I have been having off and on pain for years now. I first went to my PCP for lumbar pain about 3 years ago. Xrays were done and he told me all was ok. This past May the pain started up again pretty bad.
Early July I went to see an ortho pain specialist who Xrayed and diagnosed me with a pars fracture and spondyolosis. He started me on steroids, oxy for pain, and PT for a month.
I went back to the doctor on August 10th. At that time after several sleepless nights he referred me to ortho spine specialist. this doctor ordered an MRI and I returned a week later with the new diagnosis
Lumbar Stenosis focused at the L5 nerve and DDD.
My symptoms
lumbar pain, severe buttocks, hamstring, legs, feet and ankles. the pain is both legs but worse on the left side.
I actually get most comfort when standing although I know that walking probably does aggravate it.
I feel that in the long run surgery will be needed but the surgeon has referred me to pain doctor for a series of 2 or 3 epi shots.
I am hoping to read success stories here on this forum and also hear of some home remedies for the pain
I am very active outdoorsmen, hunting and fishing, and defintely do not want to suffer so severly for any length of time.
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Spinal Stenosis and DDD are spinal conditions that many people get as we get older. In fact DDD is something that almost everyone over 30 years old will show signs of.
Most of the time, DDD can be treated with NSAIDs and an approved exercise program. Only the severe cases require surgery. Stenosis is similar thou it can be more painful to deal with
I would be more concerned regarding the statement about nerve at L5. Some of your symptoms sound as if a disc is impigning on a root nerve. That would account for the pain and discomfort down your leg.
The fact that you are an active person should work in your favor. Talk to your doctor about conservative treatments.
- Physical and Aqua Therapy
- Ultrasound
- Massage Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Spinal Injections (ESI, Trigger point, facet, etc)
- etc
I would always go the route of these treatments before considering surgery.
However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER, the formal and most accurate answers and course of actions need to come from your doctor
Ron DiLauro
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The information provided by members of Spine-Health should never be considered as formal medical advice. It is recommendations based on member's personal experiences only.
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i fear that you are right about the surgery and in my opinion and personal experience the epidural shots are of little use .having been down the spinal injection route myself i have never had any relief from facet joint or epidural injection .BUT there are others on here that have .i feel that i am a particular bad case for pain control and at the moment i have just been referred back to the surgeons as my doctor feels he can do no more for me and fears another operation may be the only thing left as i am having problems that would indicate further surgical intervention ..
you will get many people that will have better stories than me and there are many people that will help and guide you including myself i apologise for starting off a bit negative but at the moment i am going through hell with intractable pain
STRAKER
2010 just had a discography and now waiting for an ALIF open fusion {360 degree}
hi and welcome to the forum!
we are here to offer you support and answer what questions we can.you might want to speak to your doctor about some nerve pain medication for the pain in your legs. 
it is something to consider. 
good luck as you seek pain relief! 
Jenny 
be impeccable with your word..
Sorry you're having so many problems. I hope you get relief from the injections. You said you are an avid hunter...I know that deer season is coming up. All those around here who hunt are already looking forward to it too. I hope you feel better soon.
Welcome to Spine Health.
Debbie
ACDF C5-6 October 4, 2010
Hi and welcome! I dont know much about the lower spine but i can say that i did have luck with my first epidural after surgery it got me back on my feet. The ones i have had since then havent been of much help. but thats just me some people get relief others dont just wait and see how it goes for you. Maybe it will work out, I still go for them because my pm doc says so but thats the only reason. im just trying to avoid surgery again for as long as i can.
Severe Osteoporosis t-3 score 2009
Doctor says: no standing, or sitting for long periods. No lifting, bending, climbing, crouching, kneeling, crawling, or etc. The list goes on and on.
Swelling from knees to feet source unknown at this time.
Severe Cervical pain, burning, tingling, and numbness to the point that i cannot move sometimes. Muscle spasms, Migraines, and Radiculopathy. Also limited ROM cervical spine.
ACDF c 5-6 2007
Disk dehydration seen down to the C6-7 level. Susceptibility artifact seen along the areas of metal hardware. C3-4 and C4-5 there is at least mild narrowing of the nerve root foramina. C5-6 minor narrowing of the right foramen.
1. Anterior cervical fusion with metal hardware at C5-6 which is well maintained. There is mild narrowing of the nerve root foramina bilaterally.
2.Broad bulging disc C6-7 with borderline mild developing central stenosis and AP canal space diameter of 11-12 mm. also mild stenosis nerve root foramina.
I am not a medical professional my opinion is just that and should not be considered as medical advice!!!
I am sorry to hear of your suffering and wish that I did have a home remedy to share. I am sure that you already know about heat and ice which can sometimes provide temp relief for the worst of times. I hope that your pain will be short lived and that you do find a non invasive procedure to help control your pain. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin