Severe Stenosis + synovial cyst

patriciashulz1950-I have suffered severe stenosis in a major part of the lumbar area for quite a while. I was advised that the physical stress of that spinal stenosis on the spinal chord could only be properly removed by surgery. My symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling were becoming increasingly severe and chronic occuring from the right buttocks down the right leg into the right foot. The surgery should, if not totally eliminate, at least make bearable the symptoms and could address possible future problems of balance and walking (caused by the continued and increasing aggravation of the spinal chord). Screws, cages and various widening procedures were employed-taking two surgeries in three years to properly accomplish. I am now 4 months out from the last operation which I believe somewhat successful since the pain and numbness have lessened and are not as chronic (regular ??) I still require pain relief to get through the day though. I am told this is a major surgery and takes a full year to properly recover and judge the procedure's success. Hopefully this might help.

@rockon79 I am 76 and not sure I have stamina for surgery. Physically I do , mentally I do not.
I will see a neurosurgeon and Cleveland Clinic neuromuscular specialist all this month. Just tired of pain.

I have had spinal surgery and have no more pain but have numbness & tingling in my legs and feet.

@patriciaschulz1950 I fully understand your mental caution on this matter. Hopefully your specialist's consultations include the possible severe consequences of not properly alleviating that continuous aggravation of the spinal nerve due to your stenosis. My team of specialists strongly suggested that only physical surgery would accomplish this. Also, increasing pain is a tremendous motivator (it was to me anyway). That, along with the hope of actually addressing the problem thus getting relief plus the avoidance of future more awful problems convinced me to pursue the surgeries. I realize everyone is unique leading to different approaches-I do not judge, especially in this matter. Just sharing my thoughts and what I pray works for me.

@rockon79
The back pain was not the issue - for over 10+ years dealing with chronic neuropathy with pain/ discomfort- I decided to change PCP last fall and decided to do a “reset” and start over. She is the one that said has anyone addressed the cyst ? Not one neurologist or pain management never suggested it could be the problem. Instead - you have idiopathic neuropathy- deal with it. So with help and guidance (although after all these years very educated on this problem) and wonderful sites such as this Mayo forum and Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, my PCP says new MRI and Xray of spine and feet - see a spine surgeon, a neurosurgeon and neuromuscular specialist. Of course I will take these three opinions and determine next move. I cannot rely on physicians to communicate or discuss- we just don’t do that these days.
Sadly. At 76 - basically healthy - I am about to throw my hands up. I am grateful for all the years I have had. Pain is coming too much. Keep posting.