Hi, dlydailyhope: My spine problems sound very much like yours: stenosis plus ddd plus herniated disc and osteoarthritis just about everywhere. The one surgeon I have seen recommended fusion based only on X-rays done during my appointment and some 2-year-old CT scans ordered by a different doctor. I am going to see an orthopedist tomorrow who specializes in stenosis and find out if 1) I need new CT imaging and 2) if I should go see another surgeon. My fear about the fusion surgery stems from talking to people who have had their problems worsened by it. My current PT also says he sees people frequently whom it doesn't help. This is not to discourage you, of course, as you have already explored other options.

As for meds: I can't handle gabapentin and am currently trying low dose naltrexone for the pain, which becomes severe at times (I'm basically a 3 to 8 on the scale of 10). So far, the naltrexone is doing diddly, but I'm told it can take weeks and weeks for it to be effective, so I am on Tylenol for the time being. Doctors recommend against steroid injections because I have severe osteoporosis. But no one has yet mentioned pain patches. Could you tell me what kind you tried?

Please let me know how things go for you. And thank you for your reply and all the information!