spinal stenosis

[Guest guest]

Wow-pretty scary! I appreciate the information.Fran Barron <sunhineagain@...> wrote: Hi Lynne Please give very careful consideration about the The Laser Spinal Institute in Florida. You can do a Google search using their name and you will find that they have a history of many, many complaints, complications and law suit problems. the state of Florida has had many cases against them. They do not accept insurance and their costs are massive out of pocket

expenses. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MA , the best coverage policy they have and I could not get them to pay for anything If I used them. They are considered "charletains in the insurance industry because of the problems with their surgeries. Usually the pattern is that the first operation doesn't fix the problem so you need another and then another and then a good qualified spinal surgeon to repair all the damage they cause, if it's possible to repair the damage. My sister lives in Florida and when I talked with her about them, she had nothing good to say about them, new 2 people who used them and are in wheelchairs because of the damage they caused and it couldn't be repaired. She's a nurse and has seen many patients come into the hospital to attempt to have the damage repaired. Most times it us not successful. I figure it this way, if the place won't accept insurance

payments if you can find insurance that will pay the, you have to go to them for their procedures because no one else does them, that's a tip off that it isn't a good place to go. Your mother should get several opinions from spinal orthopedic surgeons, preferably sports medicine orthopedic spinal surgeons and go from there. I would stay away from the place in Florida. Good luck FranLynne <abby_maddie > wrote: Has anyone had surgery at The Laser Spinal Institute in FLorida? My mother is in her early 70's and is considering surgery there for her spinal stenosis. I appreciate any information or input that anyone has. Thank

you, LynneFran Barron <sunhineagain > wrote: Hi , I had only been diagnosed for a few months and had very rapid deterioration between the time I was diagnosed in February 2006 and June 12, 2006 when I had surgery. My spinal doc told me that I had been having various symptoms of spinal stenosis for several years but it would have been very hard to put the pieces together and diagnos the stenosis because the symptoms where so varied and never occurred together. For about 5 years prior to being diagnosed I would have occasional soreness in my right knee or thigh, usually after doing quite a bit of walking, working in the yard, something like that and it would last only a day or 2. I figured and

so did my primary that it was a bit of osteoarthritis in my right knee as I had broken it twice between middle school and high school in sports. Occasionally I would get some stiffness in the lower right side of my back, but that always followed shoveling snow or raking leaves for hours on end. Who wouldn't be sore after doing that, right? I also had what was called a tipped uterus and a fibroid in there and it would shift and press on my spine and cause some discomfort on occasion. After I began to go into menopause, the fibroid started to shrink and ended that problem. In Nov. of 2002, I supposedly tore a tendon in my right arm and became limited in my physical activity because of it. In June of that year I had surgery to repair the tendon that actually wasn't torn and had some serious complications from unnecessary surgery. Long story short, I was totally unable to use my right

arm for for almost a year and damaged the tendon in my left arm from over usage. It took me finding a new doc, and 2 years of occupational therapy to get 90% of the usage back in both of my arms. I'm told that because of the severe lack of physical exercise for those 2 years activated the spinal stenosis severely and brought on the very sudden symptoms of the stenosis and since it had really been going on for several years with minor symptoms that where not specific, it wasn't surprising that it hit me so fast and so bad in the end. By the time I went in for surgery I could barely walk. No more than 10 steps and I would collapse in pain. I couldn't bend my leg and dragged it as if I had had a stroke and I looked as if I had had one too. I couldn't stand up straight either. I really can't advise anyone on whether the injections are a good idea or

not. They didn't help me at all, and the third one I got made the pain worse. They do help some people for a short period of time and others for a much longer period of time. What I do know that is important in getting the injections is to have them done by a very very qualified doctor who uses xray equipment as he is injecting so that he is sure that the needle is going into the right location. Some docs don't do this and just use their own judgment on where to put the injection and the patient ends up hoping the doc puts it in the right place. I also wouldn't have the injections done without sedation first. The injections can be very painful and the risk of involuntarily moving because of the pain can be very risky and dangerous. The other thing about the injections is that they are not a cure, only a mask of the symptoms. Surgery is the only cure for stenosis. You can

only get so many injections in a year and eventually you build up a tolerance to the steroid used and it no longer helps. If the injections to help with the pain, though, that's great. In the end though, surgery may be needed at a later time. The older you get the harder it becomes to do the surgery because the older we get, the more medical problems develop. That can make the surgery more risky and complicated. Also the longer you wait, the more risk there is to developing permanent nerve damage and muscle damage and weakness. Though I didn't suffer permanent nerve damage I do suffer from permanent weakness in my right thigh and lower back, which does limit some activity in terms of length of time I can do things, but I can live with that. Before I had anyone do any spinal surgery on me, I would get several other opinions from several other

orthopedic docs and be sure that none of them are associated with each other. That way they have totally separate opinions that have nothing to do with each other. One of those opinions if not more should be from a sports medicine orthopedic spinal surgeon. In my opinion they are the best and the most knowledgeable. As for how long to wait. I can only go by my own experience and the women who was in the next bed to me after I had my surgery. She waited 10 years to have the surgery as the injections worked for her for that length of time. The problem for her was permanent nerve and muscle damage, and though her pain was now gone from the surgery, she still has to live with very limited abilities because of the damage. She said it was better than the pain, but wished she where me and had done something about it way back in the beginning instead of having the injections for years. Hope this helps and if you want any more info or someone to talk to just e-mail me. Franmary lynch <bagladee6 > wrote: Hi Fran, I've been reading your posts on your stenosis. How long had you been diagnosed with stenosis beforey you opted for surgery? I found out 2 years ago at 48. I was told by my neuro that I needed a laminectomy and spinal fusion at L4-5 because of spondylolistheses. I got a second opinion from a ortho doctor and he said the same thing. My legs aren't numb but have alot of pain in my back and legs when doing any physical activity for too long. I've been going to weight watchers to shed some pounds which I know will help..it's just hard to do the exercising because of the condition, I do the best I

