Re: Newly Diagnosed - Severe Foraminal Stenosis

[Guest guest]

,

Sorry to hear about your pain and the fact that nothing seems to be working.

Have you tried a pain management doc. They will usually prescribe medication to

help block the pain such as gabapentin (neurontin) and epidural steriod

injections. If a series of three injections do not work and you are not getting

enough relief from a medication then you probably should see a surgeon to

discuss options. From what I have learned in my exploration of finding answers

is - generally you do not need surgery for SS - that's why getting other

intervetion will help with finding out if there is more issues.

Briefly my story. I had Stenosis and DDD in L4/L5/S1 plus slipped S1. I was

having severe right leg pain all the way to the toes and lower right back pain.

I did have three epidural injections, facet steroid block injection and then a

nerve ablation treament - all made no difference more than a week if that. Most

surgeon will not even talk with you until you have tried injections. In fact

the surgeon I ultimately went to required one additional steriod injection plus

a back brace for stability. In addition to a bending/flex x-ray (which showed

the slip). They usually want an MRI that is no more than 6 months old and would

like to see that you had an EMG nerve conduction test also.

Initially, I went to CA UCSF Spine Center help in searching for more help and

possible surgery. Since we live in Arizona I went to two additonal surgeons and

settled on Barrow Neuro. in Phoenix. My doc was the only one who spotted the

slipped vertebrae (hence the brace to see if stabilization was helpful).

If you do decide to ultimately have surgery get two or better yet three

opinions.

I am now 11 months post surgery and can walk, drive a car and do light

housework. Still no bending/twisting/heavy lifting. Alot better - with some

nerve leg pain and minor back pain. Just released from PT and doing home

exercises and lots of ice.

Sorry to making this so very long. I just know how frustrating this can be for

anyone. Hope it helps some.

Jan

>

> Hello all - I'm just getting started on a journey with severe foraminal

stenosis. I've been doing all the non-invasive things like physical therapy,

NSAIDs, even home lumbar traction, but I seem to be getting worse. In August, I

could walk around an amusement park for a day; today, I could barely make it

around the zoo for 2 hours.

>

> My new ortho ordered an MRI and I got the results last week. He's NOT a

surgeon and wants me to try more PT and pain meds. With the term " severe " on the

left side and " moderate to severe " on the right, I don't see myself getting

better without surgery.

>

> Am I jumping the gun? To me, I've waited long enough and " severe " worries me

that there's a greater risk of doing nothing than of having surgery.

>

> Any advice on surgery, pro or con, type of surgeon, type of surgery

(traditional, endoscopic, laser) or other comments or insight from the

experienced would be appreciated.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mike - thanks for the reply. Yes, I forgot to mention, I am on neurontin and am

getting some relief from the leg pain, but not enough to feel normal. It's

definitely taken the edge off so as long as I'm sedentary, I get through the

days without pain occupying every thought.

Actually, it's not all that bad. Compared with other people, I think my pain is

relatively minor, but I'm a VERY active person with 4 kids (ages 4 - 18) and am

not ready to retire from an active life at 47.

I've seen one ortho surgeon (who specializes in backs only), but saw him before

the MRI and am waiting for his return call after reviewing the MRI. I'm

scheduled to see a neurosurgeon who did a masterful job on my brother-in-law's

herniated and ruptured disc repair. And, I'm seeing one other. All those on

top of a non-surgeon ortho. So, I won't be without having received opinions.

It sounds like you had a fairly major case and were in quite bad shape

pre-surgery, I'm guessing worse pain than I'm feeling. At the same time, I don't

want to wait until I get to that point as I believe that extends the recovery

time. I realize back surgery can be a real crap shoot, but my stenosis is due to

dengeneration of the facet joints which seems arthritic. I doubt it's going to

get any better with non-invasive treatment, but I'm definitely open to the

epidural injections.....I did have a week's peace when my GP gave me a cortisone

shot in the butt, so I'm guessing injections would work even better.

All the best for continued improvement....11-months of recovery still with

limitations sounds like a long slog. Best wishes with your recovery.

> >

> > Hello all - I'm just getting started on a journey with severe foraminal

stenosis. I've been doing all the non-invasive things like physical therapy,

NSAIDs, even home lumbar traction, but I seem to be getting worse. In August, I

could walk around an amusement park for a day; today, I could barely make it

around the zoo for 2 hours.

> >

> > My new ortho ordered an MRI and I got the results last week. He's NOT a

surgeon and wants me to try more PT and pain meds. With the term " severe " on the

left side and " moderate to severe " on the right, I don't see myself getting

better without surgery.

> >

> > Am I jumping the gun? To me, I've waited long enough and " severe " worries me

that there's a greater risk of doing nothing than of having surgery.

> >

> > Any advice on surgery, pro or con, type of surgeon, type of surgery

(traditional, endoscopic, laser) or other comments or insight from the

experienced would be appreciated.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

Actually, Jan here - somehow with our account it has both my husband's

name and mine

I am currently on 1800mg of neurontin per day and have tried a couple of times

since my surgery to get off of it to no avail. If I even miss a dose (as I did

this afternoon-darn) the pain is really bad and it takes hours for it to settle

down. I agree if I do nothing - I am great, but that's not my nature.

You might find when you talk with a surgeon, they may want you to try a series

of the epidurals - usually three but I believe only 3 in a year or so. If it

works you will know it, but a lot of people need the series to get the full

effect. These can be within weeks of each other, so not a long time span.

No matter the amount of pain one is in it is just so upsetting. It affects your

whole quality of life and that of your family. Especially, with having a young

active family - even worse. I am 63 and retired, but feel like my 40's and we

love to be on the go, traveling, off roading, etc. It has had a profound effect

on my ability to do alot of things with my husband, fortunately, having a

understanding mate is wonderful.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Jan

> > >

> > > Hello all - I'm just getting started on a journey with severe foraminal

stenosis. I've been doing all the non-invasive things like physical therapy,

NSAIDs, even home lumbar traction, but I seem to be getting worse. In August, I

could walk around an amusement park for a day; today, I could barely make it

around the zoo for 2 hours.

> > >

> > > My new ortho ordered an MRI and I got the results last week. He's NOT a

surgeon and wants me to try more PT and pain meds. With the term " severe " on the

left side and " moderate to severe " on the right, I don't see myself getting

better without surgery.

> > >

> > > Am I jumping the gun? To me, I've waited long enough and " severe " worries

me that there's a greater risk of doing nothing than of having surgery.

> > >

> > > Any advice on surgery, pro or con, type of surgeon, type of surgery

(traditional, endoscopic, laser) or other comments or insight from the

experienced would be appreciated.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>