Leg Pain and Numbness from Spinal Stenosis - Patients' Advice: Part II

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Patients share insights on the treatment choices they have chosen for spinal stenosis.

Husband had same-day minimally invasive surgery. Prior to the surgery he could not walk 100 feet w/o sitting. No pain now, plus diabetic peripheral foot pain is gone. After almost 2 years, 6 Rehabs, exercise, I still can't stand erect. Had little pain prior or post surgery. Can stand erect momentarily only before effort makes me slump. Husband's neuro-surgeon said my lordotic curve was too shallow. At 74, I don't want more surgery to correct this. Now looking for a strong girdle or brace. Wish I'd consulted neuro first!

From: B&E - New Jersey, USA

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I have tried acupressure, acupuncture, yoga, physiotherapy, but my s1 root pinching has not gone away. Sitting in a special backless seat in vajra asana has relieved my daytime pain; physio in morning after taking heat treatment around the pain area relieves pain for some 2 hrs. Usually as far as the body is in movement the pain disappears, my major problem is disturbed sleep due to chronic pain. I have hope that experienced trainer can help in rehabilitation of degenerative disc.

From: Kamdar - India

I have had Laminectomy w/fusion 2 yrs. ago. I am ready to commit Hari Kari here. Epidurals did take care of the sciatica-like symptoms in '05. But, did nothing for the back, sooooooooo went for the surgery. My problem is my system cannot tolerate drugs. Nausea/vomiting & pain is worse than pain alone, trust me. Doctors can't beleive I'm not taking anything. I have tried ALL! Narcotic and non. Right this moment I'm having a beer, which is just keeping my mind off.. Anyway, waiting for approval for another discogram - my surgeon thinks a lower disc may have slipped from the fusion. Go figure. I came on here seeking any and all advice-hanging by a thread to sanity here. P.S Yes, went to P.T. Actually enjoyed it. Gave me something to look forward to 3xs a wk. Now I can't drive or do stairs. Just about can make Dr. appts. as long as I ride in a jeep (high vehicle). I have had that since surgery can't sit any place low. Anyway good luck to all I will keep reading, need all the advice I can get! Will look into acupuncture.

From: Dee – New York, USA

Well beside having problems in the lower back, I'm having other back issues lead me to what ever I can do to NOT have the surgery. What has been working for me is the epidural injections and Lidoderm patches for extra help for those flare ups. I also us bio-feedback and relaxation rest periods. As to the drugs I take, I have other issues with the cervical areas of my neck - this was the first of my problems. Everything follows suite.

My drug list:
Tylenol - 3 tab. 4 time per day,
Tramadol - 4 per day
Lioresal - 4 per day
Celebrex - 2 per day
Lidoderm patches - as needed

I do have high blood pressure, which is under control. Atenol/chlor 1 per day

I take the next two for relaxing. These drugs have been proven to be very effective at bedtime.
Alprazolam - 2 at bedtime
Amitriptline - 3 at bedtime

I'm under the doctors care on a regular basis and I have a blood test done 4 times a year just to make sure the Tylenol is causing a problem.

I have been doing this regimen for at least 16 years and the epidural injections for at least 11 years.

Everything that I have mentioned all turned around when I admitted myself to the mental ward for evaluation (by my choice). My orthopedic surgeon had recommended that I see a number of doctors to "heal the whole package". After getting treatments and prescriptions from 2-4 doctors, I found out there was a lack of communication between the doctors. Next thing I knew I was having mental problems from all of the hard core drugs. It was the worst thing that I have done. After that, I made sure that I stuck with only one doctor. That's what happened to me and the solution has worked so far.

I do hope this helps someone.