can. I am not on any pain meds and I just take Advil as needed. I know I need this operation eventually but I am trying alternative treatment first. It sounds like you were in extreme pain near the end. I am seeing my doctor on the 20th and was thinking about getting a shot, I'm nervous about getting it and wonder if I really helps! Looking for to hearing from you and your feedback! Fran Barron <sunhineagain > wrote: Hi , . I'm stunned by what you say about no one does spinal cortisone injections with any sedation and have never heard of it. Wow, they even give you a numbing injection before doing and epideral when you are in labor. I did some checking around the

Boston area and they all use sedation of some kind. They also use xray machines to make sure that the injection is going into the correct area, otherwise it's a crap shoot in getting it to the right location. I can understand your mother not wanting any more of them. I can't imagine getting them without sedation as afterwards the area where the needle went in is sore for a couple of days. I was told to keep ice on it for that pain. They didn't help me either. Actually the first one helped for 48 hours. No pain, then it came back. The second one did nothing, and the third one made the pain worse. The doc I saw for the injections is part of a large orthopedic sports medicine practice. They have surgical suites for minor surgery right there in their building and that' s where I went. It wasn't a separate pain management clinic. You might try and see if you can get your mother an appointment with a sports medicine orthopedic spine doctor. I found they are the best to use, very up to date with their knowledge and various procedures that are being done. The micro surgery, I have read, doesn't have the greatest sucess rate for spinal stenosis. I had a laminotomy done on one vertebrae, the L4-L5. They removed one piece of the foramen of the affected vertebrae and the nerves where released. It can take a couple of weeks for the pain to go away. In my case, it was gone immediately, including the tingling and numbness in my leg and foot as well as some symptoms of bladder and bowel control. What can't be guarenteed until after surgery and recovery time, if there has been any peremenet nerve damage or permenent muscle weakness do to the nerves being compressed. In my case there was no nerve damage but there is some permenent muscle weakness just below my waist and in my thigh. I can't say I have no pain at all, because I do have some varying degrees of discomfort to pain, but that is do to weather changes and overdoing things. I will never be the same as I was before all this started, but to go from pain that made me want to kill myself, unable to get out of bed alone, unable to walk more than a few steps, wishing I was dead, having no life and going back to pretty much everything that I did before is a miracle. I can't walk 4-6 miles a day anymore, but 2 miles a day is fine with me. I can't get on my hands and knees and garden for 4-6 hours at a time, but I can do 45 minutes and then rest for an hour and do another 45 minutes and so on. I can rake leaves, shovel snow, in otherwords live a life. I did loose weight too before my surgery. I was in so much pain I couldn't eat much and really didn't want to. After the surgery my appetite was almost nill for several months. I had to force food into me and took some supplements as well. It has never returned to what it was before all this started, but that's fine, I'm loosing weight that I need to loose anyways. My pain began just below my waist, went down my hip and thigh and all the way down my leg and foot. It was numb and tingling from the nerves being pressed on and because you aren't moving correctly and standing up correctly, it is pulling on the muscles and making them hurt as well. My surgery took about 2 1/2 hours, was in and out the same day. about 12 hours after going in. After 3 weeks I started a 10 week physical therapy rehab going twice a week. I've continued with exercises at home that I

have to do every day for the rest of my life, but that's fine, I have a life. I don't know how the scoliosis compounds the surgery for stenosis, but it sounds like it might and for sure your mother needs to get her weight up some. Nutritional supplements might help. What I would do is see if you can get her to go for another opinion from a sports medicine orthopedic spinal surgeon. I had 5 other opinions before I had my surgery and ended up staying with the original doctor. It put my mind at ease about having surgery and that it was the only thing to do to get my life back. Good luck and let us know how things go. Franrichard sogliuzzo <arsogliuzzo > wrote: Sorry to hear of your mother's problems. I have hadmicroscopic surgery to stenosis in January and it hasnot succeeded. They don't know why. However, be sureto ask all the right questions. I failed to ask theobvious one, "What are the percentages for success? And have any of the surgeries not relieved theproblem? What the surgeon tells me now after the factis that they can removed the assumed causes of thepain, remove calcium and bone impinging on the nerves,but that is not guarantee that the nerves will heal. My condition remains chronic. They are probablyreluctant to provide complete sedation for your motherbecause of age (?) and her physcial state. a.r.sogliuzzo--- cfa1029 <c1andersoncenturytel (DOT) net> wrote:> > Fran, > My mother has had 2 extemely painful epidural> injections without any > sedation.

