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Stenosis/ pain

Spine Health | Last Active: Jul 12, 2023 | Replies (17)

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@amandajro

Hello @zeppo. You mentioned wanting to connect with others with experience with laminotomy so I'd like to also bring in @tekkie3 who has shared about it in the past, in addition to the other members who have already joined you.

How has the epidural and PT been going so far?

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Replies to "Hello @zeppo. You mentioned wanting to connect with others with experience with laminotomy so I'd like..."

The level of your spine where you had surgery will affect which type treatment(s) may bring the most relief. I've had multiple facet joint injections, nerve blocks,
SI joint injections, and RF ablations over the past 10 years. Most were fairly effective to some degree, with RF ablations providing the longest relief per injection of 6-8 months (in the beginning)

My L4-5 laminotomy was almost 4 years ago, and as my condition(s) progressed, many treatments became less effective--ablations and nerve blocks stopped working for my lumbar area, along with the effectiveness of PT and chiropractic treatments.
Although, I still alternate between chiro and PT for cervical and thoracic issues (stenosis, bone spurs and arthritis), as well as between facet and SI joint injections.

Most recently, I have found renewed hope in acupuncture therapy twice a week, which has been effective in relieving muscle tension in my neck and shoulders, spinal inflammation, and all over aches and pains, especially in my lumbar/sacral area.
Every individual's set of health circumstances are completely unique--there is no standard course of treatment for chronic pain--much is trial and error. The only advice I can offer is from personal experience:
1) No two doctors/ specialists are the same, and some are much better than others--do your research! 2) You know your body better than anyone else, even your provider; 3) If you feel your treatment isn't helping you, speak up--your provider's treatment plan is based on what you tell them; and 4) if you don't "vibe" with your provider, feel they don't listen to you, feel they're not helping you or acting in your best interest--don't go back! Try another one. 😊