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What helps spinal stenosis besides surgery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Sep 12 12:03am | Replies (167)Comment receiving replies
I am asking the same question...I am 85 and woke on New Years day with burning pain from my neck down my left arm to my outside left leg. I live in the boonies and the doctor factor is bad. I had to wait 4 days to see someone. I used cold and heat compresses with advil for pain. By the time I saw the doctor my pain was very little. I had x-rays and MRI and the DX is Degenerative disc disease with narrowing of C-45 and C5-6 and C6-7 .At this age I do not want surgery ,so the doctor referred me for PT which I did for 3 weeks and was released. I have no pain. I was referred to a Pain Management team but not until March. Currently my doctor wants to give me every 6 months a shot to increase bone density. I am a care giver for my husband and anything I decide with impact him as well. My concern...paralaysis! Will consider all thoughts at this time.
Replies to "I am asking the same question...I am 85 and woke on New Years day with burning..."
@ellie1937 It sounds like your doctor is looking out for you in recommending injections to increase bone density. That would be very important if you were to become a spine surgery patient. What sometimes happens in the elderly (and it happened to my mom) is a spontaneous compression fracture of the spine due to severe osteoporosis. That can change your life in an instant and require either a bone cement procedure or a brace with rehab and it could heal with an abnormal curvature creating a spine deformity. Spine problems don't usually head straight to paralysis as there is usually a lot of time and degeneration before that develops, but an injury from a fall or traffic accident can be another story. There again, bone quality maters. My mom broke her foot just by standing on it causing a fall that broke her pelvis in 3 places. She spent 3 months in nursing home rehab, and needed round the clock care giving after that and I had to jump in and help. These are great conversations to have with your doctors. Good for you for advocating for yourself.
Jennifer
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I find that Excedrin Extra Strength helps with pain from stenosis and pinched nerve. Much more effective than Advil and Tylenol.
It must say Extra Strength on the box.
It acts immediately to relieve pain. Some people cannot take it if they have reflux issues.
Don’t take it before you go to bed as it has caffeine in it.