Degenerative Disc Disease

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I know my herniated L4-L5 won't ever really "get better", but this ain't good to hear--for anyone. I hope your neurologist gives you some good news. The surgery option can go so many different ways...I've heard good and bad.
 
I messed up my back pounding concrete working for Goodyear Tire. I have l4-l5 and s-1 herniated also have stenosis in both siatic nerves. Been on gabapentin for 13 years {600mg-4 times a day} some people take as much as 4800mg a day. it works ok. Also taking oxycodone 10mg for lower leg pain at night so I can sleep,but usually only once a day. bad days as much as 4-5 of them. Took over 30 epidurals over the 13 years until they just stopped working on me about 1 1/2 yrs ago. Going in June 12th to get lower back operated on for the stenosis as the Doc told me that was my major problem. Can't walk very far cuz the left hip begins to hurt like hell and can not hardly walk without falling down when that happens. They have done everything they can and the damn pain just got me so I'm going to take my chances with the operation and PRAY it works. Everyone is different when it comes those operations. some work and some don't plain and simple. Good luck with what ever you decide on. BTW I am 66 yrs old and man let me tell it sucks to get old :)

Jim
 
i had C6 C7 fused 10+ years ago... all good... sometimes when sitting incorrect posture i feel a little tightness in latz.... FOOD for thought .. i have been battling top to bottom sore back ... nots in back ... picks/pocks in back for 6+ months ... I work out regularly and have a strong core and back ... but could not understand why my back was always sore ... also nerve pain in legs ... i started physio ... helped alot ... showed me core exercises that i thought would be a easy .... cause i knew my core was strong.... i was surprised ...
Still sore back top to bottom ... so i decided to go see a back surgeon recommended by my freind ... boy did i get a surprise .... EVERYBODY has DDD... that is NORMAL with age ... EVERYBODY has bulging discs .... it just matters if that bulge is irritating a nerve ... now this is the big surprise ... he told me 30+ times there is NOTHING in your spine that is causing your back issues ??????? he stated i was a A type person .... ???? what is that you ask .... well if you have TMJ.... MOST Likely you are an A type person ... clenching your teeth = STRESSSSSS.... high strung person ...... He said there is something called TMJ of the spine .... he prescribed muscle relaxers and happy pills ..... after gettiing my happy pills intake correctly .... I FELL LIKE A NEW MAN!!!!!!!!!! SO word of advice ,,,,,, LOSE weight ....... Work out ...... CORE KEY Exercise PRIOR TO strenghthening other body parts is .....it is a vicious circle ...AGAIN EVERYBODY has DDD .... that is normal with age ... get a good therapist .... AND exercise is going to be your best freind ... the REST OF YOUR life ...
 
I have Degenerative Disc Disease as well… Its all through my back from 15 yrs of ice hockey, but I only really developed major problems about 4 years ago with pain that started in my elbow…. well I dealt with it for 4 years and finally last Dec (2013) I decided it was time to have surgery. Dr Maroon in Pittsburgh (UPMC) look him up. Leading neurosurgeon, lead doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers and WWE wrestling. His office looks like a celebrity office is posters etcs…Yet he still works on average smacks like me. GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!! He uses hi own approved device to fuse that is more like a 360 pivot hinge. I have lost zero = 0 rotation at the C5/C6 location where the devise is and the disc above it has actually stabilized and stated to decrease in size. I was only in the hospital for a night. I was up eating and walking around within 2 hrs of surgery. No neck collar, small scar on the front of the neck that at this point isn't noticeable…..

All in all… find a great neurosurgeon and go for it. I was skeptical for 4 years…if I would have know how smooth it was going to go I would have done it back then…

Worse part of the whole deal is muscle spasms post surgery, but if you get neck massages 2-3 a month for a couple of months they go away. Good Luck!
 
how is everybody doing ??my knee(from total knee replacement) is still very sore but feeling better so now its back onto the back issues. As i said before i have very little to no actual back pain and 99% is the pinched nerve pain.

i am back on the gabapentin 2 pills three times a day and i still dont think its helping any. I will prob have a surgery sometime before the end of the year, it sucksto bein pain like that all the time and cant stand for more than10-15 minutes at a time with out unbearable pain but i have way to much family going on in the next few months that i dont want to miss out on

seeing i dont have a lot of back pain and my weight has gone up we are ot going to attempt a fusion and only a surgery to hopefully relive some of the leg pain from the pinched nerve. I also get short term disability from work that will pay me while being out so thats good.

he says prob about 3 months out of work, so while it sucks to be out for reasons like that if i can hold out that long i might just strategically plan it in december so i dont have to work outside this coming winter lol
 
My sciatic events are getting close...mind you, I have gained a lot of weight...going on a diet soon...back on gabbapentin at night..jeez, does it ever kill the ole sex drive..

i get the hebeejeebies when ever I thik about an operation and my spine...

