Anyone have experience with spinal decompression

Hi Jonathan, I am going to join a small gym at a park district that charges $75 a year for seniors.
I am a young 72 years old. In Chicago, Marijuana is legal and there are many dispensaries near me. I tried marijuana once in a gummy form and did not like the experience that I felt. Then I tried just CBD which is doing nothing. I think a combination of CBD and a small percent of marijuana mixed would be a help. I will talk to the people at the dispensary because they know all about back pain conditions and I am sure there is a gummy with a small amount of THC that won't give me the affect of all THC that I had. I've also bought an exercise ball to do the stretches that I did in physical therapy. On a web sight, I also found five exercises that should help back pain. My problem is sticking to the routine. I am done with surgeries, even minimally evasive.

Hi, my condition is debilitating, my lumbosacral radiculopathy, L4,5 and S1 causes burning, pins and needles, cramps, muscle and mental fatigue and pain in my lower lack, buttocks, pelvis, left leg more damaged with weak muscles and sciatia. I have pain and symptoms in both legs and the damage to my spine caused my fibromyalgia so I have all the pain and symptoms that go with that condition to. All caused by a car crash in January 2013, I use a walking aid, I see myself in a wheelchair if I don't keep up my regime, as sometimes I have to crawl on the floor and stairs to move as standing and walking can be too painful sometimes, as can sitting, laying down, even breathing hurts when the fibro and nerve pain from my spine both flare up together. I mask my condition every day to the outside so that I can work.

I don't think it would work for me, due to the severity of my condtion.

I use Pregablin, co-codamol and natural herbs
To ease my condition: breathing exercises, meditation, TENS machine, cupping as it affects the deep tissue muscle massage can't reach, sports massage, hydrotherapy, swimming, walking, Qi Gong and Yin Yoga -I keep my body moving with gentle exercise and activity

Epsom salts baths or mix with olive oil and rub and massage into the part of my body where it hurts. Put a towel down and wear old clothes as the oil will stain them.

Magnesium is good for reducing muscle spasms/ cramps
I take B12 and vitamin D spray and vitamin C to boost my immune system
No caffeine that agitates my condition- I research foods which are good and bad - that will help- nutrition is very important - foods that reduce inflammation- alkaline based foods- berries, pulses, organic ginger- freshly made juices- I reduced my meat intake and I feel better.

I am in pain 24/7 and I wonder how I even get out of bed some days
I pay privately for a counsellor and have been seeing her for two years now, it's great to have someone to talk to who will listen, support and motivate me. I find I need to have a healthy and positive mindset as the pain can overwhelm me, as in the initial stages of my condition it caused me deep depression and I just couldn't function or cope.

I also facilitate a long term health group, it's great to have other people to talk to who understand just how isolating, frustrating and challenging our conditions can be

I also work within the cultural sector, and we know the benefits of art and culture, so it is my therapy and I use work as my distraction. I am self employed, I can only work 7 months of the year due to my condition, I am lucky to be working at all, I push myself as I couldn't afford to live on benefits. I inform my employers of my condition and they put accomodations in place to support me, it's not easy when neuropathic pain when all the other symptoms is your disability, it's tough. Living on my own I need a good support system around me, healthcare professionals who care and will listen and that isn't always the case. I live in England and my healthcare is free.

I'm glad it worked for you,I wish we could all find solutions, but sadly one size doesn't fit all, and some conditions have no cure.
Take care

These are all great things you are doing. Stretches up to 2X daily are also highly recommended. Between PT and yoga there are many stretches to incorporate based on what your body needs. Also, tincture works best to go low and slow with cannibus. With any edible, I will cut them into fourths and/or small to get to the level of pain that's manageable. Don't be discouraged, it takea trial and error with cannibus just like when a doc is attempting to manage pain with different Rx meds. Read up on the strains of cannibus and affects along with CBD.

Tried mild procedure, no impact. Several laminectomies, all worked for a while. They may not have worked in long term because I may have returned to being too active.

And here’s my story…….

Eight years ago, my husband’s leg all of the sudden started spazzing intermittently. It was suggested he see a neurologist. The neurologist was very thorough and immediately sent him for a CT scan from the top of his head down his entire spine. The scan revealed he had several very large bones spurs in his neck that were suffocating his spinal cord. He needed surgery as soon as possible to prevent any further nerve damage and also the possibility of permanent paralysis. The decision to have surgery was inevitable because the chance of him becoming permanently paralyzed in the near future was very real. Surgery went very well but because of the damage already done by the spurs, after the surgery my husband started experiencing tingling in his hands and feet, and muscle weakness in his legs (neuropathy). He had back issues for many years due to his physical job but nothing overwhelming that he couldn’t handle. But now his back pain is severe and he also developed abdominal wall pain. As soon as he starts walking just a bit he is in intense pain, front and back. He now requires a cane even at home, a walker for short distances, and a mobility scooter for longer ones. He was only 62 when this happened and it has deeply affected both of our lives. He used to be such a strong man constantly working on home projects, working in the yard, building stuff for our grandchildren, traveling. We did so many things together including entertaining family and friends, just enjoying life in general. Now if we visit with our family, after just a few hours we have to leave because his pain becomes unbearable. If we want a longer visit we ask them to come to our home so that he can be in his recliner. We had so many dreams for our retirement which have all faded away. We don’t do much of anything together anymore and just mostly co-exist.

He has been to so many doctors for help including a pain management doctor who suggested a spinal cord stimulator. We had such high hopes but have been very disappointed because it really didn’t help much. My husband said before it was implanted into his back that if the stimulator would help him with at least 50% of his pain, he would be the happiest man in the world. After two years of poor results, he doesn’t even charge it anymore and is probably going to have it removed soon because he’s tired of the bulk in his back that isn’t even helping.

He has lost all hope for the possibility of any further help and has pretty much accepted he will be this way for the rest of his life. I have lost my husband, my companion as a result of this nightmare. Because of the pain meds he takes daily, most of his days are spent on his recliner in front of the TV or sleeping.

Not sure I’m even asking for any advice as I’m starting to give up myself. Just wanted to share our story as I can see with several other posts that we are not alone in this similar battle. 🥺

I know exactly where you are. I am a 83 year old male with severe chronic back pain and horrible balance problems. Have seen 5 neurologists over 7 years and no diagnosis. Saw Chiropractic Doctor who said I have Parkinsons. Neurologist said she doesn't think it is. So doctors disagree and know very little. Next going to Balance Disorder Clinic. Don't have much hope for any conclusive diagnosis. I keep going for sake of my wife, kids and grandkids. I pray your husband gets some relief. God bless.

@lizzerzerd
Have any doctors suggested LDN? The Medical College of Wisconsin is currently running a pilot clinical trial specifically studying LDN for central neuropathic pain after traumatic spinal cord injury. Participants take 4.5 mg daily for 12 weeks, and the study is actively recruiting. (CDEK) (clinicaltrials) This is described as the first study to provide direct evidence on whether LDN can reduce pain and improve quality of life for people with SCI-related pain. (CDEK)

@kjoed53 _. Thank you for your response and suggestion. I will make sure to mention this to my husband’s pain management doctor and see what happens from there. 😁

@ichbindck _ Thank you for sharing your story. I pray for you and all who suffer from such debilitating pain to receive relief soon. 🙂