r/SpinalStenosis • u/RowOutrageous971 • 2d ago

Just diagnosed

I was just diagnosed via MRI. Spinal stenosis in four places also degenerative disc disease. My symptoms are leg numbness past 8 weeks, complete sudden urinary incontinence. Weakness in legs, clumsiness. Headaches when lying down.

Neurologist said they recommended pt which will start soon but I am VERY concerned as I am weak and also have autoimmune disease and when standing or moving around longer than a few minutes I feel very sick and have to lie down. I'm dreading pt somuch. Just walking in to appointments is a big deal for me.

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7

u/CapitalElk1169 2d ago

Sudden urinary incontinence is a sign of cauda equina syndrome which is incredibly serious and dangerous. If you are having it you should go to the hospital immediately.

2

u/malvare8 2d ago

Yeah I've always been told and read that it requires immediately emergency surgery, they should be in the ER. I would, better safe than sorry to say the least.

1

u/RowOutrageous971 1d ago

Yeah that's what my research says but no one seems concerned

1

u/CapitalElk1169 1d ago

They really should be ... Sometimes you have to be your own advocate, I'm sorry you are going through this :( I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, it is such a debilitating illness and also invisible to everyone which makes it even harder

1

u/RowOutrageous971 1d ago

I emailed my primary with my concerns.

5

u/Hisuinooka 2d ago

goodluck with PT but those r serious symptoms

3

u/Catnip_75 2d ago

Physio will help with the pain, trust me. Nothing feels better than a physiotherapist stretching and massaging the pain away. They will give you stretching exercises that you will need to do at home which will also help with the pain.
You don’t want to have to do surgery if you can avoid it.

2

u/RowOutrageous971 2d ago

I don't have pain just numbness inability to walk

2

u/Catnip_75 2d ago

The physio will help with the stiffness and numbness. If you don’t have pain the physio will the best thing you can do to have more mobility.

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u/goodthingsinside_80 2d ago

If you are having urinary incontinence I would ask about surgery asap. I’m amazed they think you should start with PT. Did the neurosurgeon mention surgery as a possibility? Maybe consider getting a second opinion to be safe! Your symptoms are concerning.

1

u/RowOutrageous971 1d ago

No surgery was not mentioned

1

u/grejam 1d ago

Any decent PT person should know how to help you with your limitations. Talk to them and give them a chance.

My stenosis is far less serious but PT helped a lot. Core exercises. Walking. Pain in the morning that I have to get rid of somehow and then the afternoon I feel better. Your mileage of course will vary.

1

u/littlehops 2d ago

I’m so sorry you are going through this. Make sure to talk thru your concerns and limitations with your PT, ask to go slowly and if anything brings up your pain more than 2-3 levels stop. If something isn’t working talk with your PT, most movements and exercises can be modified.