Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group

Autoimmune disease such as arthritis can contribute to other issues such as bulging discs. I have psoriatic arthritis which is associated with psoriasis. It is mostly concentrated in my lumbar spine. It can cause the same damage as rheumatoid arthritis is left untreated. I also have advanced DDD and stenosis. A couple of the vertebrae in my lumbar look like they have been gnawed on by an animal because of the arthritis. I have had two surgeries to repair herniated discs which are at the same level as these vertebrae. Hopefully you will be able to get on some meds soon that will help you and make you feel better. I know how stressful and tiring pain is on your body both physically and mentally. It's hard to stay positive sometimes. I'm sure you have a family that loves and cares for you so find your strength through them. It's hard to do, but don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. And remember, you are not useless!! Take care.

I have one too.

Thank you for your comments I hope you feel better and have some pain free days.

I have had Dr's in the ER think that I may have an autoimmune issue but I haven't been able to follow up on it...I have had too much other health issues going on...What meds are you taking for pain? Are they helping you?
Therapy pools are great for pain relief...I live in FL and my pool helps me a lot.

I hope you feel better soon. I am on hydrocodone (vicodin)as needed and Soma muscle relaxer I had other things for my herniated disc but have had so many other health issue that I take the vicodin for other pain and beta blockers etc. It is cold here so I cannot go into the pool and my skin is sensitive to sun and chlorine. I am also having trouble walking due to the auto immune diseases. I used to run daily now I cannot walk around the mall without having bad leg pain. Thanks for the idea and I wish you good health and less pain!

Hi, I also have leg pain and weakness but it is from stenosis of the spine. I have it in my right leg and need a cane. This could be while you are having trouble walking. Take care, Mary Anne

Thanks for your reply. HUGS!! I wish you some pain free days.

I hope you feel better too. My emg was today and the doc said I have bilateral S1 problems and S1 L5 on the right. Don't know where I go from here. I know I am getting worse each day and driving kills me. I take Klonapin, Vicodan and the Lidoderm patches but the right leg is really weak. I may have to try a nerve block. Besides this, I am being operated on Monday for Basal Cell Cancer in the corner of my eye. This may require a skin graft on Tuesday. I feel like an old car the is falling apart. Besides this, the ENT told me I have an significant unilateral loss of balance on my right side. I think this was from my neck stenosis. I have to go to therapy to retrain my brain to adapt. Thank God for my dogs because they keep me sane. Have they suggested an emg for you? I have an autoimmune disease Lichen Planus which effects my mouth. My daughter has Hashimoto's throyd which is autoimmune. The doctor said autoimmune diseases run in families.

Oh my, you have been going through soooo much. Good luck on your surgery. Gosh it sounds like you are having such a hard time. I hope they help you get your strength and help you pain. I have not had an emg but I think I was supposed to and I cancelled the apt with the doc. I am pretty sure that is the thing they were going to do a couple of years ago and I got scared and backed out or maybe it was something else.

Yes autoimmune diseases run in families, my mother, father, sister and grandmother all have hashmitos and mom and dad also have alopecia. I think most people have some type of autoimmune disease or else it just seems like it to me. The RAI will send me into hypo at some point.

If you can get the nerve conduction studies and the emg. I did not feel any pain having them at all. Go to someone experienced in doing the test. It hurt more to drive and sit there than to have the test. They can find the cause of your weakness so it can be treated. Hope you feel better.