See a neurosurgeon about having a Laminectomy. I went through very painful spasms for a few years and when the pain got so bad that I had to use a cane that was it. I saw a few surgeons that told me that my stenosis didn't warrant surgery. Meanwhile I was in intense pain and couldn't sleep at night, I couldn't walk without a cane and I was getting very depressed. I lost weight and exercised and I still had the pain and it got worse. While I was getting spinal injections, the doctor there advised me to see the neurosurgeon at that hospital. This time this surgeon said that he would do the surgery. I was suppose to be in the hospital for 2 days but got out the next day because I was walking without aide. The intense pain has lessoned and I can walk a short distance without a cane. The processed is slow and you have to have patience but I am so glad that I had this surgery. I hope that this has helped you make a decision to seek further help.

Hi Nicole, when I read your Sept. 15th blog my instinct was to advise getting him to as many dr.s as needed to find someone who could get to the root of the problem and come up with a concrete way to fix it if that were possible.  In reading your Sept. 17th blog I see that there is more to this and so am asuming that you and he are already trying to have this addressed medically.  What I do know is that it is so very hard to watch someone you love hurting that much everyday and medicating themselves to the point where they are uable to be fully alert as a family member, just to keep that pain level down. {I went through that with my late husband}.  I know it can be overwhelming as everything falls on your shoulders as well as worrying about the person you love. I can't offer any advise about the back issues but have wide shoulders and a good ear. I am here if you ever want to just vent.  I'll be thinking of you Nicole. Take care of you.  Deb

Thank you for all the advise but things are more complicated than portrayed in the above blog. When I have some free time I will explain. In the meantime thank you

Hedme,Thank you for passing on that information,Every little bits help.

Welcome

Smile

Sheilah

Hi Nicol:

I had the same problem since 10 yrs ago. I was in the ER several time a mth, Docts want to operate my spine cord, a lot of pain killers, etc. One day an old lady tolls me to use something that looks like a corset. I did it, at first it was so uncomfortable, especially because I am overweight, and second I wasn’t use to it. But for the last 4 yrs, I haven’t been in the ER. I take it slowly; do my therapy exercises to stretch my back, use a complete sash every day almost all day. I take some unti-inflamatories and like I say, I take it slowly.  

I hope that can help.

HEDME.

Hi Nicole,You should get your boyfriend to a specialist about his back. If you go to one and don't get answers go to another doctor. I have know a couple of people who lived on meds for back problem and it was hard getting off,plus they needed to keep taking more and they stop working and the problem was still there. Try to get him to a specialsit.

Smile and Good Luck

Sheilah