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Severe spinal stenosis
Age 71yo old gal here. L5S1 autofusion, Grace II spondylolisthesis. Severe spinal stenosis complicated by significant impingement L5 nerves, both foramen caused by loss of foramenal height. Extensive spurring. Surgery ruled out due to possible need to refracture autofusion.
Ergo, surviving with opioid "cocktail", gabapentin, +++twisting, burning, stabbing pain, both calves and thighs, 24/7.
Very cooperative helping husband but wearing thin on perseverance here. Cannot imagine another 10+ years of this with a brain that's operating at warp speed.
Perhaps there is someone somewhere sharing these same issues looking at same future.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m pretty much convinced that my particular issue isn’t a result of the stenosis. I am happy that you got relief!
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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14 Reactions@mick472 what is happening while you are asleep? Can you see a PT or OT for advice on this? (I have lumbar and cervical stenosis and the cervical gives me trouble when I wake, mainly because I cannot find the right pillow-?)
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3 ReactionsI’ve dealt with the same issue in the morning with spinal stenosis. What’s helped me is sleeping with a pillow under my knees to keep my spine aligned, stretching gently before bed, and using a heating pad at night. In the morning, I do light stretches in bed before getting up. It doesn’t eliminate the discomfort, but it helps reduce that stiffness and difficulty walking when I wake up. You might want to ask your doctor about adjusting your routine or meds, too.
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9 ReactionsI’ve had severe spinal stenosis for yrs and the thing you must have is a mattress that’s going to hold your spine up straight while you’re sleeping and a regime of stretching in the morning and at night if you can. I take Tramadol Gabapentin and Tylenol 4 times a day . And you might want to go to pain clinic to try injections for your back they haven’t worked much for me but they do for some. Or you can opt for surgery
Hope that helps good luck
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4 Reactions1) must have a good bed. Soft at the shoulders firm thru the lumbar legs
2) try sleeping a bit elevated
3) MUST TRY: Radio Frequency Ablatia (RFI/RFA) in your stenosis facet joints. It helps better than anything I've ever tried. Not consequential as far as no steroids or drug interactions. Can be a permanent fix. But might need again. there is pulse and heat. Heat only works for me. first time it lasted 15 years for me.
Massage
4) Acupuncture
5) anything that increases circulation and gets the blood through the stenosised joints smoothly.
Maybe you have some modicum of edema. If so, control that and you will feel MUCH better. We get swelling morning/night with edema and creates problems with stenosis.
My stenosis is pretty well controlled now. The ablation was the best thing for me. covered by Medicare.
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4 Reactions@mick472 Welcome to Connect. I understand you are trying to live with the condition, but have your doctors who made this diagnosis offered any treatment such as a surgical decompression?
My spine is a mess of slipped disks which come & go, I have stenosis in my neck and lower spine. Most nights I have to change position from sleeping on my left ( best) to right side. Never on stomach. There have been times upon wakening, I have to take a quick (5 minute) hot shower with the water on my spine or I can barely move. Take no pain pills & doctor advised against Tylenol due to other health issues. The stiffness gets better as I move around but I have to be careful not to do any quick movements, bending etc. I am now trying to lose 10 lbs which I think will help. I am not obese but mildly overweight. I have come down 4 lbs so far and want to lose more by my next physical in November. Mostly be cutting out refined carbs. But I give myself a break on weekends as far as eating. Just turned 77 and I find my appetite isn’t what it was so it’s not much of a problem cutting out certain foods or eating less
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5 ReactionsLook into Gokhale Primal Posture Method. It’s been a great help to me.
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2 ReactionsIn the process of ablation. I pray it works as well for me!
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