I have been thinking about traction devices...someone mentioned gravity boots..is anyone using any of these devices ?

I haven't felt good for awhile..
 
grassy said:
I have gained a lot of weight...going on a diet soon...

Try the F.A.S.T. Diet. It's very effective for people who do not or cannot excersise. Last year I lost 23 pounds in 6 weeks and it was very easy.

i get the hebeejeebies when ever I thik about an operation and my spine...

As you should.....

I have been thinking about traction devices...someone mentioned gravity boots..is anyone using any of these devices ?

I haven't felt good for awhile..
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Traction devices are excellent. There are some things you shoudl know. Moon boots, anti-gravitry boots etc are the best but will require some degree of fitness to use them. Or get creative with a chain fall (not kidding..) If you are not in as god of fitness or mobility you can go with an inversion table. These cost more though. When setup up correctly so long as you can raise and lower your arms you can use one. You need to be in one longer than the boots though. 3-5 min vs. 10-15 min.

Some other things... (coming from a guy who has DDD and 2 herniated discs for well over 10 years and avoided scheduled surgery)
GEt a good bed, aka no springs. TEmperpedic is the only word you need to know and learn how to properly sleep. I.e. on your back or side using a pillow system for proper support and alignment.
See a GOOD chiro. What make s agood chiro you ask? They shouldn't be willing to work on you without seeing an xray first. One that has a xray machine in their office is a good sign. They should have additional treatments in their office including traction, electro stim, ultrasounds etc, etc.
Massage therapy is very efective.

Try everything you can, raiki, healing touch, chiro (a must), accuopuncture. See what works for you.

Backs love movement so try to be as un-sedendtary as possible within your comfort level.

Take back supplements. MSM, glucosimine, etc. Take double whatever it says to take and take most of it in the late afternoon and evening.

GEt on a TRT regimin if you are older. It will help with strength.

Most of all DO NOT take narcotic pain relievers. They damage your back and body in a variety of profound ways. IF you MUST take a pain supplement take advil or alieve (ibuprophen or NSAID) and if you live in one of the 22 states thast it's legal get a prescription for medical marijuanna.
 
All I can say is holy christ...I cannot lift 40 pounds without hurting my self.

I actally doing most..I traded my chiro for an osteopath. My chiro took me as far as he could (he is also a teacher). I alternate between a ostio and a deep tissue massage therapist weekly.

The point that caught me off guard was the TRT plan. Do I need to go through my GP to do this.. ?

As for the last, I am legal to grow...i tend to juice and drink it vs smoke it but somethings you just have to burn..
 
67 Power Wagon said:
is the pain real bad at this time? It sounds as tho it may be moderate, I'd ask if Gabapentin will help instead of the pain meds.....Its what I'm on for foot nerve pain, and sounds as tho you might benefit from it as well....I'm on it, and I know Doug "AKA" Inkjunkie just got on it,....just something to ponder, I know it works for me, and seems as tho it is working for Doug, but he may need to talk more to his Doc on it.

