New to the forum having issues with spinal stenosis

I'm new to this forum and am very excited to have found it!

Anyone have advice about living with the chronic pain of severe spinal stenosis and degeneration?

Much healing and love to you all!!



I have added a heading to your post so more people will see it. Thanks

Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 5/5/2015 11:18:28 AM (GMT-6)

Is it stenosis of the spinal canal or foraminal stenosis?
That particular condition is typically treated by surgery if it is moderate to severe to prevent the risk of permanent damage.
Have you consulted with a board certified ortho or neuro spine surgeon? If not, that is your best option for a cure, since medical management really can do little to ease the symptoms and the condition can worsen over time, as well as risking permanent damage if left uncorrected.

Stenosis is a narrowing of either the foramen ,where the nerve roots exit between each vertebra, or a narrowing of the canal itself. Surgical removal of the narrowing relieves the symptoms and pain.

Hello and welcome. I have neural foraminal narrowing (stenosis). I've undergone 2 rounds of epidural injections which each lasted about a year, lucky for me. I will probably have another round soon. I'm not sure what else comes next. My biggest pain inducer is shopping. There is something about that slow pace that just kills me! Standing still is pretty bad too. Perhaps that's why I always seem to be moving!

Pain is not the only thing we talk about here. We share other parts of our lives too. It helps us remember that we are MORE than what hurts!

I currently have spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, see list at bottom. Will be having surgery soon. The pain right now is tolerable, thanks to an epidural. Will be happy to get this surgery soon and start recovery.
Had a previous cervical fusion in 1991.
Hope you find relief soon.

Can you tell us what type of surgery exactly they have mentioned to you? Have you considered seeing a surgeon for a consult just to get his input? If this were me, I would at least get a consult with the best neurosurgeon in my area. With spinal stenosis there is nerve involvement & neurosurgeons have more training when dealing with the nerves in the body. My PM & myself both say, if they are good enough to do something as delicate as brain surgery thats who you want doing spine surgery. Have you had an MRI in the past year & know what the report said? Who may I ask referred you to the chiropractor?

Sorry for all the questions.

What area of the spine are you having problems with?
The MRI should show the problem and location.

You will need to get a second opinion on the surgery with another neurosurgeon, as you want to make sure it's the best decision for you. I do not say this lightly, once surgery always surgery, remember those words as surgery might fix things for awhile but it's in no way a permanent fix. I have moderate canal stenosis in my lower lumbar several levels. Have you tried the kegel exercises to help with incontinence.
I know your going through a lot but once you talk to your surgeon next week, ask him 1. If you were me would you do surgery?
and then you should always get a second opinion no matter how good your first doctor is, you really need to consider everything especially how much recovery time, because the recovery time they tell you is for the birds. It'll probably take closer to a year for your recovery time.
Hope this helps and many well wishes to you...and Hello!