Degenerative disc disease, anyone got symptoms like mine???

Hi Jackie

the pain you describe corresponds precisely to mine. I have suffered from lower back pain for many years, but normally I would have cycles of pain lasting for no more than 2-3 weeks. But the latest one starting in June isn't going away. Same pain as yours, same area and way of manifesting. It spreads through both sides of the spine. Also I have cervical pain which often causes headaches.

I have seen many osteopaths and had chiropractic treatments in the past. These therapists never suggested scans, nor even mentioned DDD.

Would you suggest to get some scans done? Is MRI scan better?

I desperately need to find out real causes of my pain.

I hope you have found an helpful therapy. I am looking into food medicine, salt tissues and exercise.

Thank you

kat

Yes, I have same condition from last 15 months but I have pain only one side of the spine.

Hi Jackie! Many of the others (including myself) in this discussion are right on the money when they describe the symptoms of DDD. I hate that this disease is untreatable. It can only be maintained. However, there are new procedures, such as one in particular, in which they inject a "gel" like substance into the disc(s) to rehydrate the disc and make it more functional. It's something you can at least look into. I myself constantly wake up stiff as a board, therefore, I do about 30

Minutes worth of stretching each day..also, it is very important to cut down on bad sugars(eat more healthy), practice good posture, and stay hydrated..also, try not to lay or sit for most of the day, it makes it worse. My dr and chiropractor also told me to stretch my hamstrings regularly and become more flexible..the best way to do this is to lie on your back(in your bed) take a belt or a physical therapy rubber band, stretch your leg straight up in the air(comfortably of course) and put the belt/band over your foot and stretch each leg for about 30 seconds each. You can also slightly extend your leg(stretch it more) during the 30 seconds as it loosens a bit. So basically. Healthy diet(get a blender) eat kale, spinach, fruits, and natural sugars. Also, if you are a smoker, DDD is only going to get worse. All of this info I just provided is a paraphrase from 2 dr's and a great chiropractor of mine..which remind me, I got a lot more relief from my chiropractor vs a dr. You can go 1 time a month for re-alignment and also even try acupuncture. Hope this helps! My pain has subsided a bit but not much. It's just something you have to live with and maintain!

Also, I failed to mention. I called my dr and got some prescription litocane patches. And they absolutely work wonders. It fills like your getting a novicane shot on the area in which you put the patch(s). they generally work for about 12 hrs. I pilled one of one day at the 7 hr mark and I touched my back with my hand. And I had absolutely no feeling in my back where the patches were applied. Really they do help with the pain! Your dr should call in what they call medicated 5% litocane patches. Hope this helps as well. 

my pain is a lot like yours I went to the dr. for hip pain, my hip was ok.  My pain hurts the most when setting/driving for a long period of time and at night also.  Cold feels the best when applied to my lower back.  I get steroid injections ever 3 months, I am pretty good for about 45 to 50 days.  Then I hurt and hurt bad, it goes down my leg to my knee, and ankle.  I hate to take pain drugs, but sometimes I have to.  

I get back pain standing. Plus when I lift. Hoping I can get an MRI. Not happy with hospital so far. I take co codimol mostly.

Hi, I've been suffering for a number of years now, but only found out what the condition was DDD. Ive got the same symptom as you Jackie. As i was working in a nursery it only got worse. I then was medically discharged. Struggling to sleep and painful.