SPINAL STENOSIS

Been dealing with it for the past year.

Symptoms started when I would reach over my head (90% of my current job is working on a lift, installing the hydraulic tilt systems on Amtrak's new high speed trains) and my legs would go numb. Figured it was a pinched nerve.

Went to doctor, full work up of x-rays and MRI's. L4 and L5 are inflicted, with a bone spur on each, facing opposite directions. Mine was diagnosed as congenital. Top that off with a bad right hip and it's constant pain from the lower back down to about my knees. Every once in a while I have problems with balance and have to remind my legs how to work.

Insurance approved PT, but not pain management. Taking gabapentin as a PRN, which means every morning before I go to work. Which is okay, since it also helps with the tendinitis in both shoulders.

PT helped in strengthening my core. Losing weight helped a bit more as the extra weight doesn't help. And I'm no where near my target goal, yet.

Sitting, standing, doesn't matter. It hurts. Laying down helps, but my legs go numb laying down, which combined with hot foot syndrome (yes, it's a thing) happens to be the most irritating part about it. That, and damn near falling on my face a couple of times a day.

Add in depression on top of that and it doesn't help. I'm an angry guy to begin with, so the pain just pisses me off even more. Keeping a positive outlook and just remember that's it's no one's fault so not to take it out on anyone.

And remember that it's just pain. Pain is transient. It might not be gone in this lifetime, but the next it will be.