I've called almost all of the pain clinics> in KC and can't > find any of them that use the sedation. One told me> that wasn't done > and he's never heard of that. We are getting very> discouraged. She > refuses to take any more because of the pain of the> injection and > they didn't help at all either. She thinks maybe> they didn't help > because they were done too low. At any rate, we are> looking into her > other options. She has lost a lot of weight now and> they don't want > to do surgery. She only weighs 85 pounds. She takes> Percoset but it > barely stops her pain. She has stenosis, severe> scolosis so surgery > would be difficult and she needs to get her weight> back up first. > What type of surgery did you have that helped you?> Was it the > laminectomy? Her pain is very bad in her right hip,> lower back

and > right thigh.> Cheryl> > > > > Hi,> > > > I am 59 and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in> February.> > I am been taking neproxin and was feeling better.> However,> > now it does not work at all. I tried physical> therapy, does not> > work. I am going to get the cortison shots at end> of July.> > Hope that will relieve the pain. Does anyone tried> acupunture?> > I understand that it relieves back problems? Do> you need to> > be put to sleep when you get the cortison shots?> My insurance> > company does not cover that. Should I request it.> > > > I appreciate if anyone could help me. > > >

> Thank you in advance.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > Choose the right car based on your needs. Check> out Autos > new Car Finder tool.> >> > > __________________________________________________________Building a website is a piece of cake. Small Business gives you all the tools to get online.http://smallbusiness./webhosting Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on TV. Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Building a website is a piece of cake. Small Business gives you all the tools to get online. Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Autos' Green Center. It's here! Your new message!Get new email alerts with the free Toolbar.

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Has anyone heard any feedback on the other laser spinal institutes?Fran Barron <sunhineagain@...> wrote: Hi Lynne Please give very careful consideration about the The Laser Spinal Institute in Florida. You can do a Google search using their name and you will find that they have a history of many, many complaints, complications and law suit problems. the state of Florida has had many cases against them. They do not accept insurance and their costs are massive out of

pocket expenses. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MA , the best coverage policy they have and I could not get them to pay for anything If I used them. They are considered "charletains in the insurance industry because of the problems with their surgeries. Usually the pattern is that the first operation doesn't fix the problem so you need another and then another and then a good qualified spinal surgeon to repair all the damage they cause, if it's possible to repair the damage. My sister lives in Florida and when I talked with her about them, she had nothing good to say about them, new 2 people who used them and are in wheelchairs because of the damage they caused and it couldn't be repaired. She's a nurse and has seen many patients come into the hospital to attempt to have the damage repaired. Most times it us not successful. I figure it this way, if the place won't accept insurance

payments if you can find insurance that will pay the, you have to go to them for their procedures because no one else does them, that's a tip off that it isn't a good place to go. Your mother should get several opinions from spinal orthopedic surgeons, preferably sports medicine orthopedic spinal surgeons and go from there. I would stay away from the place in Florida. Good luck FranLynne <abby_maddie > wrote: Has anyone had surgery at The Laser Spinal Institute in FLorida? My mother is in her early 70's and is considering surgery there for her spinal stenosis. I appreciate any information or input that anyone has. Thank

you, LynneFran Barron <sunhineagain > wrote: Hi , I had only been diagnosed for a few months and had very rapid deterioration between the time I was diagnosed in February 2006 and June 12, 2006 when I had surgery. My spinal doc told me that I had been having various symptoms of spinal stenosis for several years but it would have been very hard to put the pieces together and diagnos the stenosis because the symptoms where so varied and never occurred together. For about 5 years prior to being diagnosed I would have occasional soreness in my right knee or thigh, usually after doing quite a bit of walking, working in the yard, something like that and it would last only a day or 2. I figured and

so did my primary that it was a bit of osteoarthritis in my right knee as I had broken it twice between middle school and high school in sports. Occasionally I would get some stiffness in the lower right side of my back, but that always followed shoveling snow or raking leaves for hours on end. Who wouldn't be sore after doing that, right? I also had what was called a tipped uterus and a fibroid in there and it would shift and press on my spine and cause some discomfort on occasion. After I began to go into menopause, the fibroid started to shrink and ended that problem. In Nov. of 2002, I supposedly tore a tendon in my right arm and became limited in my physical activity because of it. In June of that year I had surgery to repair the tendon that actually wasn't torn and had some serious complications from unnecessary surgery. Long story short, I was totally unable to use my right

arm for for almost a year and damaged the tendon in my left arm from over usage. It took me finding a new doc, and 2 years of occupational therapy to get 90% of the usage back in both of my arms. I'm told that because of the severe lack of physical exercise for those 2 years activated the spinal stenosis severely and brought on the very sudden symptoms of the stenosis and since it had really been going on for several years with minor symptoms that where not specific, it wasn't surprising that it hit me so fast and so bad in the end. By the time I went in for surgery I could barely walk. No more than 10 steps and I would collapse in pain. I couldn't bend my leg and dragged it as if I had had a stroke and I looked as if I had had one too. I couldn't stand up straight either. I really can't advise anyone on whether the injections are a good idea or

not. They didn't help me at all, and the third one I got made the pain worse. They do help some people for a short period of time and others for a much longer period of time. What I do know that is important in getting the injections is to have them done by a very very qualified doctor who uses xray equipment as he is injecting so that he is sure that the needle is going into the right location. Some docs don't do this and just use their own judgment on where to put the injection and the patient ends up hoping the doc puts it in the right place. I also wouldn't have the injections done without sedation first. The injections can be very painful and the risk of involuntarily moving because of the pain can be very risky and dangerous. The other thing about the injections is that they are not a cure, only a mask of the symptoms. Surgery is the only cure for stenosis. You can

