Comments on: Degenerative Disc Disease http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/ A Place To Learn About Back Surgery And Back Pain Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:44:27 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Adam http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1476 Adam Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:16:04 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1476 I was referred to my NHS consultant because I had night time back pain and further pain throughout the morning to various degrees depending on the night before. I had an MRI and was diagnised with a degenerated disk in the L5 S1 if that makes sense, low down in the back, with a protrusion. (no leg pains -yet!) I am 38 and had phyiso which helps a bit but no cure - swiss ball and core strength exercise etc. My consultant was very matter of fact, very uninformative and dismissed any real treatment as it had a low success rate. Can anyone shed any light on what the treatments are to reverse this, if any, or any helpful treatments? I was referred to my NHS consultant because I had night time back pain and further pain throughout the morning to various degrees depending on the night before. I had an MRI and was diagnised with a degenerated disk in the L5 S1 if that makes sense, low down in the back, with a protrusion. (no leg pains -yet!) I am 38 and had phyiso which helps a bit but no cure – swiss ball and core strength exercise etc. My consultant was very matter of fact, very uninformative and dismissed any real treatment as it had a low success rate. Can anyone shed any light on what the treatments are to reverse this, if any, or any helpful treatments?

]]> By: joseph http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1455 joseph Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:22:03 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1455 I did opt for the 2nd shot and right now, all the pain is knocked out. I really hope it lasts for a looooonng time. I do still have the numb, dead feelings come into my legs and they fall asleep along with the bottoms of my feet but the pain is gone which is, needless to say, such a great feeling. I wish all of you the best of luck in your search for healing. Keep your heart and trust in the Lord. To anyone new and looking for answers, definitely look into these steroid epiderals as a replacement to all the chiropractor visits, exercises, and moreover pain pills. I was worried I would never get relief but this is seeming to work for the moment. I did opt for the 2nd shot and right now, all the pain is knocked out. I really hope it lasts for a looooonng time. I do still have the numb, dead feelings come into my legs and they fall asleep along with the bottoms of my feet but the pain is gone which is, needless to say, such a great feeling. I wish all of you the best of luck in your search for healing. Keep your heart and trust in the Lord. To anyone new and looking for answers, definitely look into these steroid epiderals as a replacement to all the chiropractor visits, exercises, and moreover pain pills. I was worried I would never get relief but this is seeming to work for the moment.

]]> By: joseph http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1450 joseph Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:21:45 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1450 I'm only 24 years old, in high school i found out i had bi-lateral stress-fractures in my L4. My options were spinal fusion or be a couch patato. I chose the later as I was only 17 yrs old. Dr. also mentioned spondylosis-Degenerating discs. I've been working through the pain for much too long and have seen many doctors who have not done much of anything for me. Physical therapy nor exercising helped but I had an MRI the other week and the results were rather conclusive, which I knew, but doctors seemed to turn me away-especially the workmans comp dr. It backed up my symptoms: shooting pain down the back of my legs, my legs fall asleep just sitting down, feet tingle...legs are tingling now as I write this. I had a steroidal epiderral just last week which took away the nerve pain but there is still a lot of pain and I've been out of work(disabled) for 2 weeks. The Dr. wants to give me another shot this Thursday and I'm not sure if it's such a good idea to have these cortizone shots so close together. At this point, the only thing that helps is taking the lortabs. My vertebra aren't offset enough to 'need' surgery but the pain is ridiculous as I am an active young adult. I'm always saying "I can't do that, because of my back." **Does anyone care to share their opinion on these steroidal shots?** I’m only 24 years old, in high school i found out i had bi-lateral stress-fractures in my L4. My options were spinal fusion or be a couch patato. I chose the later as I was only 17 yrs old. Dr. also mentioned spondylosis-Degenerating discs. I’ve been working through the pain for much too long and have seen many doctors who have not done much of anything for me. Physical therapy nor exercising helped but I had an MRI the other week and the results were rather conclusive, which I knew, but doctors seemed to turn me away-especially the workmans comp dr. It backed up my symptoms: shooting pain down the back of my legs, my legs fall asleep just sitting down, feet tingle…legs are tingling now as I write this. I had a steroidal epiderral just last week which took away the nerve pain but there is still a lot of pain and I’ve been out of work(disabled) for 2 weeks. The Dr. wants to give me another shot this Thursday and I’m not sure if it’s such a good idea to have these cortizone shots so close together. At this point, the only thing that helps is taking the lortabs. My vertebra aren’t offset enough to ‘need’ surgery but the pain is ridiculous as I am an active young adult. I’m always saying “I can’t do that, because of my back.” **Does anyone care to share their opinion on these steroidal shots?**

