Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group
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 the quality of one's life. While disc degeneration is not a normal part of aging and for most people is not a problem, for certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe constant...
I am new here. Well not really new as I have lurked around reading a few posts from time to time.
And am definitely not new to DDD.
I am a 34 year old married mother of two.
I was dx'ed when I was 20 with DDD.
The problem I have right now is finding a doctor that is willing to help.
Most I have seen have given me the old "your too young to have this" or "You're too young to be in this much pain" kinda thing.
I am seeing a wonderful PCP right now that is helping me with pain from another issue, and we are getting that under control. I have yet to mention this other issue as I am deathly afraid of scaring her off. Although I know if she really IS as good a dr. as I think she is, she won't be.
But I have noticed during my time of trying to find a doctor to treat me, that most want to act like someone as young as me can't have this.
The other condition I have is Hidradentis Suppurativa. It is a condition in which I get large abscesses in my armpits (mainly) and in my groin and buttocks areas. When I do have flare ups it causes a great deal of pain. But when it is not flaring I am ok..with the HS. But I still have the pain from the DDD. I also have fibromyalgia.
It used to be just my lower back that I had problems with. But now I am experiencing pain in my neck and in my mid back area. I have already had surgery to correct two collapsed discs (from childhood trauma) in my lower back, which helped keep me from possibly becoming paralyzed, and has minimized some of the pain I was experiencing, but I am still having a great amount of pain from that.
I have been through physical therapy of all kinds, feedback, and water physical therapy just to name a couple.
I have been on Lyrica and Celebrex. Celebrex made me sick as a dog to my stomach, and Lyrica really messed me up, making me woozy and made me feel like I was walking in sand all the time.
Right now I just do the best I can and rest when I feel like I need to and
exercise when I can. I only take the narcotic pain meds when I have a flare up of the HS. I don't want to wind up, please excuse the analogy, like some messed up junkie. I just want to feel human, or at least as close to human, again as possible with out feeling doped up.
I'd like to know what has worked for you all and any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
I can't think of anything else at the moment. Thank you all for reading.
^.^
And am definitely not new to DDD.
I am a 34 year old married mother of two.
I was dx'ed when I was 20 with DDD.
The problem I have right now is finding a doctor that is willing to help.
Most I have seen have given me the old "your too young to have this" or "You're too young to be in this much pain" kinda thing.
I am seeing a wonderful PCP right now that is helping me with pain from another issue, and we are getting that under control. I have yet to mention this other issue as I am deathly afraid of scaring her off. Although I know if she really IS as good a dr. as I think she is, she won't be.
But I have noticed during my time of trying to find a doctor to treat me, that most want to act like someone as young as me can't have this.
The other condition I have is Hidradentis Suppurativa. It is a condition in which I get large abscesses in my armpits (mainly) and in my groin and buttocks areas. When I do have flare ups it causes a great deal of pain. But when it is not flaring I am ok..with the HS. But I still have the pain from the DDD. I also have fibromyalgia.
It used to be just my lower back that I had problems with. But now I am experiencing pain in my neck and in my mid back area. I have already had surgery to correct two collapsed discs (from childhood trauma) in my lower back, which helped keep me from possibly becoming paralyzed, and has minimized some of the pain I was experiencing, but I am still having a great amount of pain from that.
I have been through physical therapy of all kinds, feedback, and water physical therapy just to name a couple.
I have been on Lyrica and Celebrex. Celebrex made me sick as a dog to my stomach, and Lyrica really messed me up, making me woozy and made me feel like I was walking in sand all the time.
Right now I just do the best I can and rest when I feel like I need to and
exercise when I can. I only take the narcotic pain meds when I have a flare up of the HS. I don't want to wind up, please excuse the analogy, like some messed up junkie. I just want to feel human, or at least as close to human, again as possible with out feeling doped up.
I'd like to know what has worked for you all and any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
I can't think of anything else at the moment. Thank you all for reading.
