Severe Stenosis in Lumbar Region

I am extremely claustrophobic but, with the help of a 10mg valium, I recently easily spent an hour in the MRI (with the helmet on, no less). Ask your doctor for help when confronting the "tunnel."

thank you, and I appreciate your reply. The neurosurgeon who performed the SCS, ordered a CT Scan along with X-rays. He understands how laborious the MRI was for me, and if a MRI is called upon, I will take your advice.

Why not the open mri?

I am scheduled for lamanectomy and fusion.
Have read too many terrible post op nightmares !!
Decided to postpone surgery and investigating MILD! This stands for minimally invasive lumbar decompression. The orthopod that recommended this told me it’s maybe 50% effective but a quick and easy half step that is worth a try and Medicare covers it. I will likely try this. Check the web for MILD, pain management usually offers this. I don’t have high hopes but I see great upside and minimal downside.
Good luck and keep active doing anything that doesn’t aggravate or hurt.
Tony 78

When you are getting an MRI of your head/neck, you are wearing a coil (helmet) and your head is inside the machine, anyway. Both reasons for claustrophobia - even with the open mri.

Yes it’s been years but the cage is bad,
Also claustrophobic .
Took the pills to relax fell asleep and woke up in a panic in the cage. Won’t do that again.

Good plan - unfortunate outcome!

" hello "draw": Had L3-4 and L4-5 spinal fusion like your upcoming one. Pain before was really awful and this surgery was really needed and helpful! After surgery: I was in upper long body support (velcro closure in front) for 3 months with some good bed rest. Made a pillow-padded 45 degree diagonal upright board for resting in bed after good night's sleep. And slept pretty well (!) at night, on my back (supine) laying on a frozen-gel-pain-pack, wrapped in towel, out it under me, next to the back surgery spot - wow! , it really helped, cool off pain and I could sleep! The next 3 months I up got up more and moved about home, and signed up for PhysTherapy with the spine specialist. That helped and got me ready to recover faster and then even carefully drive my car. Be sure to use your protective body brace -- you don't want to chance any car bumps or falls or anything that might hurt you or slow you down while recovering. Then at 6 months "post" recovery, it was really good to realize you made it! Best of luck !

Had my three laminectomies and two disc replacements May 9th. I started to walk "like mad" feel good doing and afterwards as well. Have been on Tylenol for lower back achiness. Sleep exceptionally well especially on my back. Rented ($160/mo) electrical hospital bed. Very helpful in various positions to sleep, to rest, and to read. I bought some 8" offroad walker wheels and skids. Live in rural area. These make walking around ar fast pace easy. Feel great after walking.
My surgery and recovery is amazing.

Thank you!
I can take Tylenol but no opioids . What did you have for pain?
Tony