Severe spinal stenosis

Posted by katie215 @katie215, Aug 15, 2020

Age 71yo old gal here. L5S1 autofusion, Grace II spondylolisthesis. Severe spinal stenosis complicated by significant impingement L5 nerves, both foramen caused by loss of foramenal height. Extensive spurring. Surgery ruled out due to possible need to refracture autofusion.

Ergo, surviving with opioid "cocktail", gabapentin, +++twisting, burning, stabbing pain, both calves and thighs, 24/7.

Very cooperative helping husband but wearing thin on perseverance here. Cannot imagine another 10+ years of this with a brain that's operating at warp speed.

Perhaps there is someone somewhere sharing these same issues looking at same future.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

mydogsbestfriend | @mydogsbestfriend | Feb 2, 2025

In reply to @jfsherley "I’ve had severe spinal stenosis for yrs and the thing you must have is a mattress..." + (show)

Thanks. Injections did nothing for meb

jfsherley | @jfsherley | Feb 6, 2025

In reply to @mydogsbestfriend "Thanks. Injections did nothing for meb" + (show)

They didn’t help me either the only thing that helps some is bringing your knees up to your chest so that you stretch that stenosis. Do it at a least 20 times every day

msmcecelia | @msmcecelia | Feb 9, 2025

In reply to @mick472 "I was just diagnosed a couple months ago with lumbar spinal stenosis. I have good days..." + (show)

Hi fellow sufferer, yes I am overwhelmed with pain —lumbar—getting up in the morning. My extreme pain from degeneration of discs is worst after lying down for a long time. I always have to keep medication beside the bed, low dosage Hydromorphone and Tylenol to help. Most importantly my walker is on brakes beside the bed for support. After the painful effort to straighten up, in a few minutes it will subside, but that walker is invaluable to safely get to bathroom. I only use the walker for mornings and if I am expecting to visit the hospital for a test etc. I notice a difference in aging from the pain. During the day I am not too active because of the cold snowy weather. There is an option for a warm therapy pool I will be trying.

msmcecelia | @msmcecelia | Feb 10, 2025

In reply to @mick472 "I was just diagnosed a couple months ago with lumbar spinal stenosis. I have good days..." + (show)

Just to put another tip out to other sufferers, I often turn around as I get up and get out of bed backwards. You use different muscles. Plus as I mentioned have a walker right beside you.

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Feb 10, 2025

In reply to @msmcecelia "Hi fellow sufferer, yes I am overwhelmed with pain —lumbar—getting up in the morning. My extreme..." + (show)

Has your Dr suggested any surgical intervention to deal with this chronic pain? I'm 70 and my lumbar spine is a disaster area - stenosis, scoliosis, listhesis, degenerative discs and arthritis spurs everywhere.

I'm fortunate that 1) I don't have pain and 2) I can go to the gym everyday to keep my core strong. My back is certainly stiff but nothing like what you describe. My surgeon told me my strong core is all standing between me and a fusion of S1, L5, and L4 - something I will avoid at all costs.

msmcecelia | @msmcecelia | Feb 10, 2025

In reply to @heyjoe415 "Has your Dr suggested any surgical intervention to deal with this chronic pain? I'm 70 and..." + (show)

Thanks for concern and asking. Surgeon said (in 2006) “no way, very difficult and could risk your walking and cause incontinence.” In 2019 …from another Dr. it’s too late. My core is not good, took special back core courses but it is not easy. But I am encouraged by your situation. Life circumstances changed in 2004 so wonderful husband (second marriage). I retired early from teaching and so we travelled together. Mutual caring helped push my boundaries of pain. Challenges just don’t stop coming.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Feb 16, 2025

In reply to @mick472 "I was just diagnosed a couple months ago with lumbar spinal stenosis. I have good days..." + (show)

Surgery should be your last resort when the pain is too much. If you haven’t been evaluated by a PT yet find a good one, get a home exercise program and kill it. The more active you are the better off you’ll be. If you’re size challenged work on goals that help you incorporate a healthy life style and healthy eating too. Good luck with your back.

jtw72 | @jtw72 | Jun 2, 2025

In reply to @mick472 "I was just diagnosed a couple months ago with lumbar spinal stenosis. I have good days..." + (show)

Ok, here we go. I had a lamenectomy and fusion on L4/5 in 2018. As of this morning i have just found out that i have not been imagining the pain for the last 6 months. XRay and MRI done and it looks like L 3/4 and L5/S1 are shot and need to be fused. The pain is getting progressively worse. After the fusion in '18 I had the please of getting two new full hip replacements 3 weeks apart. I really dont want another surgery but i am not sure there are any other options. Anyone have any input or advice? Thanks, TW

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Jun 3, 2025

In reply to @jtw72 "Ok, here we go. I had a lamenectomy and fusion on L4/5 in 2018. As of..." + (show)

Hi btw,

I had laminotomies at S1, L5, L4 about 10 years ago. It was done to relieve sciatic pain (back of leg) and to remove a portion of the S1/L5 disc that had ruptured and detached from the main disc. The surgeon cut holes in the back of these three vertebrae, making more room for the sciatic nerve and relieving pressure, and to remove the ruptured disc material. Recovery went well and I haven't had a reoccurrence.

That said, I have all major pathologies in my lumbar spine - stenosis, scoliosis, and listhesis. It is a disaster area.

I saw a new surgeon a few years ago. He confirmed this diagnosis, and said the only thing holding my lumbar spine together is a very strong set of core muscles. I'm 70 now and I am in the gym everyday and I do some core work everyday. My weight is normal (160 lbs) for my height (5'10").

I don't know the condition of your core, or if strengthening it would spare you from more fusion. Just a suggestion - ask your surgeon. It sounds like S1 through L3 would have to be fused, but that's a last resort. You may very well need this surgery, I'm no doctor! But I have had problems, left and right rear legs, due to sciatica.

Again, check with your Dr. to see if there is anything you can do short of surgery. Finally, you mention being in pain the last six months. Is the pain in the back of your leg(s). This is where pain from a compressed sciatic nerve would manifest. If you feel pain in your lower back, it may be a muscle injury.

I hope this helps, and all the best to you.

Joe