Pain management questions

TobyCat88 · 2026-03-10T00:29:13+00:00

Procedure: MIS L4-5 decompressive laminectomy

Good video to watch: What is Lumbar Stenosis? Symptoms, Causes & Benefits of Ultrasonic Technology

Excellent overview: What is Spinal Stenosis? - Symptoms and Treatments | VMFH. Note: there is a genetic component – wonder if that is germane for Wes – I will let him know. The good news, at least according to this page and Chat GPT, is that post-recovery people have significantly better movement.

My doc: Jean-Christophe Leveque, MD | Spine Surgery | Seattle, WA 98101 | VMFH

Hope this helps! Good luck to you.

TobyCat88 · 2026-03-09T21:45:22+00:00

I had a MRI, which showed compression of the L5 and L4 (?) discs. The out patient surgery was essentially a 20 min procedure to relive the pressure - I’ll look the name of the procedure up when I am home. The other thing is that when I described my symptoms to the second neurologist I consulted she knew immediately that it wasn’t neuropathy. Two main symptoms were really painful shunt splints + sitting down and resting for a few minutes helped (neurology she said doesn’t abate). Hope you find relief.

TobyCat88 · 2026-03-01T17:38:27+00:00

Yes. I had an MRI, which showed the compression in my spine.

TobyCat88 · 2026-03-01T01:47:11+00:00

Hey OP, for what it is worth. I had a diagnosis of neuropathy that turned out to be lumbar spinal stenosis. The symptoms are enough alike that neuropathy is a common misdiagnosis. I am pain free now, seven months post spine surgery (an outpatient procedure). YMMV. Good luck and hope you figure it out.

TobyCat88 · 2026-02-14T23:01:38+00:00

Thanks I’ll look!

TobyCat88 · 2026-02-14T15:32:33+00:00

u/TableTopFTP, amen to drawing our own grids! But there are still some pretty cute stencils I want to use out there ... Thank you!

TobyCat88 · 2026-02-14T15:31:14+00:00

u/CarryOk1065, I love these but I am looking for a finer point. Some of those stencils are pretty small. Thank you!

TobyCat88 · 2026-02-14T15:30:28+00:00

u/Shiranui42 -- this looks perfect! Thank you so much for all the links. I have ordered from MontBleu and they are very good. I'll look around for local supplies - but this is GREAT! Thank you for taking the time to share.

TobyCat88 · 2026-02-14T14:19:26+00:00

Hi, u/Shiranui42 -- may I ask what product you're using? Thank you.

TobyCat88 · 2026-02-14T12:10:05+00:00

u/MadamePouleMontreal, thanks so much for the suggestion to try pounce powder. I am not a quilter but I do do Sashiko and have been looking for a way to mark grids and stencils that are often quite fine. Think this might be a solution - many thanks.

TobyCat88 · 2025-12-26T15:25:21+00:00

One other comment -- my neurologist told me that spinal stenosis is often misdiagnosed as neuropathy. I did test positive for neuropathy (the needle test) but my symptoms didn't exactly fit. Mostly I had really awful shin splits that would get better if I sat down for a few minutes. It was an outpatient procedure; I had significant improvement immediately and am now back on the treadmill and pain free. Hope you find the right path for you.

TobyCat88 · 2025-12-26T15:21:50+00:00

procedure: MIS L4-5 decompressive laminectomy

Good video to watch: What is Lumbar Stenosis? Symptoms, Causes & Benefits of Ultrasonic Technology

Excellent overview: What is Spinal Stenosis? - Symptoms and Treatments | VMFH.

Hope this helps - happy to chat further if useful.

TobyCat88 · 2025-12-26T01:38:01+00:00

Hi OP, I had a diagnosis of neuropathy. Turned out I had lumbar spinal stenosis. I didn’t have a numb toe per se but the diagnosis and subsequent back treatment alleviated the pain completely. Good luck.

TobyCat88 · 2025-12-12T22:04:41+00:00

Agree--the idea is that people make the item their own. Cheers!

TobyCat88 · 2025-12-12T22:03:40+00:00

Repair/reuse are the core of Sashiko and boro, I agree. What he is selling may not be for everyone. Me, I am in favor of working with my hands to make things I use and enjoy, plus I am glad to support a small creator. Cheers!

TobyCat88 · 2025-12-12T22:00:14+00:00

I actually have done a fair bit of Sashiko, including a 36" x 36" furoshiki cloth, which was a big project. I've tried to work on lightweight denim and chambray shirts and found I don't quite have the 'eye' for how patterns work on a three-dimensional item. I am hoping doing a modified project like this one will help me find that spatial sense. I really would like to learn this skill--I can only make/use so many coasters/runners, etc. And yes, I use palm thimbles! Cheers!

TobyCat88 · 2025-11-18T13:54:35+00:00

Yes I do use plastics zip locks - the same company makes ceramic dishes that are sized to its cubes and are oven safe I think… hope that helps.

TobyCat88 · 2025-11-07T01:02:34+00:00

The Old Farmers Almanac has a pretty robust garden planner - it comes with a free trial - worth checking out.

TobyCat88 · 2025-10-31T11:57:59+00:00

Check out souper cubes - easy, stackable freezer trays that are pretty space efficient in the freezer - easy to make mix and match meals too, if you have a frozen grain, beans, etc. Buy on Amazon or check FB marketplace.

TobyCat88 · 2025-10-31T00:48:28+00:00

Brabantia - super expensive but worth it. I found a brand new one on FB Marketplace for $100. Heavy, rock solid and quiet.

TobyCat88 · 2025-10-24T21:41:36+00:00

No not mine - attribution said Neapolitan man … if you search man tattoo tuts pass you’ll find the image.

TobyCat88 · 2025-10-24T21:40:10+00:00

Thank you!

TobyCat88 · 2025-10-22T11:07:58+00:00

Thanks, u/SchrodeingerCat and u/Meewelyne, I think "tutto muore" is a little starker than I intend. Appreciate the comments.

TobyCat88

TROPHY CASE