This is my first try at the discussion board.
I am an 88 year-old man in good physical and mental health except for my spine and legs. I exercise for 40 - 80 minutes each day, doing core stabilization and stretching exercises, riding a stationary exercise bike and walking when I am able. I'm active in my community.
I have severe lumbar spinal stenosis at several levels plus neuropathy in my feet and legs. My neurologist says there's nothing that can be done. Every spine doctor I see looks at my MRI and says there's nothing that can be done except surgery which is not a good idea at my age and of uncertain outcome. Physical therapists run me through a few tests and exercises and then say, "See me again if it get worse."
Well, I'm not happy because my feet and legs lose strength unpredictably. Aside from the fall risk, this keeps me from planning my life from day trips to overseas journeys. It's not a pain problem like many here have. Its just that I can't rely on my legs. I was at a resort shortly before the COVID shutdown and got out of bed and needed a wheelchair to get to breakfast . . . all of a sudden. A few hours later I was walking normally.
I take 1200mg of Gabapentin and have no pain. I also take 30mg of Cymbalta that seems to cut down on the pins and needles and freezing of my feet. BTW, I would welcome comment from anyone who has tried Wellbutrin because the Cymbalta has some side effects that I don't like.
Anyway, I am impressed by all of the things that members of this group have tried, in many cases because their doctors have not come up with solutions. I have tried acupuncture, bought a foot vibrator, bought a small TENS machine, currently am trying to do without statins, have my weight under control (pre-Thanksgiving) but am more at peace with the COVID lockdown than I am with my body's physical limitations. Any thoughts?