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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Joymoon 05/02/2014

I just took a MRI yesterday and missed the doctors phone call. He wants me to call him back. I don't know if that means I only have sciatica or something else, scared to death as I own a very large place and need to keep mowing and doing all the time here in the summer plus a on line business.
I was in such pain last week that I went to a emergency room after my chiropractor told me you must go, your pelvis is twisted. They took regular x-rays and found no breaks. They gave me Flexeril which nearly killed me as I am allergic to anything that is closely related to anti-depressants and that drug is. It took the pain away but 3 days later I was off the wall with my panic disorder and anxiety. I have no support person and my kids hate me.
I took a MRI yesterday and that was a 100 mile trip, not great for a agoraphobic with panic disorder. The test was no strain but the travel there in all the rain, hell plus the bumping in the car my back took.
I did not take any pain killers for 4 days and today, a tenant moved out without telling me and I had to start cleaning it up, out came the hydrocordone and here I sit at this hour thinking I need a operation, maybe its bone cancer etc. etc.
What do I do? I just have to wait till tomorrow to find out what that test showed. I am so scared because if I go down, I lose my home and will have to go into low income or maybe assisted living and lose my dog an cat. Help me someone, please someone be up.

ItsJustMe2012 05/02/2014

Let us know what the dr says.

Joymoon 05/03/2014

I have DDD and arthritis, lots of it with a few minor bulging discs. He wants me to do chiropractic stuff and exercises, no shots yet. I can hardly walk. Only took one hydrocodone today, thats enough for me, the 325 one. I do not want shots as the steroid will hype up my panic disorder. What can I do? Will I be in a wheelchair if I do not do yoga, tai chi and chiropractor????

ItsJustMe2012 05/03/2014

You do need to keep moving, which is difficult when you're in pain. If one Norco is all the pain meds you're on, the DDD may not be severe yet. Often things settle down and the pain gets better, but not always. You need to wait and see what the dr says about the yoga, tai chi and chiropractor. Although, I doubt there would be any objections to yoga and tai chi, there may be to the chiropractor.

If injections are ever mentioned, chances are you will need a letter from your mental health professional regarding the effects of steroids on your panic attacks before the dr will not force the issue. Now days we have to do other things to help with pain management and not just take meds.

dargrace12 05/03/2014

Hi . I have severe DDD. I cannot do yoga as it aggravates the discs immensely. Be cautious. I feel strongly about the fact you don't have support. It is hard to live with this without it...I know this personally. I try to journal which helps with the emotions, share my experience with my doctor visits etc on here, vent occasionally when necessary. I'd be happy to add you to friends list as a friend, even one means the world to someone with this condition. I also have a friend with severe anxiety, agoraphobia and PTSD. I am aware of some of the difficulties associated with this and support her as we've been friends for many years.

Vonny02 05/04/2014

I have severe ddd so far only confirmed in my neck. I have yet to get my lower back xrayed to I can be officially diagnosed. I get no support from my doctor, or any other so called health system.

I hope you can find your way to proper support very soon

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