Spine conditions: Told I would not walk without surgery

I don't think it's that sudden. So what did recommend? I was told that I might not be able to walk if I didn't have surgery. But he didn't say it would be so sudden like that. I am going to have the surgery anyway not necessarily because of that but because I can't live with this type of nerve pain anymore and I used to be very social but now I can't go to things where people stand around and chat like a little art opening or any kind of party where the people are standing. None of the pain management doctors I've been to have really helped me, which is another reason I'm going to have to have the surgery. I sure hope that works otherwise I don't know what I'm going to do.

This is exactly what I was told could happen too! It is very scary. It is like having a sentence hanging over your head.

This is exactly what I was told could happen too! It is very scary. It is like having a sentence hanging over your head.

@ljm047 Hello, and welcome to Connect. I know it is scary to have a spine condition. I was there too, and I am a cervical spine surgery patient.

I prefer to think about it as a choice. You can choose to have surgery that can benefit you. Sometimes these problems just find us, and we have to do our best to deal with them. My spine condition came years after an injury from a traffic accident. It took me awhile to get my head into embracing the surgery that could make me better, and in doing that, I learned how to face my fears and defeat them.

Unfortunately, when you get a recommendation for surgery from a surgeon, they don't have time to help you through the emotional part of receiving that news and it usually comes as quite a shock. I remember that feeling too, and the first time I heard this, unfortunately it was from a very pushy surgeon who triggered a lot of anxiety for me. That pushiness increased my fears, and I wonder if I would have taken that news better if it had come first from a compassionate surgeon instead. Eventually, I found that compassionate surgeon at Mayo, and when he offered me surgery, I felt validated, and emotionally, I was ready for surgery before I walked into his office.

I'm glad you and @annie1 have connected. She and I had been discussing facing fear, and you may appreciate that discussion. She asked for some of my suggestions, and you may be interested. Here is the link https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1011580/

Jennifer

@ljm047 Hello, and welcome to Connect. I know it is scary to have a spine condition. I was there too, and I am a cervical spine surgery patient.

I prefer to think about it as a choice. You can choose to have surgery that can benefit you. Sometimes these problems just find us, and we have to do our best to deal with them. My spine condition came years after an injury from a traffic accident. It took me awhile to get my head into embracing the surgery that could make me better, and in doing that, I learned how to face my fears and defeat them.

Unfortunately, when you get a recommendation for surgery from a surgeon, they don't have time to help you through the emotional part of receiving that news and it usually comes as quite a shock. I remember that feeling too, and the first time I heard this, unfortunately it was from a very pushy surgeon who triggered a lot of anxiety for me. That pushiness increased my fears, and I wonder if I would have taken that news better if it had come first from a compassionate surgeon instead. Eventually, I found that compassionate surgeon at Mayo, and when he offered me surgery, I felt validated, and emotionally, I was ready for surgery before I walked into his office.

I'm glad you and @annie1 have connected. She and I had been discussing facing fear, and you may appreciate that discussion. She asked for some of my suggestions, and you may be interested. Here is the link https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1011580/

Jennifer

How do I get an appointment at Mayo ?

I have spinal stenosis my pain management Dr told me I could wake up one day not be able to walk.

I am only just trying to get my head around it all. My surgeon said he would need to put surgical screws in to stabilise spine. I have severe spinal stenosis L4/5 and lateral recess stenosis L5/S1. He also said there is no urgency at this stage as I have no weakness and no true cauda equina symptoms.
I am seeing a physio to try to help with pain. No success as yet.
I am a fit 76 year old, very flexible for my age living in Western Australia.
Good to hear from you. I am new to using Mayoclinic connect.
Cheers Lyn

Hi, I'm 75. I had the same thing and had the surgery 15 years on the first one ago and 6 years ago on the second one and after that I had one on 10/29/23 that was scoliosis surgery from T2 to S1, it wasn't easy I was in the hospital for 10 days 2 of them in ICU with 4 pt. of blood and on the operating table for 14 hours. My doctor was a specialty spine neurosurgeon in Houston, Texas. After getting out of the hospital I have been in rehab ever since and will be through May. I had to learn how to walk again and set differently because I also had screws put in my pelvis to help hold the hardware up so now, I must bend from hips and not waist I have had to do a lot of things differently. Now I'm doing so much better, not in pain. My problem was caused by degenerative disc disease. My mother and sister have it too, my mother had no surgeries and suffered so much and ended up in a wheelchair I watched her go through all this and didn't want that for myself. I hope I have helped you. I know that every person must decide for themselves what's is best for them whatever you decide I wish you the best and God bless you, lady