Successful treatment for a type of spinal stenosis

Posted by cantab @cantab, Jul 28 5:31am

I’ve had stenosis and also idiopathic peripheral neuropathy for several years. Went through Al the treatment possibilities, no luck. Finally on was ruled out. I had pain in my lower thighs above the knee joint. We decided to try spinal injections. My pain doctor did the procedure, a bilateral injection guided by a fluoroscope. The next day I had no pain!
It's extremely difficult to discover the source of pain. The nerve bundles emanating out from the spine to each leg each contains over 100,000 nerves.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 28 3:36pm

@cantab I'm glad that your pain was reduced by a spinal injection. Often these are done as a diagnostic when a surgeon is trying to figure out where the pain is being generated. The injection reduces inflammation which can reduce pressure caused by stenosis. It may be a temporary effect. I had one of these spine injections in my neck and I was pain free for 6 days, and then pain started coming back slowly over several weeks. I also had pain in my legs and body and it was being generated by my neck from spinal cord compression because of a ruptured C5/C6. I had a fusion surgery that corrected it an I am pain free now.

Is your doctor suggesting surgery or are you waiting to see what your results are from the injection as time goes on?

cantab | @cantab | Jul 28 4:47pm

I’m 90 years old so surgery is out. I had a single injection previously which had no effect. I also have peripheral neuropathy but no associated pain just numbness.
I am also taking Cymbalta which I’ve been taking for a while which did a little reducing a burning sensation. But I’m keeping it because it’s a good antidepressant and makes me mellow. Probably anyone with our problems should be prescribed one automatically.

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 28 5:08pm

In reply to @cantab "I’m 90 years old so surgery is out. I had a single injection previously which had..." + (show)

@cantab I understand. Hopefully, your injections will offer longer relief. My elderly mom had them and she would have them about 3 times a year and they did help. She hasn't been doing them for awhile. It may be better controlled with medication now.