Connect
Please describe your spinal stenosis pain. Im confused.
I was diagnosed recently with spinal stenosis but it was by accident from a scan done for a different reason.
The pain I’m having comes and goes for long lengths of time. I feel it all the way across the lower back and sort of just above that, slightly above the waist. It’s a gnawing pain. Almost like bad menstrual cramps. I’m not sure if it’s even caused by the stenosis and don’t want to pursue invasive treatments if this is something else. It’s been difficult in this very rural area to get a definitive answer. Thank you!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.
Connect
My pain is a dull ache, cramp, or sharp burn in the back or neck. It gets worse when standing or walking. It feels better when you sit down or bend forward.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@mikeb39a thank you for reply. Is your dull ache in your low back? And it sounds like your pain isn’t always present, but comes and goes especially when having to stand or walk?
My lower back pain (stenosis) is a very bad burning sensation. It comes and goes. Mostly when I stand to long or sit too long. And many times the burning pain hits me just before bedtime. But I've been told, but not for sure, that the burning pain could be caused by the peripheral neuropathy in my lower body. No matter what...it is very PAINFUL.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@louisy: There are mentors on this forum who will likely be able to advise more from their personal experience but I can welcome you with this guide from Mayo that explains causes/diagnosis/treatment options in more detail: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352961
Does that help?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactionslouisy, does the MRI mention what is narrowing the spinal space? It could be ligament, disc, boney growth, each might explain the occasions of pain. Is it central canal stenosis of peripheral. If you don't have a copy of the MRI, the lab that ran the images will send it to you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@kayejen that’s interesting. They think it’s related to your peripheral neuropathy but what’s causing that?? So hard to get definitive answers. Thank you for sharing!
@grammato3 wow thank you! Good information from a great institution!
@gently I will get the report and have a look. There were a few terms I had to look up. I remember one meant a disc was slipping over another one which was probably in the direction of my spinal column. But there was more so I’ll print it out and look closer. Thank you!
louisy, good memory. https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spondylolisthesis/degenerative-spondylolisthesis-treatment I could suggest both chiropractic and physical therapy, even without experiencing spondylolisthesis. I hope your rural area has several. From your pain description your slippage must be low grade. And it sounds as though chiropractic care might not only shorten the long episodes, but also prevent advancement. Physical therapy could strengthen the abdominals and low back muscles lessening the strain on the ligaments that hold the vertebra in alignment.