@angielewis1959
Hi, there. I have spinal stenosis (cervical/lumbar), degenerative disc disease, cervical myelopathy, neurogenic claudication and idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I have dealt with pain, weakness and numbness from neck down to my toes worsening over 6-8 years.

I have balance issues and dizzy sensations. My hip/buttock pain and weakness/numbness is tied to my knees. I have bilateral gluteal tendinopathy and bilateral hamstring partial tears and believe this is all tied to my spine/nerves controlling communications throughout my body.

I have started physical therapy again to try to strengthen my back/hips/buttocks and legs to better support and control my knees. Have you tried PT? I should have been doing it regularly for the last 6-8 years but few doctors recommended it or referred me despite my ongoing symptoms post surgery (spine surgeries in 2022 and 2024). It is actually good to get PT before surgery because you have more strength to help you when recovering. I am hopeful my PT will help me regain more quality of life and ability to get things done as a single parent of a teen with no family or support system. I will be starting therapy with a psychologist and medication management with a psychiatrist because all of the chronic pain/loss of function can be so depressing so make sure to take good care of your mental health, too. It’s like the analogy of putting your oxygen mask on before you can help others or yourself.

Praying you get the help you need asap and that you advocate well for yourself. 🙏