
Have Hypertension, Low Thyroid, Diabetic And Spinal Stenosis. On Percocet. Feel Drowsy. Having Chronic Pain. Suggest?

I can understand you are concerned about your husband. I am assuming your husband is experiencing chronic pain due to the spinal stenosis.
Your should know that treatment for pain caused due to spinal stenosis includes pain killers like NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anti-depressants, muscle relaxants, and opioids. Out of these, the strongest are opioids, and the opioid your husband has been prescribed is also quite strong, so I would agree with your doctor. Is the pain being managed by pain specialist? or local GP? If you had not met the pain specialist he may try few combinations but it does not guarantee a complete pain relief as you are looking for.
In my opinion, the next best treatment option would be surgery to reduce the pain, which should be considered when conservative treatment has failed. But there is no specific type of surgery, and it all depends on the specific individual presentation. In some patients a part of the vertebral body causing the stenosis is removed; at times two vertabral bodies are fused to reduce pressure; and so on. But the location for surgery is a very delicate area, and it risks infection. So please discuss the same with a well experienced spine specialist.
Other treatment options include: physiotherapy and steroid injections. I hope this information was helpful. Please write back to me for any further clarifications.
God bless you and your husband with good health.


A 2-3 year wait to see a neurosurgeon is way too long; can't you try consulting doctors at private clinics or at an ER? Extreme pain can be considered an emergency as well.
I would also like to add that an orthopedic surgeon will be able to help, but if possible, try to get in touch with a spine specialist, they would have the expertise required to help XXXXXXX (especially if we consider surgery to be an option).
I am really sorry I cannot help with setting an appointment up for XXXXXXX as the health system in your country is totally different from what it is in mine. I really hope basic necessities like consultation with a specialist would be made simpler and quicker.
God bless XXXXXXX and you, and I really hope we can find a quick and sure solution for XXXXXXX

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