Quote:
Originally Posted by doccarolyn
Hi everyone,
my name is Carolyn and I am new to this forum, I have spinal stenosis at L4and L5- with severe degenerative disc disease. I am on pain meds, nerve meds, etc and my doctor at least one or saying the stenosis is getting worse and I need surgery- of course he is a surgeon- my concern has anyone had successful decompression and laminectomy - all I hear are horror stories and I'm terrified- I have a Ph.D in psychology, one would think I could deal with my own anxiety, but it is really hard- has anyone had successful lumbar surgeries- also is anyone from the Los Angeles area- would like to connect with someone in regards to doctors etc- I enjoy this forum,
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Yes I had similar diagnosis - L4/5, stenosis, DDD - and surgery for decompression and laminectomy. It was successful insofar as my condition was stabilised, but not improved. Six years on and same nerve pain, same poor mobility. No horror story from me as to recuperation from the operation, there was no increase in pain and I was mobile, well as mobile as I was before, within a few days. The post-op diagnosis was myelomalacia (softening of spinal cord).