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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AzSherryberry 09/13/2009

I don't know how many doctors, specialists and physical therapists have told me in regards to my DDD, DJD, Stenosis, Bulging/herniated discs, Nerve impingement, Nerve pain and pressure on the spinal cord, "Oh, it happens to all of us". Ohhhhh really so this is normal to have your spine falling apart beginning in your mid-thirties. Talk about blowing you off and implying that you're making a big deal out of nothing, Arghh, I am so frustrated with the medical community. If I had any money I'd go holistic. Many doctors blew me off and shoved me out the door about the back and neck pain for 6 years. Finally I saw a doctor who listened to me and was quite concerned and sent me out for MRI's and X-rays. This is how we found out exactly what was happening and exactly why I had severe pain in the back/neck and on occasion nerve pain flare ups in my legs. I just wonder how they get their licenses to practice.

Sherry

deleted_user 09/13/2009

Amen sister!!!!!!
I've heard a doctor say the very same thing! And, you're made to feel like something is wrong with you because if 'everybody else' can deal with it, then why can't you? Right? I don't care how many people deal with this, it is an individual fight for all of us that totally affects our life!

deleted_user 09/14/2009

I commend you!!!You are sooo right.My Dr is blowing me off to.I told her that tramadole isnt working she said increase your pills.I was on vicodine for 6 months now she switched to tramadole.I,m so mad the pain is unbearable at times.I,m glad you found a dr that listens to you.My Dr finally took more xrays showing multiple levels ddd.Her nurse calls me and tells me the results of my xrays I said thats not good and her nurse goes everybody gets this!!I,m only 45.She has no business telling me that.I was mad.I know what your going through!!Take Care.

deleted_user 09/14/2009

Oh my god yes....this is so crappy of them to do. My PM doc office has a P.A and I have her once in awhile instead of him. She is nice enough, but reminds me of Dr. Barbie...lab coat, too much make up, expensive heels and short skirts...I told her the sciatica pain is so just awful some days...and she says "oh I get that all the time, you just have to stretch"..and I think, you get it all the time b.c you wear 5" heels to work! She also called the opposition lawyer a "butthole" She gets under my skin.

KarSu 09/15/2009

My pc physician said the same thing - oh everyone's discs degenerate, it's just part of aging - aaagh! I told him how much pain I was in and that it frustrated me when he says things like that and I reminded him how he didn't think it was a big deal when I went to him w/gall bladder pain, and how it almost ruptured by the time I had surgery.
He ordered xrays, and then an MRI and sent me to a pain specialist - I'm getting an epidural on Wed.

deleted_user 09/15/2009

hmmmm if it happens to all of us why doesnt my doc have a neck full of hardware and 3 pieces of other peoples bone in his neck....jackasses i tell you....5 minutes of anyone of our pain would bring them to their knees and make them beg for a script like dr house

deleted_user 09/16/2009

Wheresbrad and the rest of you LOL to all of you....!!!!!
SO true, so true, but you all are hilarious!!!
:) I love the way you are putting your feelings into words! Don't we wish we could really say these things to our docs?
Listen, We are the champions! We can get through this! Together. :)

deleted_user 09/22/2009

I had a dr look at my Mri's and say "yeah you got pressure on the nerve root at multiple levels." Then turn around and say "why are you having pain? Most of the worlds population walks around with buldged discs and don't even know it". No compassion in the medical community anymore..

deleted_user 09/22/2009

I had been admitted for pain, they had kept me on an IV dilauded drip and when one of the Drs came in to tell me the MRI results she said "yeah you have some spinal lesions and herniation's that are pushing some on your spinal cord with a displaced nerve root but you shouldn't be in this much pain, lots of people deal with worse every day and don't need hospitalization"...all I could say way "well I must be a wuss, I hadn't slept in 3 days, kept working and only came in b.c I wet myself and was worried I ruptured a disc, you all decided to admit me".

deleted_user 09/23/2009

I've experienced a similar situation. I went to a back doc and was told because I am young (23) that he wouldnt me...told me to keep doing physical therapy and he would see my in 12 months... didnt care about the level of pain I was in or anything, it was horrible, I left the office crying, i thought I was going to have to live with the pain and felt like I had no where else to go. Days later I found a new doc that agreed I needed an epidural, has given me pain meds and is exploring the option of surgery with me. I agree that the level of compassion is gone and if you find a good doc.... keep em!!!

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