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What helps spinal stenosis besides surgery?

Spine Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (193)

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@djspiker

Hello. This is my first posting and I apologize in advance if I'm a little long winded. I'm just really terrified and would love some consult and/or experienced assistance. I have been dealing with a lot of compounding back issues. I have lumbar stenosis, cervical stenosis. In the last couple of years I have had physical therapy, injections. A surgeon I was referred to stated that I needed the surgery. I can't remember how to spell this. It consists of opening up my back and removing disks and fusing other parts together. I'm sorry I botched this whole thing up. Anyways, he informed me that as long as we delay the surgery my back will continue to affect the nerves and there's no way of repairing the already damaged nerves. I was also told that I couldn't have the surgery until I resolve my dental issues he wouldn't be able to do the surgery. Long story. I've been in a holding pattern for 2 years now. I can't go to a dentist. I won't go to a dentist. I'm a real child when it comes to this. Any ways, I'm having an MRI on the 20th of Dec. to update. I'm alone I have lost my dad and my mom to heart disease. Everyone else has gone. Anyone, who has read this so far are very patient. I appreciate that. I'm also a diabetic, arthritic. I have autoimmune disease and thyroid. I only mention these incase it made a difference. What I really need help with is the nightime pain in my arms at night that wakes me out of a sound sleep to sitting on the side of my bed crying and pacing the floor for half an hour till it subsides a little. Both of my feet are numb up to my shins. My hands are both swollen and hurting from the arthritis. Ok. I'm done. If anyone has any thoughts? I'm open. and I really am sorry to go on. This really the first time I've put all this out there. I read all the postings on your forum. It makes me feel a little less alone to know others are coping and I can too. Thank you!

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Replies to "Hello. This is my first posting and I apologize in advance if I'm a little long..."

Hello. May I ask if you have been checked for Hoshimotos ( not sure of spelling) it a thyroid issue.
As for your hands and arms try lifting them w pillows also sleeping w pillow between your shoulders on your sides . I have about 7 pillows in my bed to help to get into a position to sleep sometimes takes numerous positioning but it does help. Also try movements in arms and hands as much as you possible can before going to sleep. I also use a hot rub on areas it try to relieve pain. Sometimes even vicks the menthol scent helps due to scent making brain feel sensation of relief. Scent makes my sinuses open for better breathing which helps prolong sleep.
These are just things I use , I pray this helps.

@djspiker Welcome to Connect. I understand where you are coming from as I have shared the same fears. I want to tell you that if you work for it, you can overcome those fears that are holding you back. I used to be terrified of the dentist, and as a child, I broke my front teeth which started a pattern of dental work that over the years failed and had to be redone, and with some dentists lacking empathy, I was so fearful that I would pass out. That fear is what I had to work on before I could go through spine surgery. I knew that if I didn't have spine surgery, I would loose my ability to work as an artist. It was already happening as my arms became weak and lost coordination. How could I give up what I loved doing the most (my artwork) and let a spine condition cause increasing disability? I saw my parents in wheelchairs and was a caregiver to them, and I knew I did not want a future like that. I was lucky because I had a choice. The choice was not difficult because I did that for love to save my ability to record the beauty in the world that I see. It was just overcoming the fear of the unknown and pain, and I devised a lot of ways to work on that.

I also lost my dad to end stage heart disease, and it was right after his passing that I got a call from Mayo with an appointment for a consultation. Even though I was afraid, I had to advocate for myself because I had a situation that surgeons misunderstood and didn't want to touch. I had spinal cord compression in my neck that caused pain all over my body. That is what scared them because they thought that fixing the compression wouldn't solve all the pain. I knew they were wrong because they didn't listen to the clues I was giving them in how I could reproduce or change where the pain went. 5 surgeons turned me down, and with each of them, I had to face the real possibility of surgery when I met them, and afterward when they were not interested, I asked myself, well why was I afraid of that? I had to remember it was my choice, and no one was forcing me to do anything. The surgeons are scared too because they don't want a failed surgery or bad outcome that could ruin their reputation. It was after I found medical literature with cases similar to mine, that I approached a surgeon at Mayo. He helped me with his expertise, and above all that, he was kind and empathetic which I hadn't experienced before with any of the other surgeons who examined me.

I know that fear has many levels to it. Lets start with some small steps. If you will look at this discussion and watch the video at the beginning, you'll learn about how I designed my own therapy to get myself through the fear of the surgery that I needed. I can honestly tell you, it was one of the best things I have ever done. I never expected to get past my fear of medical trauma, but I did and it changed me for the better. Fear doesn't prevent me from seeking help or advocating for myself and others. That's why I'm here as a mentor because these journeys are very difficult to navigate.

I'm glad to meet you, @djspiker and you are not alone. The video is a podcast where I was interviewed in a show called "Your Positive Imprint".

"How Can I Defeat my Anxiety about Medical Tests and Surgery?"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-can-i-defeat-my-anxiety-about-medical-tests-and-surgery/

Thank you for sharing your story with the spinal difficulty you experience. How heart-breaking.
Regarding the dentist, there are many compassion dentists out there, and they can administer an anesthetic to put you out during the procedures. If you cannot afford the cost where you live in the States, I recommend you travel to Algondondes, Mexico, near Yuma, Arizona. There are over 600 dentists there, trained in dentistry schools. I too was skeptical of traveling there, and was quite nervous, yet I received a recommendation from a friend in Phoenix, where I live. The procedure I had was a frontal bridge work, and the third time it to be replaced since 2000. They asked about an implant, of which I saw an oral surgeon years ago, and with braces to increase the space to allow an implant would take one year and more, plus the cost in 2000.
The name of the dentistry office in Algondondes is Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Center with Jose A. Valenzuela DDS. His staff is good, and I asked for a relaxant which they gave me a 2 mg Xanax, something I never took. It did the trick. My husband had 6 crowns, he had one, and he couldn't stay awake. If you are not tolerate to medication, probably a 1 mg is best. They have the gas to put you out. The price is way lower than the States. Phone: 8662236147 or 9282573604. Good luck.