I too have severe lumbar and cervical stenosis. I get up every morning and walk like a crab for about an hour. It takes a while for my spine to be able to hold me up, and I only weigh 105!

Epidural steroid injection works very well for pain associated with disc bulging, herniation, and foraminal stenosis where the opening through which the nerves pass is narrowed causing inflammation of the nerves. Facet joint pain responds well to radio frequency ablation (RFA) where the sensory nerve is “burned” electronically and results often last 9-12 months. It’s crucial to get an MRI to determine exactly what is causing the pain. Then an appropriate treatment plan can be formulated. I have been through all these things since my 30s. 74 now. Nothing cures it but treatments and lifestyle measures can help a great deal, not to mention prevention of making it worse with poor body mechanics, posture, heavy lifting and aggravating activities. I hope you get relief!

you get back your life... and more.

Yes, I can barely walk sometimes. I was married about a week ago. Waking up in so much pain almost derailed my entire life. I was determined to walk on my own with no assistance or cane. I hope you feel better soon.

I also have spinal stenosis along with collapsed discs.
My morning wake up is just like yours.
Does get bearable after an hour or so.
I am having an MRI because I am now
experiencing a lot of numbness in both legs.
Will be seeing my pain specialist after MRI.
Hoping epidurals help.
I take gabapentin and Tylenol.
I am allergic to anti inflammatory meds.

Sometimes (not often enough) I do knees to chest and childs pose before I get out of bed. Not sure why it’s so hard to do the things that help me through the day.

I have mild stenosis and some scoliosis and let’s not forget arthritis. The morning wake up is painful. I try slow trunk twists and stretching before leaving the bed.
Then, see if I can actually walk. The pain and numbing pain can take its time subsiding enough to get to bathroom.
I don’t take drugs for it on a regular basis. I do have a low dose pain pill that I may take 1-2 times a month. The pain doesn’t go away and can increase during the day or not. I try to stay mentally engaged and live my best life in the moment. It sucks but I don’t like the alternative of being chronically depressed.

@cdbm spinal stenosis doesn’t get any better only worse over time. And you have the accompanying stuff too. Not too many surefire treatments but I just found this one you might want to look at with a 60 day money back guarantee and FDA approved. I have SS but not that bad yet. Yes my back is stiff in the morning but that’s par for the illness.
I opted to purchase the device after reading reviews and I will add my 2 cents about the product one I use it.

For all of the people on here experiencing pain from a compromised spine (well, that's everyone) - I learned recently that stress from chronic pain can increase the resting heart rate. Stress from pain causes the body to produce more cortisol, and this affects the heart.

I'm not a huge fan of supplements, but one that I've taken in the past has worked, l-theanine. It's supposed to help calm and reduce stress. I'm not sure that it made me feel a lot better, but it did seem to ease my stress levels.

Getting good quality supplements can be a challenge. I buy all of mine from Pure Encapsulations. These are expensive, but they do seem to be of high quality.

http://www.pureencapsulations.com

All the best to all of you!

Joe

haha - I'll play doctor then - (but its common sense ;-). the reason you have problems in the morning (as most of us do - is because your body has been laying horizontal all night and the fluids back up. When you wake and transfer to a vertical position the fluids are needing to reposition and redistribute themselves. It takes 45 minutes (average) for this to occur. Weather/barometric pressure change exacerbates my problems as does cold. Also, food/alcohol can wreak some havoc. We are 96% water and that has an impact. My suggestion would be for you to check out the weather and salts you may consume. I have edema. That is also a problem as too much salts retain extra water putting pressure on my joints. Try to increase your circulation throughout the day (a little walk several times) so when you go to bed it won't be as bad in the morning. Also, gentle self-massage before bed and definitely upon waking. Stretch what you can, and you will be able to stretch more as days go by. Alcohol is a trigger as it dehydrates you and then your body rushes while sleeping to normalize your moisture balance. Stenosis is the channels getting smaller to push your bloodstream through. If you have edema, like I do, it is more difficult because there is more pressure on the stenosis joints when you sleep upon waking. Self massage really helps. Get some periodic acupuncture in if you can afford it - it keeps the circulation moving.