer more helpful suggestions!

The state of Missouri has decided I can partake in medical marijuana for some of my conditions. I have been doing this now for yeears. Dedicated pain centers do not appear to exist here though once they did. I am reluctant to involve myself in surgeries for any of my spinal symptoms. I have been to see a specialist (ENT) about my sinus health and she recommended a yeti pot. I use other means because those pots must be cleaned. Mold can grow/etc. The weather here affects those of us suffering from sinus trouble which affects pain. I do Sinusalia and generic benadryl. We also experience bad air days year round due to CO2 and other emissions from electric power plants which use a lot of coal to generate power. Hence out air is not good for many of us. All of this impacts my total spinal stenosis.

I have done all you mention but nothing helps now, though maybe once it did, particularly very expensive due to the National Arthritis imprimatur for the courses involving immersion for exercise in 95 degree water up to the neck. I became extremely allergic to the chemicals in this pool situation, more used because during the day people who were incontinent were doing exercises for PT. I remain sensitive to too much shower exposure. I do have a good mattress. Several. I watch Netflix and Aljazeera and other streaming options. I cannot stand long enough to do much. Neuropathies from the TSS, ME, and clindomyacin abound. I spend a lot of time in my recliner and often nap there as it is a preferable angle for what ails me. I can no longer go to the sloped backyard due to dizziness. I can't do any gardening or yard work.

I wonder if a salt water pool would help, if it is around. Though the temp might not be satisfactory.

Do you have central vertigo, BPPV, labyrinthitis? Has a PT taught you exercises?

I get it, and sorry you are in this situation.

I don't have those conditions.

PT has helped some for various concerns - carpal tunnel, trigger thumb - but not enough. Use of ultrasound has helped. I wish I had my own wand. Ha!

Saltwater pools here are private. If it is too cold it wouldn't I used to be a lap swimmer, a hiker, cross country skier but all that has ceased. Even swimming with my stenosis was not possible.

Driving to venues except those absolutely required is just not something I can do. Taxi service here is very costly. Instacart does my grocery shopping and Amazon does the rest. I cannot take stairs so someone does my laundry. All of this is costly but necessary.

You mentioned dizziness so I was wondering what it was from. I understand your situation. I have been there when I fractured so many vertebrae but got a lot of function back. I hope you can find something or someone that helps. This kind of isolation and feelings of powerlessness are very very hard.

Dizziness caused by ME/CFS, neuropathies from the stenosis and having to take a medicine that adds a bunch to being dizzy. Carvedilol for the heart. I have been suffering total spinal stenosis for 60 years from the initial injury. Still upright, use a clawed can and I have a walker, but that causes so much jarring, if I need it, then I ask for a wheelchair assist. I don't feel powerless, you've misread that. I know how to make accomodations over the years.

My husband uses a Neti daily. We have 3 of them so they can be run through the dishwater for cleaning. If you don't have a d/w, boil in water on the stove like the olden days with baby bottles or canning jars.

My gym, and yes it is "expensive", recently changed their warm exercise pool from chlorine to salt water. My skin is definitely less dried out.

The cost may seem excessive. I am blessed to have saved enough for retirement while working to afford these things. But I can walk without pain while in there, which helps
later with land walking.