only get so many injections in a year and eventually you build up a tolerance to the steroid used and it no longer helps. If the injections to help with the pain, though, that's great. In the end though, surgery may be needed at a later time. The older you get the harder it becomes to do the surgery because the older we get, the more medical problems develop. That can make the surgery more risky and complicated. Also the longer you wait, the more risk there is to developing permanent nerve damage and muscle damage and weakness. Though I didn't suffer permanent nerve damage I do suffer from permanent weakness in my right thigh and lower back, which does limit some activity in terms of length of time I can do things, but I can live with that. Before I had anyone do any spinal surgery on me, I would get several other opinions from several other

orthopedic docs and be sure that none of them are associated with each other. That way they have totally separate opinions that have nothing to do with each other. One of those opinions if not more should be from a sports medicine orthopedic spinal surgeon. In my opinion they are the best and the most knowledgeable. As for how long to wait. I can only go by my own experience and the women who was in the next bed to me after I had my surgery. She waited 10 years to have the surgery as the injections worked for her for that length of time. The problem for her was permanent nerve and muscle damage, and though her pain was now gone from the surgery, she still has to live with very limited abilities because of the damage. She said it was better than the pain, but wished she where me and had done something about it way back in the beginning instead of having the injections for years. Hope this helps and if you want any more info or someone to talk to just e-mail me. Franmary lynch <bagladee6 > wrote: Hi Fran, I've been reading your posts on your stenosis. How long had you been diagnosed with stenosis beforey you opted for surgery? I found out 2 years ago at 48. I was told by my neuro that I needed a laminectomy and spinal fusion at L4-5 because of spondylolistheses. I got a second opinion from a ortho doctor and he said the same thing. My legs aren't numb but have alot of pain in my back and legs when doing any physical activity for too long. I've been going to weight watchers to shed some pounds which I know will help..it's just hard to do the exercising because of the condition, I do the best I

can. I am not on any pain meds and I just take Advil as needed. I know I need this operation eventually but I am trying alternative treatment first. It sounds like you were in extreme pain near the end. I am seeing my doctor on the 20th and was thinking about getting a shot, I'm nervous about getting it and wonder if I really helps! Looking for to hearing from you and your feedback! Fran Barron <sunhineagain > wrote: Hi , . I'm stunned by what you say about no one does spinal cortisone injections with any sedation and have never heard of it. Wow, they even give you a numbing injection before doing and epideral when you are in labor. I did some checking around the

Boston area and they all use sedation of some kind. They also use xray machines to make sure that the injection is going into the correct area, otherwise it's a crap shoot in getting it to the right location. I can understand your mother not wanting any more of them. I can't imagine getting them without sedation as afterwards the area where the needle went in is sore for a couple of days. I was told to keep ice on it for that pain. They didn't help me either. Actually the first one helped for 48 hours. No pain, then it came back. The second one did nothing, and the third one made the pain worse. The doc I saw for the injections is part of a large orthopedic sports medicine practice. They have surgical suites for minor surgery right there in their building and that' s where I went. It wasn't a separate pain management clinic. You might try and see if you can get your mother an appointment with a sports medicine orthopedic spine doctor. I found they are the best to use, very up to date with their knowledge and various procedures that are being done. The micro surgery, I have read, doesn't have the greatest sucess rate for spinal stenosis. I had a laminotomy done on one vertebrae, the L4-L5. They removed one piece of the foramen of the affected vertebrae and the nerves where released. It can take a couple of weeks for the pain to go away. In my case, it was gone immediately, including the tingling and numbness in my leg and foot as well as some symptoms of bladder and bowel control. What can't be guarenteed until after surgery and recovery time, if there has been any peremenet nerve damage or permenent muscle weakness do to the nerves being compressed. In my case there was no nerve damage but there is some permenent muscle weakness just below my waist and in my thigh. I can't say I have no pain at all, because I do have some varying degrees of discomfort to pain, but that is do to weather changes and overdoing things. I will never be the same as I was before all this started, but to go from pain that made me want to kill myself, unable to get out of bed alone, unable to walk more than a few steps, wishing I was dead, having no life and going back to pretty much everything that I did before is a miracle. I can't walk 4-6 miles a day anymore, but 2 miles a day is fine with me. I can't get on my hands and knees and garden for 4-6 hours at a time, but I can do 45 minutes and then rest for an hour and do another 45 minutes and so on. I can rake leaves, shovel snow, in otherwords live a life. I did loose weight too before my surgery. I was in so much pain I couldn't eat much and really didn't want to. After the surgery my appetite was almost nill for several months. I had to force food into me and took some supplements as well. It has never returned to what it was before all this started, but that's fine, I'm loosing weight that I need to loose anyways. My pain began just below my waist, went down my hip and thigh and all the way down my leg and foot. It was numb and tingling from the nerves being pressed on and because you aren't moving correctly and standing up correctly, it is pulling on the muscles and making them hurt as well. My surgery took about 2 1/2 hours, was in and out the same day. about 12 hours after going in. After 3 weeks I started a 10 week physical therapy rehab going twice a week. I've continued with exercises at home that I

have to do every day for the rest of my life, but that's fine, I have a life. I don't know how the scoliosis compounds the surgery for stenosis, but it sounds like it might and for sure your mother needs to get her weight up some. Nutritional supplements might help. What I would do is see if you can get her to go for another opinion from a sports medicine orthopedic spinal surgeon. I had 5 other opinions before I had my surgery and ended up staying with the original doctor. It put my mind at ease about having surgery and that it was the only thing to do to get my life back. Good luck and let us know how things go. Franrichard sogliuzzo <arsogliuzzo > wrote: Sorry to hear of your mother's problems. I have hadmicroscopic surgery to stenosis in January and it hasnot succeeded. They don't know why. However, be sureto ask all the right questions. I failed to ask theobvious one, "What are the percentages for success? And have any of the surgeries not relieved theproblem? What the surgeon tells me now after the factis that they can removed the assumed causes of thepain, remove calcium and bone impinging on the nerves,but that is not guarantee that the nerves will heal. My condition remains chronic. They are probablyreluctant to provide complete sedation for your motherbecause of age (?) and her physcial state. a.r.sogliuzzo--- cfa1029 <c1andersoncenturytel (DOT) net> wrote:> > Fran, > My mother has had 2 extemely painful epidural> injections without any > sedation.

I've called almost all of the pain clinics> in KC and can't > find any of them that use the sedation. One told me> that wasn't done > and he's never heard of that. We are getting very> discouraged. She > refuses to take any more because of the pain of the> injection and > they didn't help at all either. She thinks maybe> they didn't help > because they were done too low. At any rate, we are> looking into her > other options. She has lost a lot of weight now and> they don't want > to do surgery. She only weighs 85 pounds. She takes> Percoset but it > barely stops her pain. She has stenosis, severe> scolosis so surgery > would be difficult and she needs to get her weight> back up first. > What type of surgery did you have that helped you?> Was it the > laminectomy? Her pain is very bad in her right hip,> lower back

and > right thigh.> Cheryl> > > > > Hi,> > > > I am 59 and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in> February.> > I am been taking neproxin and was feeling better.> However,> > now it does not work at all. I tried physical> therapy, does not> > work. I am going to get the cortison shots at end> of July.> > Hope that will relieve the pain. Does anyone tried> acupunture?> > I understand that it relieves back problems? Do> you need to> > be put to sleep when you get the cortison shots?> My insurance> > company does not cover that. Should I request it.> > > > I appreciate if anyone could help me. > > >

> Thank you in advance.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > Choose the right car based on your needs. Check> out Autos > new Car Finder tool.> >> > > __________________________________________________________Building a website is a piece of cake. Small Business gives you all the tools to get online.http://smallbusiness./webhosting Ready for the edge of your seat? Check out tonight's top picks on TV. Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Travel. Building a website is a piece of cake. Small Business gives you all the tools to get online. Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Autos' Green Center. It's here! Your new message!Get new email alerts with the free Toolbar.

Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Answers - Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Hi Barnkin, I was wondering if Lyrica helped you.It is supposed to be the new wonderdrug, but I read about the sideeffects and don't like them. It was prescribed to me but I hesitate. I have spinal Stenosis , tried injections, minimal effect. I am very active, know how to get relief if I overdo it. Losing weight definitely helped, even I am "only" 145 from 155.I will wait a looong time before surgery, I take some supplements too which help. Has anybody tried Acupunture?

Margrit

Spinal Stenosis

Hi everyone, I am 56 and have been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis.I started with Chiropractic, went on to injections, I am now inPhysical Thearpy for a couple more weeks then it looks like surgery.I have been taking Naproxen and Cyclobenzaprine I was also taking Tramadol and Lyrica, I am suprised I still have a stomach.It has been a long 6 months since the injury and I am here because, Iwant to spend some time with people that have/are going through thesame thing.Thank you for listening

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 1/4/2008 12:05 PM

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am definitely going through the same things. I've been to several chiropractors but am beyond their help now. I've had the injections. I have not have the physical therapy and plan to ask my doctor about that this month when I return to him. I take Hydrocodone pills and worry about my stomach also. The neurosurgeon wants to operate, and I'm putting that off as long as possible. Mine was not due to a specific injury. How did you injure your back? Joan

Hi everyone, I am 56 and have been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis.I started with Chiropractic, went on to injections, I am now inPhysical Thearpy for a couple more weeks then it looks like surgery.I have been taking Naproxen and Cyclobenzaprine I was also taking Tramadol and Lyrica, I am suprised I still have a stomach.It has been a long 6 months since the injury and I am here because, Iwant to spend some time with people that have/are going through thesame thing.Thank you for listening

[Guest guest]

I am taking Lyrica now and the only thing it does for me is stop the leg cramps that I was having way too often. I have nerve damage in my feet and legs. As far as I can tell, I've had no side effects from the Lyrica. I do swimnastics at the Y and that helps me more than anything else. It keeps me moving. Which supplements do you think help? Joan

Hi Barnkin, I was wondering if Lyrica helped you.It is supposed to be the new wonderdrug, but I read about the sideeffects and don't like them. It was prescribed to me but I hesitate. I have spinal Stenosis , tried injections, minimal effect. I am very active, know how to get relief if I overdo it. Losing weight definitely helped, even I am "only" 145 from 155.I will wait a looong time before surgery, I take some supplements too which help. Has anybody tried Acupunture?

Margrit

Spinal Stenosis

Hi everyone, I am 56 and have been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis.I started with Chiropractic, went on to injections, I am now inPhysical Thearpy for a couple more weeks then it looks like surgery.I have been taking Naproxen and Cyclobenzaprine I was also taking Tramadol and Lyrica, I am suprised I still have a stomach.It has been a long 6 months since the injury and I am here because, Iwant to spend some time with people that have/are going through thesame thing.Thank you for listening

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 1/4/2008 12:05 PM

[Guest guest]

I've been taking Cymbalta for about 15 months.

Cymbalta is very similar to Lyrica. The only side

effect I had was sleepiness at first, but I got over

that in a week or so. The Cymbalta has been

fantastic. It has helped me more than anything else.

