Spinal Stenosis (Lumbar L1-L5), Upcoming Multilevel Microdiscectomy

[roomba]

Hello everyone,

I am 53 and was recently diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis of varying degrees - L1/L5. It is very difficult for me to walk and stand for any length of time without a lot of pain and tightening of my muscles in my lower back, hips and thighs. I am walking like a duck. Although a bit overweight (my entire life) I have always been very active (hence my sisters nickname for me - roomba). I am now becoming pretty sedentary and I hate it. Thankfully my job is mostly at my desk so I have not missed work. I can no longer use my elliptical machine, and I need a stool in the kitchen to cook. I often work through the pain, but with tingling becoming more frequent in my legs, I know I have to be careful about how much I do or I will end up like my dad with permanent nerve damage (he has a dropped foot)

After being diligent with core strengthening PT and OTC analgesics for nearly 6 months, my orthopedic dr. recommended surgery. I am scheduled for an L1/L5 laminectomy on Oct. 7. In the meantime, I am continuing to research options/doctors, trying to stay motivated with my core strengthening (pretty good) and stationary bike (not so good) and fighting bouts of depression and fear. I had neck surgery to remove a herniated disk with fusion in 1998 so I am hoping this will work as well as that did.

In any case, I have to do this because I am only 53 and can not live like this without trying to fix it. I am so glad I found this forum - I had an emergency hysterectomy in 2004 (almost bled to death - transfused 6 pints of blood) and found the group Hystersisters which helped me enormously.

Anyway,thanks for listening. I'll probably be on these boards alot.

Natalie

[ajj1001]

Hi Natalie, good to read to your story and that you are staying positive about trying to address your problems despite your difficulties. I can relate to the tingling legs as my legs are where I have all my problems not my back. People look at you like you are mad when you say I have a bad back but its my legs that hurt.

alison x

[Justin]

Hi Natalie,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society! I'm glad you found us, but I'm sorry that spine issues bring you here. I do like your nickname, Roomba.

Anyway, it sounds like your quality of life has truly taken a hit as a result of your spinal stenosis. It is good that you have been looking into a resolution for your problems, while keeping your core strong and staying as active as you can. It is very difficult to stay on top of one's PT when they are in extreme pain--my hat's off to you.

I do hope that your spine issues are successfully addressed on 10/7, as you are still very young and have a lot of life to live. BTW, you're in great hands and I look forward to reading of your inevitable success!

Once again, welcome to the Forum and don't hesitate to send me a private message or email.

We're here for you!

[Katie]

Hi Natalie!

We are almost the same age...I have a few months on you, about twelve Hystersisters was a great help to me six years ago too. It's funny how we get such wonderful support from absolute strangers.

I'm impressed that you are able to keep your core strength up, as I sure haven't. Like you, I was very active till about four years ago, and now each day is a struggle. I was lucky enough to visit with Dr. Bitan in NYC this spring and stayed in Jersey City, the first time in your end of the world.

Good luck with everything, and yes, you'll find a lot of great support here. It's great that we have another chatty one on board

[KBear]

to the forum, sorry you have to be here. This is definitely a great support system. Ask any questions you may have, everyone is very helpful.

[roomba]

It's amazing how the amount of pain varies from day to day. I guess I'm getting used to a baseline level whenever I'm on my feet, but today was certainly better than earlier in the week. I stayed off my feet yesterday - maybe that's why.

3 weeks until Pre Op testing...one day at a time.

Natalie

[KBear]

]It's amazing how the amount of pain varies from day to day.[/B] I guess I'm getting used to a baseline level whenever I'm on my feet, but today was certainly better than earlier in the week. I stayed off my feet yesterday - maybe that's why.

3 weeks until Pre Op testing...one day at a time.

Natalie

It truly is. It seems to be especially so right before any surgery or procedure. I always feel like I'm maybe getting 'better' right before and then second guess myself, wondering if I really need the surgery or procedure. The mind and body definitely can play tricks on you.

[rhatzy]

Roomba,

Just wondering, which level is bad? You wrote L1/L5. Do you mean all lumbar levels?

Mark

[roomba]

Roomba,

Just wondering, which level is bad? You wrote L1/L5. Do you mean all lumbar levels?

Mark

Hi Mark,

I'm afraid it's all the levels. It's moderate L1-L2 and severe L3-L5. My MRI also talks about some disc bulging but my doctor is not really concerned about that and feels the pain is mostly from the stenosis. I have a genetic double whammy - a very small spinal canal (I was first told that in '98 when I had my C4-5 disc removal) and my dad has bad stenosis...so he's going to clean it out in the entire area but doesn't feel I need fusion.

Natalie

[Justin]

Hi Mark,

I'm afraid it's all the levels. It's moderate L1-L2 and severe L3-L5. My MRI also talks about some disc bulging but my doctor is not really concerned about that and feels the pain is mostly from the stenosis. I have a genetic double whammy - a very small spinal canal (I was first told that in '98 when I had my C4-5 disc removal) and my dad has bad stenosis...so he's going to clean it out in the entire area but doesn't feel I need fusion.

Natalie

Hi Natalie,

I figured you meant your entire lumbar spine. Your surgeon is a very skilled man and I am excited to hear about your inevitable success!