What is Degenerative Disc Disease
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which is often called "degenerative disc disease" (DDD) of the spine,DDD is in fact a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect ...
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I have lower lumbar spondylosis. The nerve is not affected they tell me however the muscles are tightly adhering to the disc. So much so that I flare at every form of treatment. Physical therapy and vascular needling created so much pain I ended up in the emergency room. I am now trying cortisone shots but they are not making much of a difference. I was told by doctors that they don't want to perform surgery because the disc is not sitting on the nerve. The suggestion was that I could just be on pain medication for the rest of my life. Right now I lead the live of an invalid. I can't stand for more than a few minutes without being in enormous pain and I can't move around much without increasing the pain to intolerable levels. Has anyone else had this problem and are there any recommendations for treatment?
Posted on 10/04/09, 11:10 am |
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I too have a lowback that flares up just about everyday. I'm in the process of finding out whether I will be a surgical candidate or not. I've tried PT, massage, injections, IMS and chiropractic adjustments and nothing has worked consistantly. The only thing I have been doing and I'm starting to notice a difference is pool therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it feels when I get in that water. All the pressure and weight just lifts off my lowback. I spend about an hour in there. Once I get out I can feel everything kind of go back to being painful. They sit me in the hottub for 10 mins after therapy and that helps. It you want to get some relief give it a try. Hope you get some relief soon.
~hugs 
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Oh and yes every treatment I've done (except pool therapy) has made my lowback 10 times worse. Especially that darn IMS (intramuscular stimulation) procedure I did. They stick very small needles, kind of like accupuncture, but not, in my muscles and send a little electrical charge into the needles. Which go into the muscles. The goal is to try and get the muscles out of a knot and into a straight smooth position like they should be. Unfortunately it did not work for me, but maybe this is something that would work for you. Good luck!
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Hi, I have cervical and lumbar stenosis and am having a lumbar EMG tomorrow. I also go to Aqua therapy and it helps. I also use Lidoderm patches at night. This helps the pain going down my leg and the lower back. You can use 3 patches and keep them on for 12 hours. They really help me. Take care, Mary Anne
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Hi Mary Anne, I, too, have used some Lidoderm patches (left over from Shngles last year)and "think they help my back.
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Hi Spunkie,
I can't believe we are now on another health board. I just found an excellent acupuncturist. I am going to try it. I have heard a lot of people who have gotten relief from it and most insurances pay for it.
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My emg revealed nerve compression at bilateral S1 and Right L 5 S 1. I will talk to the doctor later. The doctor sad they might try a nerve block. I have stenosis. She didn't think acupuncture would help at this point but I will ask again.
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