LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS - WHY DO I EXPERIENCE MORNING STIFFNESS

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I was recently diagnosed with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis four months ago after experiencing a sharp pain in my left thigh only to be relieved by sitting down for a few minutes and then standing up again. The symptoms occurred suddenly, and not gradually. I think what aggravated things was that I am a caregiver for a mother with Dementia who sometimes requires physical assist and guidance.

I saw a Sport Medicine doctor who had me take an MRI which officially established the diagnosis. Since then, she had me try Arthritis Strength Tylenol, and take 900MG of Gabapentin. Both provided no relief. She then changed me to Mobic 15Mg and Gabapentin, which also provided no relief. I then was prescribed Dicoflenac pills, went off the Gabapentin, and then was prescribed Tramadol.

Well the Tramadol does provide relief for the pain. I find that I need to take 150 mg, 50mg every six hours for relief and especially before bedtime so I can sleep without feeling discomfort in my legs. I never experience any pain in my lower back. I usually feel discomfort in my legs, and usually a jolt of pain when I first sit in a chair which then subsides.

The Dicoflenac also provided no relief so the covering doctor prescribed Nambutone 500MG twice a day. I just started this three days ago, along with the Tramadol.

Despite all these anti-inflammatory medications, I still wake up in the morning with some painful stiffness which eventually subsides after sitting and standing.  My PCP nor the Sports Medicine doctor can explain why. I am a side sleeper incidentally.

That being said, and being 58 as well, does anybody have an idea as to why I feel so painfully stiff in the morning? Is it symptomatic of LSS? Shouldn't the anti-inflammatories help?

Thoughts? Thanks.