As for the rest, its not a bad drug, you just have to try it and see if it helps in the wee bit and then go from there, YES, it has side effects, BUT I found that for me, they don't kick in at all....really once in a while as I'm on 300 MG pills, and I take one in the AM and one at night, as need a 3rd at times if its real bad to equal 900MG a day. I have an uncle that's on it that's taking 3600 MGs a day! And after seeing him, it seems to have done him well too! He's on it for Diabetic Neuropathy nerve pain in his legs and feet. I myself, don't have the Diabetic Neuropathy, I merely have nerve damage in my feet.....
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Did not read the whole thread, saw this and stopped so if this has been mentioned I apologize. Sounds like you may have stenosis. Basically it means that, thanks to degenerative disc disease, the area where your nerves pass thru the vertebrae is getting put into a squeeze. There is various different surgeries to open the area up but the few folks that I know that had it done were right back to square one in a short amount of time. Some say a chiropractor will help, but that did not work for me. Had one doc put it in a way I understood....you puncture a tire with a nail. The air leaks out....sure you can put more in but it is going to leak out again. Which, imo, is what going and getting manipulated means to me.
Seen Gabapentin mentioned. When I first got on it I experienced noticeable relief. 7-8 weeks later.....back to the same ole crap. I talked to my doc about things. He did agree that when it comes time to write a new script for the narcotics that he was going to lower the narcotics and increase the Gabapentin, just to see what happens. I recently attempted to lower the amount of narcotics I take. I removed one 5mg oxg a week. After 3 weeks I was back to my "normal" amount. Frigging hurt like I got hit by a truck. Doc did say he seriously doubts that lowering the narcotics and increasing the Gabapentin is going to work for me. According to him I no doubt have some nerve pain, but the bulk of mine is skeletal issues. Despite what some folks will tell you there is no "magic pill" that works for all of us. I really think that in some case folks get relief from certain things because they "believe" it is going to work.
Sorry for getting off topic....by all means Gabapentin may work for the OP, if it does cool beans. Narcotics may be the answer....if so be prepared for the onslaught of associated problems they bring, constipation, fuzzy brain, marked drowsiness etc....
Some folks are very fortunate when it comes to pain relief, others, like myself are not. It is what it is....I wish you the best of luck in finding something that works for you....
 
inkjunkie said:
Some folks are very fortunate when it comes to pain relief, others, like myself are not. It is what it is....I wish you the best of luck in finding something that works for you....
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I am presently using food to counteract pain but when it gets real bad, turn to weed. 1 joint hits me so hard that I cannot move out of the chair..but no pain :) so i reserve them for bed time..

My friend is in the same boat but does 20-30 joints a day...and operates like normal. I guess I am a cheap stone :)

There are no effects from this stuff. When I was at the pain clinic, I was given essentially weed pills..they worked..but my drug plan said that they were only for cancer patients that had lost their appetite and at 500 bucks a month, that wasn't gong to happen in my house..

I am seriously looking at the Ideal Protein Diet....(and the other mentioned in this thread)..cannot find anything negative except for cost....but I am starting to get desperate..
 
grassy said:
The point that caught me off guard was the TRT plan. Do I need to go through my GP to do this.. ?

Yes. They may do the initial consutation and write you a scipt for a blood test then send you to an endocrimologist or they may handle it all in house. Either way go to your GP first.

As for the last, I am legal to grow...i tend to juice and drink it vs smoke it but somethings you just have to burn..

Realisticly consuming it is a healthier approach. Vaporizors or "wax" is another clean method.
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inkjunkie said:
Some say a chiropractor will help, but that did not work for me. Had one doc put it in a way I understood....you puncture a tire with a nail. The air leaks out....sure you can put more in but it is going to leak out again. Which, imo, is what going and getting manipulated means to me.

Sorry to let you in on this not only is this incorrect but it isn't how it works. Doctors tend to put their faith in their way of treatment. I.e. a surguen think the knife is the way. A prescriber thinks the pill is the way. etc. etc. The true way is the way that treats the cause secondary to that is the way that treats the symptom. For example, advil and NSAID's reduce inflamation which is part of the problem and impares healing, narcotics, tylenol do not. Not only do they not help the actual problme they damage your body in a variety of ways.
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grassy said:
I am seriously looking at the Ideal Protein Diet....(and the other mentioned in this thread)..cannot find anything negative except for cost....but I am starting to get desperate..
Click to expand...

Not sure what the protein will do but i'm assuming you aren't eating as much gluten (wheat based products) Gluten products will increase joint pain.
 
Realisticly consuming it is a healthier approach. Vaporizors or "wax" is another clean method.

Actually, I have a great one..an Iolite. You want one that the flame doesn't touch the herb...

I shall make an appointment with my GP..

The http://www.idealprotein.com/ ..they have a version for diabetics. I go on monday for a consult..had to fill out a 9 page questionairre...it is a 4 stage diet...not only to lose but to get off it and maintain...
 
Just a note in the F.a.s.t. diet..

"The Fast Diet says that you shouldn’t fast if you’re pregnant or underweight, or if you have a history of eating disorders or diabetes, and that you should check with your doctor first if you take medication. The diet also isn't recommended for kids, teens, frail seniors, or anyone who isn't feeling well or has a fever."

