spinal stenosis

[chicknmania]

Well, I was just diagnosed with this...the cervical kind. What I have read on the internet and heard from my doctor is not very encouraging. Does anyone have any experience with this? Mine is mild and there are no nerves compromised at this point, but I was told I should go see a specialist if it continues bothering me. It is scaring me! My husband is disabled and my family needs me...I really can't afford to have surgery.

 

[nccatnip]

Yep, got it. Do just fine, thank you. A few restrictions I work around, a few down days once in awhile but am more active than alot of people.

 

[chicknmania]

Yeah, it's the restrictions I'm worried about. I don't want to have to quit horseback riding or kickboxing. You didn't have to have surgery, though?

 

[gritsar]

In a way you could say that I have spinal stenosis, stenosis meaning narrowing. What I actually have is 2 symptomatic intravertebral hemangiomas; fancy words that mean I have two blood-rich tumors embedded in my spinal column that cause symptoms. The larger of the two is at L5, so the symptoms are mostly in my lower legs.
I've learned to adjust. I don't let them slow me down. The doctor gives me pain meds (darvocet) so long as I use it wisely. After many, many years I've learned what aggravates them and what relieves the pressure of them. I worked for a group of spine surgeons in the early 90's when there wasn't many non-surgical treatments for stenosis. Nowadays there are more non-surgical options. If you really want to avoid surgery and provided the stenosis is not so severe as to have caused permanent nerve damage, I think any good specialist should be able to help you. For this you may want to see a neurologist as opposed to a spine surgeon, who generally only knows how to fix things one way...thru surgery.

 

[nccatnip]

Quote:
I totally agree. It is all about learning to avoid triggering events and how to manage them if they occur. neuro's usually do a better job with pain managment issues. Exercise, physical therapy, chiropractor, mediation, relaxation, good exercise, weight control are all keys to living with it. And yes, I rode for years before and after. gave it up for awhile but am now looking again at getting another horse. (Which BTW-most Doctors will NOT approve of due to the inherent risk of falls, not the actual riding) And yes, I did have surgery for one disc- not the stenosis but in 10 years have avoided surgery to the remaining involved disc.

 

[BBQ Sam]

I have it . Caused me to HAVE to retire from a VERY good Proffession at 33 . Good Days and Bad days . Take it in stride . As best you can anyway . Excercise the muscles AMAP . Know your limits . I did have to give up horseback riding , but not horses . As with anything , there are mild and extreme versions . I just happen to be extreme , here is hoping you are mild ! Mine even caused a mandatory hip & femur replacement at 34 . Doctors never figured out why . Just happened . Watch your diet (weight) , stay away from alcohol AMAP . DO NOT let them load you up with pain killers because they will , THEN in a few years they will not work anymore ! Treat this as naturally as you can with excercise and herbs ect. Avoid surgery as long as possible (literally until you cant not cry) . Surgery hurts more people with sten than it helps .

Just my 0.02 cents .

Good Luck & stay strong , Sam

 

[gritsar]

Yeah, I've been told to avoid horseback riding and other dangerous recreational activities, due to the fact that the hemangiomas are basically large balls of blood vessels and a bad fall could mean I would bleed out before they could get me treated. But guess what? There is no place I'd rather be than on the back of my SO's harley and I think living life to it's fullest beats being an invalid any day!
As far as painkillers go, some are necessary...at least for me. My doctor and I have an agreement. I never ever run out early, sometimes don't use them at all. Also, we swap off the darvocet and onto Ultram once in awhile.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I have stenosis too!Mine's lumbar.
Mine doesn't usually bother me, but if I'm doing a ton of lifting, bending and stuff like that, it hurts.
I have sciatica too which can sometimes go along with it.
Unless it's really and truly disabling, then I wouldn't go for surgery.

 

[chicknmania]

Thanks for the input everyone. This is probably the most major thing that's happened to me healthwise ever, so it's good to know other folks are doing ok with it.