Has anyone suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis? Did you have surgery?

@chas93your welcome take care of yourself

@gailb - is the dr a chiropractor? where/how did you find him?

@barbarn

Yes, he's a chiropractor. I found him by Googlein "ART practitioners in my area." When I got the list I looked at each one's ART training and certifications and choose the one with the most certifications. I lucked out and he is excellent. I also asked a favorite therapeutic masseuse if he knew anything about Dr.Andrews and he said that the Dr was his chiropractor! Great recommendation.

Hi, here we are. January 2019. In Florida from Canada for the winter. Heard about minimally invasive surgery...consult and assessed to find severe impingement L5 nerves, accompanying stenosis. Bone spurs are a complicating factor and major surgery is recommended. ++++pain, numbness, tingling both legs, predominantly calves and feet. So I'm pretty discouraged. Canada jyst tells me "you are a chronic pain patient. That's it. That's all." I'm 70....my life can't be over already?

@katie215 Welcome to our wonderful group Did you have the surgery? Was it open or non,-invasive? I ask as I had a L2fracture and now impinged nerves so I can relate to the pain I did find Tai Chi that has helped @Parus recommended Don Fiore for the instructor on You Tube

I had facet joint injections in August as have degenerated bone disease in lower spine . I sobbed through whole process pleading with them to stop . I have rang clinic 27 times for earlier appointment to see doctor sooner as in excruciating pain since , being to a/e three times and got 2 Valium . I'm presently on tradol. Lycra.oxcotin. And antiflamitries but nothing even hitting pain which now apart from my back is now crippling my left leg . I eventually got call off some doctor whom iv never met sounded Asian warning me to stop ringing his clinic and hung up on me not even allowing me to speak . I now have appointment tomorrow and am literally suicidal if they do nothing for me . Please can anyone advise I'm literally at the end of line here , I was working full time before this now I can't even walk ,sit or stand , xxxxx

@lioness Thank you so much for even finding me tonight and responding. No surgery. Too complicated for minimally invasive laser. As a Canadian, it's virtually impossible to see a neurosurgeon. Wait times could be up to 6 years. My assessment at Laser Spine Institute was complete and thorough and although they wanted to help me, my situation would require fusions, removal of bone spurs leaving me with the possibility of not having enough support bone; requiring further surgery. At my age, 70...formerly active, I'm devastated. +++pain killers surely cannot be my steady diet going forward. I checked in here at Mayo Connect...for information and wondering if it would actually be worthwhile to ask a Mayo to review my case. We are self pay.

@katie215 I'd like to ask @john Bishop to email you he is very knowledgeable about Mayo. The things that I,ve found to help is Ice for the inflammation ,heat helps to heal and feels good ,a Tens Unit it relaxes your muscles Tai Chi by Don Fiore on u tube This has helped with the nerves as mine where burny nerves in thighs .I also go to my chiropractor he uses the Tens first with ice or heat I prefer the ice ,backs are difficult I have since 05 when I fractured my back been on Tramadol 50 mg. Only 1 or 2 now I wish you luck

Hi @jackpet6 and welcome to Connect. It must be so frustrating to be put through that much pain and not find sympathy in your providers.

I wanted to introduce you to fellow Connect members @jenniferhunter @gailb and @parus as they have some experience with this condition and may be able to offer support for you.

Back to you, are you seeing a different doctor than before at your appointment tomorrow?

@jackpet6 My experience was in cervical stenosis, and the only thing that helped was having surgery to free my spinal cord. Have you talked to surgeon? You have been in pain a long time since August. Do you have recent imaging that shows what is going on in there? I did use Arnica gel topically to help calm nerve pain, and my physical therapist used a Dolphin neurostimulator that works by sending an electric current between 2 hand held devices which temporarily blocks the neurotransmittors for pain.. She did that at my nerve roots while I was looking for a surgeon to help me. I was turned down 5 times, so I understand your frustration. I chose not to do spinal injections after having a bad reaction to the first one, and they don't fix the problem.