Has anyone suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis? Did you have surgery?

Posted by patriciajennye @patriciajennye, Feb 4, 2018

Has anyone suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis and the severe pain that goes with it? Did you have surgery? Mayo Clinic?

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Profile picture for turboc6 @turboc6

I have Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Osteoarthritis. Injections were not effective and surgery was not an option according to my orthopedic doctor. I've been able to vastly improve my condition with Ashtanga Yoga, which includes eight areas of focus consisting of controls for the body and mind. In the course of my practice I've also adopted an Indian Vegetarian diet and prepare all my own meals at home with natural ingredients. As I near my 69th birthday, I'm in better physical and mental shape than I've ever been in my life with the ability to pursue and active lifestyle. All the best in successfully managing your condition.

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@turboc6 Good for you! With spine conditions, proper body alignment and good posture is even more important. Dietary changes reduce inflammation and all of that helps improve health, not just for your spine, but the whole body. It is great that you are staying active. I think that is the key to aging well. Thanks for setting a good example.

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Profile picture for cianci @cianci

Has anyone had L2-pelvis decompression and fusion?
77 year old active male with aches in buttocks and legs for year (coincides with starting statin) has been recommended fot this surgery. Can anybody describe the effectiveness of this procedure?

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I'm just sitting here this morning reading about all of the bad surgeries that different folks have had. I'm 80 yrs. old now and my first bout with back pain was at age 32. The first doctor I went to after months of pain, told me my back looked like I was an 80-year-old lady who worked on a farm all her life. I have seen many doctors over the years, I've had left foot drop, lots of leg weakness and nerve pain, ex-rays, MRI, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. I have been afraid of surgery, which one Nero surgery doctor said I needed. I deal with the pain by sitting when the pain is bad, but for the most part, I walk 2-3 miles on good days. It hurts when I first go out, but after about 1-1/2 miles it is bearable. I do walk bent over and do not have good posture, and I cannot stand for a long time at the kitchen counter because of mid back pain. So I sit and it will ease off. I stretch, do hand weights, walk, and just try to keep as active as possible. And Tylenol is my go-to for pain because I also take blood thinners for AFIB. I also have had 7 joints in different parts of my body injected because of pain, so I may have a type of arthritis that no doctor has ever seen before. I try to keep positive, I deliver meals on wheels one day a week, help a neighbor who is in a wheelchair and have a huge family that keeps me busy. My thoughts control my feelings, so I try not to let the pain rule my life. Cheers!

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Profile picture for jmd5 @jmd5

I'm just sitting here this morning reading about all of the bad surgeries that different folks have had. I'm 80 yrs. old now and my first bout with back pain was at age 32. The first doctor I went to after months of pain, told me my back looked like I was an 80-year-old lady who worked on a farm all her life. I have seen many doctors over the years, I've had left foot drop, lots of leg weakness and nerve pain, ex-rays, MRI, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. I have been afraid of surgery, which one Nero surgery doctor said I needed. I deal with the pain by sitting when the pain is bad, but for the most part, I walk 2-3 miles on good days. It hurts when I first go out, but after about 1-1/2 miles it is bearable. I do walk bent over and do not have good posture, and I cannot stand for a long time at the kitchen counter because of mid back pain. So I sit and it will ease off. I stretch, do hand weights, walk, and just try to keep as active as possible. And Tylenol is my go-to for pain because I also take blood thinners for AFIB. I also have had 7 joints in different parts of my body injected because of pain, so I may have a type of arthritis that no doctor has ever seen before. I try to keep positive, I deliver meals on wheels one day a week, help a neighbor who is in a wheelchair and have a huge family that keeps me busy. My thoughts control my feelings, so I try not to let the pain rule my life. Cheers!

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You are one impressive lady!!!
Cheers to you!!

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Profile picture for jmd5 @jmd5

I'm just sitting here this morning reading about all of the bad surgeries that different folks have had. I'm 80 yrs. old now and my first bout with back pain was at age 32. The first doctor I went to after months of pain, told me my back looked like I was an 80-year-old lady who worked on a farm all her life. I have seen many doctors over the years, I've had left foot drop, lots of leg weakness and nerve pain, ex-rays, MRI, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc. I have been afraid of surgery, which one Nero surgery doctor said I needed. I deal with the pain by sitting when the pain is bad, but for the most part, I walk 2-3 miles on good days. It hurts when I first go out, but after about 1-1/2 miles it is bearable. I do walk bent over and do not have good posture, and I cannot stand for a long time at the kitchen counter because of mid back pain. So I sit and it will ease off. I stretch, do hand weights, walk, and just try to keep as active as possible. And Tylenol is my go-to for pain because I also take blood thinners for AFIB. I also have had 7 joints in different parts of my body injected because of pain, so I may have a type of arthritis that no doctor has ever seen before. I try to keep positive, I deliver meals on wheels one day a week, help a neighbor who is in a wheelchair and have a huge family that keeps me busy. My thoughts control my feelings, so I try not to let the pain rule my life. Cheers!

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I had the spinal stenosis on L4-L5 ..I am also a 75 years old ran my 40 ac hay farm and boarding stable for years. Finally had a Neurologist Surgeon do a Laminectomy on my lower back L4L5. Best thing I have had done. For me no pain after healing. Riding my horse or doing barn work.

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Profile picture for cianci @cianci

Has anyone had L2-pelvis decompression and fusion?
77 year old active male with aches in buttocks and legs for year (coincides with starting statin) has been recommended fot this surgery. Can anybody describe the effectiveness of this procedure?

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Are you using the same surgeon as your laminectomies

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Profile picture for cianci @cianci

Has anyone had L2-pelvis decompression and fusion?
77 year old active male with aches in buttocks and legs for year (coincides with starting statin) has been recommended fot this surgery. Can anybody describe the effectiveness of this procedure?

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I had L4-5 laminectomy for neurogenic claudication with no relief. Surgeon now suggesting possible fusion after reviewing scheduled MRI. What can I expect from a fusion?

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Profile picture for cianci @cianci

Has anyone had L2-pelvis decompression and fusion?
77 year old active male with aches in buttocks and legs for year (coincides with starting statin) has been recommended fot this surgery. Can anybody describe the effectiveness of this procedure?

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I have both and am trying to decide which of these will be best for me to control pain:
—use a TENS unit
—have a medial branch nerve block.
—have a decompressive lamin-
ectomy.
How to best decide??
…..,Mary Freeland

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Has anyone had L2-pelvis decompression and fusion?
77 year old active male with aches in buttocks and legs for year (coincides with starting statin) has been recommended fot this surgery. Can anybody describe the effectiveness of this procedure?

REPLY
Profile picture for cianci @cianci

Has anyone had L2-pelvis decompression and fusion?
77 year old active male with aches in buttocks and legs for year (coincides with starting statin) has been recommended fot this surgery. Can anybody describe the effectiveness of this procedure?

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I would try stopping statins first, a known side effect of these is muscle pain and aches

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Profile picture for kaztaz @kaztaz

I would try stopping statins first, a known side effect of these is muscle pain and aches

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I would agree, but I had two spine surgeons say that even if statin is exacerbating the aches, mri shows impingement of nerves in three locations.
I am slowly resigning myself to surgery. Unless I go for third opinion

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