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Spinal stenosis. Any recommendations?
Spine Health | Last Active: 6 hours ago | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
I’m an 82 year old female who was diagnosed with spinal stenosis about 5 years ago. I’m sure I’ve had it much longer but that’s when the pain got much worse. I was told only remedy was surgery. I wasn’t interested as I didn’t know anyone at the time with a successful back surgery.
I tried the injections and initially they really helped a lot. However, the last two didn’t help much at all. Now over the last few months my pain has shifted. Instead of being in my hips and down my right leg, it has settled in my lower back. I was scheduled for another injection so I told pain dr about the shift. It would seem if pain shifted, things have changed in my back and maybe I need a new MRI but dr just said we can discuss when you come for injection.
I’ve tried Gabapentin and Pregabalin but neither helped. I take two Extra Strength Tylenol twice a day. I use a cane in the morning because I can’t stand up straight for maybe the first hour I’m up. I’ve decided to use a cane when I leave the house as I feel more stable in walking and I’ve been told I stand straighter, rather than slightly hunched over.
I went to chiropractor but after looking at my MRI, he said he didn’t feel he could help. I’ve just started PT again. First time it didn’t seem to help but I’m not sure I was diligent about the exercising. This time I’m doing them each day. It won’t cure anything but hopefully it will strengthen my midsection. I weight 135 and am 5’2” tall.
So I’m looking for tips from others on how they deal with this. If I was in good health, I might consider a minimally invasive procedure but because of three leaky heart valves I have, it doesn’t seem like a good idea. Any thought on meds you’ve tried, back braces you may use or anything else, I’d appreciate hearing from you. I do have an appointment with my orthopedist next week and I have a list of questions to ask.
Replies to "I’m an 82 year old female who was diagnosed with spinal stenosis about 5 years ago...."
I have severe L4/5 stenosis with sciatica pains. I have avoided surgery by learning and following the Gokhale Primal Posture Method.
I haven’t experienced a sciatica pains in several years now.
I had an L 4-5 hemilaminectomy in 2023 because of spinal stenosis. I could barely walk 5 minutes without excruciating pain. I was thrilled with the surgery. I can still walk, even with the TLIF a year later. I was diligent about exercises and walking.
I'm now facing laminectomy of L3-4. I've gone for a second opinion and that helped me understand better what's going on and convinced me to go back to my original neurosurgeon who specializes in spine surgery.
There are more horror stories about back surgery than success stories. People with success don't typically need to talk about it. I'd say my experience was mixed. Success is I can walk now. Pain is different but it doesn't stop me until I stop.
Hi loonylady, I am a 80 year old male and was diagnosed with severe degenerative disc disease from C3 to C7 with stenosis in April. I have severe pain in my shoulder, down my arm with numb fingers. I have had several x-rays, MRI, CT scan and waiting on a EMG. My pain doctor nor my spinal surgeon will not give me a treatment plan until the EMG. I have been on several medications including an epidural, which did not help. My PC step in and put me on 150mg of Pregabalin 2 times a day and 5mg of Baclofen 3 times a day and I have my life back. Not sure if this information helps. Hopefully all goes well as you go forward.
All I do is take vitamin D with K3 and B vitamins and turmeric. and magnesium and I seem to be doing OK.
I got a temporary handicap placard and renew it every six months. I also do the glute strengthening
exercises along with reading "Healing Back Pain" by John E Sarno (A NY Times Bestseller).
For meds I use diclofenac as needed and tylenol w/ codeine. The pain is still there but it helps a bit.
I had severe stenosis at L3-S1 and finally decided to go ahead with surgery on 3/30/26. My results have been excellent. My back pain is gone along with my sciatica. I am very glad I had the surgery. If you do decide on surgery at some point make sure you have the best surgeon you can find. I had a laminectomy and fusion at L3-S1 and I now need the same surgery on my cervical spine. I have an appointment this week to discuss new MRI findings with my orthopedic spine surgeon. I am hoping it can wait a little longer so that I am fully recovered from my back surgery. Everything points to at least a year to fully recover. I know this is not an easy decision because it took me a year to make the decision to have the surgery. Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do!
loonylady, what does your MRI say what is going on at the levels of your stenosis.
At age 83 selected surgery for spinal stenosis, as surgeon wouldn't suggest or perform at a later age. Had 10 years of no pain (great success). At 94 developed spinal arthritis and am living with that at 96. I never regretted the surgery and suggest a good and conservative surgeon can give you a better back (and life)
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Try Tylenol arthritis and physical therapy at home.