1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

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

Posted by mick472 @mick472, Sep 26, 2024

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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sbcarcht | @sbcarcht | Jan 9 1:48pm
In reply to @heyjoe415 "I was wondering about dosing as well. Thanks. And you make a good point. Spinal stenosis..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

I was wondering about dosing as well. Thanks.

And you make a good point. Spinal stenosis may cause sciatica by pinching the sciatic nerve in the spinal canal. The symptoms of sciatica are sharp pain in the buttocks, hamstrings, and calves, usually on one side only. Sciatica is not characterized by pain in the lower back, although that is the source. So one treatment for sciatica is to ice the lower back and take an anti-inflammatory OTC medicine - aspirin or NSAIDs. Those are short term fixes though.

Sciatica can also be caused by a bulging disc. Unless the disc has ruptured, this should resolve over time without the need for surgery. I think an MRI is needed to diagnose.

I'm not aware of a non-surgical cure for sciatica caused by spinal stenosis. An epidural cortisone injection may help to reduce nerve inflammation and provide short-term relief.

I had laminotomies at S1/L5/L4 - the surgeon drills a hole in the back of each vertebra and shaves down arthritic spurs in the spinal canal (if possible). The integrity of the vertebra stays intact (as opposed to a laminectomy). But the holes themselves relieve pressure on the nerves and can reduce the pain. At least this minimally invasive surgery worked for me 10 years ago.

I'm 70 y/o now, in the gym everyday, normal weight, and I have a very strong set of core muscles. I have relocated since surgery, and my new spine Dr told me that my core is keeping me from fusion surgery. I have stenosis, scoliosis, listhesis, and degenerative discs and arthritic spurs all over my lumbar spine. I'm very motivated to keep my weight normal and my core strong.

I do have a trainer. The core is made up of close to 30 muscles! It pays to do some research and stay in shape, or lose weight and get in shape.

I know what sciatica feels like. It is awful and very painful. To my fellow sufferers, I wish you all the best!

Joe

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I have severe L4/5 stenosis and was experiencing sciatica pain. Following the Gokhale Primal Posture method resolved my sciatica without surgery.

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kricket08016 | @kricket08016 | Jan 10 7:19am

Yes, I do. I am in severe pain daily. Injections don't work, ablation didn't work. Now what? Surgery? Idk. I am very depressed.

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rhhprints67 | @rhhprints67 | Jan 10 1:08pm

Hi, remember that you are lying in a bed all night so in the morning I have found that doing some morning stretches while still on your bed helps some. Like pulling your knees to your chest while on your back; pulling one leg at a time. Google stretches for spinal stenosis and do some that you can while in bed. Once you are up lie on the floor and do gentle back bridges. Also some good ones in a chair like ford flexion stretch.

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soniadeshler | @soniadeshler | Jan 11 11:11am

I did for years. After it got to a less than 20% opening where the nerves come out and comlplications standing for more than 2 minutes with nerve damage, I had to have 2 surgeries. L 1 to L4 had to be rebuilt. And. Because of bone spurs and arthritis it required to have my back broke 2 times, between L1 and L2. And between L3 and L4 just to aline it up properly after the infusion. I have to admit after hearing so many people going back for more surgeries I delayed have it. Then I got to the point that I hurt 24/7. I am so glad that the Dr I went to was put in my path to do the surgeries. It should have taken me a year to be able to do what I can now 3 months after the 2 surgeries that I have had. I wish I had done this years earlier. I am 61 years old and I look forward to being able to live pain free .

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1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 11 11:30am
In reply to @soniadeshler "I did for years. After it got to a less than 20% opening where the nerves..." + (show)
@soniadeshler

I did for years. After it got to a less than 20% opening where the nerves come out and comlplications standing for more than 2 minutes with nerve damage, I had to have 2 surgeries. L 1 to L4 had to be rebuilt. And. Because of bone spurs and arthritis it required to have my back broke 2 times, between L1 and L2. And between L3 and L4 just to aline it up properly after the infusion. I have to admit after hearing so many people going back for more surgeries I delayed have it. Then I got to the point that I hurt 24/7. I am so glad that the Dr I went to was put in my path to do the surgeries. It should have taken me a year to be able to do what I can now 3 months after the 2 surgeries that I have had. I wish I had done this years earlier. I am 61 years old and I look forward to being able to live pain free .

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@soniadeshler Welcome to Connect, and thank you for your helpful comments.

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maggiejpr | @maggiejpr | Jan 13 7:09am

Try a Castor Oil Hotpack before you go to bed. Check on the internet if you're not familiar with it, the directions are all there. If you don't have some wool, Walmart has the castor oil and wool on the same page if you order on line. Do it 3 nights in a row if necessary. I have arthritis all over and use the Castor Oil Hotpack frequently.

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petermayodoc25 | @petermayodoc25 | Jan 13 5:12pm

Hi mate, I have stenosis in cervical and lumbar, pain are virtually same in both areas but I’m scheduled for surgery on my lumbar this year, in the mornings I lay on the bed with my legs dangling over the edge and I place a pillow under my lower back so to stretch my spine and I flick my feet in circular motions, I do this for about five to ten minutes, then I lay on the floor with my knees legs bent and rock my legs gently side to side for about five minutes then go have breakfast, I have found by stretching helps me start my day including pain medication, I have tried acupuncture and dry needling but it doesn’t help me, I try walking as much as possible without aggravating my pain, I guess you need to try whatever works best for you, all the best mate.

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enowlkr | @enowlkr | Jan 27 12:13am

I had a similar problem that developed about the same time that I had my right hip replaced in 2020 and just continued to get worse. I had an SI joint fusion a year ago which helped quite a bit, and now I'm on the generic form of cymbalta and that certainly makes my mornings much better. MRI shows severe disk disease and severe stenosis in two areas of my lumbar spine.

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1 reply
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 28 11:11am
In reply to @enowlkr "I had a similar problem that developed about the same time that I had my right..." + (show)
@enowlkr

I had a similar problem that developed about the same time that I had my right hip replaced in 2020 and just continued to get worse. I had an SI joint fusion a year ago which helped quite a bit, and now I'm on the generic form of cymbalta and that certainly makes my mornings much better. MRI shows severe disk disease and severe stenosis in two areas of my lumbar spine.

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@enowlkr and @petermayodoc25 . I would like to welcome both of you to Connect. Your input is certainly valued here.

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hburley50 | @hburley50 | Jan 31 3:11am
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@mick472 Welcome to Connect. I understand you are trying to live with the condition, but have..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@mick472 Welcome to Connect. I understand you are trying to live with the condition, but have your doctors who made this diagnosis offered any treatment such as a surgical decompression?

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Yes, gabapentin, naproxen, titanzine, and spine injections steroid something. The medicine works for a minute but my legs hurt constantly.

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