← Return to Considering Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis to relieve neuropathy pain

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@dlydailyhope

@bttpe1961
I would hold off on surgery until you learn more.

Have you been to a neurologist? Did you get a skin punch biopsy of thigh/ankle to test for small fiber neuropathy? Did you get extensive neuropathy bloodwork to find the cause of your neuropathy (are you diabetic, do you have vitamin deficiencies or toxicities, do you drink alcohol, etc.)? Did you have EMG/nerve conduction studies done of your upper and lower limbs?

Have you had MRIs of brain, cervical spine and lumbar spine? What do they show in the report? Have you read them in detail? What levels did they do the spinal injections?

It would be good to get more updated testing/imaging and see a couple different doctors for 2nd and 3rd opinions before moving to surgery. I don’t like the way your orthopedic doctor is handling your case/condition from the dismissive response to your treatment options. I would fire him/her.

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Replies to "@bttpe1961 I would hold off on surgery until you learn more. Have you been to a..."

I've had comprehensive testing for the neuropathy both locally and at Mayo Clinic. The general diagnosis was "idiopathic neuropathy". I also have Parkinsons. I've had the full NCS and EMG multiple times that show the progression. I've also had a nerve biopsy (nerve removed from right calf). That showed demyelination and axon loss. I've has multiple MRI and images of the spine from hi to low and multiple images of the brain. The general report is spinal stenosis. I did rely on one Orthopedic Surgeon for many years (9+). Where surgery was "off the table - I was not a candidate for surgery" direct quote. TODAY - after the epidural lidocaine and demexatrose (spell) (injection three days ago) I am pain free in both feet but numb. I'm assume at this point that the problem was the stenosis. I should add that the NP called the stenosis moderate not severe. Also, my back has been treated with "facet" injections every year for 5 years and this past year they performed an ablation (10 points). My back is actually pain free < 3 on my scale. Without facet injections the pain in the back is >7 all the time and crippling on occasion.