I have a moderate lumbar C curve with a large twist, it's only 38 degrees. I started having back pain a few years ago, I've been through treatment with several orthos and PTs, but the pain continues to increase. My latest ortho believes I am suffering from spinal stenosis, as most of you are. I refused an MRI because I don't see a point unless I want to apply for disability, which I'm sure I won't get since I'm so young. I have major sciatic pain in one leg and no feeling on part of my thigh. I'm on Gabapentin for the pain, it helps immensely but I hate the side effects. Still, I refuse to revert back to the nerve pain so I deal with it.
I live in Montana, there are no certified/recommended doctors anywhere near me.
I don't know what to do anymore. I'm 32, female. I used to be extremely active, hiking, backpacking, skiing, shoveling snow. I lived for it. I can't do any of it anymore. I can swim, but gym memberships are expensive and I don't find swimming enjoyable. Back and forth. Cross country skiing is actually relatively pain free for me, so I find summer brings depression. Quite the opposite from my mountain climbing days.
I know no one has the answer, but does anyone have advice as to how to continue to live with this? Are long term pain/depression medicines helpful? Cortisone shots? Anything else that my doctors haven't thought of? Any books or other information that anyone recommends?
I live in Montana, there are no certified/recommended doctors anywhere near me.
I don't know what to do anymore. I'm 32, female. I used to be extremely active, hiking, backpacking, skiing, shoveling snow. I lived for it. I can't do any of it anymore. I can swim, but gym memberships are expensive and I don't find swimming enjoyable. Back and forth. Cross country skiing is actually relatively pain free for me, so I find summer brings depression. Quite the opposite from my mountain climbing days.
I know no one has the answer, but does anyone have advice as to how to continue to live with this? Are long term pain/depression medicines helpful? Cortisone shots? Anything else that my doctors haven't thought of? Any books or other information that anyone recommends?
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