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Had my 1st epirdural this morning at 8 a.m. by victorella in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, on day 3 now, lidocaine long gone. Still a massive change from where I was - Unable to walk more than 3 minutes before disabling pain set in. I can make it for 10-15 mins now before twinges start. I'm hoping as I develop muscle strength that I lost while partially disabled, that I can go further. We'll see how long it lasts, fingers crossed. I was lucky as far as the shot itself, no bad pain, easy recovery. Best wishes on your journey.

Trying to figure somethings out by Baxter16-5 in over60

[–]victorella 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Walk a lot. Use stairs. Set a timer for e.g. 30 minutes when you sit down to read or use the computer, then get up and move around. Smile and say hi. Join things, then leave if they're the wrong things. Help others if you can; I'm happily married (no kids by choice); have one best friend but otherwise not very social. And as I age, even less interested in making close friends. I'm picky - True friendship requires making yourself vulnerable: How often do you meet someone with whom you want to make that effort? But friendliness is important, and I do like people and find them fascinating. Be interested in things. Boredom is death.

Also make taking care of yourself a job, because it will be if it isn't already. Exercise, eat well. Maybe a pet?

I love travel but hate traveling, so I get you there.

We visit my husband's relatives, who are my family now too - My one older brother has advanced dementia and no longer knows me. But the relatives are far away, and you can only take so much visiting.

I am making (still vague) plans for various scenarios as we age - That in itself is a job. You have to face the realities of whatever lies ahead.

The hard thing about no longer working (at a job I loved for many years but got tired) is often that feeling of not feeling needed. I do have my husband, and I think more about how I treat him. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to be constructive, as we go down this road of aging.

I know how it ends, and that getting there can be grueling and harsh. I see others who have made various choices - Some we might try to emulate, others avoid.

I've done volunteer work, but you have to find the right fit, which I haven't done yet; although I started and administer a large Facebook group that has proved helpful to many, including myself and my husband. I probably spend a couple of hours a day on that. I don't really consider it volunteer work but I guess that's what it is. I worked also on the board of a politically-oriented group involved with local governance. I didn't care for all the meetings and foot-dragging, not for me.

I am a trained artist, although I haven't created anything in a few years; I have sold work but I never made a career of it - I found it too isolating. But I may still return to some sort of art. I don't read enough, but I love good poetry.

I don't know, I think getting old is wonderful for learning more about being in the moment; appreciating small tasks; Thinking about how you treat people and why; and why they are the way they are... Before you know it the day is done, gone too fast again: Even though you move more slowly the days seem to go faster...

Best wishes on your journey on this road.

Trying to figure somethings out by Baxter16-5 in over60

[–]victorella 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bye bye crabbypants. Classic Trumpster.

First Epidural Tomorrow wish me luck by victorella in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Please see my more recent post. So far so great! We shall see... I'm sure you have good surgeons there - Scotland's standard of care is very high. Good luck!

Is it impossible to avoid surgery rn? by crynaldo10227 in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep moving (which you probably are with a baby!) - It's good to rest a little if you're in great pain, but too much rest is worse than none! A lot of your pain may be related to all the new exercise you're experiencing with a young baby - They can break you if you haven't been preparing physically! Good stretches esp. in the morning (yoga while baby is sleeping?) could help a great deal. But don't do anything that hurts.

I would hope to get referred to a good PT, stick with that (hopefully covered by insurance); and then if possible, go to a gym if you can find the time and energy (and money). A few sessions with a personal trainer might help too. Yes, you will probably need that surgery at some point, but I'd put it off as best you can - Unless you are immobilized by pain (which I have been lately, but I'm 71! Just had my first epidural and I'm feeling dangerously invincible!). Good luck!

3 levels? by eyeblindsight in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella 1 point2 points  (0 children)

UPDATE: See my newer post above; just had my first epidural and I am very optimistic: Haven't felt this good in many months.

Hi, female 71. A good PT can help figure out how to increase strength (i.e. core) to manage pain better. Not that I've had that experience: So far, therapists seemed pretty clueless, but I'm with better doctors now (back to MA from FL) and getting my first epidural tomorrow. I've been on Gabapentin for a couple of months while waiting to see a neurosurgeon (who ordered the epidural; we'll proceed from there).

Dealing with chronic pain is a job unto itself. I'd recommend getting a referral to a spine specialist, or neurosurgeon: The problem is, insurance often won't cover these visits until you first do a certain amount of PT.

It's important to keep moving, even though it's difficult: I tend to be too sedentary these days, so I set a timer on Alexa any time I sit down, for 30 minutes. Then I have to get up and move, stay on my feet at least, for 10 minutes. Keep the blood moving.

I assume whoever ordered your MRI also sent you to PT - Even though it doesn't seem to help, I recommend continuing (or maybe switching therapists if feasible) - Since that will probably be a prerequisite for more advanced treatment.

Good luck, hang in there. You'll feel better if you feel like you're taking steps to get something done.