From: Terry - Pennsylvania, USA

I have been living with back pain from spinal stenosis for more than 10 years. Last year I came down with a sciatica condition which was finally relieved with an epidural injection. I have also been diagnosed with spondylylothesis. I took Vioxx for about 3 years. Recently I tried Naproxen but it upset my stomach. I also tried glucosamine but I did not feel any relief after a month's supply. So now I am just trying to bear the pain which is severe in the morning and subsides during the day. Exercising is a big part of my daily routine, hip stretching first, followed by 30 minutes on my elliptical machine. After work I go back on the elliptical machine or take a 2 mile walk. When the weather is nice, I ride a touring bike for 20-30 miles a day. I also play tennis once a week. At 59 years old, I am very scared that my back pain will just get worse even though it is quite painful already. Morning pain reaches about an 8 compared to my sciatica pain that felt like a ten. Getting dressed, making my bed, and bathroom duties are very painful. Next month I am scheduled for a facet shot. I hope it helps. I hate relying on medication. Especially after the Vioxx fiasco. Seems like a drug helps one problem and then creates other problems.

From: Pam

The non-surgical treatments I have tried are: physical therapy for 6 months, ibuprofen, Tylenol, ice, heating pads, heat patches, sports rubs, activity modification, many different prescription anti-inflammatories, narcotic pain meds, muscle relaxants, lidoderm patches, lidocaine injections, new mattresses, and epidural injections. I never got full relief of the neurogenic claudication that I had, but I did get relief from sciatica pain from the epidural injections.

I finally did have surgery for my stenosis this past September. Almost complete loss of mobility and not much quality of life left & knowing it would never get better is what made me have the surgery. My surgery was a complete success in that I have no more claudication or nerve pain and I can walk again & walk standing straight instead of hunched at a 90deg. angle. I still have arthritis, though, which causes pain but it's still a huge relief.

The changes I had made with stenosis were drastic, as I became almost homebound. I could not shop, nor go anywhere that I would have to stand & wait. I was very stubborn, though and did not use a walker. I couldn’t sleep on my back anymore and would not reach for things. It was pretty unbearable.

For my future, I continue physical therapy 3 times a week & strengthen my core. But there is a possibility I may need fusion in the future. I would also do epidural injections again. Overall, even though I still have various other joint problem & pain, my stenosis has been treated and I'm extremely happy with the outcome of my surgery.

From: Baybreeze – New Jersey, USA

Had surgery. I was to a point that any change in elevation senta shock wave of pain that would take your breath away. So I had a fusion done. I had a surgery on Thursday and another one done on Monday. Something about a screw in my spine. I have a tough time sleeping . So I take a couple of pills at night which help. I have to drink a lot of coffee to get going in the morning. I have to plan all activity around how much bending is involved. A vehicle with a straight back is better to ride in. Pickup, and SUVs. You will fall with numbness in your feet. So take your time.

From: Gerald Duffy – New York, USA

Three years post L4 - L5 fusion surgery, that included a laminectomy, discectomy with the accompanying cage, screws, etc., I developed facet joint "arthritis". The initial surgery was successful as the pain and numbness disappeared for approximately six months. Three months post surgery my recovery perm itted me to return to the gym.

Treatment for the facet joint pain and leg numbness consisted of 2 series of cortisone injections and NSAIDS. After a while, the pain and numbness returned. Exercising became intermittent at best. Pain management with the NSAIDS became the norm. Life with dependency on pain medication was not a way to work and live. I decided to look to other solutions. Having nothing to lose, with a friend's urging, I tried acupuncture. Though not a permanent fix, requiring a follow-up treatment about every six months, I much prefer it to "traditional" therapies. The pain and leg numbness disappears.

A regular exercise regimen, and use of a recliner keeps things pain and numbness free. Sitting for periods longer than 20-30 minutes has proven to result in a return of the old symptoms. I'm convinced that keeping to my new lifestyle and habits that I should be able to live a fairly active life by just using the "tools" I've discovered. I hope my experience helps someone else going down the same path.

From: TJ – Idaho, USA

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* Note: This page expresses the experiences and opinions of patients, not doctors. The Back-to-Back forum is provided because we think people often have very practical advice and insights to share that can benefit other patients who have similar back problems. This section has not been peer reviewed by our Medical Advisory Board, and is provided for your informational purposes only.

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