Will I ever recover from my operation for spinal stenosis?

Thank you for proceeding with caution. You might ask your primary care physician WHEN HE THINKS PHYDICAL THERAPY WOULD BE SAFE FOR YOU, then go to physical therapist he recommends. I assure you that person will know which exercises would be safe and helpful. In the meantime, walk around inside your home and Google 'Yoga chair exercises'. The important thing is to stay physically active...safely, prudently, daily.😇

Thanks, I have already talked to my G.P. He recommends what I am doing now--walking my dog.

Any outdoors, physical activity is good. The value of a physical therapist is that they can prescribe specific exercises that will strengthen specific muscles you need for specific activities. This is especially true for strengthing core muscles in your back and abdominal area. I can't say enough good things about the physical therapists that have helped me on three different occasions in the past 30 years.😇

I had my second fusion July 2023. My surgeon advised me no activity other than walking for three months. I had a PT home visit prescribed, who tried to get me exercising before then. My doctor was adamant when he talked to me a week later, absolutely not. You must wait for your bones to heal before exercising all the best.

Thank you for all your information, especially the timeline for nerve healing. I wish someone had told me that a year ago. It goes along with what has been happening to me.
I have a jacuzzi bathtub. The problem is when I need it I am afraid to get into it just in case I have trouble getting out!
When I do use it, I keep a portable phone near just in case I need help. I have a smaller bathtub and it is even more difficult to get out. It has bars, like my jacuzzi and shower. The problem is that it is near my left hand and that is my weakest hand. I had to completely turn myself around in order to climb out of the tub,
I take as hot as possible shower in the morning and then I gradually turn the hot water off until it gets so cold, I can't stand it. I am finding it refreshing.
Good luck--and thanks again, for all your good information.

I struggle with this too. "Failed" lumbar reconstruction 8 months ago. No change in pain level. I can't use narcotics -- they simply don't work and make me sick. So I take 3.4 G ibuprofen/day. Kidney function is great, belly is fine. But it is only minimally helpful for pain. Some days I get up, have coffee, read the paper and take a nap. Other days I get up and start some project I can manage. I find in general when I am active I feel somewhat better. Perhaps this is from diversion, perhaps it is from a small sense of satisfaction. At any rate, it is very different for me -- a former 1500 mile/year runner and 1000 mile/year mountain biker. Hard not to become depressed. My doc suggests 3-4 more months before complete recovery. I suggest bullshit. Never another scalpel near me.

I've had 4 lumb laminectomies on the left. L4 thru S1. It was after my 3rd that I woke up with CRPS, left foot, in 1979. I was diagnosed immediately but told, at that time it was causalgia - no treatment. I spent 35ish years, my adult life on crutches. Initial injury lifting a patient at work. I am/was an RN.

But back then, work comp was work comp. Paid for everything for 6ish years. Even psychotherapy, 3 years in a halfway house after multiple suicide attempts. One successful, left me with some brain issues after being DOA but brought back.

Anyway, out of remission with a knee replacement, spread to other foot. Covid spread to waste down.

So I fell, and found out yesterday that I am bone on bone at L5-S1 but right side. Disk 100% gone. MRI getting scheduled to check for occult spinal fracture, HNP from fall or just bad arthritis from surgeries. He talked fusion as I have disk issues and terrible back pain before the fall. I've been in long term PT for months. Its mostly massage for muscle spasms.

So scared. I'm 69. Never needed a fusion before in the other surgeries. I live alone. Vant afford help as I've been on SSDI since 1980. Now officially retired but run my own graphic design biz from home. (Went back to school at 30 in the mid 80s.) I'm still productive and do some work nationally with clients and very grateful. I see a psychotherapist who specializes in chronic pain and trauma.

So, thanks for this thread, will follow. Trying to think good thoughts for the MRI. I also had 3 fingers injected yesterday for trigger fingers! Not the best week to be on deadline. Can't tell clients for sure. Thanks for reading. Kinda scared...but trying not to focus on it. Just get mri scheduled for now. Hands sore today which makes crutching hard. I am also allergic to opioids which I have considered a blessing in my life but my kidneys are showing some damage from OTC pain meds for 45 years. I am also allowed to give myself a shot of toridol like 4 times a year when it that or worse when the pain is at 15. I get 24 hours of zero pain. Helps reset my body. And my mind to get back on an even keel.

Its a life and I'm grateful for it. Gratitude is the only way to make it through. Find the small things to make it a life worth living. Betty

Congratulations on your determination. I hope all the best for you with the MRI. I tried Advil when I was trying to get off the opioids. It sent my blood pressure so highthe emergency doctor thought I was having a heart attack.

Being unable to take opiods is not a bad thing. I can't believe the clarity of my brain since off them. I am learning how to create a website and download a brochure from Canva. I discovered that I can register my non-profit and get free use of their templates.

ALL THE VERY BEST.

I have hypertension with POTS from long covid. What is your non-profit? PM me if you want to pick my brain about websites brochures etc. Tho disabled I went to school in 1999 and have been active in the field for 25 years. Happy to give you pointers or help you brainstorm if you want. The thing about non-profits is you need a board, CEO etc. I do a site for a woman who teaches how to create a non-profit. Most of my design work is with non-profits. Id love to talk with you about what you are doing. I have a lot of passion projects myself I've never gotten off the ground. Betty

Hi Annie,
I’m not sure of your age so that can make a difference in healing time. I am 78. I had 1st back surgery in 2021 and 2nd in 2022. Together they involved L1-L5. I had a couple complications and my recovery from 2nd surgery took about 16 mo. Once healed, I still have a lot of pain. About 3 weeks ago I started chiropractic care. The chiropractor uses the COX method. I am starting to feel somewhat better and using less pain medication. Perhaps, once your body totally heals you might want to try the chiropractor. Remember, nerves take a long time to heal.