Lumbar stenosis and bowel issues

@dabswquestions2 Hello and welcome to Connect. I found some discussions for you where you may connect with members are talking about spinal stenosis and constipation. After spine surgery, there may also be constipation issues related to anesthesia and pain medicine prescriptions. Compression of the spinal cord may be associated with bowel or bladder dysfunction. I am a cervical spine surgery patient for spinal cord compression and I did have trouble emptying my bladder. It was intermittent for awhile while my physical therapist was working on my neck and realigning it. When muscle spasms shifted my vertebrae, the symptoms re-occurred. Since my surgery, it was all resolved.

Myelopathy and constipation
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myelopathy-and-constipation/
Spine Health - "Lumbar stenosis and bowel issues"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lumbar-stenosis/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352961

It can. Spinal maps just give you an idea of which vertebra are more likely involved with digestive function
https://www.britannica.com/science/autonomic-nervous-system
The inability to exercise with severe stenosis as well as most of the medications for the pain resulting from stenosis contribute to slowing peristalsis.
Too much calcium and not enough magnesium can also contribute.

Thank You,
@jenniferhunter

Greatly appreciated!

@dabswquestions2 - The short response: Maybe.

Consider all the important nerves that can be squeezed by lumbar stenosis - and you can see why doctors struggle to definitively identify every bodily "problem" attributable to the stenosis. My own experiences included many uncomfortable bowel issues.

Have you been officially diagnosed with lumbar stenosis? You describe your stenosis as "severe"...did the doctors describe it that way? Do you have a strategy to address the stenosis - especially if it is of a severe nature?

I had to have a fusion done. It failed and so I now have a spinal cord stimulator in my Lumbar. I an I receive periodic injections for pain that has developed due to arthritis in the area of the fusion. God bless you dabswquestions2. brotherchuckles80

Lumbar stenosis could potentially affect your lower GI system function. Lots of nerves run through lower lumbar spine so depends on degree of injury. But if you’re on narcotic pain medication this can also cause constipation issues without adequate fluid and fiber intake.

Thank you @ jenatsky!

@phil ...

Yes, I do have a strategy. Thanks for asking. Presently working on stretches, weight loss, and an inversion table; and always PRAYER! My Doc has diagnosed and explained why it is labeled as "severe", due to the areas impacted; L3-4-5 and S1. At this time, decompression surgery is more likely than not.
Thank you, @upstatephil, for the input!

@dabswquestions2 - I love your strategy! Every piece of it can be important to you. Please keep us informed on how you're doing. As you encounter new questions, send them along, please. Wishing you the best.