]]> By: RON http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1433 RON Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:00:02 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1433 Wow after reading some of these post it really scares me, it seems life is so cruel, i to have DDD, just came back (again) from my Doctors, and was told im pretty much going to have to live with this L1-L-2, annular bulge, L2-L-3, mild diffuse annular bulge,L3-4 diffuse annular bulge,with mild central stenosis,and degenerative changes to the facet joints, L4-5 diffuse annular bulge which is slightly asymmetric towards the right side. moderate central stenosis degenerative at the facet joints, L5-S1 diffuse annular bulge, moderate degenerative of the facet joints. so i to cant help that the gun idea dosent sound so bad, i hope you people all find peace and can live pain free, someday.im taking pain medecation, it does help at time's i to cannot sit, or sleep i seem im on a different drug for everything i need to do, ice does help at times p.t just about killed me.iv'e worked all my life to now be stuck with a body that wont work....i to pray for each of you.. Wow after reading some of these post it really scares me, it seems life is so cruel, i to have DDD, just came back (again) from my Doctors, and was told im pretty much going to have to live with this L1-L-2, annular bulge, L2-L-3, mild diffuse annular bulge,L3-4 diffuse annular bulge,with mild central stenosis,and degenerative changes to the facet joints, L4-5 diffuse annular bulge which is slightly asymmetric towards the right side. moderate central stenosis degenerative at the facet joints, L5-S1 diffuse annular bulge, moderate degenerative of the facet joints. so i to cant help that the gun idea dosent sound so bad, i hope you people all find peace and can live pain free, someday.im taking pain medecation, it does help at time’s i to cannot sit, or sleep i seem im on a different drug for everything i need to do, ice does help at times p.t just about killed me.iv’e worked all my life to now be stuck with a body that wont work….i to pray for each of you..

]]> By: kim http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1431 kim Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:33:55 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1431 Please let me know if you have found releif as i felt I was writing your statement and share your frustration! sincerly Kim Please let me know if you have found releif as i felt I was writing your statement and share your frustration! sincerly Kim

]]> By: sunshine http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1383 sunshine Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:25:02 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1383 Hello everyone, I'm a 42 year old woman. 20 Years ago while in school and working as a certified nursing assistant for a private care agency I hurt my back. I tried moving a 350lb patient by myself (at the time I weighted 125lbs. I knew something was wrong but did not seek medical attention because I did not have health insurance. 10 years later I fell down a stairway at my then friend home (15 steps). She agreed to let me get medical attention based on her homeowners insurance. Then I was told that I had soft tissue injury and that it would be a lifetime problem. 6 years later I start getting frequent back pain, it got so bad at times I'm walking with half of my body bent over and it hurts like hell. Sleeping is out, getting up at nights to use the bathroom is a no, no. Couple of nights I ended up on the floor and peeing on myself. Everytime I went to my Dr. I was prescribe pain pills. I've explained to them on many occasions that I work with children and families in the system and I cannot be under the influence. I keep getting put out of work a week here and there and still returning to work not fully recovered. In April I was in pain again, my Dr only sent me for an x-ray because I told her that I was going to the restroom more frequently than usual. She called and said she did not see anything but asked if I wanted to be referred to the physical medicine dept, I said no because I thought it was PT again. Thank God she stil went ahead and referred me because that dept deals with spine pain. The Dr. there sent me for a MRI immediately and it showed DDD. In May 09 I had a spinal injection, 2 weeks later I was back in pain. In June the pain management Dr said all she can do is give me injections and pain meds, that surgery is the only help. She placed me on prednisone which was the most difficult time becuase I have other stomach problems and this med kick the hell out of me. It help the inflammation but there was still some pain. The following week she called and suggested I meet with a surgeon. I did, he was honest and up front and no BS. I will only get relief with surgery, but suggested that I take my time deciding. 2 weeks later I received 2 spinal injections because I was going away on vacation with my family and needed something other than pain meds. It lasted from 7/2-9/28. Since then I've been in pain everyday. I am so tired of living like this so I called my Dr. yesterday and asked when can I have surgery. I hope it will give me some relief. It will be the anterior lumbar fusion with the cage. I still cannot have it until January as I've not passed my 1 yr probation at work. So what can anyone tell me about this surgery, advantage and disadvantages? Thanks for reading and I pray for each of you. sunshine Hello everyone,

