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Does anyone have Spinal Stenosis that is extremely bad at wake up?

Posted by mick472 @mick472, Sep 26 11:54pm

I was just diagnosed a couple months ago with lumbar spinal stenosis. I have good days and uncomfortable days. I am not in severe pain, but very limited on what I can do so I don't aggravate it. But, I am having a terrible time upon wake up for some reason. I have to hold on to doors, wall whatever, as I can hardly walk. It eventually subsides as I take a anti-inflammatory and hang on in a hot shower for about 20 minutes. Does anyone have this problem or better yet a routine at night to help prevent this in the AM?

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margaret7 | @margaret7 | Oct 7 8:31am
In reply to @devaallen "Yes, I can barely walk sometimes. I was married about a week ago. Waking up in..." + (show)
@devaallen

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.

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Congratulations on your marriage. Welcome!

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cnill | @newyorknill | Nov 7 9:35am

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.

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cnill | @newyorknill | Nov 7 9:38am
In reply to @galesr "I had that a few years ago. I had the surgery and was awesome after. If..." + (show)
@galesr

I had that a few years ago. I had the surgery and was awesome after. If it gets real bad I would highly recommend it.
Sue

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can you expand a little on your surgery?
I had surgery in 1994 that did not go well.
Sounds like you are much better. Awesome.
I am 82 so don't know if they would consider.

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devaallen | @devaallen | Nov 7 9:51am
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@devaallen I just wanted to welcome you to Connect. Congratulations on your marriage." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@devaallen I just wanted to welcome you to Connect. Congratulations on your marriage.

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Thank you. 🙏🏽

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willow5 | @willow5 | Nov 8 10:09am
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Sorry about the name mixup Willow. I’m 70 with a disaster area in my lumbar spine...." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Sorry about the name mixup Willow.

I’m 70 with a disaster area in my lumbar spine. I don’t have sciatica now, but my walking is affected. Back is very stiff after getting up.

I spin 5 times a week. Guessing I’d need S1 L5 and L4 fused. I hope I can resume that if I have fusion.

I recently tried orthotics from goodfeet.com - my gait is straight and walking is easy. Just turned 70.

Suggestions? Will fusion still allow me to spin?

Thanks Willow and all!

Joe

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Hi Joe,
Even though my surgery is delayed, I did ask the doc, after the surgery can i bike, will I have any limitations, and he said no limitations. L5-S1, and possibly fuse I think it was 3/4.

Awesome you can walk! I have pain after 1/2 mile walking. I just turned 72. Since my surgery got put off by six months, I’m going to check out some other options, acupuncture, mind/body type stuff, meditation for pain control. It won’t fix anything for sure, but to learn to handle the pain maybe i can put off the surgery longer - maybe. So confusing!! Oh, if the pain is low back, medicare does pay for acupuncture.

Best of luck. This forum is so helpful and I love that mostly no one plays doctor.

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willow5 | @willow5 | Nov 8 10:12am

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.

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cdbm | @cdbm | 4 days ago

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.

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