Questions regarding spinal stenosis

I was prescribed Pregabalin but was not able to deal with the drowsiness it caused. So, I wasn’t able to tell if the prescription was effective.

After years of reporting tingling in my fingers, hands and sometime forearms, my PCP finally (after telling me not to sleep with my hands bent) ordered xrays. Then I went to an Ortho who ordered MRI and EMG. Yep, cervical spinal stenosis, DDD, cervical lordosis, discs bulging, and bone spurs. My spine is a mess. I failed gaba, then put on pregab. Neither gives me relief whatsoever. I've tried IB800, Tylenol, and tons of CBD. I'm struggling with the numbness as nothing seems to provide relief. This has been going on for a few months. I don't know what else to take to help me. If you find something, please share. (I am doing PT and traction but seems a little late for that when you look at my cervical MRI.) ChatGPT offers Cymbalta as a third option. I'm calling the Dr. for that next.

@tonkatuff Welcome to Connect. Your post mentions a lot of relief management through drugs. Has your spine specialist offered an opinion if surgery would be an option for you? I know that I reached a point when cervical spine surgery was the only option for relief. I am glad that I did it. No regrets.

I landed in this spinal health group from a search for noise sensitivity. Apparently there is some connection for some people between spinal issues and sensitivity to noise. I would have passed on to a discussion centered more on noise sensitivity, but I am intrigued by this link to spinal issues. I am male and currently 72 years old. I had ACDF surgery at University of Pennsylvania hospital in 2016 after months of pain because part of a bone (maybe a spur?) had broken off and was pressing on the spinal cord. I had had long-term cervical pain related to arthritis for years. The left arm was virtually useless before the surgery. An MRI showed that C1 and C2 were fused naturally, apparently from birth. The neurosurgeon had me on the table for three and a half hours and fused everything (as far as I remember) to C5/C6.

Before the surgery, an EMG test showed carpal tunnel in both hands/wrists, although I had no symptoms. I am currently being evaluated for right hand weakness with loss of sensation in the hand and some tingling. A new EMG showed the carpal tunnel again and on the advice of my neurologist, I am using a hand/wrist splint for three months to see if it helps. She says the carpal tunnel is very mild and wonders if I have a pinched nerve, as well,

A couple of years ago, I became very sensitive to noise, to the point that I have to leave the situation causing the noise. It is getting worse and I began looking for reasons which apparently can be from multiple sources.

Given the fact that I have had ACDF surgery and I live with the fusions and continued neck pain, is there any chance the noise sensitivity can be related? I do not have any diagnosed hearing loss, although the audiologist I saw confirms I have a problem filtering noises and I can’t process multiple sounds at once. A connection between cervical spine issues and noise sensitivity seems bizarre to me, but I realize there can be unusual issues with the human body.

Thanks.

Thanks for reaching out. I wish meds were my last resort---but surgery is not on the table so I am trying to manage with the meds (and non Rx methods of relief too). I am so happy for you that surgery provided you with some relief!! Be well. Stay strong.

Ah-ha!
I often wondered if Pain mgmt & physical therapy was a requirement from the ins co before surgery.

I had an operation for spinal stenosis about 3 years ago. I've been trying several things to reduce the pain. I was taking gabapentin & Tramadol 4 times a day. (16 pills). Since the operation, I've tried several things to reduce pain. The latest is a combination of accupuncture and lazar. It seems to be working. At least, I'v had more good days than bad. I'm still taking Tramadol with acetominophyn 4 to 5 times a day. I've also learned to scrap my 4-hour routine for pills if I'm still experiencing some pain 2 hours after my last pill and take another.

You have to keep experimenting to see what works best. I'm doing more walking and exercising by gardening.