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Hi, my name is Teensybomps! Worried about peration for spinal stenosis.

Teensybomps

I have to have an operation for spinal stenosis, i’m so worried, so many things can go wrong, i can manage to walk for about 10 mins but suffer so much with pain in my spine and hips and legs, its soul destroying! Any advice would be most appreciated, i feel so useless, my wee dog loves to go for walks but i cant go the distance he would like to go, i cant go shopping for new clothes as it hurts so much going around the shops, i’m seventy five next month, feel its maybe too late for me!

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Albus_Alumni

Heya @Teensybomps and welcome to the community.

Operations are scary, I'm on the wait list for one myself so I understand the nerves. The way I see it is how much better the quality of life will be after the operation. After some healing up time, I'm sure your little furry friend will be happy you had the op. 😁

Teensybomps

Hi to you too and thank you for your advice, I’m sure you are right but it’s a hard decision for me and I worry that my age will be a factor as well, I know a lot of older people have had this op and came through it but some say they were sorry they had it as their pain is now worse and they’re having to get another op to sort it out, but I will really think hard about it and make my decision, I hope you are in good form and get word soon for your op, will let you know my decision, thanks again for your help.👍🙂

Patsyboo

HiTeensyboomps hi to have spinal stenosis I would think very carefully about surgery had surgery at levels L4/5s1 4 years ago and still in pain had two injection since my surgery but haven't done any good now my consultant wants to do a decompression at L3/4 has he told me once had surgery at 1 level you usually have to have more surgery at a another level best of luck what ever you decide to do

Teensybomps

Thank you for your advice and to be honest I have been struggling with the thought of surgery and my sister works in America on the ward where all her patients have had the same surgery and she said she would never recommend it for anyone as she keeps seeing the same patients coming back in agony and having to have more surgery, she begged me to seriously think about it as she has seen the proof of it every day, she actually has the same problem with her back but said she would never dream of letting them do anything surgical to her back, so I am truly grateful to you and her, I won’t be going for surgery, hope all goes well for you in the future, God Bless you xx

noonebelieves

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/132764/hi-my-name-is-teensybomps-worried-about-peration-for-spinal-stenosis

Hi @Teensybomps,

Welcome to this lovely, friendly Scope community. I really felt your words, and I just wanted to say you’re absolutely not useless -you’re going through something incredibly hard, and it takes a lot of strength to talk about it so openly.

Reading your post brought up so much for me because I’m also dealing with multilevel facet arthropathy, foraminal/Spinal stenosis, and nerve compression, especially at L4/L5 and L5/S1 affecting both legs. I’ve been in long-term chronic pain for a while now, and like you, I’ve felt that soul-destroying frustration of not being able to walk far, enjoy time out, or do the simplest things without pain.I also experience frequent falls and am currently recovering from one.I completely relate to what you said about your wee dog .I used to love walking too, and it’s heartbreaking not being able to keep up.

I was also told by my ortho surgeon that I need a laminectomy and spinal fusion with rods. But I’ve been really hesitant, just like you. I’ve already had two surgeries on my neck -they reduced the radicular(nerve ) pain in my arms, but unfortunately made my neck pain worse. I also experience frequent falls and am currently recovering from one. My spinal surgeon actually admitted that the outcomes for spinal stenosis surgery aren’t always great, though it tends to be a bit more predictable if the main issue is foraminal nerve compression.

At the moment, I’m managing things with pain clinic support -things like epidurals and nerve blocks. They don’t take all the pain away, but they’ve helped me hold off on surgery for now. That said, I’m also starting to wonder whether I can go on like this, especially with add-on neuropathic pain spreading and affecting my legs. I even started a thread on Scope describing that pain - it’s honestly hard to put into words.I’ve also been referred to vascular surgery and am currently on their waiting list.

Your sister’s advice really stood out to me and it echoes what another member here said, too. Once you’ve had spinal surgery, especially in the lower back, it’s not uncommon to end up needing more procedures later on. I’ve heard that so many times, and I can understand why your sister is concerned, especially if she sees it happen regularly where she works.

But I also know there’s another side to it. In some cases, surgery can help prevent further deterioration -such as worsening numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, loss of sexual function, progressive weakness, or even complete paralysis.For some people, it helps maintain function before things get worse.

Only your orthopaedic or neurosurgeon can properly guide you in making an informed decision based on your MRI findings and clinical symptoms. I’d say don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions to them -what happens if you don’t have surgery? What exactly are the risks in your case?

There’s no one size fits all answer, and I still haven’t fully decided for myself either. But your concern is valid, and you’re not alone in feeling torn. It’s okay to take your time and gather all the information you need. Just know we’re all here to support you -whatever you decide, you deserve to feel heard and cared for.

Wishing you clarity and comfort

Martinp

I had my operation in 2016 and it was a partial success, unfortunately there was quite severe nerve damage down my right leg and into my foot. I didn’t have a choice as I was nearly paralysed so it did help. Unfortunately my stenosis has returned after another MRI scan, consultant said multi level foraminal stenosis, central stenosis and significant worsening of scoliosis. I’m very reticent to have another operation, they were talking about spinal fusion to correct my scoliosis but it’s a risky operation and recovery very long. I’m just plodding along best I can taking one day at a time. I’ve started to experience numbing around my private parts and loss of sexual control, problems with going to the toilet and i’m now bent over as I can’t straighten my back without being in agony. It’s a horrible thing to deal with though, I have been practically housebound for 3 years and it’s very painful. I don’t know if what I’m doing is right but I can’t face another surgery. My thoughts are with you.

Teensybomps

Thank you Martinp for your time in telling me your story, I feel so bad for you, you really have came through an awful lot of pain and trauma, I don’t blame you for not going through the surgery, it’s such a monumental thing to face, I’ve already had lots of people giving me their stories and my heart goes out to all😢. I am not as bad as you and a lot of people that have actually had their surgeries and worse now than before they had it, I think I would try and just be very careful about the things I do that annoys my back etc. I take Tramadol/Paracetamol but try not to get addicted to them, I only take one a day, I can’t bear to be falling asleep two or three times every day so I’m just trying to see how much I can do to help myself, I can’t stand the thought of not being able to fend for myself, I’m so independent and I hate when I feel so needy! Honestly, I feel you should see a specialist about the numbing etc as it doesn’t sound good, I wish I could say something that would help you, but I just don’t know what to say, please feel free to message me anytime and let me know how things are going, I will pray for you every day, it’s all I can do, but please take care of yourself and go see a specialist about what’s happening to you, they may be able to help you without surgery, God Bless you and help you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