^.^
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I don't really know how to label this but I having a rough week and I can't say it's one thing.... I have a lot on my plate which is nothing new and I try to cope in many positive ways and do but I still have my moments.My kids more so my daughters talk to me about everything which I know it's cause of comfort and we are close.... however I really struggle with the venting about their dad which...
True chronic pain patients do NOT become "junkies" -- they don't become addicted to their pain medications -- that's because they are looking for PAIN RELIEF -- they're not looking to get high. Chronic pain patients become physically DEPENDENT on the drugs, but that's a far cry from addiction!! Addicts CRAVE their medication -- we DON'T. We kind of get our backs up when we're compared to junkies -- because we STILL have to fight to get treated properly because doctors STILL don't get it -- they STILL think that we'll get addicted and studies have shown over and over again that we DO NOT get addicted!!!
Your problem is that you DON'T take narcotic pain meds. These meds are the BEST for chronic pain. They are long acting and relieve pain much better than any short-acting meds you may have. You SHOULD be takiing a narcotic pain medication if you are in THAT much pain. Talk to your doctor about it. He can advise you what is best for you personally.
I wish you the best. I hope you find relief. Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee
I have noticed, of course, that I feel so much better when I take them and can function so much better. But I do still get scared using them. It's hard not to when all your life you hear so many horror stories about people becoming addicted.
I have yet to find myself "craving" my medication, so I am sure what you're saying is true. It is just very hard, almost impossible to get a doctor to see that.
Thank you for so much helpful info. When I was diagnosed I wasn't really told exactly what it was, so I have always had horrible images of my discs deteriorating away (vs the drying out).
And you're right, when doctors try to compare me a junkie or treat me as such, it REALLY pisses me off..badly. I just want to be able to function...screw a high! I just want to live as close to normal as I can.
Right now I am on 60 5mg Percocets to deal with the HS flares as they come. So I'm not NOT taking narcotics..just VERY sparingly, when I can take the pain no longer.
Thanks again Lee..huggs right back at ya!
There is a huge difference in taking it for relief and being addicted to the floating feeling that addicts desire. What I do to help me with a doctor who thinks I'm wanting more than I need, is take a journal with me noting the times the pain is acute, and when it's a dull roar.
It takes patience, trial and error to find a medicine or combination of medicines to help keep your body in flow.
I am currently taking neurontin for the nerve inflammation.
I tried the robaxin for muscle spasms and quit that as the muscle spasms were from acute anxiety levels.
Best wishes on your healing and pain relief!
Sometimes honesty it the best policy, so think about telling her exactly what you have told us. She is so good to you & your afraid of scaring her off as you know how most view the use of narcotics meds. Your just looking for something to give you some quality of life & ease your pain. If she is now willing or cannot do it perhaps she can recommend someone who can, such as a good Pain management doctor.
There is another side that the doctors need to start considering. Living in pain with no relief is not good for you either. Your body, such as your vitals respond to pain. Blood pressure & pulse go up & you certainly become less active, how can any of this be healthy?
As far as pain meds I was scared to death but my doctor mentioned all of the above & made me understand how the pain was not good for me either. When your in pain the meds do their job, you don't get high or crave it like people who abuse do. Your body may depend on certain meds after long term use but this does not make you an addict by any means.
I think most that live in CP would like nothing more then to never take another pill again. I wasted so much time in pain thinking I'd get better or could handle it.
If I could go back as soon as I knew my pain was chronic I would have looked for the right doctor to treat me & one I could trust. I have one now, a good pain management doctor. He knows Its not my desire to take medication & we have built up a trust factor. He knows DDD can cause pain & problems & how to treat it. Thanks to him I have some quality in my life.
Sooner or later you'll have to take that leap & explain to your PCP how you feel. Let her know your scared of suffering & scared of being accused of being some kind of addict. That you just don't want to suffer & want to maintain some kind of quality in your life.
Most of us have been where you are & understand. I wish you the best of luck & god bless,
Sammy