Is neuropathy a sign my stenosis is getting worse?

@tomkipp. Any more info as might relate to might situation would be sorely needed and appreciated. I was recently diagnosed with PN and a few several months prior with spinal stenosis lumbar and a tiny bit in cervical. My actions throughout the day severely impact the intensity of the symptoms. I'm terrified that every day I go without surgery I'm further damaging nerves that could otherwise be saved. Any ideas or input welcome!!

I have the same- spine and pelvic problems. I had spinal fusion and it may have even helped a bit with my pn. Good luck to you

Susan, I have both PN, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
My initial orthopedic visit and X-rays made the doc think I was 'clearly' not candidate for surgery. The problem for me is that every day I wake up my PN feels much better. Then throughout the day my actions begin to take there toll on may back and the numbness in my feet and lower legs gets multiplied by a lot. Did you have this experience? I'm trying to separate out which of my symptoms seems to be PN and which is back problems. I feel a little as though I'm in no ones wheelhouse.

I, too, suffer from PN due to lumbar stenosis, specifically upon lying down. My ankles ache and there is numbing down to my toes. I have found compression stockings to be helpful, along with supplements that decrease inflammation such as Quercetin/Bromelain, high dose Omega 3 fish oil, and Modified Citrus Pectin (Pectasol). My feet aren't as cold as they used to be so I feel there is more circulation.

@darrenp I often notice the same thing. When I first wake up in the morning, the neuropathy seems to be less. As I go through the day, it worsens in my feet. I assume (perhaps not correctly) that my spine is compressing a bit throughout the day as I walk and move around... thus causing the nerves to be more compromised.... and making the pn symptoms a bit worse. I had a lumbar laminectomy L2 - S1 in 2022 because I had gotten to where I could not walk. The surgery gave me the walking back, but it was then that I noticed the neuropathy. I've pretty much accepted the fact this is it for the remainder of my life. I'm 73. Best wishes! Mike

Mike,
Thank you for sharing your journey here. This is the combo of spine and NP symptoms that I've been trying to connect with. I suspect the 'industry' has a lot to learn in this realm as well. So many questions; Does the surgery sometimes cause NP, is there a metabolic issue that is contributing to both NP and stenosis or other spine issues? I think these are issues that really need to be looked at carefully.
What's so helpful about your story is that it shows that someone else who is having PN and stenosis can get a lot of relief from dealing with the stenosis! I'm 58 and like you I too have made a degree of peace with some of these issues being lifelong. Clearly we can persevere and search for new solutions at the same time. Currently I can walk but struggle with long distances and having a lot of trouble sitting, driving and standing.
Like you I went to an orthopedic spinal specialist but mine has stated that surgery is off the table for me. This makes me curious about the degree to which your stenosis and other issues were visible on whatever systems they used to discover them? They're saying that my stenosis and 'slippage' are mild enough that they don't want to pursue surgery. I'm not wanting to rush into anything but at the same time I do think there are these clusters of 'dogma' in the various medical fields that have enormous impact on how we're treated. For four years my PT has been having me do some stretches and a back bend that I'm now thinking has potentially been aggravating my nerves more. Very few docs seem to be able to talk about both PN and orthopedic issues at the same time with any degree of confidence. Please do share more about the degree of damage that your orthopedic images showed?--if you want to of course.
Thank you!
Darren

@darrenp Hey Darren. I answered your other post, and I believe you are describing issues from your spline symptoms, not a separate neuropathy. I think your doctors have missed your correct diagnosis. You've given enough clues that they should be considering the structural problems in the spine as a cause. Would you consider another opinion elsewhere? Mayo is a great place. I had my spine surgery in Rochester with Dr. Jeremy Fogelson. Let me know if you need more information.

Jennifer

Hi all,
I am a TBI Member, so my writing is gone from my accident 12 years ago… so 2-3 years ago. I fell down from my car to the wooden steps and hit my rear-ends fell down in ny garage. Not my head ❤️

Last year, my doctor told me to another doctor to fix my back in my spine if they can see it. Thankfully, he could rid part of this - the same part declaes ago the previous doctor on the same part. Last year, he fixed the ok]lier program has changed over that and added part of that.

My pain ended - all of that; everything from my rear-ends to the bottom to my feet. Now, the other one makes me falling done and little balance is not there on my right leg. I’m working to help my body.

I was suffering with the same issues as you in my early 50's. I had all of the procedures you talk about and then some. I had a laminectomy for my spinal issue. If I had to make the decision again, I would not have the surgery. My spinal issues are worse now. My neuropathy has also gotten much worse. It started in my toes and now has worked it's way up to my knees. I am now 69 and am suffering with much more pain now then when I started. Good luck and I'm sorry that you are going through this.

Debduh11, Thanks for your input. It's everyone's stories that is what's so helpful. I think surgery is something to move towards very carefully with lots of cross checking and questioning.