Wellness

[nomar]

You are getting some good advice and ideas here. I will leave soon to see my doc about this possibility of Anklyosis Spondylosis diagnosis. Our ortho docs in my town do not do back surgeries is why I was referred to specialists. Like I mentioned, the first 2 dismissed me with no help or advice. One actually said, "live with it." Neither took the time to listen to my symptoms. I felt rushed out of the office. When I knew I was going to a 3rd and my last hope (as medicare will only pay for 3 referrals) I typed up everything I had been through with treatments. PT it worse. A series of 3 spinal injections did nothing. 2 injections to test for an RFA did nothing. A CBC done when a complaint to my family doctor showed no problems on why I am fatigued. Luckily, this doctor sat and listened and had my list in his hand also. If only the other 2 had listened, I might be furthur along with treatment. Extreme fatigue along with the misery of pain, loss of appetite, etc. is more than spinal stenosis. I believe that is why he has ordered the tests he did. He wants to rule out any other thing it could be. I would not be surprised he will not order a blood test that can help confirm his original diagnosis. Finding a doctor that will LISTEN to symptoms is so important. I am ready to accept whatever he says today, as I feel he is on top of things. I wish you lucky in finding the right doctor. 

[nomar]

Excuse some of my typing errors in my last post. Sitting here in pain is affecting my ability to type. I am taking no pain meds or muscle relaxers before seeing the doc. He needs to know how I live without them, which is high on that stupid pain scale. My trip to Overland Park, Ks. will be fairly long and very uncomfortable.

[BLH]

Google exercises for spinal stenosis.  Makes a difference.

[skittles2]

@nomar 

You are doing the right thing, you're involved and don't stop until you know what is going on.

I have a Neuro Dr. who is from a large teaching hospital, which usually have the latest everything, and think outside the box, not the usual take this, live with it, etc., when we know something is going on, and they don't see the need to further investigate, when not much is helping, or you know there has to be something else to look into, find someone else.

often times it's someone from a good medical school, and good place of internship and residency, because they'll have that

" this patient is not the usual horse trot I'm hearing, they're a Zebra"  I'm usually their Zebra. 

Especially with Autoimmune Disease, there are many symptoms and every system is involved, sometimes at once, or just one.

My Neuro knew on the first visit because every symptom on their checklist I checked.

He sent me to Hopkins for a battery of tests, including labs, which sent me to an Oncologist, who I still see because of a diagnosis, he did 2 bone marrow extractions.

So many times we need to go to multiple Dr.s, often we have more than one thing going on but some Dr.s only treat one without further investagation.

I hope you'l get the care you need. You Dr. sounds like a keeper, and I'm sure he apppreciates the  work you've put into your care search, communication and input.

Those are the Dr.s patients should seek out.

[skittles2]

@nomar wrote:

Excuse some of my typing errors in my last post. Sitting here in pain is affecting my ability to type. I am taking no pain meds or muscle relaxers before seeing the doc. He needs to know how I live without them, which is high on that stupid pain scale. My trip to Overland Park, Ks. will be fairly long and very uncomfortable.

@nomar 

I know you want him to see, but don't allow it to get too bad. If he's a good Dr. he'll believe you and wouldn't want you to let it go on too much. It can trigger other areas to set off as well.

Especially with travelling, being in a car, plane etc.,  will make anything worse.

Take Care

[meem120]

I have stenosis and a few other back problems. I had the surgery 2 years ago. Because the pain was awful. The surgery helped but I also was left with residual pain. Not the outcome I was hoping for. Long story short. I go to pain management. I get epidurals. Once we found the correct type of epidural I have no pain for about 8 or 9 months. When I feel it starting to act up I call to schedule my next epidural. Also most effective was keeping a steady weight   Over the winter I had gained a few pounds and could feel the pain starting. Once I lost those few pounds I felt fine. I'm not talking a lot of weight. Maybe 8 pounds.  

[skittles2]

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@On It wrote:

@nomar The Nuclear Bone scan intrigues me. Is it the one where you get an injection then an hour later they do the scan? If it is the test I am thinking of, it can find lots of issues. The technician told my husband exactly where every spot of arthritis was showing. It matched where he had discomfort. They were looking for something else, so I guess the arthritis was a bonus that would not have gone on the report to the doctor.

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Yes, there is a tracer injected into a vein, you'll have to wait, usually still, for an hour or 2, maybe more. 

The tracer needs to absorb where they need it to be. Same is true of a PET Scan, and most scans as they prefer contrast/tracers to be used, bit not all scans.

MRI's also can use injection.

There are tests which use oral solutions as well. 

If you have allergies to shellfish, or reactions from other tests let know before your appt, meaning call them well in advance so they can adjust the test or place on a machine that will see without the tracer/or contrast.

Make sure to drink a lot of what afterward.

[on the bay]

@I am still oxox,

So many people I know have or were told they have spinal stenosis-young (40's)er. and older.

I think as many things with the back they will probably say go to physical therapy, nsaids etc.

It is not an uncommon diagnosis.

I agree with others that they should do xrays and or an mri to see what is really going on.

I think a lot of drs say spinal stenosis as something to say for back pain extending to the legs.

I would never go to PT without having an mri or xray because it is not one size fits all.

I hope they give you some good suggestions for relief.

I use salon pas, biofreeze, ice, heating pads and when needed aleve. I see you can't take these.

One PT told me to get a lumbar belt which helped a lot!

Lots on Amazon.

I think tens units are wonderful too because your body can't feel pain at the same time you feel the electrical pulses. But you either like this or not.

Sometimes if one leg is shorter than the other as it is with many, an insert in the shoe will help. Also the right shoes.

[ALRATIBA]

@I am still oxox

I was first diagnosed about 10 years ago.  

Over the years, I've seen 3 docs ... one guy was pain mgt doc.  All sorts of x-rays and scans  (no MRI - I have metallic inplant.) 

Bottom line for me from all three docs ... prescribed physical therapy, remain active and get out and walk every day.  

It's easy enough to manage ... exercise, walking, Tylenol, Lidocaine patches, ice packs when needed.  

Pain mgmt doc said "I'm here if you need me." .... never did have to go back to see him.  He showed me how to manage my pain.

[Shelbelle]

A good pain mgmt specialist will order an MRI right away, no doubt on this.