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 hate to vent, but my husband says he doesn't want to hear one more time that I hurt....so you guys get to listen
This has been going on since last January. Back pain that is primarily in my legs and hip. I am on my second round of physical therapy. My primary doctor says it is just arthritis and degenerative disk. I have had MRIs and my cervical and thoracic spine results looked normal. The only thing the lumbar spine showed was:
Mild straightening of the normal lumbar lordosis. Scattered degenerative endplate lipping is present. The posterior elements are intact bilaterally with bilateral L4-L5 and L5-S1 facet osteoarthrosis. Mild degenerative changes of the lower lumbar spine.
The pain in my legs is horrendous, and now I have tingling down my left calf.
I ice, stretch, heat, do PT, and take only Aleve and Neurontin 100 mg.
Any advice?? I just want my life back. I can't walk through a mall, go on vacation if it involves walking, or do any fun things with my husband and friends if it involves walking. They are starting to not include me in activities. I feel like I am 80 when I just turned 50. I know I am becoming depressed, but I try to hide it. I teach high school, and I can make it to my classroom but I don't go down to the lounge to eat with the other teachers, and have kids go to the office to get my mail. I basically feel like an invalid because of the leg pain/weakness.
This has been going on since last January. Back pain that is primarily in my legs and hip. I am on my second round of physical therapy. My primary doctor says it is just arthritis and degenerative disk. I have had MRIs and my cervical and thoracic spine results looked normal. The only thing the lumbar spine showed was:
Mild straightening of the normal lumbar lordosis. Scattered degenerative endplate lipping is present. The posterior elements are intact bilaterally with bilateral L4-L5 and L5-S1 facet osteoarthrosis. Mild degenerative changes of the lower lumbar spine.
The pain in my legs is horrendous, and now I have tingling down my left calf.
I ice, stretch, heat, do PT, and take only Aleve and Neurontin 100 mg.
Any advice?? I just want my life back. I can't walk through a mall, go on vacation if it involves walking, or do any fun things with my husband and friends if it involves walking. They are starting to not include me in activities. I feel like I am 80 when I just turned 50. I know I am becoming depressed, but I try to hide it. I teach high school, and I can make it to my classroom but I don't go down to the lounge to eat with the other teachers, and have kids go to the office to get my mail. I basically feel like an invalid because of the leg pain/weakness.
We have found that taking neurontin(gabapentin) multiple times a day (3-6) in lower doses helps better than taking it all at once. Also, a cane does help when walking. It's hard on the ego but easier than falling when a nerve flares. I hope you have received some answers that give you comfort.