Connect
Does anyone have Spinal Stenosis that is extremely bad at wake up?
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?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.
Connect
Checkout NeuroMD on web
For all of the people on here experiencing pain from a compromised spine (well, that's everyone) - I learned recently that stress from chronic pain can increase the resting heart rate. Stress from pain causes the body to produce more cortisol, and this affects the heart.
I'm not a huge fan of supplements, but one that I've taken in the past has worked, l-theanine. It's supposed to help calm and reduce stress. I'm not sure that it made me feel a lot better, but it did seem to ease my stress levels.
Getting good quality supplements can be a challenge. I buy all of mine from Pure Encapsulations. These are expensive, but they do seem to be of high quality.
http://www.pureencapsulations.com
All the best to all of you!
Joe
haha - I'll play doctor then - (but its common sense ;-). the reason you have problems in the morning (as most of us do - is because your body has been laying horizontal all night and the fluids back up. When you wake and transfer to a vertical position the fluids are needing to reposition and redistribute themselves. It takes 45 minutes (average) for this to occur. Weather/barometric pressure change exacerbates my problems as does cold. Also, food/alcohol can wreak some havoc. We are 96% water and that has an impact. My suggestion would be for you to check out the weather and salts you may consume. I have edema. That is also a problem as too much salts retain extra water putting pressure on my joints. Try to increase your circulation throughout the day (a little walk several times) so when you go to bed it won't be as bad in the morning. Also, gentle self-massage before bed and definitely upon waking. Stretch what you can, and you will be able to stretch more as days go by. Alcohol is a trigger as it dehydrates you and then your body rushes while sleeping to normalize your moisture balance. Stenosis is the channels getting smaller to push your bloodstream through. If you have edema, like I do, it is more difficult because there is more pressure on the stenosis joints when you sleep upon waking. Self massage really helps. Get some periodic acupuncture in if you can afford it - it keeps the circulation moving.
Would love to know your self massage techniques
here are a bunch! I didn't know if you like to read them or watch videos so you can choose what you like: https://www.google.com/search?q=self+massage+techniques&oq=self+massage+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCEAAYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABNIBCDYwNDJqMGo3qAIIsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8