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Severe spinal stenosis: Would you do surgery?

Posted by collierga @collierga, Jan 15, 2020

Hi there
I am new to this group. I am a 64 yr old female, in basically good health. Hip replacement 10/2018 with no complications.. Currently have no pain only bilateral finger numbness with minor lower left arm numbness. For the most part does not interfere with my daily living activities
Diagnosed with severe cervical stenosis via MRI in 8/2019,C-3-4 shows severe disc degeneration, moderate to severe bilateral formalin narrowing due to uncinate spurs/C4-5 same as 3-4 but with broad based disc bulge/5-7 C7-T-1 Degenerative anterolisthesisBroad based disc/osteophytic ridge causing severe central canal narrowing. i have gone to 2 different Neuro surgeons they both say complete opposite treatment plans. One says observe see him if symptoms get worse. The other doctor wants to do 2 surgeries, first through the front, #2 through the back to stabilize. I am leaning towards no surgery but am looking for someone to tell me they had this surgery and are happy t hey had it done. So far when i talk to people with back/neck issues they say they would never again go through surgery.
Thank you all in advance for you opinions..

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sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Sep 26, 2020
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "@sunnyflower I am so sorry to hear all of this. I am hear if you ever..." + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

@sunnyflower I am so sorry to hear all of this. I am hear if you ever need to type

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Thank you Jen that is so sweet! Make no mistake, in my affliction I am still the most blessed person that I know! My heart swells with gratitude and no matter how bad it gets, I am acutely aware of my innumerable blessings! God has surely allotted me an extra Measure of Faith for which I am deeply humbled. Hope you're having some victory today. I care deeply, Sunny. 🤗🙏🌹♥️

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sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Sep 26, 2020

Hello wisco50, what was your profession? It was the pain meds. I wasn't making good judgment calls on them. Also to have relief from one and a half years of excruciating pain, I thought I was healed! Silly me! I paid such a dear price! Take care, Sunnyflower

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1 reply
wisco50 | @wisco50 | Sep 27, 2020

Sorry for the typos and misused grammar! I was too tired!

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wisco50 | @wisco50 | Sep 27, 2020
In reply to @sunnyflower "Hello wisco50, what was your profession? It was the pain meds. I wasn't making good judgment..." + (show)
@sunnyflower

Hello wisco50, what was your profession? It was the pain meds. I wasn't making good judgment calls on them. Also to have relief from one and a half years of excruciating pain, I thought I was healed! Silly me! I paid such a dear price! Take care, Sunnyflower

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I was a registered nurse, last 22 years in surgical recovery.

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lilypaws | @lilypaws | Sep 27, 2020

I know it sounds scary, but I had a nine hour fusion on my back from T-10 to my pelvis. I feel much better. They were going through my front too, but decided they could just go through the back. I had the surgery at Mayo at Rochester, had an excellent surgeon. You neck will only get worse if you don't get the surgery. I'm glad I had mine. Hoping the best for you and prayers too.

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1 reply
bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Sep 27, 2020
In reply to @sunnyflower "Yes. It was unreal!! The MRI showed that there was bleeding at the sight of my..." + (show)
@sunnyflower

Yes. It was unreal!! The MRI showed that there was bleeding at the sight of my first surgery on the inside so they knew I was in trouble and also some of the the remaining disc from the first surgery, which is gelatinous, had slipped out and was squashing my nerve. Two surgeries 6 days apart but they sure worked!

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@sunnyflower Any surgery scares me but what you are describing is even scarier! Did it get rid of all the pain or just a percentage?

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1 reply
sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @lilypaws "I know it sounds scary, but I had a nine hour fusion on my back from..." + (show)
@lilypaws

I know it sounds scary, but I had a nine hour fusion on my back from T-10 to my pelvis. I feel much better. They were going through my front too, but decided they could just go through the back. I had the surgery at Mayo at Rochester, had an excellent surgeon. You neck will only get worse if you don't get the surgery. I'm glad I had mine. Hoping the best for you and prayers too.

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WOWzers, a 9-hour surgery! I am so glad you feel much better now!!!!! I can't imagine how your recovery went. Did you have to stay in a rehab for physical therapy, etc.? Thanks so much for the prayers. We'll see. I may be able to wait a bit. Have to have my brachial artery stenosis fixed first. I'm concerned as the causes can be serious such as periferal artery disease. It's more than 50% stenosed and it is rare. I see vascular surgeon 10/12. I've already had the ultrasound and now it's most likley an invasive fix. I'm scared b/c I'm right handed and I don't heal well. More stuff, new day but I know God will go ahead of me to make (prepare) the way (Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.", and will be with me for it all. Take good care, Sunnyflower

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sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "@sunnyflower Any surgery scares me but what you are describing is even scarier! Did it get..." + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

@sunnyflower Any surgery scares me but what you are describing is even scarier! Did it get rid of all the pain or just a percentage?

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Hi Rachel! I'm sorry but I don't know what you're referring to? Oh wait, I think it's my 2 L4 and L5 back surgeries 6 days apart in the late 1990s? Yes, it completely erased my intolerable pain! All three of my discectomy/lamenectomies worked!!!!! The third was a fusion b/c I have spondylolisthesis and my vertebrae wouldn't stay in place so kept squashing the nerve/s. So much pain of such a severe degree for so long; probably 3 years all together as I they kept trying things like 3 steroid injections to see if it would shrink the disc or whatever they think. Geesh! Anyway, all fixed now except for the canal stenosis. That is more scary b/c it's inside the canal which houses the spinal cord and spinal nerves. I will have to keep my focus on the One in control of my circumstances and not my circumstances! That requires a lot of bible study and prayer. Hope you're still sane and having some victory over your circumstances. Warmest big hugs, Sunnyflower

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2 replies
sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Sep 28, 2020
In reply to @sunnyflower "Hi Rachel! I'm sorry but I don't know what you're referring to? Oh wait, I think..." + (show)
@sunnyflower

Hi Rachel! I'm sorry but I don't know what you're referring to? Oh wait, I think it's my 2 L4 and L5 back surgeries 6 days apart in the late 1990s? Yes, it completely erased my intolerable pain! All three of my discectomy/lamenectomies worked!!!!! The third was a fusion b/c I have spondylolisthesis and my vertebrae wouldn't stay in place so kept squashing the nerve/s. So much pain of such a severe degree for so long; probably 3 years all together as I they kept trying things like 3 steroid injections to see if it would shrink the disc or whatever they think. Geesh! Anyway, all fixed now except for the canal stenosis. That is more scary b/c it's inside the canal which houses the spinal cord and spinal nerves. I will have to keep my focus on the One in control of my circumstances and not my circumstances! That requires a lot of bible study and prayer. Hope you're still sane and having some victory over your circumstances. Warmest big hugs, Sunnyflower

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Oooops, so sorry Jen not Rachel!!!!!!! So many don't sign off w/ their names so I get really mixed up. As soon as I sent this I realized the error of my ways! Please forgive me, Sunny

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bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Sep 29, 2020
In reply to @sunnyflower "Hi Rachel! I'm sorry but I don't know what you're referring to? Oh wait, I think..." + (show)
@sunnyflower

Hi Rachel! I'm sorry but I don't know what you're referring to? Oh wait, I think it's my 2 L4 and L5 back surgeries 6 days apart in the late 1990s? Yes, it completely erased my intolerable pain! All three of my discectomy/lamenectomies worked!!!!! The third was a fusion b/c I have spondylolisthesis and my vertebrae wouldn't stay in place so kept squashing the nerve/s. So much pain of such a severe degree for so long; probably 3 years all together as I they kept trying things like 3 steroid injections to see if it would shrink the disc or whatever they think. Geesh! Anyway, all fixed now except for the canal stenosis. That is more scary b/c it's inside the canal which houses the spinal cord and spinal nerves. I will have to keep my focus on the One in control of my circumstances and not my circumstances! That requires a lot of bible study and prayer. Hope you're still sane and having some victory over your circumstances. Warmest big hugs, Sunnyflower

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@sunnyflower when is your next surgery?

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