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Does anyone have Spinal Stenosis that is extremely bad at wake up?

Posted by mick472 @mick472, Sep 26, 2024

I was just diagnosed a couple months ago with lumbar spinal stenosis. I have good days and uncomfortable days. I am not in severe pain, but very limited on what I can do so I don't aggravate it. But, I am having a terrible time upon wake up for some reason. I have to hold on to doors, wall whatever, as I can hardly walk. It eventually subsides as I take a anti-inflammatory and hang on in a hot shower for about 20 minutes. Does anyone have this problem or better yet a routine at night to help prevent this in the AM?

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kmfdallas | @kmfdallas | 1 day ago
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hi Dallas, Stenosis is a drag. Does it press on your sciatic nerve? You'd notice pain..." + (show)
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Hi Dallas,

Stenosis is a drag. Does it press on your sciatic nerve? You'd notice pain in the back of your legs, buttocks if this is the case. Sounds like you have pretty typical morning stiffness but no leg pain.

Take a look at my comment to jtw on exercises to strengthen the core. These will help your back.

My stenosis got so bad that I had laminotomies on S1/L5/L4 - the surgeon drilled a hole in the back of each vertebra, allowing more space for the sciatic nerve. Simple surgery, doesn't compromise the integrity of the vertebrae. It was either this or fusion, and I didn't want fusion. That was over 10 years ago and still feels good (although my lower back is stiff and sore after sitting too long). There are stretches you can do for the lower back and can just search for them on Google. Ice, not heat, helps as well. I never put heat on my lower back. Feels good but increases inflammation in its wake.

All the best to you!

Joe

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@heyjoe415 the sciatica starts each evening and both legs ache like toothaches. I have brittle bones so my exercised are with my physical therapist

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 12 hours ago
In reply to @kmfdallas "@heyjoe415 the sciatica starts each evening and both legs ache like toothaches. I have brittle bones..." + (show)
Profile picture for kmfdallas @kmfdallas

@heyjoe415 the sciatica starts each evening and both legs ache like toothaches. I have brittle bones so my exercised are with my physical therapist

Jump to this post

Thanks Dallas, and I'm so sorry for what you're going through.

I've had two bouts of sciatica - the first one resolved after about a month, but it was awful. Felt like an icepick in my calf.

The second bout was many years later. The disc at S1/L5 had partially ruptured. A surgeon used a minimally-invasive surgery (is that an oxymoron?) to remove the disc fragment and create room for the sciatic nerve via lamintomy. Still haven't need fusion, and that's why I keep my core strong.

Is surgery an option for you, probably fusion, but maybe something less intense? What does your back surgeon think? I imagine having osteoporosis (brittle bones) also plays a factor.

I dread fusion surgery. I've had four joints replaced - both knees, one hip, one shoulder - and got almost immediate pain relief. But if sciatica came back and the pain was chronic, I guess I'd do the fusion.

In the meantime, I suggest icing your lower back to reduce inflammation around the sciatic nerve. Never use heat as it results in inflammation and more pain.

All the best to you Dallas, and I sincerely hope you find some relief.

Joe

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