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Has anyone suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis? Did you have surgery?
Has anyone suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis and the severe pain that goes with it? Did you have surgery? Mayo Clinic?
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Instead of taking Advil, you should try taking Aleve, it's the only OTC pain med that helps with my arthritis pain. My doctor has me take 2 pills every 12 hours when it's needed, which is prescription strength. But you can only take it for short periods of time because of possible liver complications.
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2 ReactionsIt is hard. I was in a car accident, a complete quadriplegic with traction and 2 burst fractures C5C6. Because of the traction I was unable to seek second or third opinions. I was 17. The neurosurgeons were cruel in discussing my options. I think they said that with surgery I had a 25% chance of death, a 25% chance of remaining a quadriplegic, a 50% chance of getting “some “ function back. They told me this without emotion and in quite a hurried manner, as if I was wasting their time. I wanted a second opinion, another surgeon, and to be out of that hospital. But that wasn’t an option. I had the surgery, and it was a success for the most part. Regained motor and sensory function below c7. I have Central cord syndrome and no use of the small muscle in my hands.
If you don’t like the manner in which information is presented, be happy to have the option of ‘doctor shopping’ until you find a surgeon you feel comfortable with. Some say it only requires a surgeon to be skillful in the operating room, I think if he/she can’t be relatable as a human being … well I don’t want them operating on me.
Of course you may get the same prognosis, but presentation is an important part of any job.
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7 Reactions@oveanlover1224
See if you can get an EMG/nerve conduction study of your lower limbs to check neuromuscular health and nerve signaling. Also see if you can get a MRI of your left hip to see if they can narrow down the source of pain and offer treatment options (like steroid shots).
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4 ReactionsAlso, there are many prescription NSAIDS that may work a bit better for you. Advil has a short half life. To achieve steady state, optimal blood levels it must be taken every 6-8 hours, not as needed. There are prescription NSAIDS that can be taken once a day and still maintain optimal blood levels. Some work better for different people so you should try a few. Don’t enter the rabbit holes of trying them all tho, there are just too many and they are quite similar. Most docs have a favorite or two or three, I’d just stick to that. But even then, it is best to take them scheduled, not as needed to maintain blood levels
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2 ReactionsI have a lot of chronic pain due to RA, OA& Fibromyalgia, all made worse by spinal nerve impingement at L4-L5. I see a Rheumatologist & am fortunate enough to get Oxycodone 10mg, 4xday. It is difficult for doctors to prescribe opioids now due to unwarranted fears about addiction & OD’s all brought about by the illicit fentanyl that is made to look exactly like prescription pills. The fact is, and research studies show that prescription opioids, taken as directed are effective and safe. The addition rate is less than 5% and OD’s from prescription opioids is 1% or less. I hope you can find a doctor who will prescribe what is effective for you.
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4 Reactionsthank you the whole fact I even got 2 opinions caused issues between drs and btw they are cold and i am in the room thinkin jeeze this is my back my future and they just dont care!! I am sry what happened to you but also glad u have regained some function 🙂 cheers
Thank you,,, The Drs here will NOT prescribe opiates,, nothing stronger then advil ugh
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1 Reactionthanks I have lived on steroid injections and epidurals for yaers had a mri of hip all fine i know its the pinching of the nerves ugh
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1 ReactionI’ve been thinking about you. One important question to ask is : what is my prognosis without surgery? Is the spinal stenosis or slipped disks progressive? Will I get worse without surgery? What are the chances? If they do get worse, what new symptoms might I get? If I have surgery will it stop the progression altogether or simply slow it down? If it only slows it down, how much time am I giving myself?
Something to think about…
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2 ReactionsYes they told me I need fusion and I don't know what the odds are that it'll really help my symptoms. I hate to say it but what works for me is oxycodone and it's hard to find a doctor to give you that but I do have one. I don't know if I could be on it the rest of my life though.
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