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degenerative disc disease

Posted , 2 users are following.

mari02
mari02

I recently was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in the lower 2 discs of the lumbar spine.  My pain is in the buttucks when sitting.  Also during a bowel movement I have rectum pain.  Is this from the degenerative disc disease? 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • angie42070
    angie42070 mari02

    Posted

    Hi Mari02, I have the same diagnosis. It's hard to tell as it depends on the nerves that are irritated or impinged. Have you asked your doctor or consultant? I have permanent pain in my butt cheeks too plus down my left leg but not experiencing your problem. Does it go away with pain relief?
    • mari02
      mari02 angie42070

      Posted

      Pain relief doesn't seem to help.  I don't have pains down my legs.  I recently had 4 sessions of physical therapy.  It has help somewhat but I still have some pain.  Some days I have more pain then other days.  My doctor says if physical therapy doen't work she would do a MRI to see if it could be the nerves.  I'm going to call her to make a follow up apoointment.
    • angie42070
      angie42070 mari02

      Posted

      Can I ask what medication you are on? Does heat help? I use tramadol to help with bad pain, and I'm on pregablin for the sciatic pain. Hope your doctor sorts out an MRI soon to see what is going on. The back is so complex and only an MRI can show actually what is going on. I have had my sciatic pain along with a number of other back problems for 5 years, up until January I was going to Pilates to help strengthen my core and keep my back muscles relaxed. 
    • mari02
      mari02 angie42070

      Posted

      I've been taking ibuprofen and I do use the heating pad.  Sometimes I'll have the heating pad on the lower back and then sometimes I'll sit on the heating pad.  Would you know what specialist to see for spine problems?  I've been seeing my primary doctor.
    • angie42070
      angie42070 mari02

      Posted

      I'm under an orthopaedic surgeon but some times a neurosurgeon can be involved if there are nerve problems. I think normally the referral goes first to rheumatology or orthopaedics. Are you in the UK? You could ask your doctor for some stronger pain relief which is prescribed. 
    • mari02
      mari02 angie42070

      Posted

      I'm in the United States.  Thanks for responding to my posts.  When I go to my doctor I'll see what she says.  Hopefully she will order an MRI.   She may give me a referral after the MRI is done.
    • angie42070
      angie42070 mari02

      Posted

      No worries and good luck. It's a confusing process and primary doctors seem to have different approaches. 
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