I have spinal stenosis. Being pushed into surgery. Anyone else have experience of this?

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  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Hello @banjolilywhite

    I'm so glad to see that @sueheath and @countrymimi have been such a help for you :) 

    How do yo feel about seeing a physiotherapist? 
  • banjolilywhite
    banjolilywhite Online Community Member Posts: 6 Listener
    Ive meet the physio now and she seems really good. So we try what she suggests and go from there. 
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    @banjolilywhite I'm so happy to hear you had a positive experience with her, hopefully that continues :) Cannot wait to hear your updates <3 
  • CountryMimi
    CountryMimi Scope Member Posts: 156 Empowering
    @banjolilywhite just wondering how you're getting on? Hope you're all OK xxx
  • noahcats
    noahcats Online Community Member Posts: 1 Connected
    CountryMimi said:
    Hi @banjolilywhite welcome to the forum!

    I have spinal stenosis too.
    I was rushed into hospital multiple times back in July.

    Inititally, I was offered surgery, but wasn't aware or the risks it came with, so the neurosurgeon I was under at the time suggested an option would be to have an epidural. I was told it could have an effect for months on end, could be hours or days and unfortunately for me, it was the latter. 

    I was discharged from hospital, with the idea of going to see the neurosurgeon 6 weeks later for a review.

    However, following episodes of incontinence, I was rushed into hospital, where I was diagnosed with cauda equina and the next morning, I was literally handed the papers without discussion for a laminectomy and discectomy as it was explained that when it comes to the threat of cauda equina, pretty much any rule book is thrown out of the window as it is so serious.

    I should add that I was absolutely petrified, but as my mum pointed out, neurosurgeons have so much experience with this type of surgery and if they hadn't thought it would be the best option for me, it wouldn't have been offered. Whilst I was so concerned, the team performing the surgery and those in the operating theatre at the time were comforting, particularly the anaesthetist. Of course I was asleep at the time of surgery, but those I met prior to were so supportive.

    Unfortunately 5 months on, I'm still suffering with chronic pain and won't be returning to work.

    Of course, the decision is entirely up to you, but personally if I were to go through the whole process again, I think I'd probably go straight for the surgery, if I'd have known I was going to end up in a worse position. Whilst I'm still suffering with pain, it has taken the pain I was suffering with from the prolapsed disc away and perhaps if I'd just had the surgery instead of the epidural, I might not have as much problems with the incontinence as I do now.

    I was advised that it can take up to two years to make a full recovery. I've also been told that I might recover from the incontinence too, but I think it's just taking it one day at a time really.

    If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Just curious as I'm only 32 and I'd like to connect with others my age as well.

    Here if you have any questions or just need any support in general 🙂
    Hi there, I’m so sorry about what gas happened to you. I have literally just had my diagnosis last night at a&e. I’m 56. I was so fit and able. Now I am just trying to process everything. I haven’t been diagnosed with what you have but gave degeneration in lower 4 vertebrae and I have stenosis. I’m just trying to get my head around what things to do, diet, supplement's and exercise for now. I’m a single mum and I am the only bread earner. I have two businesses, both very physical so I’m not sure how this is going to pan out. I do hope I don’t have to have surgery. 
    I hope you make a full recovery. 
  • onedayatatime
    onedayatatime Online Community Member Posts: 236 Empowering

    Hi @banjolilywhite , some people have good outcomes from the spinal epidurals but I think it depends on what is actually going on with the spine. I think you may only have 2 a year, so there is quite gap between injections. Ive had them at different levels in the spine along with nerve blocks. For me they were targeted at areas of impinged nerves and facet joints. Unfortunately they outcomes for myself weren't long lasting and I only had a matter of days up to a couple of weeks of any pain relief. My next option is now to either continue with trying varies more injections or surgery. I've opted for the surgery. I have stenosis affecting the nerve root, arthritis throughout the lumbar spine and facet joints and scoliosis of the lumbar spine. Of course the idea of surgery is daunting, but trying to weigh up the progression of deterioration, pain management and mobility between surgery or more injections, I think surgery may have better outcomes for the nerve root affecting my leg. However, I've been told this surgery will not relieve pain from the back.

    Try to get as much information as you can about what outcomes from your surgery are expected and with the injections. Having some idea of the progression of your condition would really help, but that isn't always possible. There's also things like recovery time to factor in from surgery. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the very best.

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