New member with suspected lumbar spinal stenosis

Pandaface

How long does it usually take for full diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis and is there a set of tests to go through ,it's been suggested there's a high probability that's what I have .
I've been almost housebound now since may time ,no Injury or illness just the painful symptoms around lumbar region hips knees ankles and generally feeling exhausted after very little effort to mobilise .
I'm going through the NHS system to get a formal diagnosis but from reading many people's stories I feel familiarity with symptoms .
Any advice on keeping positive would be most appreciated as I'm 56 and retired from my job as community support worker in January to spend more time with my husband who is 12 years my senior and has been living with prostate cancer since 2015 though currently on the "watchful waiting " program..

April2018mom

Hello @Pandaface! 

Welcome to the community. This article has more information on lumbar spinal stenosis. 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352966

Definitely talk to your doctor. He or she can advise you on how to look after yourself etc. Ask about physical therapy too. It may help alleviate your pain. I also recommend keeping track of symptoms as well. Good luck! When is your next appointment?
Discuss any concerns with the doctor then. Take a pen in order to make notes and prepare a list of questions to ask. 

April2018mom

Also find out about surgery. If you don’t understand anything, politely ask for a explanation. 

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Pandaface and a warm welcome to the community! I am sorry to hear you're in pain and that you are yet to receive a diagnosis. We appreciate how hard it can be to not know what is going on. Who have you seen medically about this?

Generalsciatica

Dear Chloe
I have found the thread to those with spinal stenosis, or have I? Help?!
Generalsciatica.

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Generalsciatica, this thread is discussing Spinal Stenosis, is there anything I can do to help?

Generalsciatica

Dear Chloe, I wish you could help me navigate this email stuff! Thanks for setting up the spinal stenosis chat group I am trying to answer people,but haven't got the intellect to work out how this is achieved yet! Will muddle on! Kind regards, Gen.

Generalsciatica

Hello Pandaface. What a cute name. A diagnosis for lumbar spinal stenosis is usually performed by mri, often heralded as the gold standard of diagnoses. The question of how severely the condition impacts on your quality of life, is a learning curve and much of this has to be measured in terms of the scale of pain, which is a uniquely personal thing, as everybody's pain is different.
Thank you for joining in on this page. I hope we can all benefit by sharing and comparing notes, so that we can make some progress in the way we cope with the chronic pain, which this condition presents. Please keep updating with your treatment and progress, With kind regards to you and your longsuffering husband. 
Generalsciatica.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Generalsciatica, hope you are doing okay! Which email things can I help with?

Generalsciatica

Chloe. Thanks for the email to see a how I am managing navigating with email.
I think I 'lost' a member called Justdon. I hope she is OK and that I have not upset this member, if I have said the wrong thing.
I am learning how to share my experiences of disability and finding some common ground with other members, who suffer with spinal stenosis. I am finding their contributions quite helpful when comparing their experiences with my own.
I hope this discussion is useful to all those who take part and perhaps, new members will benefit too, as we compare our notes. Kind regards,
Gen.

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @Generalsciatica, how are you doing today?

They have unfortunately left the community, but this certainly isn't because of you!

Generalsciatica

Chloe. Thanks for that!
Gen.