Neuropathy from lumbar stenosis?

@lewin No, I don't live in Minnesota. I traveled to Mayo. It is a 5 hour drive from my home. It was well worth it. I did travel back for a 6 week follow up and a one year follow up after the spine surgery. Some of that could have been done remotely by getting X-rays and sending them to Mayo. I did that at the 3 month follow up and mailed in X-rays. I also had ankle surgery at Mayo for a fracture, and I did go back when it was time to remove the cast. I also had the hardware removed from my ankle a year later, and I had the stitches taken out by my local doctor, so didn't return to Mayo for only that.

Mayo does take a lot of insurance, and you can check if yours is accepted at
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/insurance

I agree with you Westcom about having the surgery and dealing with any symptoms not fixed later rather than doing nothing and continue in pain. And I appreciate the delicate approach to the doctor involve in discussing pain and new ideas which Jennifer suggested. Help the doctor save face. Thank you both for your comments.

I’m late to the conversation, but I had very successful spinal surgery for spondylothesis L2-3, repair of a disc herniation, disc replacement, and lamenectomies for spinal stenosis done by Dr Mark Knaub, Penn State Spine and Joint Institute, 30 Hope Drive, Hershey, surgery done at Milton Hershey Medical Center four years ago.
After surgery, the terrible leg and back pain was gone. I still have the right leg peripheral neuropathy from the disc herniation, so numbness and balance are issues, pain waking me up at night maybe every other week.
It takes awhile to get an appointment, but take a look at his CV, he’s very accomplished. The care at MHMC was excellent.

Thank you so much for this information. I am so grateful. I live about two hours away from Hershey. I will look at his CV and try to get on list to see him as Mayo is pretty far away.

I live 2 hours north of Hershey, it is definitely worth the effort to go there. Did you see Dr Knaub did a lot of his medical training at the University of Pittsburgh?! He must be good!

I am in dreadful pain and the medication namely Gapapentin is not working. Never been like this getting worse and it all started in 2020.

Hello @fisbo. I am sorry the Gabapentin isn't working for you and you feel as though things are getting worse.

You will notice that I have moved your post into a discussion on Neuropathy from Lumbar Stenosis, which you can find here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-from-lumbar-stenosis/

Can you share a bit more about your worsening symptoms as well as what, if any, next steps you have planned for care?

I have arranged for a second opinion with neurology and I am going to a foot clinic who say they may be able to help. My feet and lower legs are very painful and it is basically ruining my life. I could not find where you put my post but I will have another look. It's a moan really though isn't it!

Quick comment about Mayo Rochester. I live 1200 miles from Rochester MN. After seeing various neuro docs in South Jersey and Philadelphia, I figured if I want to get the best advise, I have to see the best. Went in Feb 2020. Brrr!! They were above fantastic and although I walked away with no conclusive reason for my neuropathy, to this day, I have no regrets in going. They are on the cutting edge of many types of tests and are sensitive to your schedule while being there. The best without any doubt.

Lyrica has worked better for me than Gabapentin and I also take Amitryptelene. These are not silver bullets, but they help.