<p>I have a 73 year old woman friend who has a severe case of spinal stenosis to the point where she can barely get up from a sitting position, can’t stand for any meaningful time without getting the shakes, needs a walker, has balance problems, is bent over, and now has a case of incontinence. She takes meds for that condition (which make her sick) and she also resorts to prescribed pain pills when her lower back hurts. </p>
<p>1.A year or so ago she was referred to a neurologist through the county who looked at her spine scans and told her he couldn’t help her.
2. I need to know why a doctor would say that her spine problem can’t be helped.<br>
3.Would it be that the operation would be too risky or have a high degree of potential failure? Could a procedure be done just to relieve the pressure on the nerves? Would it be that her recovery would take so long that it would be physically and financially prohibitive?<br>
4. She has Medicade with no supplemental insurance. She has no family support, just a couple friends.She has no assets whatsoever and lives on Social Security income.</p>
<p>She does have some other health issues (mildly elevated blood pressure, mild Type 2 diabetes, ADD and depression) but recently got a decent bill of health from her regular doctor. She’s quite overweight which compounds the problem but dieting is not working and she can’t exercise.</p>
<p>I think her spinal column is compressed by bone spurs, degeneration, herniated discs, etc and I have watched her physical condition/mobility deteriorate in the last 6 years. Have attended other doc appts with her in the past and my sense is that she is shuffled about in the system.
Thoughts?
thank you.</p>
<p>I use a site called PubMed to look up medical questions. When I reviewed spinal stenosis, there was mention of PT, injections, and surgeries involving fusion. </p>
<p>I have a client with this condition, who now uses a walker and pain meds. He tried PT and a series of injections, to no avail. Because of a cardiac condition, he is not a candidate for surgery. </p>
<p>I think it is risky to just have Medicare with no supplemental insurance. The co-fees can build up. Has your friend looked into an HMO, like Humana? Just a thought, but her primary doc may be reluctant to send her to PT or for the injections, knowing how much these treatment cost and how they may not be effective.</p>
<p>You are a good friend tomtakemthismwoman to her appointments.</p>
<p>My MIL had a similar condition. They had plenty of money, and the docs couldn’t do anything to improve her mobility and pain issues. I do think that concerned friends and family can help to an extent by being supportive, helping with transportation, and being encouraging.</p>
<p>Two examples – my MIL had bedsores that were not improving. She was in a hospital with a hyperbaric chamber. I encouraged the doctor to actually use the facilities of his hospital. They had ruled out the O2 treatment because she said she was claustrophobic. In reality, when she realized that the hyperbaric treatment might improve her condition, she agreed to try it and was able to tolerate the chamber for significant periods of time and saw substantial improvement.</p>
<p>A second example – she was having some severe pain and discomfort in her midsection. The docs all assumed it was her back. After talking with her, I was convinced she had a bowel obstruction. I was right. They were wrong. They treated her and successfully resolved the blockage.</p>
<p>I am NOT a doctor – just someone who can listen, read, and think about things medical. You are doing a good thing by being an advocate for your friend.</p>