It will be exactly one year March 23rd since my surgery. I didn't really feel like I was making progress until the end of September. I've just noticed that I have better control over my bladder. It seemed like every time I turned around I had to go to the bathroom. I understand that people with spinal stenosis have difficulty controlling their bladder. I had only one instance of that the day the pain hit as I was getting out of bed.
The previous reply to my post hit it on the nail. Recovery takes its own sweet time--and unfortunately doctors don't seem to want to tell you that. Be careful of the exercise you do. My acupuncturist had the same operation as I had. She recommends walking, but not physio. I am finding that if I touch my toes at the end of a hot shower helps. I take as hot a shower as I can, touch my toes, then turn the water down to as cold as I can stand it.

Yesterday, I tried an ice pack on my back without the use of Tylenol and it worked!

I get pain down my right leg if I drive too much. I am driving a bit more without repercussions. i am extremely cautious about how much I drive. If I drive to the grocers, etc. one day, I don't drive the next day.

My surgeon gave me a choice of staying on Tramadol and Gabapentin for the rest of my life or the operation without any guarantees. i am glad I took the operation.

The first thing I did was work to get off the opioids. I can't believe the difference in my mental clarity! In hindsight I did it too fast by switching to Advil and taking it 6 days straight. I ended up with extremely high blood pressure and one doctor called it a mini heart attack.

From what you are telling me, you are trying too hard to improve. I've been there and done that. Relax. It's easy to say. Not easy to do, if you are a doer.