Neuropathy with back pain exercise

@brennankb55 make sure you have the best surgeon for your surgery. I had the same reaction from my internist about paralysis and I’ve been thru two surgeries for spinal stenosis and they both have been successfully done. One in Sarasota and the other at University of Washington Teaching Hospital. Go for it but get the best.

@brennankb55 Things seem to be moving mighty fast (your condition, not the medical interventions). I applaud you and your husband for looking into/investing in the additional walking and other aids that help you to safely navigate your living space. These constant accommodations of what we need according to how our bodies change are exactly what I was talking about in not knowing what to expect. I am now the proud owner and user of one walker and one rollator each in the car, one rollator for the garage and yard, and two in the house (mine is ranch style) - one that has a seat and the other, not. How did all this come about???
I've never heard of cauda equine compression - I will look that up. For sure, have that top of the line surgeon do your procedure, not "just anyone". Mine was decompression and fusion of L2 - Sacrum - a 7 hour operation because there were other issues that couldn't be detected before the procedure: the large number of bone spurs and resultant scraping was part of it. The only resultant pain was the healing of the sciatic nerve on my left side. It took weeks and weeks. I was so afraid the damage (and pain) were going to be permanent, but I was assured by the surgeon that they were not, and he was right. He said it would take some time, and he was right about that, too. But sure enough, no sciatic pain!
I think one of the most perplexing & disappointing results of all this (mobility issues due to breaking my hip about 10 months after the back surgery, P.N., inability to plan how pain meds may affect me based on exhaustion, combination with other meds, arthritis sometime as a response to changing weather, etc.) is that I'm just not dependable. Responsible, yes, but not able to be relied upon to be present at group events where there may be expectations as to participation. It bothers me to think it may look like I show up only when I want to.
Well, I don't want this to be a rant without end! I am plenty grateful for the way the Lord has provided through my whole life, given me an unbelievably wonderful family, and continues to take care of things, even as this body declines. Life is good. I believe I'm not the first to make that observation!!
Keep us posted. I am praying for you ~
Barb

@loriesco I don't mean to be rude here, but I believe that this site is for sharing experiences, not diagnosing or explaining physiology. By sharing experiences, we can learn from one another and then take that to our doctors for further discussion and research. My kind suggestion would be to share an experience that you've had and allow the person to educate themselves. For instance, I learned that a neurosurgeon did back surgeries from a comment that you and another mentioned, and that my doctors never advised me of! From that little tidbit, I hope to speak to one in the coming weeks to see if I might be a candidate for a minimally invasive laminectomy procedure. I am so grateful for that shared experience!

I hope you have a great day!

@jeraldrondo430 ~ That's great to hear someone had a successful surgery ~ two even! Wow! That's very encouraging. The neuro I've been referred to has a great reputation here in Reno, and his patients seem to adore him. My primary is the one sounding the alarm about paralysis, and he is totally happy with the neuro I'm referred to. Of course, if he's that good and that well-respected, I hope he has time to fit me in!! Putting it God's hands.

@steveinmontana Tomorrow I’m having a minimally invasive endoscopic (not open) 2-level laminectomy. I have a great neurosurgeon from Johns Hopkins who was rated a top doc in MD. He says there is only one nickel hole incision & it’s an out patient surgery. I’ll let everyone know how the surgery & recovery goes. Wish me luck!

@loriesco ~ This isn't a competition or platform over who's right or wrong. I've learned a lot from what people have shared, but I don't tell anyone what they should or shouldn't do, nor do I presume to "correct" anyone about their comments. Doing so would be inappropriate and insensitive, especially when stepping into someone else's conversation. We're all dealing with enough agony here without piling on. Likewise, we all have a lot of experience, information and education to draw on in dealing with various ailments, as long as we share that knowledge in a sympathetic and respectful way. I trust we can all keep that in mind going forward.

@brennankb55 I have the same spine nerve pain that I guess you do as well, I just purchased a unit for my spine and the nerve being pinched and bought a device called "SMOOTHSPINE" I haven't used it yet, but will and you might check them out on the internet!!!!

@doctordeuce
Just curious if you have had any positive results from using SmoothSpine? I have unilateral neuropathy (no pain, just numb on left side of body) due to (presumably) spinal stenosis and nerve compression. Looking at this device but want to understand from someone who has used it if it truly is helpful.

Thank you for any insight you can provide.