I’m a 42 year old woman. 20 Years ago while in school and working as a certified nursing assistant for a private care agency I hurt my back. I tried moving a 350lb patient by myself (at the time I weighted 125lbs. I knew something was wrong but did not seek medical attention because I did not have health insurance.
10 years later I fell down a stairway at my then friend home (15 steps). She agreed to let me get medical attention based on her homeowners insurance. Then I was told that I had soft tissue injury and that it would be a lifetime problem. 6 years later I start getting frequent back pain, it got so bad at times I’m walking with half of my body bent over and it hurts like hell. Sleeping is out, getting up at nights to use the bathroom is a no, no. Couple of nights I ended up on the floor and peeing on myself. Everytime I went to my Dr. I was prescribe pain pills. I’ve explained to them on many occasions that I work with children and families in the system and I cannot be under the influence. I keep getting put out of work a week here and there and still returning to work not fully recovered. In April I was in pain again, my Dr only sent me for an x-ray because I told her that I was going to the restroom more frequently than usual. She called and said she did not see anything but asked if I wanted to be referred to the physical medicine dept, I said no because I thought it was PT again. Thank God she stil went ahead and referred me because that dept deals with spine pain. The Dr. there sent me for a MRI immediately and it showed DDD. In May 09 I had a spinal injection, 2 weeks later I was back in pain. In June the pain management Dr said all she can do is give me injections and pain meds, that surgery is the only help. She placed me on prednisone which was the most difficult time becuase I have other stomach problems and this med kick the hell out of me. It help the inflammation but there was still some pain. The following week she called and suggested I meet with a surgeon. I did, he was honest and up front and no BS. I will only get relief with surgery, but suggested that I take my time deciding. 2 weeks later I received 2 spinal injections because I was going away on vacation with my family and needed something other than pain meds. It lasted from 7/2-9/28. Since then I’ve been in pain everyday. I am so tired of living like this so I called my Dr. yesterday and asked when can I have surgery. I hope it will give me some relief. It will be the anterior lumbar fusion with the cage. I still cannot have it until January as I’ve not passed my 1 yr probation at work. So what can anyone tell me about this surgery, advantage and disadvantages?
Thanks for reading and I pray for each of you.

sunshine

]]> By: EllenMarie Whitney http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1381 EllenMarie Whitney Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:53:02 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1381 I will make this short and sweet, in Feb 2009 I had a laminectomy on l4, still in pain but have had some relief. My DDD affects the discs above and below l4 so I understand the pain still I suppose. In April I had c5 and c6 fused and it was the best I could imagine. It was not as painful an operation as I thought it would be and the relief is fabulous. So for those of you who have written about anxiety about neck fusion I can encourage you with my experience only but I would not hesitate to have it done again. So many of the posts were all about my own experience with DDD and I was touched by each one. I will make this short and sweet, in Feb 2009 I had a laminectomy on l4, still in pain but have had some relief. My DDD affects the discs above and below l4 so I understand the pain still I suppose. In April I had c5 and c6 fused and it was the best I could imagine. It was not as painful an operation as I thought it would be and the relief is fabulous. So for those of you who have written about anxiety about neck fusion I can encourage you with my experience only but I would not hesitate to have it done again. So many of the posts were all about my own experience with DDD and I was touched by each one.

]]> By: Kristen http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1376 Kristen Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:44:30 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1376 I agree. I wish it was legalized for proven documented chronic back pain. But people would find a way to mess it up for those who truly need it!!!!!!! I agree. I wish it was legalized for proven documented chronic back pain. But people would find a way to mess it up for those who truly need it!!!!!!!

]]> By: Brenda http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1368 Brenda Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:30:43 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1368 I too have DDD and it affects my right leg and foot, I often fall, and stumble, can't stand up straight. my Dr's answer is to fill me up on Oxycotins, slee-ing pills, and all the rest. I too have DDD and it affects my right leg and foot, I often fall, and stumble, can’t stand up straight. my Dr’s answer is to fill me up on Oxycotins, slee-ing pills, and all the rest.

]]> By: margie http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/comment-page-5/#comment-1367 margie Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:24:26 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/degenerative-disc-disease/#comment-1367 My last email/comment was for Judy. My last email/comment was for Judy.

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