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...
Hi,
Recently the Saturday after Christmas had an MRI of my brain and spine. A year and a half ago when I moved into my apartment with my boyfriend/fiance I lifted a box wrong and ended up in the ER having severely strained by shoulder muscle, para-spinal muscle and lumbar muscle. I did physical therapy for a while but it was making it worse. Honestly, I think it was where I went. I have been to physical therapy before. The irony is that the day before I gave my staff a training on safe lifting. That's my little silver lining to get me through and make me laugh.
Long story short, I left work early right before xmas for actually the stomach bug and happen to mention a year and a half later that my automatic shut off heating pad is my best friend. The doctors never told me I had sciatica (not sure if I spelled that right), but my PCP said I should not have it for a year in a half and it seemed like my muscles. They got concerned that because my mother and her sister have Multiple Sclerosis and a rare mitochondrial disease. They said that I should have an MRI to rule out MS. Hence the brain MRI, and they did the spine one as precautionary.
I got my results in a letter, how empathetic huh? It said I had mild degenerative disc disease and named four major discs and also that I have arthritis all in my lower back. So basically my entire lumbar spine. I asked my doctor what I can do, she was trying to rush me off the phone, said don't do anything that hurts, don't push yourself, which I did. I did yoga one day which I used to do all the time and had to call out of work the next day because I could literally not get out of bed even to pee. I had to roll off my bed to get to the bathroom.
Long story short I'm 27, I've already had a million health problems a rare disease as a child and mental health issues. I'm scared out of my mind and not afraid to admit it. My amazing boyfriend/fiance is coming with me on Tuesday to see a neurologist or neurosurgeon, I couldn't make out what the woman said on the phone who called me after the doctors office closed but she said I need the first appointment available. I think she is a neurologist. She is going to look at both scans again. I was told PT is an option but if I am in pain not to push it and go for the shots. I have also heard about surgery.
Everything I have read has discussed people in their 40's or older developing this and I'm younger and don't know what to make of it or do. I only know the basics that I have read. I am welcoming any advice anyone can give me. I can work 8 hours straight but by the time I get home I am almost in tears and my heating pad and I are best friends. I am also scared if I get more bad news during this appointment my boyfriend of five years known him for seven will not be able to handle it. He also has to deal with my PTSD, Severe panic attack disorder, anxiety, bipolar tier 2, my childhood trauma when I was abused. I have received help and have worked through my issues but we all have our days. Since everyone is honest on here, I'm scared he will leave me.
So be as blunt as you want, I just want to honestly know what my future holds and what this means for me. Trust me, i've been through hell and back. I'm a strong woman, I can do it again. Thank you and many blessings to those that read this and for any advice I receive.
Recently the Saturday after Christmas had an MRI of my brain and spine. A year and a half ago when I moved into my apartment with my boyfriend/fiance I lifted a box wrong and ended up in the ER having severely strained by shoulder muscle, para-spinal muscle and lumbar muscle. I did physical therapy for a while but it was making it worse. Honestly, I think it was where I went. I have been to physical therapy before. The irony is that the day before I gave my staff a training on safe lifting. That's my little silver lining to get me through and make me laugh.
Long story short, I left work early right before xmas for actually the stomach bug and happen to mention a year and a half later that my automatic shut off heating pad is my best friend. The doctors never told me I had sciatica (not sure if I spelled that right), but my PCP said I should not have it for a year in a half and it seemed like my muscles. They got concerned that because my mother and her sister have Multiple Sclerosis and a rare mitochondrial disease. They said that I should have an MRI to rule out MS. Hence the brain MRI, and they did the spine one as precautionary.
I got my results in a letter, how empathetic huh? It said I had mild degenerative disc disease and named four major discs and also that I have arthritis all in my lower back. So basically my entire lumbar spine. I asked my doctor what I can do, she was trying to rush me off the phone, said don't do anything that hurts, don't push yourself, which I did. I did yoga one day which I used to do all the time and had to call out of work the next day because I could literally not get out of bed even to pee. I had to roll off my bed to get to the bathroom.
Long story short I'm 27, I've already had a million health problems a rare disease as a child and mental health issues. I'm scared out of my mind and not afraid to admit it. My amazing boyfriend/fiance is coming with me on Tuesday to see a neurologist or neurosurgeon, I couldn't make out what the woman said on the phone who called me after the doctors office closed but she said I need the first appointment available. I think she is a neurologist. She is going to look at both scans again. I was told PT is an option but if I am in pain not to push it and go for the shots. I have also heard about surgery.
Everything I have read has discussed people in their 40's or older developing this and I'm younger and don't know what to make of it or do. I only know the basics that I have read. I am welcoming any advice anyone can give me. I can work 8 hours straight but by the time I get home I am almost in tears and my heating pad and I are best friends. I am also scared if I get more bad news during this appointment my boyfriend of five years known him for seven will not be able to handle it. He also has to deal with my PTSD, Severe panic attack disorder, anxiety, bipolar tier 2, my childhood trauma when I was abused. I have received help and have worked through my issues but we all have our days. Since everyone is honest on here, I'm scared he will leave me.
So be as blunt as you want, I just want to honestly know what my future holds and what this means for me. Trust me, i've been through hell and back. I'm a strong woman, I can do it again. Thank you and many blessings to those that read this and for any advice I receive.
AlwaysHaveHope27
oh I just wanted to add they said the arthritis was in my entire lumbar spine and inflamed. They also said the arthritis was in my lower back to my joints. They also said a pain clinic was another option. I just wanted to add that info. Also, I have been reading everyone's posts and everyone seems so supportive and caring. I feel so much better now, having joined this group.
cdfrance26
Hi, welcome, and I'm so sorry to hear about what your going through. I was 26 when I lifted a shirt out of a laundry basket and it sent me to the ER with a herniated disc and DDD. Sciatica can unfortunately last years without the pain stopping. I've done the physical therapy, steroid injections, nerve blocks, nerve ablations, and finally had surgery in 2010 after 10 years of being in pain, fused L3-S1 & both si joints fused. Surgery should always be your last option because once you have it you start degenerating above and below. If the doctor you see recommends surgery tell them you want a discogram done first. This is a test that tells if the pain is coming from your discs or not, if it is then this test will hurt like crud but it's the only way to tell for sure. I had to fight for my back as I was told I'm too young for these problems, but our bodies are just different and we need help sooner than most. My husband and I were only married 20 months when this first started and our daughter was 8 months old. It was hard at first but I got a little better and then we had our son 13 months after that. The pain got continually worse along with my health and it was hard on both of us dealing with my medical problems but we made it and just celebrated 16 years of marriage. He has been through 6 or 7 surgeries with me in the past 5 years but we've grown stronger. Back surgery alone was 1 year of recovery and it had its moments but if you come to this point you can make it. Your love for each other will show during this time and I believe you can make it together. If you ever need to talk email me.
jillcragan
I slowly went off my meds,and started natural supplements. My pain is virtually gone. Pain meds just cover it up. I don't like drs they work for pharmaceutical companys and will put you in debt and add more illness. Min over matter and all natural cures best. Believe. I've suffered 11 years. Out of pain now for a month with what I'm using. I'm getting my life back. hope you can too
cdfrance26
Have been off pain meds for 2 months, still in pain but working around it. I have to be careful with natural supplements as some of my meds I can't come off of due to other health issues, don't want anything crossing that doesn't need to. I'm glad it's working so well for you. Keep it up!!!
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