I had previously had two different rounds of epidural

steroid injections, physical therapy, various pain

medications and spinal manipulation (my primary doc is

an osteopath). The last month or so, I have begun

having a lot of pain in my right arm. My doc thinks

it is due to my neck getting worse (my stenosis is

cervical). I'm getting ready to start undergoing a

bunch of tests again. The stenosis may have worsened,

thus causing this pain. Still, I am better than I was

pre-Cymbalta. I had pain in most areas of my body and

was very limited in what I could do. My life was

mainly just going to work and recovering from going to

work and then repeat. Cymbalta gave me my life back.

It would probably be different for different people,

but that has been my experience.

Best wishes to everyone and Happy New Year!

--- Joan Wingo <joanwingo2@...> wrote:

>

>

> I am taking Lyrica now and the only

> thing it does for me is stop the leg cramps that I

> was having way too often. I have nerve damage in my

> feet and legs. As far as I can tell, I've had no

> side effects from the Lyrica. I do swimnastics at

> the Y and that helps me more than anything else. It

> keeps me moving. Which supplements do you think

> help? Joan

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi Barnkin, I was wondering if Lyrica helped

> you.It is supposed to be the new wonderdrug, but I

> read about the sideeffects and don't like them. It

> was prescribed to me but I hesitate. I have spinal

> Stenosis , tried injections, minimal effect. I am

> very active, know how to get relief if I overdo it.

> Losing weight definitely helped, even I am " only "

> 145 from 155.I will wait a looong time before

> surgery, I take some supplements too which help. Has

> anybody tried Acupunture?

> Margrit

> Spinal Stenosis

>

>

> Hi everyone, I am 56 and have been diagnosed

> with Spinal Stenosis.

> I started with Chiropractic, went on to

> injections, I am now in

> Physical Thearpy for a couple more weeks then it

> looks like surgery.

> I have been taking Naproxen and Cyclobenzaprine

> I was also taking

> Tramadol and Lyrica, I am suprised I still have

> a stomach.

> It has been a long 6 months since the injury and

> I am here because, I

> want to spend some time with people that

> have/are going through the

> same thing.

>

> Thank you for listening

>

>

>

>

>

>

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>

>

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>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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[Guest guest]

Aqua aerobics is definitely great exercise, I use the belt and am suspended in the water. I also do the stationary bicycle and some pilates. But I walk a lot with my dog, 1 to 2 hours. If I bend slightly forward, the pain is minimal.As long as I don't stand upright.

I use Omega 3, SamE, Glucosamine MSM and Calcium. Somebody mentioned Krill oil, want to try that for Omega 3.

As long as I can keep it that way, I.m happy. The pain did only slightly increase in 3 years.

Margrit

Spinal Stenosis

Hi everyone, I am 56 and have been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis.I started with Chiropractic, went on to injections, I am now inPhysical Thearpy for a couple more weeks then it looks like surgery.I have been taking Naproxen and Cyclobenzaprine I was also taking Tramadol and Lyrica, I am suprised I still have a stomach.It has been a long 6 months since the injury and I am here because, Iwant to spend some time with people that have/are going through thesame thing.Thank you for listening

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 1/4/2008 12:05 PM

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[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, I have a question. Does anyone know if u can get on disability for spinal stenosis?? if so, how severe must the stenosis be? How to go about it? is there anyone here on the list that is on disability because of spinal stenosis or cervical stenosis? I have both spinal and cervical stenosis, and take Advil daily for the pain, and still working full time on my feet walking all day. its hurts alot but I have to work in order to pay the bills. I have medical insurance thru my work, and was diagnosed with SS & CS about 3 years back. shanna <andreastu1360@...> wrote: I've been taking Cymbalta for about 15 months. Cymbalta is very similar to Lyrica. The only sideeffect I had was sleepiness at first, but I got overthat in a week or so. The Cymbalta has beenfantastic. It has helped me more than anything else. I had previously had two different rounds of epiduralsteroid injections, physical therapy, various painmedications and spinal manipulation (my primary doc isan osteopath). The last month or so, I have begunhaving a lot of pain in my right arm. My doc thinksit is due to my neck getting worse (my stenosis iscervical). I'm getting ready to start undergoing abunch of tests again. The stenosis may have worsened,thus causing this pain. Still, I am better than I waspre-Cymbalta. I had pain in most areas of my body andwas very limited in what I could do. My life

wasmainly just going to work and recovering from going towork and then repeat. Cymbalta gave me my life back. It would probably be different for different people,but that has been my experience.Best wishes to everyone and Happy New Year!--- Joan Wingo <joanwingo2bellsouth (DOT) net> wrote:> > > I am taking Lyrica now and the only> thing it does for me is stop the leg cramps that I> was having way too often. I have nerve damage in my> feet and legs. As far as I can tell, I've had no> side effects from the Lyrica. I do swimnastics at> the Y and that helps me more than anything else. It> keeps me moving. Which supplements do you think> help? Joan> > > > > > Hi Barnkin, I was wondering if Lyrica helped> you.It is supposed to be the new wonderdrug, but

