Stenosis/ pain

Hi Zeppo ~I can totaly relate to the pain your experiencing ! Dealing with nerve pain beats you up and wears you down quickly. I reached a point years ago that I asked my surgeon to cut my leg off do to nerve pain.
I'm new to connect and haven't had a chance to fill out my profile. I am an RN dealing with chronic pain for over 12 years following a L knee replacement, fractured femur above implant, 2 revisions same knee, Surgery for Partial denervation of L knee and neuromas along my Saphenous nerve. All of this contributing to back and hip damage.
I Have severe compression of nerve root L2-L3-L4 -S1.

*This is the first question I responded to. When I read that you are already thinking about surgery I had to respond.
Surgery is the last resort !!!!!

There are many other options to try :
****I have used acupuncture , Physical therapy, orthopedic massage. K-Taping,
STRETCHING !!!!! (This is vital for any back issues and pain It is amazing when you can learn the trigers and signs of nerve pain especially from a pinched nerve ( ask your doctor or Physical Therapist before doing on your own) , Yoga, meditation, medications, TENs Unit ( Again ask your doctor or PT first ) and Medical Cannabis .
ALL HAVE HELPED.
***** THE TEN'S UNIT , when pads are placed in the correct position, I GET IMMEDIATE RELIEF FROM Back Pain that radiates to hips, left leg and knee.

I wonder if you had any relief from the epidural ? I had zero relief from bilateral epidural.
There are a number of different type injections and nerve blocks doctors use.

I have been for a number of consults. Now my spine specialist/ pain managemnet wants to do RAF to 8 nerve roots. I am still not sure and keep researching and asking questions.....

You can stop non surgical treatment options anytime without further damage. But once they cut, and it may come to that, there is no turnig back.

I hope you will find some of this advice helpful and try some to get even temporary relief so you can make choices with a clear mind and not just jump into surgery. What works for one doesn't for another. Research all the possible complications.

I empathize with you ... Hang in there !!!

I also have severe stenosis and I can tell you that the physical therapy will do you more good than anything you can take for pain glad to know you’ve started it I also go to pain clinic for Tramadol and some shots that helps some too

Sound familiar. I too will avoid surgery until there’s no other choice. Too much risk to too little benefit compared to other options, all of which you mentioned.
Know that you are not alone.

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?

Hi Amanda,
Well I’ve had PT now , about 5 sessions and I’m not really noticing any change. Just had the epidural 5 days ago, the dr said it may take 7-10 days to see any effect. So am feeling discouraged. I have stenosis and mild scoliosis. Starting a new regimen of acupuncture next week. This is an acupuncturist who has experience with stenosis. Re the epidural, about 85% people have some improvement. I hope to see some change soon.

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. 😊

Greetings @zeppo, this is @artscaping. I have received your private message and would like you to consider the value of my public response on Connect. These posts are read by so many people who may benefit from the discussion.

In reading your posts I feel like you are a bit on a merry-go-round. You are seeking help with a tough and sensitive condition. Your decisions are huge and have tremendous potential to be beneficial to your overall health.

I would like to share with you that I have had stenosis with one spine surgery failure and then a successful laminectomy. If I remember correctly, I was on the golf course with a 5 iron within a few months. I had to get ready for a Jack & Jill tournament where my surgeon would be playing against me.

Believe it or not, that was 45 years ago. I don't even know what pain medications I used. Obviously, CBD was not around in my world at that time. However, if that were today, I would be looking for the best solution just as I have done now when faced with other orthopedic and painful nerve conditions.

Today, with SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and some old and tired knees, shoulders and hands, I have sought pain control from medical cannabis including CBD/THC tinctures and topicals. THC actually has an enabling effect on CBD. Used together and in appropriate dosages, many find relief. For example, you might find relief from chronic pain with a 3:1 CBD/THC dosage. If you have acute pain, you may prefer a 1:3 CBD/THC dosage. So....as you might guess, I have both in my medicene cabinet.

The other situation to consider is the proverbial "everyone is different". What works for me might not work for you. With medical cannabis, you are your own prescriber. In some states, there are cannabis pharmacists who can help you get started. I use different dosages in the morning than in the evening. Once you learn "what works when" you can plan your day accordingly.

I hope this is a helpful introduction and I will be happy to respond to your "wonderments" within the forum.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

I have severe lumbar spinal stenosis. L4 &5. My neuropathy and leg cramping came after that diagnosis. It just seems to be getting worse. Any suggestions. I don’t want surgery. A laminectomy

@marilyn14, There is another discussion on the same topic here that you might find helpful - Stenosis/ pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stenosis-pain/

I’ve had physical therapy,acupuncture,tens unit and epidural. The last helped the back pain a lot. The others didn’t help at all. My back pain isn’t as bad as my leg pain. I don’t think it’s sciatica again. Can’t think what to try. Balance is off too because of the pain in the bottom of my feet