Spinal Stenosis

PollySid

Has anyone on here got spinal stenosis?
I am waiting for a Spinal specialist appointment and I'm hoping to get some imaging of somesort done so that I know what I am dealing with.
I know most of my problems stem from my spine - I've had x-rays of my lumbar spine that shows a range of probelms/damage.
I know we shouldn't look on the internet for symptoms etc but after the pain clinic mentioned that I fit the bill for SS I took a look and found that I actually did.
One of the main symptoms with my lower body is the unco-ordination of my legs. It is so difficult to walk. I seem to be walking as if I had brain damage or a stroke, and I feel quite embarrassed by it when it is bad.
My legs can be all over the place and I have to think constantly about moving and placing them. Corners are bad, I have to slow right down and go very carefully when I turn to prevent myself from tipping or falling.
Then there is my neck and shoulders which can be very painful and stop me from driving or turning. My right hand goes numb/tingly when this is bad.
I also get thoracic pain, sciatica, pains in my lower legs and feet.
The only thing that I don't think is connected to my spinal problems is the pain in my knees and aching fingers - straightforward OA I think for them.
Do these symptoms ring a bell with anyone?

suzygirl

Hi, I haven't got confirmed stenoisis although it has been mentioned due to my symptoms. I can't stand unaided due to severe pain, my legs spasm and won't work or lift. I have muscle weakness and trmeors due to sciatica etc etc etc.

I hope your appt comes through soon, and they can offer you some sort of relief. My appt is on the 3rd April, hoping I will be offered an injection maybe rather than surgery which has been mentioned, due to disk problems. I have numbness and pins and needles in hands and feet, although that doesn't bother me, its the pain.

Have you had physio for your neck and shoulder? I am currently having acupuncture so I can get back to driving, as I would hate to lose that. Maybe you could ask? It seems a shame to lose that bit of independence.

I wish you well.

elnafinn

Poor you, Polly, you have my sympathy big time. I have been diagnosed with cord compression at C4/5 with cord changes and am significantly myelopathic. I have similar symptoms to you. I had an MRI to find this out for sure. I have had an operation and am 6 months post op and see the consultant again on Friday. I have been told the op will stop further deterioraton but I have a few questions to ask on Friday as I feel my mobility is worse some days than it was previously. I was given no guarantee that I would regain more movement post op but there is a possibility and it could take 18 months. The op was done to prevent further damage occurring, so he said.

You have my sympathy. Like you I find it a real effort to walk some days when outside and feel wobbly and have to concentrate on picking my feet up and sometimes I feel myself waivering on the pavement. Whether anyone else notices, I am not sure.

Yep, like you my hands are tingly and with some numbness and often very cold. I am clumsy doing things sometimes, like getting coins from my purse, doing up a necklace, fastening small buttons. I have no pain in my neck and did not have before the op really, only grating, popping sensations. These have abated post op.

Chin up, it is a lovely day today.

Elna x

PollySid

elnafinn wrote:

Chin up, it is a lovely day today.
Elna x

It is here in Norfolk too.
I always feel like doing more when it is like this. Trouble is my body is now complaining at changing the beds, clearing a couple of drawers out, two lots of washing hung out and preparing the veg for tea. :x My legs nearly gave way when I was doing some sandwiches for lunch.

elnafinn wrote:

I have been diagnosed with cord compression at C4/5 with cord changes

I have just looked at my lumbar x-ray results and one part says 'disk degeneration and disk space narrowing L4-5'.
Is narrowing a way of saying Spinal Stenosis or is that something different do you think?

elnafinn

Would not like to say really, Polly, not being medically trained. L4 and L5 are at the lower end of the spine aren't they? I find standing is ok for me. changing the sheets can be a little uncomfortable on my lower spine but I can do it. I wish I could have a new spinal cord but that is not on offer and unfortunately, once it gets thinner for any reason, in any part it does not mend itself. I had the two offending vertebrae moved/packed away from touching my spinal cord in the op with a bone graft, bone taken from my hip and a metal plate put in. I could see from the MRI how much thinner my cord was in that place and see the vertebrae touching the cord too.

I hope you will be well looked after at your appointments. It is quite worrying isn't it?

Elna x

vondel

Yes I do have this problem, I have had back problem for years but now they say I have spinal Stenosis and some days if I try to walk for too long I have to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, it's hard and my lower back feels like it's in a grip of iron coming right the way around my hips, I cannot stand in the same place very long either, so what with my top of feet pain, my hands at the base of my thumb pain and my knee & neck I am a grumpy bitch at times, I don't know how you all seem to stay so cheerful
Vondel