I> read about the sideeffects and don't like them. It> was prescribed to me but I hesitate. I have spinal> Stenosis , tried injections, minimal effect. I am> very active, know how to get relief if I overdo it.> Losing weight definitely helped, even I am "only"> 145 from 155.I will wait a looong time before> surgery, I take some supplements too which help. Has> anybody tried Acupunture?> Margrit> Spinal Stenosis> > > Hi everyone, I am 56 and have been diagnosed> with Spinal Stenosis.> I started with Chiropractic, went on to> injections, I am now in> Physical Thearpy for a couple more weeks then it> looks like

surgery.> I have been taking Naproxen and Cyclobenzaprine> I was also taking > Tramadol and Lyrica, I am suprised I still have> a stomach.> It has been a long 6 months since the injury and> I am here because, I> want to spend some time with people that> have/are going through the> same thing.> > Thank you for listening> > > > > >----------------------------------------------------------> > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database:> 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 1/4/2008 12:05 PM> > > __________________________________________________________Never miss a thing. Make your home page. http://www./r/hs Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" ~Dr. Seuss

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[Guest guest]

Hi Shanna,

The answer to your question, is that " yes " spinal stenosis is listed

in the bluebook as a dibilitating disease on the ssa.gov website. If

you search that site for " bluebook " and click on the appropriate

headings you will find the clarifications for what makes spinal

stenosis a dibilitating disease. The bluebook is the guidebook for

SSA and will give very specific information regarding the severity of

the disease and other specific details for which one must qualify

under SSA rules. I haven't read all of it as mine is considered

moderate at this point, not dibilitating. Good luck and let us know

what you find out.

Nessie

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I have a question. Does anyone know if u can get on disability

for spinal stenosis?? if so, how severe must the stenosis be? How to

go about it? is there anyone here on the list that is on disability

because of spinal stenosis or cervical stenosis? I have both spinal

and cervical stenosis, and take Advil daily for the pain, and still

working full time on my feet walking all day. its hurts alot but I

have to work in order to pay the bills. I have medical insurance thru

my work, and was diagnosed with SS & CS about 3 years back.

>

> shanna

>

[Guest guest]

I am 42 years old and have spinal stenosis. Unfortunately, I recently lost

strength in all my right toes and have had difficulty walking and standing

for several months beforehand. I have an appointment with the neurosurgeon

this week and I know that I have to face that I have to go through surgery

(L1-L5) very soon. I have held off as long as I could and tried everything

before

having to go through the surgery, but it looks like it is time now. Has

anyone lost strength in their toes before having surgery--what was your

outcome?

I am very apprehensive about all this since this will be my first surgery.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kathy

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with

Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4? & NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

[Guest guest]

since so many types of Dwarfism involve spinal stenosis, i really hope

people elect to discuss this onlist!

luthien has severe stenosis and has had for years. she deals with pain daily

and numbness [or lack of mobility] in under 75 feet of walking. she also

has lordosis that involves a 90 degree angle in her lumbar spine.

Whims

_____

From: dwarfism [mailto:dwarfism ] On Behalf

Of LittleMagicMan@...

Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 3:37 PM

dwarfism

Subject: Spinal Stenosis

If anyone here knows someone or if you have Spinal Stenosis would you please

email me. You can reply to the group if you want but I didn't want to tie up

the group with lots of emails.

I am going to be 61 on July 18th. (you can send presents LOL) and after

going to the doctor I found out I have Spinal Stenosis. I am sure in

different

people the Stenosis moves at a different rate but wanted to check out

surgery,

recovery and mobility after if and when I need it. The doctor just took an

x-ray and says I just started as I only have slight back pain and no

numbness

in my legs or arms. I have OI so not sure the difference in progression in

OI

people or acons.

Guys thanks for any help you can give as I have to keep working as long as I

can.

Sincerely,

Irwin Royes

_Irwin Royes Magician_ (http://www.freewebs

<http://www.freewebs.com/iam4ft3/index.htm> .com/iam4ft3/index.htm)

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with

Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

(http://food.

<http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4? & NCID=aolfod00030000000002>

aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4? & NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

[Guest guest]

I'll start the discussion!

I've been told many things from many LPs and dwarfism docs about spinal

stenosis. First came the warnings:

- if you feel tingles in your hands or feet, - sleep apnea can be a sign

- any misfires from the waist down can be a sign of compression such as

incontenence and difficulty walking

With any of these, I've been told to get it checked right away.. it's a

sign of compression.

-Ellen

>

> since so many types of Dwarfism involve spinal stenosis, i really hope

> people elect to discuss this onlist!

> luthien has severe stenosis and has had for years. she deals with

pain daily

> and numbness [or lack of mobility] in under 75 feet of walking. she

also

> has lordosis that involves a 90 degree angle in her lumbar spine.

> Whims

[Guest guest]

My name is and I'm 24 years old. I have severe spinal stenosis to the

point where I do have tingling in my spine and left leg, numbness in my left

leg also. I am actually going in for surgery this coming Wed (11) for

surgery. They are fusing the lower part of my neck (already had to top part

don)

and going strait down to my lumbar section and I believe doing decompression

AND fusing as they go in all areas that are still mobile. I don't have a lot

of movement in my spine because of my form of dwarfism so fusing the areas

that are still mobile SHOULDN'T effect what I'm already doing. My doctors have

moved very quickly because they have been afraid of permeant damage being

done. I also have a little bit of the lordosis as well. Hope that helps.

In a message dated 6/2/2008 5:41:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

erenea@... writes:

I'll start the discussion!

I've been told many things from many LPs and dwarfism docs about spinal

stenosis. First came the warnings:

- if you feel tingles in your hands or feet, - sleep apnea can be a sign

- any misfires from the waist down can be a sign of compression such as

incontenence and difficulty walking

With any of these, I've been told to get it checked right away.. it's a

sign of compression.

-Ellen

>

> since so many types of Dwarfism involve spinal stenosis, i really hope

> people elect to discuss this onlist!

> luthien has severe stenosis and has had for years. she deals with

pain daily

> and numbness [or lack of mobility] in under 75 feet of walking. she

also

> has lordosis that involves a 90 degree angle in her lumbar spine.

> Whims

**************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch " Cooking with

Tyler Florence " on AOL Food.

(http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4? & NCID=aolfod00030000000002)

[Guest guest]

Yes./.. quite a few of us actually.. seems to be a norm for different types of

Dwarfism. I had the surgery 6 years ago. It wasnt too bad... but it was after an

accident at work that left me perm in a wheelchair. Laminectomy isnt a bad

thing. Again my case is odd since i got hurt ont he job and recovery was limited

due to my fall. Most people are up and around the day after surgery (even though

the place where they did the surgery hurts like the dickens).

Chass Brown

spinal stenosis

Has anyone been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? And has had surgery?

[Guest guest]

My wife had the surgery about four months ago. From T4 (just above her

shoulder blades) all the way to her trail bone, 13 vertebra. It took two

seven hour surgeries to get the job done. Her surgeon was wonderful, Dr.

Kropf in Santa , Ca. I forwarded your e-mail to her.

Marty

e wrote:

>

> Has anyone been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? And has had surgery?

>

>

[Guest guest]

I had it from my L1 to L5 section. I had some (major) complications

and my personal recovery was long. I went from a platform walker to a

regular walker to a four legged cane to a straight cane (still).

I think I could prolly do more to ween myself off of the straight cane

even now, such as lose additional weight which helps any and every lp,

and maybe even go back into outpatient physical rehab to start a new

physical/exercise regimen, so to speak.

~grady

PS-Now, of course, with each person's physical body, even though we

may share the same dwarf condition, the surgery and recovery is

different for all. Even with that knowledge, get as many opinions as

you feel necessary or are comfortable with, as the best answered

questions is sometimes the one yet to be asked.

> Has anyone been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? And has had surgery?

[Guest guest]

Hi e,

I had surgery May of 2007, L2-T11 with fusion. I had a tough time

with recovery I was in some pain and some things still weren't

working right yet.

After my surgey I was in rehab for 2 weeks which helped me to get

going. I also went for physical therepy 3x a week for about be 2

months.

Just yesterday I got home from my scuba diving vacation and had a

great time and did great. 17 total dives at depths of 100 feet.

I realize I may be one of the lucky ones with recovery. I thank my

God, Drs. Ain and Rigomonti from s Hopkins Hospital.

I hope whatever you decide to do it works out great for you.

>

> Has anyone been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? And has had

surgery?

>

[Guest guest]

Becky,

I have severe stenosis at my L4-L5 level as well, but it seems that I have a

synovial cyst that is causing the problem. What is causing your stenosis? Did

they do any diagnostic tests? Are you fused? If so, how far are you fused? I

am currently trying to find the right doctor to either drain the cysts or

surgically remove it and it's been a royal pain as taking care of this issue is

not as simple as was indicated by the scoliosis doctor I saw.

Jeanne

Spinal Stenosis

My low back hurts from Scoliosis related things. I have severe stenosis at

the L4 and L5 level. They said that this is common with people who got rods.

My leg leg hurts, tingles and such as well as my low back. I will bet I have

Stenosis at the top above the rods too. I am taking shots right now and delaying

inevitable surgery. I hate it!!!

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi,  I had a laminectomy with fusion for spinal stenosis done 3 months ago.  I

would like to hear from others who had it done and hear what they experienced? 

Thanks, Marie

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Fusion S1-L3 with Laminectomy here. They also moved a piece of hip bone in too. 

Now I suffer with Piriformis Syndrome.   Prefer that to the Drop Foot I had

before surgery.  Ever had your leg fold back hard in the middle of a good nights

sleep?  Scary...!  I wouldn't mind not having that experience. When you hear

back pain, you have no clue it means Life Change.

From: echotoy2003 <dknde@...>

Subject: Re: Spinal Stenosis

spinal problems

Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 5:28 PM

>

> Hi, I had a laminectomy with fusion for spinal stenosis done 3 months ago. I

would like to hear from others who had it done and hear what they experienced?

Thanks, Marie

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi

i have spinal stenosis in l,4,l5 and something else

can you tell me what usually causes this

and what can be done about and i have the pain in buttocks too

i had surgery and had my ovaries, tubes 2 really large masses removed and about

3 weeks later i ended up with this

so can you give me any answers thanks Shelia

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

How long ago was the surgery done? Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the area

around the spinal cord. Not to worry--most of us get it with age--can be caused

by arthritis, bulging discs, etc. It's only a problem when it narrows too close

to the spinal cord.

I'm just wondering if your issues may subside once you're fully healed from your

ovary surgery. My own experiwnce took me 6 mos to a yeat. And whatever you do,

do not lift over two pounds.

Write back and let me know what items you need to lift that weigh more than

that. We all have tips and tricks. We're here for you.

>

>

> hi

>

> i have spinal stenosis in l,4,l5 and something else

>

> can you tell me what usually causes this

>

> and what can be done about and i have the pain in buttocks too

>

> i had surgery and had my ovaries, tubes 2 really large masses removed and

about 3 weeks later i ended up with this

>

> so can you give me any answers thanks Shelia

>

> ___

>