Severe Stenosis in Lumbar Region

I am pleased to hear the outcome of your spinal surgery, with the satisfaction towards the surgical team and your rehabilitation. I am scheduled in June, at Barrow, with a neurosurgeon to inquire about the scoliosis and the hardware from a spinal fusion in 2015 from L5-S1. I appreciate your good and kind words regarding how you prepped yourself post-surgery, as it is very important for the mind to allow healing during rehab. Thank you for your post and a very thoughtful and introspective view, to allow the followers contemplating when navigating their treatments.

My first spine surgery, which included rods for L3 and L4 lasted 20years. But just this past year, when my overall health began to deteriorate, I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disease. The old rods began to fail, and then my L5 deteriorated, setting my pain levels on fire until the day I simply could not get out of bed. Emergency surgery on L4-5 followed, with replacement of the old rods and a new one for L5. Recovery hasn’t been as easy as it was in my’50’s, but at least I can stand up and walk when I feel the need

@sparkleberry Hello and welcome! I love that name, it sounds like a tasty sparkling fruit drink. I am a cervical spine surgery patient, and haven't had your specific experience. How far along are you with your recovery? Are there still some goals you are working toward?

Jennifer

In the near future, I’m supposed to have surgery to correct my severe spinal stenosis + have lumbar spinal fusion on my L3 & L4 and my L4 & L5. Currently taking Gabapentin 3X daily. Has anyone had this surgery & how was your recovery experience? Thank you for any encouragement, advice, information, etc. you can offer.

My first spine surgery, which included rods for L3 and L4 lasted 20years. But just this past year, when my overall health began to deteriorate, I was diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disease. The old rods began to fail, and then my L5 deteriorated, setting my pain levels on fire until the day I simply could not get out of bed. Emergency surgery on L4-5 followed, with replacement of the old rods and a new one for L5. Recovery hasn’t been as easy as it was in my’50’s, but at least I can stand up and walk when I feel the need

I had the exact same surgery a year ago from last January and I'll tell you, in my case it almost seemed to make it worse! I'm taking 1200 mgs of gabapentin a day with not much relief. My knee joints always feel like they want to give out, my feet tingle and go numb. I still have lots of lower back pain. Not all cases are the same so maybe, hopefully, you'll have better luck!

Thank you for your acknowledgment and support. The time lapse since the spinal fusion of L5-S1 has been almost ten years. I am wondering when the rods will wear down. After the spinal cord stimulator was placed in last year, which has been successful, the neurosurgeon who placed it in, is very communicative and responsive when I contact him. He referred me to a scoliosis neuro at the Barrow in Phoenix, and he ordered imaging. Thank goodness he ordered a CT Scan and not a MRI, as with the SCS, it is a vey laborious process when in the "tunnel". I lightly freaked out the last time, as it was to be two 30 minute sessions, and I could only handle one session. I am looking forward to seeing the specialist next month, and go from there. My curiosity and interest is what the curvature is. I am extremely active, just turned 69, and cannot think of being on the sidelines.

I had the exact same surgery a year ago from last January and I'll tell you, in my case it almost seemed to make it worse! I'm taking 1200 mgs of gabapentin a day with not much relief. My knee joints always feel like they want to give out, my feet tingle and go numb. I still have lots of lower back pain. Not all cases are the same so maybe, hopefully, you'll have better luck!

@maxiandmary Hello and welcome to Connect. I'm sorry your surgery didn't give you better results. Have you followed up with your surgeon about this or sought a second opinion elsewhere? Have you had any recent imaging that could define the problem?

Jennifer

In the near future, I’m supposed to have surgery to correct my severe spinal stenosis + have lumbar spinal fusion on my L3 & L4 and my L4 & L5. Currently taking Gabapentin 3X daily. Has anyone had this surgery & how was your recovery experience? Thank you for any encouragement, advice, information, etc. you can offer.