Spinal Stenosis, lower back pain.

[ut2sua]

I’m curious. What pointed you to Collage +biotin as possible aid to your problem?

DW told me The theory there is as the human body got old, it won't produce enough of these substances which the bones and joints need. We are not experts in the health profession, so take my advice with lots of caution. YMMV.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I had my ablation 2 months ago and it is going well. L3, L$ & L5. Pain did not go away immediately but now it is almost gone. I never will go completely. I have these once a year, no invasive and appears to work, it taes about 6 weeks to heal completely.

 

[Koolau]

I am sure my problem was different, but I was at a point of not being able to walk or even sleep in peace with severe lower back pain a few months ago. Collagen +biotin supplements (from Costco, no less) got me back to the walking trail today. Hope this may help someone here.

I’m curious. What pointed you to Collage +biotin as possible aid to your problem?

I had heard about using Glucosamine with MSM from Costco. It seems to help some, but is no panacea. Just an aid. I will look for the Collagen and biotin at Costco. I'll try anything - including snake oil.

 

[Retired Expat]

Dr, said my exams show Spinal Stenosis but it was found because of a weakness in my legs, not pain perse. Have had back pain all my life. Pilates and the gym have helped a great deal. But what they did find at the same time while doing all the tests was NPH. Had surgery to correct it and I am back baby. Walking much better and faster, leg strength returning, balance improving, cognitive ability is 100%, memory is back and that embarrassing incontinence has passed!

 

[ut2sua]

I had heard about using Glucosamine with MSM from Costco. It seems to help some, but is no panacea. Just an aid. I will look for the Collagen and biotin at Costco. I'll try anything - including snake oil.

I am sure I got lucky that my problem was directly related to my body lack of production in this particular case. The change was night vs day for me after taking the supplement. I started with the full dosage (6 pills) as directed for the first couple weeks, but I have cut back to 2 per day and the pain has gone away. I disliked taking any supplements in the past, but after the severe discomfort I had experienced, I have been taking this one religiously every day now. Good luck.

 

[folivier]

I used to take Chondroitin and Glucosamine years ago for knee pain. I tried CBD oil for my back pain but quit doing that. I might try C&G again.

 

[Trooper]

Searched for ablation and came across this thread. Went to the ER last October with a herniated L3/L4 disk, no stenosis. Have been seeing a pain management doc at Barrows Brain and Spine. Since then I have had 2 steroid injections (epidurals), PT, and most recently 2 Medial Branch Blocks. These are lidocaine injections designed to identify the source of the pain so that a Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) can be performed. So far the blocks have greatly reduced the pain so I will like go ahead with the ablation.

Anything I should be concerned about or questions to ask? It seems like these ablations only last less than a year or so. After that what happens?

 

[marko]

After over 60 years of lower back problems, my MRI revealed some arthritis in my L4 and L5 ... a new ailment.

I started decompression therapy with my chiropractor. He straps you into this table and it slowly stretches you out. It's more accurate and controlled than an inversion table but kind of the same thing.

After 6 weeks, I'm now going every other week. My lower back feels the best it's been in over two years!!

 

[folivier]

I have RFA's done twice each year for herniated L4/L5. They last about 5 months each. Hopefully they'll continue to work going forward. They don't take away all of the pain and don't fix the herniated discs but allow me to go through life with less pain. When I'm doing something like cutting and splitting wood and I start to feel any pain in my lower back that's when I finish for the day.

 

[Dash man]

Searched for ablation and came across this thread. Went to the ER last October with a herniated L3/L4 disk, no stenosis. Have been seeing a pain management doc at Barrows Brain and Spine. Since then I have had 2 steroid injections (epidurals), PT, and most recently 2 Medial Branch Blocks. These are lidocaine injections designed to identify the source of the pain so that a Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) can be performed. So far the blocks have greatly reduced the pain so I will like go ahead with the ablation.

Anything I should be concerned about or questions to ask? It seems like these ablations only last less than a year or so. After that what happens?

I used to get bilateral ablations twice per year each for my cervical and lumbar areas. The Medicare happened. They only allow one ablation per year per area.

 

[folivier]

Not so sure about that, medicare allows 2 ablations per year and my doc is doing 2 locations each time and also throws in a 3rd location gratis. Maybe talk to your doc and make sure he is coding it correctly?

 

[Trooper]

^That's my understanding also. I wasn't aware that the ablation(s) needed to be repeated. I guess the nerves don't get fully toasted and then regenerate.

 

[mystang52]

I'm not a doctor, but have you tried some combination of targeted exercising as well as general fitness exercising? Consistent exercises for the low back might strengthen the surrounding tissues to help take some of the strain caused by stenosis. Similarly, leg and other general exercising might help overall body conditioning. Like I said, I'm not a doctor. FWIW, I do have chronic neck issue - stenosis - that I keep at bay with my own combination of specific and general exercising. I'm not cured, but it's tolerable.

 

[Koolau]

I'm not a doctor, but have you tried some combination of targeted exercising as well as general fitness exercising? Consistent exercises for the low back might strengthen the surrounding tissues to help take some of the strain caused by stenosis. Similarly, leg and other general exercising might help overall body conditioning. Like I said, I'm not a doctor. FWIW, I do have chronic neck issue - stenosis - that I keep at bay with my own combination of specific and general exercising. I'm not cured, but it's tolerable.

My back issues are made worse by exercise - even at the direction of PT people. I've gotten some relief with steroid injections, but they don't seem to last.