@sakota 9 Joan I don't believe your doctor telling you surgery does not help stenosis. I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and after a year they did a big fusion back surgery. Because I have degeneration that caused a scoliosis and stenosis in my L-4 and L-5 to S1 the surgeon had to go from T-10 to my pelvis. It was a 9 hour surgery. You have to have a lot of patience in the recovery. I'm 68 and you are older with other problems, so you may not be a candidate for surgery. I'm not a doctor so really can't tell if surgery would work for you or not, but since recovery I feel confident it will work, just have to be patient, because it takes time. Jeanie