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.