Spinal Stenosis - medications and future treatments that might be undertaken

tigs123

I have recently been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis.  I had a foraminal epidural, unfortunately the good effects only lasted weeks.  This is gutting as for some people I know they have had reduced pain for over a year. I have been on pregabalin, gabapentin and Amitriptiline for years now.  Fed up with this

Cartini

Hi tigs123,

I feel for you.

I`ve had lumbar & cervical spondylosis for 20 plus years and have recently been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis.  All my Dr will prescribe is 30mg Amitryptyline (night) and 15mg Meloxicam (day).  They don`t stop the pain, but they do help me sleep a bit better.  The only way I`ve found to ease the vice like grip at the base of my spine is to lie down, which is resulting in weight gain.  The extra weigth then impacts my stenosis when I stand up - and the circle goes round and round.

Andy

tigs123

Thanks for your reply.  I also suffer with weight gain due to the pain and not being able to walk let alone exercise.  I suffer with sudden burning pain in my left and right leg.  Now worsening causing severe nerve pain in bottom, arms and hands.  This is the first time I have applied for PIP.  Can I ask whether you get standard or enhanced mobility rate ?

tigs123

I also suffer with lower and upper back pain.

tigs123

Can I also suggest you talk to your doctor for stronger medications to be given.

Sandy_123

Its a nightmare my spine is playing up today  I'm wondering if a brace might help

SueHeath

I have thought of a brace before @Sandy_123 any thing is worth trying if it helps you.
I am just waiting for a cocktail of spinal injections @tigs123 Have your doctors tried you on the pain killers for your nerves. they did help me with the sharp, clinching pains, unfortunatley i am not coping with the side affects very well and i am on the process of weening off them. The hospital i am under have mentioned a pain relief implant if the injections do not work long enough for me. But i get the impression this procedure is one of those postcode things.

Cartini

tigs123 said:

Thanks for your reply.  I also suffer with weight gain due to the pain and not being able to walk let alone exercise.  I suffer with sudden burning pain in my left and right leg.  Now worsening causing severe nerve pain in bottom, arms and hands.  This is the first time I have applied for PIP.  Can I ask whether you get standard or enhanced mobility rate ?

I was "awarded" 4 points for mobility.  Despite explicit details it was deemed I can walk 200m without any problems.  The Mandatory Reconsideration made no difference other than give a different reason - that being "your asthma is well controlled so I`ve decided you can walk 200m".

Needless to say I`ve submitted an appeal.

And your

"Can I also suggest you talk to your doctor for stronger medications to be given. "

It`s taken me 2 years to get what I`ve got; prior to that they would only prescribe cocodamol.  They flatly refuse to prescribe any opioids now.

Thank you, Andy

tigs123

I am shocked you where only given 4 points for mobility, or that your doctor is unwilling to give you better medication that could help relieve some of your symptoms. Good luck with your appeal Andy.

Cartini

tigs123 said:

I am shocked you where only given 4 points for mobility, or that your doctor is unwilling to give you better medication that could help relieve some of your symptoms. Good luck with your appeal Andy.

Thank you tigs.

For my surgery, I`m not particularly impressed with them.  Reading articles about other surgeries in my area, they all seem to be lacking dedication (for want of an expression).

As for PIP..... I`m just waiting for confirmation, but it looks like DWP have reassessed and have given me enhanced for mobility (assumed because there`s an amount money appeared in my bank account but no accompanying letter yet).  I`ll give them a bell if, after a week, there is no letter.

Andy

tigs123

Hi Andy, thats great news.  Happy for you.  I also received a text this am stating I have been awarded pip, however checked bank and no money has come through yet..??? Any idea when it might appear.

Cartini

Hi Tiggs,

I didn`t get a text telling me that I`d been successful in my application, so I can`t say how long you will have to wait (I`m sure one of the advisers may be able to give you an idea).  I checked my bank account one day and the backdated money was there.  I received the formal letter advising me of my successful application about 2 days after the money was in my account.

Andy

Cartini

Hi Tiggs,

Your question was also asked here:

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/95546/hi-my-name-is-teenieweenie66-how-long-after-receiving-the-text-did-you-receive-your-money#latest 

Andy