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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ldab 12/14/2014

I am living with ddd in my lumbar and cervical spine. I no longer can work my job that I had made my career. I can't stand for more than seven minutes without being in severe pain for days... I accept it and live with it. I've changed jobs and now I make pennies and sit at a desk all day. Of course the ddd in my cervical spine is killing me sitting still at a desk. By 3pm I've taken two pain pills and just crying from depression.

I'm only 40 years old... is my thoracic spine next? I've done injections, physical therapy you name it I've tried. Surgery is a joke.. are they going to fuse the whole thing together.

I'm currently in PT for my neck. Not sure why but since I started my lumbar has been so bad.. unusually bad and I haven't physically done anything to aggravate it.

I am so scared that in another 5 years I will find myself in a wheel chair and certainly living in a nursing home or something in the next 15 years. Is there any hope anything that anyone has done? Has anyone been able to overcome?

ItsJustMe2012 12/14/2014

I believe you should work as long as you can. But, I was wondering if you've considered filing for disability ? There are millions of people who have severe mobility problems but are able to live at home. You will need to adjust your life style and have someone that can come and help do things that you won't be able to do, but living a nursing home isn't the only option, if you don't want it to be. You do need to find out what your insurance will and won't pay for. Not many insurances will pay for someone to come into your home and help you with activities of daily living, but there are some that do.

Don't misunderstand. What I have mentioned above is the worse case and that doesn't mean that it will happen. Stay as active as you possibley can. I know it hurts. But, not moving will make everything much worse. Have you talked to your dr and asked him for suggestions ? Do you have family that can help you when you need it ?

cdfrance26 12/15/2014

I understand your pain as my DDD is in lumbar and cervical as well and I'm 41. I did fuse L3-S1 back in 2010 & it has given some relief but my si joint dysfunction makes the pain worse now. My doctor told me my cervical was probably gonna fuse on it's own and doesn't want to touch it right now. I've been dealing with this 14 1/2 years now and it does progress but there are was to slow it down a little. Exercise I know is hard because standing hurts. I got a peddler machine that mimics being on a recumbent bike and use it while I sit on the couch with pillows supporting my back. It's low aerobic exercise but it gets the blood flowing, I also use it on my arms as well. I know it's hard but try not to think negative because the stress makes the pain worse. If you ever want to talk let me know. I hope you find some relief soon

ldab 12/15/2014

Thanks for the responses. I thought you know... if I started eating super healthy and doing stretching etc that I could turn it around myself. That has yet to work. Stretching hurts. Everything hurts. I'm so depressed. You know no one wants to hear about it either. If they don't see it and they can't feel it, they just can't relate. How do you not be so depressed..... Even going back to the doc is depressing. What "new" thing are they going to come up with to at minimum stop it, let alone fix it. I'm sorry for venting but today has been a really tough day...

ItsJustMe2012 12/15/2014

The exercising can delay the effects is has on bodies. Being depressed is part of it, part of losing the ability to do the things we use to be able to do. We alter our life style. Keep your mind busy. If you're laying down, read. Focus on the things you do have instead of the things you don't. I know that is easier said than done. But, it does make things easier.

Sandy102142 12/16/2014

Do file for your SSDI. It can take some time especially if you are under 50 years old. But doing it will set a date of application for you. I've helped two friends apply and I did an application myself. One friend got approved in six weeks. The other and mine in just under three months. Sounds like you have enough medical to get an approval. The issue is this, you get approval faster if you aren't working.

As far as the degeneration itself.....Massage works great for me. I am also getting injections from my neck down to my hips and have been very fortunate that they are working and greatly reducing my pain. I refuse to do PT because a prior experience that left me worse than before I started the PT.

I pray you find relief. Hugs, Sandy

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