Spinal stenosis. Any recommendations?

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.

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’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.

I have severe L4/5 stenosis with sciatica pains. I have avoided surgery by learning and following the Gokhale Primal Posture Method.

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.

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.

@sbcarcht Hi. Did you learn the Gokhale method through the book? or did you complete a session? and if session, was it in-person virtual?

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.