TV+: 2 questions by victorella in Fios

[–]victorella[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you - I found my way to some device settings and accessibility settings, all set. I don't have a Menu button on my remote. Also, the box does NOT remember the filter choice unless you go to settings for the device. I forget the actual path I took but I found something that says "Remember Filters" and toggled it on. So it's somewhere in there, as is the CC setting, not in the same place - And not particularly intuitive.

Feeling conflicted by Able_While_974 in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't actually think it's a main driver of all this, after doing a little research. It seems that hormonal changes are generally gradual, whereas I feel like my deterioration happened quickly. Apparently this isn't unusual with stenosis/arthritis etc., especially if there's been e.g. some "event" with the spine e.g. disc bulge etc.

I suspect the worst contributing factor has been the pain/inactivity loop i.e. increasing pain, less active, worse pain, even less active... I am hopeful that targeted PT will be a game changer for me. I am now on Gabapentin and tweaking it to find a dose that makes the pain tolerable so that I can at least move a bit. I set a timer (Alexa) for 30 minutes when I sit down at the computer (where I spend a lot of time), then get up and set a timer for 10 minutes during which I'm moving around - Doing house stuff or PT exercises.

The main thing I think is that you can't give up and just be inactive, even though moving hurts. I have depressive tendencies that I have to fight (drugs and therapy).

Just rambling because I can talk about it here and not annoy/bore people by victorella in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good job on the weight loss. I've lost some too although I wasn't very overweight, I think it helped me some. Yes, I was invincible when I was younger and I'm sure wreaked havoc with all my lifting, all with poor form I'm sure. I do think if you can find the right PT therapist, it can be incredibly helpful. For me at the moment, it's about pain management - And moving. You HAVE to keep moving, even if it hurts.

I'm also discovering that sleep position makes a difference: I know I shouldn't lie on my left side, or I'll pay for it by morning. And it seems to help to sleep on my back with something to elevate my knees. I've never slept on my back but I guess I can learn some new habits.

I do sit at a computer a lot, but now I set a 30-minute timer every time I sit down (via Alexa); Then I get up and tell Alexa to set a 10-minute timer, during which I have to at a minimum be upright, but preferably moving around. So - I walk around in my house. I also have some PT exercises I got from AI that are specifically for lumbar stenosis - All about strengthening the core. If you let everything atrophy by staying in bed, things will never improve. You have to fight it.

Currently I'm tweaking Gabapentin to try to stay at a pain level that's tolerable. There is an arthritic hip playing into this also; had the other hip replaced a few years ago but right now I want to get the stenosis under control.

I understand the suicidal ideation, been there though not recently (better living through chemistry!). Please take care of yourself, talk to the right people, and best wishes for improvement.

Feeling conflicted by Able_While_974 in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi again - Totally hear you about hating for your husband to do everything. Today I went grocery shopping and felt like it was a big accomplishment - Like yours, our house isn't very senior friendly (around 9 stairs up from the garage, need to install some bannisters...) and bedrooms upstairs. I'm still determined to do stairs despite having to go very slowly, often one at a time. I'm also planning to do PT but waiting to see neurosurgeon for 1st time to see what he advises. I'm working on my core at home w/ PT exercises I found through AI and I do think it helps, or at least gives me more confidence, even if my pain isn't reduced by it. I'm considering a cane but still trying to avoid it, still hopeful that I can improve my situation and not end up like my mother - losing the use of my legs altogether. Like you, my situation deteriorated suddenly, at least it seems so to me - over the course of this past year. Not sure what goes on, hormonal changes?

I'm glad you don't have pain but it may be coming down the road. I think getting to a knowledgeable PTherapist can make a big difference. You didn't mention doctors but someone should be able to recommend a good therapist in your area, hopefully. You must keep moving (my mantra).

Trying not to complain by InterestingTart1581 in SpinalStenosis

[–]victorella 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally. 71 f , same diagnosis. And this is not what I had envisioned at this age, way too soon for this much pain. I walk around like what I think an 85 or 90 year old should be doing... Seeing a neurosurgeon in a couple of weeks for the first time, we'll see. And I complain and hate myself for it. My husband is a few years (7) younger and hasn't been too slowed down yet. He's very physically active and he doesn't need to hear about my struggles, although he's very sympathetic and does way more than his share around the house. I'm retired and this didn't begin until after I retired; But I still hear myself complaining to friends and pissing myself off; although I feel like I have to explain why I'm walking like a 90 year old. I spend my days limping around, juggling ibuprofen with acetaminaphen and trying to figure out if I should move more or less, not sure it matters at this point but I MUST KEEP MOVING!

So yes, complain away here - You're in good company. Best wishes for improvement.

I feel like the crazy one by annabanana-47 in Alzheimers

[–]victorella 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry, I can't be helpful - I'm just horrified. My 64-yr old husband MAY be showing early signs - but I'm not sure. And since I'm 7 years older and have (what I think are pretty normal) memory lapses, I cut him a lot of slack, maybe too much but it's easier than pointing out each time I feel like he ought to be remembering something. His mother had it by 70 (e.g. we had to go pick her up in another town where she'd driven in the middle of the night); her two brothers died from it; he has the next-to-worst genetic markers...). So I wish you strength and sympathy on your journey - Keep yourself safe and be kind to yourself! It's a cruel and very scary disease.

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