Ironic. I too have spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. When I went through PT a year ago I was taught that our discs fill up with fluid when we're not moving. Once we get moving the fluid goes away. SO, I would wake up every 2 hours with a herniated disc pressing on my nerve, sending pain thru my right bun, down my leg and into my knee area. Nothing touched it. I tried vicodin from my doctor. Didn't touch the pain. The only thing that brought relief was 8-10 minutes on the treadmill down in the basement at a normal walking pace. So, I've been walking ever since. 3-5 miles a day. Got a new pup and she goes along. I know I'll never get well again, but I also still can windsurf, somewhat, on my light gear. Also, my 1st ESI pain injection worked.(google them) I've had others since. Also, I'm taking neproxin 2 times a day. Would love to be off of that stuff. Long term use of neproxin is no good.
I'm never completely pain free. As an alcoholic, the vicodin left a lasting impression on my brain. It's something I could easily abuse under the "legal prescription" facade. I can see why folks toss them down by the hand full. So, I go to lots of meetings. I don't want a new addiction. When I'm sitting in a meeting, all my present addictions are doing push-ups out in the parking lot!