That puts me out.

I have made an appointment for the ideal protein diet..
 
I just had a spinal fusion of me L3-S1, it has been about 3 months and I feel a whole lot better. I had the degenerative disks and spinal stenosis as well. I was in constant pain in my back and I tell ya brother it was a 10 all day long for 3 years I had to put up with it and couldn't work either.
Well finally I got a neurosurgeon that operated on me. She was a specialist in lamectomies. Ya it hurt for a few weeks but that was the scar the pain was relived 10 fold in my back.

I'm not telling you what to do, but shots,drugs,and PT never worked for me. Do what you think is best, but the techniques have improved greatly in the past 5 years for the surgery.
 
ILLDuster74 said:
I just had a spinal fusion of me L3-S1, it has been about 3 months and I feel a whole lot better. I had the degenerative disks and spinal stenosis as well. I was in constant pain in my back and I tell ya brother it was a 10 all day long for 3 years I had to put up with it and couldn't work either.
Well finally I got a neurosurgeon that operated on me. She was a specialist in lamectomies. Ya it hurt for a few weeks but that was the scar the pain was relived 10 fold in my back.

I'm not telling you what to do, but shots,drugs,and PT never worked for me. Do what you think is best, but the techniques have improved greatly in the past 5 years for the surgery.
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Glad it worked out for you. Sometime down the road I will be looking at fusion as well. Docs think it is a bit early for me yet...
 
Ink I'm 37. She gave me a high chance of healing well since I'm 30 years younger than her normal patience.

The surgery was good, but I can't pick up anything from the floor and I still have tinging in my hips and legs. But I can walk and move better just not that fast.

The recovery time aint like have your gal bladder out its at least a year or 2 years of healing and PT
 
I have 11 years on you. Your back must have been pretty bad. I think what my doc is taking into account is I am already out on disability. And I am not on that high of a dose of pain meds, just 60 mg of Oxy a day along with 600 mg of Gabapentin. There is a a Laser Surgery Center nearby that claim an 80% success rate. Doc said they are fabricating the results a bit. A neighbor had the simple opening up of the area where the nerve passes thru the vertebrae. A bit of PT and some time off from both work & his home duties....he has a few cattle, chickens and goats....and he was pain free. Got the all clear to resume life, within a week he was back on the pain meds.....I was all set to start looking for a surgeon until I spent a few minutes talking to Sam.
In all reality mine is not all that bad, for the most part. Biggest issue is the depression from the constant pain...and the less than pleasant suicidal thoughts that it all brings. I just have to be very mindful of what I do....and how long I do things. If I take my time I can spend several hours a day working around the yard....but at the end of a 5 hour day outside I get accomplished what I would have in an hour several years ago.
Knowing your limits goes along ways. I can walk down a gentle slope without too much trouble. Down a hill brings on serious pain. If I stay moving on level ground or uphill things are ok.....until I stop. After 10-15 minutes of standing I need to sit....Instant trigger is that slight forward cant from washing the dishes. By the time I am done washing the dishes I need to get off of my feet for an hour.
But it is what it is. My mother ended up getting several discs removed decades ago. She was in considerable pain the rest of her life. No bending over, could barely squat. A buddy overdosed and ended the suffering a few years back. Rod had one area fused while we were still at the PO. He left shortly after I did...docs wanted to go in and fuse his entire spine....he just was not up to it. Mechanic at the PO where I was fell off of the sack sorter machine. Broke all kinds of crap. He came back to work 3 years later....had to wear a brace from his waist up til his neck that wrapped completely around him. Was so medicated he could no longer drive. Management made him go thru the disability process. Guy was only 30 years old. Got a whole 6% of his 50k@year salary. And SS said he was not disabled....don't know whatever happened to him...

Sorry for rambling...
 
ILLDuster74 said:
I just had a spinal fusion of me L3-S1, it has been about 3 months and I feel a whole lot better. She was a specialist in lamectomies.

I'm not telling you what to do, but shots,drugs never worked for me. Do what you think is best, but the techniques have improved greatly in the past 5 years for the surgery.
Click to expand...

I'd much rather see someone get a fusion than a lamectomie. A fusion is much safer and more functional choice. Good choice and best of luck to you.

inkjunkie said:
Glad it worked out for you. Sometime down the road I will be looking at fusion as well. Docs think it is a bit early for me yet...
Click to expand...

