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Will I ever recover from my operation for spinal stenosis?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Apr 12 11:22am | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
I have not heard of the book. I will check it out.
My L4L5 fusion for spinal stenosis was on May 28, 2021. I am still in pain. Like you, I cannot sit at my computer very long. I had to get rid of my nice desk when my brother bought me a desk table that rises and lowers. Even then, I cannot stand for long periods, either. If I must sit or stand for very long, I have had to hang on and bear it. No relief from meds, and some I tried just knocked me out.
Like you, if I just keep on my feet doing things my back gets some relief, and by the time I go to bed I am in pretty good shape. I love laundry day, or any option to just do projects that keep me getting up and doing. But it isn’t always an option. Meetings, computer work, things that require sitting are a necessary part of life.
When I wake, the pain is gone and I start all over, again.
I’ve been to three doctors. I gave up on the surgeon’s PA when he kept telling me there was nothing wrong. Another osteo office told me it was my SI joint (then why does my lower back ache?) and now I’m on to the next. He has not started on my back, yet. He’s trying to help me with the CRPS in my fractured left wrist.
When I had the choice to have the surgery, or not, of course the surgeon and PA felt there would be no issues. I do not know if it is CRPS. If so, why is my pain alleviated while asleep (not lying down, asleep), but starts again with each new day?
Replies to "I have not heard of the book. I will check it out. My L4L5 fusion for..."
I just had a laminotomy for lumbar stenosis, L3-4 on March 1. The first nine days I was feeling great, could walk without pain, then I started noticing a dull pain on my left side where they had put the blood drain in. A few days later when I stepped onto a step I had a sharp pain on that side and from then on I can't sit down or stand up without a sharp pain. Which even makes sitting on the toilet a challenge. They gave me Oxycodone which maybe helps for a few hours but I still have the sharp pain.
I am starting to think I was better off without the surgery, although I was in a different kind of pain.
They just told me I have to be patient. Initially they told me in 6 weeks I should be mostly better, but I am at week three and that seems impossible.
This is hell, excuse my French.
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I hear you! You sound like me. The surgeon just said, I have two choices. a. stay on the painkillers (Tramadol & Gabapentin for the rest of my life or b. the operation with no guarantees.
I am glad I took the operation. There is hope for improvement with drugs--No.
I went back to my chiropractor about 6 months after the operation. The first treatment was fantastic! I made the mistake of going back again a week later. It took me ages to get over it.
I went back a few weeks ago and he only worked on my neck and did stretching and slight twisting of my right leg. Fantastic again.
Yesterday was a great day! I spent at least 6 hours on the computer filling out a form that I could not save. I am still feeling great today!
The frustration is not knowing what works best.