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Severe spinal stenosis
Age 71yo old gal here. L5S1 autofusion, Grace II spondylolisthesis. Severe spinal stenosis complicated by significant impingement L5 nerves, both foramen caused by loss of foramenal height. Extensive spurring. Surgery ruled out due to possible need to refracture autofusion.
Ergo, surviving with opioid "cocktail", gabapentin, +++twisting, burning, stabbing pain, both calves and thighs, 24/7.
Very cooperative helping husband but wearing thin on perseverance here. Cannot imagine another 10+ years of this with a brain that's operating at warp speed.
Perhaps there is someone somewhere sharing these same issues looking at same future.
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@gotoandrea, can you write a little more about the stenosis. Do you know cause and how long have you been struggling with it.
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1 ReactionI have had x-rays and MRIs that confirm that I have severe stenosis in 2 areas. I am 79. I have had restless leg syndrome since I was 18 years old. I had tarsal tunnel surgery in July 2023 and then I had a stroke in December 2023. It my right hand and leg and seemed to keep my leg from recovering. I have numbness in my right leg. My neurologist said that I have lumbar radiculopathy. My physical therapist son and my personal physical therapist and my pain management and also neurologist all think that my back is causing my numbness. I started taking Lyrica in March 2024 -50 mg in am and 50 mg in pm. I gradually have gone off the 50 mg of lyrica in AM and able to cope, but still have trouble at night even though still take 50 mg at night. I am not sure that the lyrica is even helping. I did not like the side effects during the daytime. I feel so much better in the daytime without the lyrica in the morning. I am wondering if the Lyrica is actually causing some numbness along with the numbness from my stenosis. Does it make sense for me to reduce 50 mg to 25mg at night????? I still do my physical therapy exercises. The neurologist does not want me to have steroid injections for my stenosis until after the one year anniversary of my 2024 stroke.
I can no longer take ibuprofen because of my plavix blood thinner. I am afraid to take a muscle relaxer. Soaking in the bathtub helps my leg often to help me sleep. I have on iron and Vitamin C to help my restless leg because my iron was low. I have been using a CPAP machine for 20 years. My sleep apnea number is 6. Both tests have showed that the restless legs was more of a problem.
Any suggestions?
@loyal, https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/commonly-prescribed-drug-for-lower-back-pain-not-effective
Lyrica is known to cause numbness.
You figured out what it took researchers a long time to discover. . But don't reduce your dose without a physician's help. You should taper down or off gradually. There are some unpleasant withdrawal effects.
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2 ReactionsI’m interested in spinal stenosis and spondylitis and is it the same as AS
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1 Reactiondoriskay,
spondylo means vertebra. Lythesis is sliding downward. litis is inflammation . losis word is problem referring medically to the wearing down of the spinal vertebra.
Any one of these can cause pressure on the nerves exiting the spine. These conditions can cause periperal neuropathy resulting in foot twitching, restless leg or numbness.
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2 Reactions@loyal
Have you tried Salonpas lidocaine pain patches for your lumbar spine? It may help relieve some pain temporarily. Stretching is helpful for me, especially if you sit a lot and hips/thighs get tight. It is also helpful to drink lots of water so you are not dehydrated and taking magnesium (like Calm) can help relax your muscles/nerves some to help you sleep. Try sleeping with a pillow between/under your knees, too.
Thanks. I do everything you suggested except for the Salonpas lidocaine pain patches. I will buy those today.
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1 ReactionThanks. Your reply about the numbness helps. I will be careful with reducing my dose. I had PMR and was on prednisone for 13 months. The advice from Mayo clinic support group helped me with the prednisone reduction.
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1 ReactionI had lower back and buttock pain related to a hard fall on my back. The only thing that helped were meds and a spinal cord stimulator. Got my life back. Was able to go cycling again, work around the ouse, and go walking. Pain reduced by about 70-80%.
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2 ReactionsYes, 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.
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