Comments on: What Is Spinal Stenosis

By: kelly

kelly — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:45:31 +0000

I am 27 yrs old and will be having back surgery on monday. (3 days from now!) im having a bone fusion bc disc is gone between L5 and S1 and vertebrae has shifted in places. they said i was probaly born like this. i know at times the pain has been worse than others. over the past couple of months it has gotten unbearable. although percocet is great when im in pain im looking to hopefuly get some relief with out the meds. but id like to hear from someone who has been through what i am going through.

By: Steve McDevitt

Steve McDevitt — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:48:42 +0000

I had a disectomy with bone fusion in 1991,C5-C6. I was also told 4 weeks recovery. It was done at Columbia Pres. Hospital, in New York City by one of the top Neurosurgens in the Country. The recovery period for the surgury was more like 8 weeks. I never fully recovered as a matter of fact I still suffer today. All the tests I have taken are negative except for bone growths and arthrits in the area. I am under pain management taking large doses of morphine while they try and figure out the cause. I have tried all kinds of therapy from traditional PT to Accupuncture to Psychiatry through the Hospital For Special Surgury NYC. The general opinion of most Physiratist is bone fusion does not work. They have artificial discs or metal plates that I belive would be a better choice. Since surgury I had flare ups every couple of years. The last one was about 5 years ago and I’m still in it. Good Luck.
Feel free to contact me anytime. I have been through it all. The best advise I can give you is to get loss of wages insurance. The best policy you can get with inflation considered. I have lost 2 jobs due to this. The first company I was with for 25 years. That was a mutual agreement> I realized I could not function with pain medication or without it. The second job lasted 11 months. I can not function anymore. We spent our life savings on my illness even with health insurance.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:33:42 +0000

To whom it may concern:I’am wife of smeone who has spinal stenosis and disk degenerative diseaseand arthrius in hi back.somethig else tha starts with an f stnosis.His doctor is talking about shots in the back.that alone scares me.the doctor says the MRI showed mild pain but he can’t enjoy his own life at home,much less thinking about work.I’m al out of ideas and have no amily or friends to help us thru this.we even have a special needs child with aheart condition,too.yikes!please someone help us.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:55:06 +0000

I hope that the surgery went well for your wife I found that a rocker reclyner worked best when I was unable to stay in the bed I have had 2 surgeries and am looking at another. see about PT also some Doctors don’t this it is needed but you might want to see where she is this far after. also I did alot of swimming, floating more cause of the pain to lift up my arms but some pools have classes for recovery, cause fibromyalgia is possible to set in.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:49:38 +0000

I have had two spinal fusions C5-6 then c7, 09/07 and then another in 06/08 and am still having pain and weakness in the right arm and hand the pain has it’s days more bad than good have lost 2 jobs since i am unable to focus well as a project manager and with all the meds i am on i am looking at a 3rd surgery to relieve presure on c7 within the next month to help with the pain weakness to arm. I am feelining numbness in the rt side of face cheek rt side of mouth droops slightly. I have gone thru the depression and weight lose and just can’t see living with this for the rest of my life I am 41 and have lived an active life and now I am scared that there is no fixing this. I have 3 active boys that I feel like I am missing out on. my Drs tell me the pain is at moderate and would like to make sure I would like to go thru this again. i am told will need to go thru back of neck instead of front side. can someone let me know if it is worth the try, you know 3 times a charm. please any advice would be great jen_rios@sbcglobal.net or jen.rios@live.com

By: brenda

brenda — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:51:45 +0000

gloria,I had surgery on my neck for spinal stenosis in 06.I had what they call decompression surgery where they go and take tissue from the spinal canal. I had a titanium plate put in.My neck hurts at times,just really stiff.I work full time in housekeeping at our local hospital.I was in the hospital 3 days,had my surgery november 17,06,returned to work in Jan.25,07.Be sure and ask your dr.about physical therapy.I would have done so much better if I had had it soon after surgery but he didn’t seem to think so.I finally went on my own.You will be fine,you are welcome to email me anytime at bem123447@yahoo.com.I will remember you in my prayers!

By: Sherrie

Sherrie — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:45:05 +0000

Gloria and Claude you may also E-Mail me I will be happy to share this information with anyone who needs it. Take care Sherrie in Oregon.

By: Sherrie

Sherrie — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:40:57 +0000

Hi Annie, I wanted to share with you in Feb,09 I had to have C4 through C-7 fused and a metal plate put in my neck. I was told that my recovery back to regular duty would be 4-5 months. I will be released next month by my Neosurgeon. I only took Vicadin for maybe 3 weeks and I do wonderful. I was very scared to have this surgery but I truly had the best surgeon in Oregon ( Dr Daryll Brett). You will feel so much better. You will find at first that brushing your hair or putting your arms up high is difficult, only because when we do that we pull muscles in are neck. You may also have slight burning, I did where they put my plate in. It only lasted 3 weeks or so. I have all the feeling back in my left arm and hand. I got that back in recovery. My incision is on the right side of my neck it is long, but I have laser treatment onit twice a week. I also use fish oil for it. My incision was suppose to be down by my left collar bone. But more had to be done after my Dr. reviewed my 3 rd MRI prior to surgery. I have no pain with it, if anything it itches alot from healing. I will be thibking and praying for you, you will be just fine and you will feel so much better I do Good luck feel free to E-Mail me if you habe any questions. Take care Sherrie

By: Gloria Bailey

Gloria Bailey — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:28:37 +0000

Good luck with having anyone actually share
information on the spine procedure they went through,accept your doctors take on pain, recovery and therapy.

By: anne sisney

anne sisney — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:01:16 +0000

I am having cervical (C3-C4) disc replacement surgery next month. I am concerned about my recovery. What can I expect? How long is the recovery? I teach 1st grade, and I want to get back to work as soon as possible. My doctor said 1 month, but this feels really fast. I hope that is the case, but I would like to hear from someone who has recovered from this procedure. I want to know what I can expect. Please email me back if you can provide me with information.