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Degenerative disc disease...

Posted , 6 users are following.

Moveebuff1953
Moveebuff1953

Saw my surgeon today who actually spent a long time going over my most recent MRI and explaining that my discs have basically lost hydration and that is why I'm in pain.  He has prescribed an anti inflamatory called Mylan Naprox & suggested I do pilates to gain core strength.  

I have been in pain for 7 years now.  Had L4 L5 disc fusion which gave me some relief but now the pain is back again....

Anyone esle have DDD?  Would love to hear how you are coping.

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • crista44751
    crista44751 Moveebuff1953

    Posted

    How long ago was your fusion ? I'm just 8 weeks post op. Prior to the fusion I had 3 laminectomies  in 17 years. Most of the time I was pain free as long as I used naproxen 500 mg as soon as the pain began. I have ddd also so up until my vertebrae started to slip  too much ( hence the fusion) staying active and using naproxen worked for me. I hope it helps you.

    • Moveebuff1953
      Moveebuff1953 crista44751

      Posted

      My surgery was Nov. 2015 ..Just started taking the Mylan-Naprox 375/20  x 2 a day.  Hope it helps. It's making me sleepy right now.  I'm starting pilates on Monday but surgeon said no yoga.  Have to strengthen core muscles. I can't imagine life without pain right now...cry

    • crista44751
      crista44751 Moveebuff1953

      Posted

      I'm sorry. Before my first Sx my pain was unbearable. The disc had broken off and was rubbing against the nerve sheath. No amount of meds touched it so I cringe when I think of constant back pain. I really wish you well and hope the docs help you with the pain. 🙏🏻

  • belinda62595
    belinda62595 Moveebuff1953

    Posted

    Hello, I have had DDD for about 40 years now. I have had it in L3,4 and 5 and had all various things  from physio to pain management including injections for the facets but none of them worked for me. I take 8 Tramadol,8 paracetamol,9 Gabapentin for the pain but cannot take ant-inflammatories due to stomach .I had a MRI 7 years ago and it showed the same as yours ,basically you could not see any hydration whatsoever. Now I am having problems with the heels of my feet hurting which I think is referred pain as I also suffer sciatica as well down left leg which leaves last 2 toes numb. I have got so fed up I have gone back to my Gp who told me I had to go through the whole process yet again of pysio, podiatry etc and now due a second MRi to see how things are going on. I have stated that I need to see a neurosurgeon as maybe they may have the answer. I know I probably won't be painfree  but Iam sck of being fobbed off. If you feel you can't cope keep pushing as in this day and age no one should be in pain and discomfort. Good Luck.

    • Moveebuff1953
      Moveebuff1953 belinda62595

      Posted

      Thanks Belinda...can't image having pain for 40 years...it's been 7 for me & I'm drained.  Started taking Mylan-Naprox 2x a day.  Hope it helps.  Surgeon said my spine has no flex to it at all so now I know what my limitations are.  I have to walk like a soldier...lol . I'm lucky that I don't need assistance in standing or walking.  I've only had the one back surgery & my surgeon said there is nothing else that can be done for my back mechanically.  

      I never ever thought I would be in this position.  I was a flight attendant for 13 years, skied, played tennis, squash, vollyball etc. Now I can't do any sports at all.  I read a lot & watch Netflix...I still go to the gym for my sanity.  Went from being a social butterfly & always entertaining to not wanting to cook at all b/c it kills my back to stand for too long.

      Oh well.....enough compaining for now.  Have to think "Happy thoughts"

      Thanks for reading...

  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX Moveebuff1953

    Posted

    So I've got five years on you...doesn't it suck getting old???

    You could also use the CT/Myelogram that I described to Belinda.  It will give your neuro a plan on how to get you back ("your back"?) to functioning without the pain.  I've had a laminectomy at L4/L5, a full four-level posterior fusion at L3 through S1 and now an LLIF at L2/L3 to cure my stenosis (like sciatica but down BOTH legs).

    Had the LLIF (LATERAL Lumbar Intervertebral Fusion) in late March.  Doc said he could open me from the back, remove the existing metal and re-fuse me L2 through S1 this time. That's a 10-day hospital stay and 6 months of rehab...OR...

    They go in FROM YOUR SIDE, destroy the existing disc, insert the "device", crank it open to the desired gap with an Allen wrench, backfill it with a bone graft from your hip and close.  90-minutes...overnight hospital stay...zero rehab.  I'll take one from Column "B"...thank you very much.  Posterior and lateral pictures attached.  In the lateral one, you can see how my guy cranked the posterior gap open more than the anterior to preserve the natural spine curvature.  Amazing technology.

    Search YouTube for "Globus lateral" to see a cute animation of the procedure.  Don't be afraid of the retractor...you're out cold...  Had to deal with some post-op nerve pain for a few weeks since they have to move the nerve roots out of the way.  No big deal.

    If your situation qualifies for an LLIF, please research the possibility and discuss it with your neuro.  They now do this for one- and two-level fusions.  WAAAAAY better than an old TLIF.

    • Moveebuff1953
      Moveebuff1953 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks for the info...my surgeon has advised against any more surgury...I think b/c all of my discs are dehydrated as all of them were black on the MRI.  I'm hoping that the meds will help with the pain.  I'm seeing him again in 6 months so I'll mention LLIF ...Have a good weekend

  • Reddave8
    Reddave8 Moveebuff1953

    Posted

    Hi I am sorry to hear that you are also suffering from DDD and know first hand how debilitating the condition can be. I was diagnosed in 2004 along with spinal stenosis which doesn't help, Naproxen didn't work fork me initially 50mg now on 1000 twice a day along with 1200mg Gabapentin which are only working in conjunction with 90mg Zomorph twice daily. I would swap it all for a Harry Potter wand, along with a solution to the problem. How I wish I had health insurance before being diagnosed and then I could get private treatment in the form of disc replacement surgery!,

  • socksmom
    socksmom Moveebuff1953

    Posted

    Thanks..wil look into this avenue. How awlful to live in such Pain and back pain is the worst because their is no comfort anywhere, lying sitting! Prayers for your help!

  • jessica_78456
    jessica_78456 Moveebuff1953

    Posted

    All my hip and leg pain was coming from my back . I had spinal fusion Wednesday other than the pain from the surgery the leg pain and hip pain has almost subsided , unreal . Iam mAnaging in the pain on just 1 30 mg dyhrodcodine and 1 paracetamol every 4 hrs , only had one shot of morphine strait after sugery . Taking b12 for nerve repair and arnica tablet s from the herbal shop to reduce pain and swelling inside. Got no appetite though ate very little last few days probably the drugs
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