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Severe Central Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
I am a 48 M that has been generally healthy. I have been diagnosed with severe central stenosis in my C6 and C7 with a disc protrusion, also with moderate stenosis in my C5 -C6.
My conditions have been getting worse over about a year now as I have been feeling pins and needles in the center of my back and sharp pains and numbness in the center of my chest.
Some with days feeling more severe than others. I feel my chest pains are caused more by the health anxiety I am experiencing from this but I'm not 100% sure.
I wake up with tinnitus with numbness and pressure in the base of the back of my head that radiates more on my left side but is bilateral which feels like electric numbness that through the day gets worse leading to headaches and pulsating pressure that becomes really difficult to deal with.
I have many days where my numbness goes into my arms, lower back and sometimes into my legs. Most of it feels more left than right, but do have a sharp pain in my right deltoid. Overall my body feels heavy and dizzy, I barely have an appetite, and feels like there is a general overall discomfort that makes most days difficult to get through.
All this being said, Im obviously scared and hesitant whether I pull the trigger to get the 2 level disc replacement that has been recommended, when the right time would be to do, or what other medications or options I have to get by?
I feel most of the different specialists or the surgeon I've been to hasn't really given me adequate time or consideration I've felt I've needed to understand what is happening or what steps I need to be taking.
Thank you for reading this, I know a lot of people have gone through worse conditions but if you have had this experience or any recommendations I greatly appreciate any guidance.
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I had spinal fusion surgery that was originally to only be L5 to S1.
I was told I had bulging and herniated disc and a host of other problems.
My health insurance company did not approve the surgery request and gave my doctor a list of things that had to be completed before they would approve my surgery. The insurance company made me go through more physical therapy and get another more up to date MRI.
After the MRI my surgeon now said I needed surgery from my L3 to S1 vertebra.
Prior to surgery, My symptoms were terrible constant pain from my hips to my feet, both legs. My symptoms were dizzying and been going on for years. I had been in pain management over 2 years.
My surgeon convinced me that I need the surgery so, I got on board with surgery as the fix to my problems. After a couple months of fighting with the insurance company and a 3rd MRI in 9 months my Surgery got approved, and I had my first 10 hour surgery in November of 2022. Then the first week of December 2022 I had my first 10 hour revision surgery, then on December 20, 2022 I had my 2nd 10 hour Revision surgery, then on December 23, 2022 I had my 3 rd and final 10 hour revision surgery.
After 4 surgeries, my pain from the lower back through both legs to the end of my toes is almost unbearable. I lost sensation in both legs below the knees all the way to my toes. Not a complete loss but it's enough that the loss adds lots of extra pain.
I have since found out I am a type 2 diabetic. Makes me wonder if the pain I was experiencing prior to surgery was diabetic nerve pain.
I truly regret having my surgery
I regret not seeking out a 2nd and 3rd surgery evaluation.
My insurance company fought the doctor's surgery recommendation. The insurance company's medical staff said I didn't need the surgery and all conservative methods were not exhausted. Chiropractor's are a conservative method used to eliminate pain originating from the spine.
I wish I would have gone to a chiropractor, at least tried to seek out spine adjust before agreeing to surgery.
I have since been told several times by spine surgeons, I did not need surgery.
I learned a terrible lesson.
Surgery so invasive should have 3 surgeons recommending the same surgery and the recommendations should come from doctors who aren't associated with each other.
I am 67. 3 years post surgery. I lost my job. I have major issues from my belly button down to my toes and no doctor can fix what got broken.
No one should ever tell you what to do or recommend what you should do.
We should only share our stories so you can judge the positive with the negative and slowly piece together your game plan.
I did not ask enough questions about why I needed surgery or what could go wrong. I only heard what could go right. I did not seek out any type of support.
I did not protect myself and now I have to live with what I allowed to happen to me.
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2 ReactionsBest to get the surgery while you are young and before neurological symptoms worsen. Your symptoms may completely resolve after surgery but in some patients at least some of the symptoms persist. I would recommend a university or large regional medical center. Ask the surgeon how many of your type surgeries he does, the hospital does, his/her complication rate and failure rate. You should be able to find national averages on line to compare.
Changes in blower or bladder function can signal it is time for surgery on a more urgent basis, so be on the lookout
It doesn’t sound like it’s urgent so you have time for third or fourth opinions. Some say the surgeons primary role is in the OR. I believe you can find a surgeon who is technically proficient while also having a good bedside manner and is willing to talk you through the surgery, the recovery, and answer all your questions. You deserve this.
Also before you have surgery you are at an increased risk for complications from falls, car accidents, any kind of neck trauma. So be safe
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1 ReactionThank you for sharing your story, so sorry that you continue to be in pain even after surgery. I have spinal stenosis and a bulging disc at L5-S1, I have had the pain for 8 mth's now, and waiting to get a 2nd injection in hopes that it will help.
I had a spinal fusion 11 years ago. It couldn’t be done until every other procedure was tried like a chiropractor. Physical Therapy, acupuncture, etc. They did the surgery on L5-S1. They sent me home alone without care. I ended up in the hospital emergency room 3 times because I was told that I couldn’t live alone during the 6 month recovery. I lined with my daughter for 3 months after. I am still dealing with pain and working with a pain specialist for 7 years. He tried 7 procedures including a spinal stimulator and nothing helped. I am on Norco. Without it, I couldn’t do the daily routine of life. I’m still limited to what I can do and may try a pain pump to get off of Norco. I am 73 and in perfect health except for back pain. I’m not giving up.
Like you, I needed surgery done on my neck because of a ruptured disc at the C5-C6 level that gave me heart attack like symptoms the day before Christmas eve in 2016. I was also experiencing random shocks of pain all over my body with zero warning for almost 2 years beforehand. After having that procedure done, the random stabbings were 90% better. However, less than 2 years later, I started having symptoms again, and ended up needing another spinal fusion done at the C7-T1 level in 2018. Since then those issues have been mostly addressed, but I still have to deal with osteoarthritis and neuropathy in my feet.
My recommendation would be to have the procedure done, since you haven't even hit 50 yet. The younger you are the faster you should be able to recover.