Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group

I've never had a brace.

But I do feel like I'm getting old before my time.

I have to agree with se. I have never used a brace, but I feel really old some days. My husband uses a back brace and he says it really helps him. Good luck and I hope it helps you..Blessings...missourigal

i've had a brace but nothing like yours. That one sounds awesome! mine was the one you can just fold up and put in your suitcase when traveling, cuz that's when I really need it.

I have had three different braces. All of them worked amazing. It really helped me feel more stabilized. I used to play volleyball with my soft brace on before I was no longer able to play anymore because the pain got to be too much.

As for feeling like you're getting old before your time. Don't stress about it. With the proper pain management and treatment options you can live a healthy lifestyle w/ DDD.

I'm 22 and struggle with feeling like I have the back of an 80yr old. I've been dealing with this since I was 14/15yrs old. Just stay optimistic. I've been through a lot of pain management - if you have any questions feel free to contact me :)

I have had three braces the latest being a "rigid" brace which I thought would be better than the brace I used after the spinal fusion but it is terrible and i am expected to wear this for the rest of my life. The big thing they did for me was to paint it purple!!! It is like a corset. It is hard plastic on the outside with foam on the inside. It is about 8 inches in the front and 12 inches in the back. The one after the fusion was about 5 inches in the front and was not as bad. I hate this thing. It is hard to do move in this thing. The one I had after fusion was softer and not as hard but thanks to the failed surgery I need this support to hold my spine and give support.
thanks-Randi

would love to know which brace to recommend to my 91 year old mother who DOES feel really old...lol............help please...C X

I have a 'posture' brace that also helps as a stabilizer. It has a hard plastic piece that can be put into a 'pocket' in the back side of the brace for extra support. I use it pretty frequently. It is comfortable and seems to ease my back alot.

Welp! I have a backbrace, doesn't have the hot cold in it at all.
And my doctor and chiropractor have both told me not to ever use heat because that makes it swell and makes it worse, and I've come to the realization, they're right.
Ohh, and I feel old a lot too. My job is a sitting job in a computer chair at a desk that's not the right height, and NOTHING about it is ergonomic. bleh!!

I have used back braces off and on for 26 years and they did help. The last one I had you only had to wrap around and it velcroded in the front. The only problem is that unless you wear something underneath it will creap around on you. You'll find out how to handle it as time goes by. I would suggest you try it and you will find in time you will not need it because I had to excercise and lose weight when I had the brace. My back lost a job on me but hasn't really bothered me for years. (Knock on wood)