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...

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Muscles & Bones
/ Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group

BACK PAIN AND SURGERY

PreciousBama
PreciousBama
Has anyone here been to Pain Management? What do they do?
Brenda
deleted_user
deleted_user
I wouldn't be able to function without my pain management group. They really are the only Dr.s who know how to treat chronic pain or iretractable(Sp.) pain syndrome. Other Dr.s may treat your pain for a while, but they give up later. These people, for the most part, are there because they understand the need to medicate chronic conditions, not just cancer patients. There are a few bad apples in the bunch who only say there pain management, but will only do minimal amounts to relieve your pain. Ask around about the group your considering before you go to them. It's hard to get another one after you leave one group. I hope this is what you were asking about.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Pain management docs do a number of things. First, they'll do an analysis of course. Then they'll decide what avenue is best for you. They might decide on physical therapy, biofeedback, pool therapy, psychological therapy, epidural injections, facet injections, proper medications, and if these fail (and I've missed alot of things) they may recommend a Spinal Cord Stimulator or a Morphine Pump. These last 2 are implanted inside the body and reduce pain ALOT. Pain management is MUCH preferred than back surgery, as you are NEVER the same after back surgery and surgery always leads to more and more surgery. It never fails.

If I had it to do over again, I would go to pain management BEFORE having surgery. But unfortunately back then, there WASN'T pain management and there wasn't the internet! So I had no one to advise me or to talk to. I'll never let them touch me again, that's for sure! LOL. Best of luck and God bless! Hugs, Lee
PreciousBama
PreciousBama
Yes that is exactly what i wanted to know. I have been going to same dr for degenerative disc since 02. I have nad cervical and lower back surgery and now i need another surgery but I canceled the surgery when I started hearing about cages, rods, etc. He is giving me LorTab 10 for pain 2 per day and if I take 3 he gets mad at me. He will not refill until the day that he filled the previous month. I do not know how long he is going to do this. So to you Slowmoving, would you mind telling me what they do for you. Do they give you mediciation the first visit or do they try to get by without giving you medication? Thank you Brenda