This is some financialy inspired BS right there. Nearly 100% of those who get a lamectomy end up later in life getting the fusion. So why would one not skip to the end result. The anser you'll get is that the fusion will casue the discs above and below the fusion to be overstrained and degenerate. Umm...they are already doing that anyway. However with a lamectomy you lose bone support (they remove bone) and you leave your spinal chord exposed. (as in you can literally touch it with your finger as it is no longer covered with bone)

inkjunkie said:
Biggest issue is the depression from the constant pain...and the less than pleasant suicidal thoughts that it all brings.

...
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This can be a mojor issue. I've been there and empathize.
 
I did ask my doc about the laminectomy, he strongly suggested NOT going down that road...
 
I have had neck surgery twice. Both times there was pieces of disc fragments down near my shoulder blades, so I really didn't have a choice. My first surgery was I was in my 30's. I was 47 for my 2nd and it has been a lot harder on me this time, but I feel better and I go back t work next Monday. I'm a pipe insulator and I really twist and turn my neck a lot. I'm really interested to see how my neck holds up.
 
roccodart440 said:
Traction devices are excellent. There are some things you shoudl know. Moon boots, anti-gravitry boots etc are the best but will require some degree of fitness to use them. Or get creative with a chain fall (not kidding..) If you are not in as god of fitness or mobility you can go with an inversion table. These cost more though. When setup up correctly so long as you can raise and lower your arms you can use one. You need to be in one longer than the boots though. 3-5 min vs. 10-15 min.

Some other things... (coming from a guy who has DDD and 2 herniated discs for well over 10 years and avoided scheduled surgery)
GEt a good bed, aka no springs. TEmperpedic is the only word you need to know and learn how to properly sleep. I.e. on your back or side using a pillow system for proper support and alignment.
See a GOOD chiro. What make s agood chiro you ask? They shouldn't be willing to work on you without seeing an xray first. One that has a xray machine in their office is a good sign. They should have additional treatments in their office including traction, electro stim, ultrasounds etc, etc.
Massage therapy is very efective.

Try everything you can, raiki, healing touch, chiro (a must), accuopuncture. See what works for you.

Backs love movement so try to be as un-sedendtary as possible within your comfort level.

Take back supplements. MSM, glucosimine, etc. Take double whatever it says to take and take most of it in the late afternoon and evening.

GEt on a TRT regimin if you are older. It will help with strength.

Most of all DO NOT take narcotic pain relievers. They damage your back and body in a variety of profound ways. IF you MUST take a pain supplement take advil or alieve (ibuprophen or NSAID) and if you live in one of the 22 states thast it's legal get a prescription for medical marijuanna.
Click to expand...

If I did not take narcotic pain meds I could not get out of bed in the morning. Simple as that. Some of the other things that you mentioned....some of us are on a fixed income...and simply can not afford them....lastly...the medical mj....what a foolish name for it....like it is grown any different than recreational mj....I have tried mary jane for my pain...and got absolutely 0 pain relief. I am in WA state, where it is "legal" for recreational use....see my above statement about a fixed income.....

I have tried an inversion table.....0 relief......chiropractic......0 relief......glucosimine....0 relief...
 
inkjunkie said:
If I did not take narcotic pain meds I could not get out of bed in the morning. Simple as that. Some of the other things that you mentioned....some of us are on a fixed income...and simply can not afford them....lastly...the medical mj....what a foolish name for it....like it is grown any different than recreational mj....I have tried mary jane for my pain...and got absolutely 0 pain relief. I am in WA state, where it is "legal" for recreational use....see my above statement about a fixed income.....

I have tried an inversion table.....0 relief......chiropractic......0 relief......glucosimine....0 relief...
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Same here. I don't like to have to rely on Vicodin but have no choice if I want to get anything done. I take just enough to keep the pain down to a low roar. I can't take Nsaids because they set my kidney's on fire and that hurts just as bad as the back pain. I was a drug addict when I was young and practically shot my life down the toilet so no way will I ever smoke pot again. I'll take my chances with Vicodin because I don't believe it's side effects are any worse than burning up brain cells. I also tried chiropractic (5 different chiropractors in fact), and glucosamine and had 0 relief... My wife has an inversion table that helps her but it aggravates my back more.
 
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