Spinal stenosis/neuropathy/LDN
 

Hi, I am inquiring for my 81 year old dad. Up until a few years ago, he was a very active senior. He was the "runner" for his seniors softball team, bowled, gardened extensively, drove. Then he developed spinal stenosis w/neuropathy. He can no longer do anything, uses a cane (next will be a walker).

Due to having loss of feeling in his legs, he frequently loses his balance and occasionally will fall. My dad is stubborn and thinks that this is just "old age". He is becoming increasingly depressed.

He will not go back to the neurotologist because he thinks nothing can be done to help him (not to mention, he is afraid of needles). I know there are options such as a minimally invasive surgery to shave off that which is pressing on the nerve. Has anyone had luck with this? Has anyone tried LDN for the symptoms of the SS/neuropathy?

Thanks.

Jimmy,
How was your dad's spinal stenosis discovered. Did he have an MRI? Is the spinal stenosis throughout most of his spinal cord or just in one area??

I have spinal stenosis which is narrowing of the spinal cord space. There are temporary things that can be done; steroid injections, pain meds. A laminectomy (removal of part of the lamina covering the spinal cord) will allow a larger space for the spinal cord the narrowing will remain. I had the surgery on my L4-5 area some years ago. The surgeon said I had more areas with spinal stenosis; but he did the laminectomy where the spinal cord area was the most narrowed .

When you mention shaving off that which is pressing on the nerve; that sounds more like a disc pressing on a nerve which may or may not be pressing on the spinal cord. Again, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space of the spinal cord and as far as I am aware, is not the disc pressing against the spinal cord. That's why I ask how your dad was diagnosed with spinal stenosis.

I still deal with pain spinal pain. I am under the care of a Pain Management doctor and have been prescribed opioid medication to help deal with the spinal pain as well as my neuropathy. I use a cane to help with my balance. I may or may not eventually need a walker. The walker does help keep the body more balanced and upright.

The hardest part is accepting this is happening and can be depressing. Hope he will soon push forward and keep moving and not become a "couch potato"...

Gerry

Dear Jimmy,
Are you still following this posting? I have some thoughts I would like to share with you and the Community but seems you maynot be checking? Please let me know.
Marlene