Re: Spinal Stenosis

October 13, 2007

Hi

I don't know how long you've had spinal stenosis or severity. My dad was

diagnosed with this about a year or so ago. One doctor said he had to lose

weight as it was straining on the spine. He bought a stationery bike and used

it for a couple of months and lost 30 pounds, also by cutting back on portions

and not sneaking out to eat hamburgers! It wasn't a fix all for the spine but

the the relieved pressure helped. Surgery doesn't necessarily always help and

any surgery has risks especially around the spine. He was researching on the

web and also saw an ad in a local paper and discovered a chiropractor was doing

lazar (spelling?) treatment for spinal stenosis. He's been going twice a week

for about a month, 10 treatments was recommended as he was in bad shape. He's

now walking better around the house, he was shuffling before. He's in less pain

and he's going to go back for lasor treatment for his thumb, tingling. This is

in Canada, so don't know if there are

similar things wherever you are. Dad sits too much in his chair and this

contributed to him seizing up, the stenosis and spinal problems seems to run

genetically on his side of the family. His sisters (one had surgery and it

didn't help, but she also doesn't move around and is seizing up), the other

sister was born with scoliosis? curvature of the spine. She didn't get a metal

rod put in until about 16 or 18, too late at that point, her parents waited as

she couldn't make the decision to have the surgery or not. She's in very rough

shape as the rod isn't doing any good now and she is permanently hunched over,

in her early 50's and in constant pain.

I don't know if you've already explored this or other possible treatments,

just thought I'd pass this on, as it happened recently & I can see first hand

it's working for my dad, of course results may vary with others.

Hope you get some relief soon!

Take Care

a

Canada

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October 15, 2007

Hi a, another Canuck here…the laser treatments from the chiropractor

are VERY expensive and not covered, at least around here (BC.) Glad to hear

it can be helpful for those who can affor it, though. Aylwin xo

October 15, 2007

-Thankyou a for taking the time and effort to post to me

regarding my problem.

You bring up interesting avenues to persue that I would not have

thought of. My weight has been directly geared from the meds I take

and in the past two weeks I have lost 24lbs and none of that was

edema. (or I was not swollen anyway)

I've had degenerative bone and disc disease since I was 25 and am

twice that age now. I've had caged fusion already and the surgeon

said he would extend the titanium up and down from where it now

exists. The only good part of my back is where the titanium is now.

Having ME/Fibro/Narcolepsy/Apnea, with Parkenson like issues and

Alzheimer like issues, heart damage from ME...have I forgotten

anything?.. I'm lucky to get by day to day. Oh, because of Stenosis,

I have increased pain and leak from bladder and numb tingling etc.

I'm basically calling a hault to treatment of this newest diagnosis

because I seriously doubt I would come though the other side without

major complications. Caged fusion is the absolute worst surgery I've

ever had with exception of Shoulder surg that ran second. I have

done enough research to know that anything less than " caged fusion "

proceedure would not fix the stenosis and may even speed up the

process once it's stirred up with surgery.

I will keep your post as reference if I get worse (surgeon says that

I will) but I seriously wonder, what am I trying to gain here? I'm

not depressed but living with my issues and many diagnosis, means

little to me as anything else added is just that...one more thing.

Thanks again, I will persue the mentioned options

>

October 15, 2007

Oh I am glad that you have decided, no more surgery for you. It

sounds like you’ve had all you can take. Myself, I would not have any

surgery because of the negative outcomes with ME. Chemo too (not that I’ve

ever had cancer). Sometimes it’s just time to say, enough already. Let me

live the best I can, the way I am. I’m giving these docs one chance, that’s

it. Lotsa big hugs dear. Aylwin xox

October 18, 2007

Hi Aylwin

Yes, you are right the lazer treatment isn't covered by BC Medical. They were

$80 Canadian per session. Plus it's out of our town, gas, etc. Maybe the more

people are aware of it we can put pressure on to have this covered under the

medical plan. Seems like more treatments get taken away than added, massage

therapy, physio, etc. combined total of 10 visits per year, if on certain

medical, I get coverage with provincial disability, with minimal user fee.

My parents are both seniors on limited pensions and their prescriptions and BC

medical plan keeps going up. Our wonderful government wants to go to more

private health care which is scary as it means alot of people won't get health

care while the few with money will! When will they wise up! Healthy citizens

create less expenses for the health care system in the long run, but it's about

profit and caring for people is going down.

a

October 18, 2007

Hi

I hope you get some results whatever treatment options you try. There needs

to be more specialists who deal with chronic and debilitating pain. Also more

research and treatment discoveries.

Take Care

A gentle hug!

a

Canada

October 18, 2007

Hi a, where in BC are you? I’m on the Gulf Islands…provincial

disability is NOT enough to live on! You can get extra treatment coverage if

your practitioner will write them a letter about the necessity…used to

anyway. I prefer not to hassle them too much though. I use the “10” on

chiropractor as this is the most essential for me. And now Pharmacare does

not want to cover the newer drugs…but again you can get an exception…I do

for my Zopiclone because I have so many drug allergies, so there are not

many choices for me. At least we don’t have to keep doing disability reapps

like the Yanks! That one we had to do a few years ago just about killed me…I

don’t know how they handle it all. Sympathy to the Yankees! Yes, we are

losing our health care system rapidly. Aylwin xox

October 18, 2007