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Severe Central Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
Spine Health | Last Active: Oct 29, 2025 | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
I had a spinal fusion 11 years ago. It couldn’t be done until every other procedure was tried like a chiropractor. Physical Therapy, acupuncture, etc. They did the surgery on L5-S1. They sent me home alone without care. I ended up in the hospital emergency room 3 times because I was told that I couldn’t live alone during the 6 month recovery. I lined with my daughter for 3 months after. I am still dealing with pain and working with a pain specialist for 7 years. He tried 7 procedures including a spinal stimulator and nothing helped. I am on Norco. Without it, I couldn’t do the daily routine of life. I’m still limited to what I can do and may try a pain pump to get off of Norco. I am 73 and in perfect health except for back pain. I’m not giving up.
Replies to "I had a spinal fusion 11 years ago. It couldn’t be done until every other procedure..."
@linda6101
Be aware that a pain pump could result in you developing Adhesive Arachnoiditis, to which there is no cure. And it is very painful.
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@linda6101 I am on Oxycodone 7.5 4 times a day. Without the Oxycodone I could not function. I wonder what the Oxy is doing to my brain, liver, and kidneys. I have been on Oxy for over 3 years. I was on Hydrocodone for 2 years prior. I am labeled a chronic opioid user by the medical profession. Any medical procedure I have requires strong pain meds for longer periods of time than the average person.
I have ingesting the pain meds. I do not feel like the alter my thoughts or behavior but I cannot believe they don’t.
If you were to speak to me in person you would never know I was on the meds. My pain management doctor told me he could tell if I am lying about pain. He balance my meds based on my reaction to the dose.
What a pain. I hate the necessary evil.
My biggest issue with the pain meds is they really don’t eliminate the pain, they numb the pain. Odd but true. I was admitted to the hospital several times and was given a pain meds called Roxy. Roxy took away my pain and didn’t make me feel, blah. I forgot to mention that Oxy makes me feel blah. I know there are irritants in Oxy to keep folks from becoming addicted, but give me a break. Why am I not prescribed Roxy. My pain is permanent and it is very obvious I have pain. If society is worried about my addiction, society can shoulder my pain.
I find it very odd that that the medical world withholds medication that eliminates pain from chronic pain patients. Why? Why should I be in terrible pain 24x7 when there are medications available to make me more comfortable?