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Degenerative disc disease(DDD) L3/4/5 - so much pain

Posted , 13 users are following.

tara95293
tara95293

Hi. I have had an MRI which has shown DDD on 3 discs. I have now had this lower back pain for 12 months. I have had acupuncture/chiro/steroid & epidural injections and nothing has helped with the pain. This is all alongside medication. An Orthopedic consultant has said it is not operable as it involves too many discs. So I am now left in pain still, depressed and no quality of life whatsoever. Has anyone been in this situation or has any ideas . Clutching at straws for my own sanity, husband and my 15 year old & 4 year of twins. 

Thanks

0 likes, 40 replies

40 Replies

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  • joanespo
    joanespo tara95293

    Posted

    just remembered my girlfriend who is a nurse said to soak in Epsom salt and really just getting to the joints in the nerves in the supposed to help so I'm going to try that too
  • nanners
    nanners tara95293

    Posted

    In USA so can't comment on the care you have available.  Age 68, 12 months of disabling low back pain with burning nerve pain into right leg.  MRI showed spinal stenosis, scoliosis, bulging discs at several lumbar levels.  3 epidural injections, chiro, acupuncture, physical therapy, pain meds.  Refusal by ortho back surgeon to even consider surgery. Finally referral to spinal reconstruction surgeon. Out now 3 months from decompression and fusion at 3 levels, L2-5. Rough recovery/rehab but I can now walk as necessary, carry on a somewhat normal life, and the pain, even though present every day to some degree, is manageable with gabapentin,Tylenol and ibuprofen.  No regret at this time even though I'm aware that the hardware used for fusion may not hold because of soft bones from osteoporosis.  I was willing to try anything for pain relief and am sorry others might not have surgery as an option.  
    • tara95293
      tara95293 nanners

      Posted

      Wow. You have been through a lot. My Orthopedic surgeon said he would not fuse the 3 discs as it would put too much pressure on the discs above and in a short time I would end up needing more surgery on those discs then where does it end. So no option of surgery.

      I really hope it holds out good for you. X.

    • joanespo
      joanespo tara95293

      Posted

      U to, best wishes ..the shot kinda war off, but I'm just going to keep walking, ice and the whoke bit.. I don't think Surgery is good anyway it's probably makes it worse, They say the body heals..we will see..
  • joanespo
    joanespo tara95293

    Posted

    I don't know if this is going to help you but I've sciatica I have bulging disk I have the muscle nerve pain, the stiffness.. for 9 months and I try a lot of different things, exercise , yoga get your body strong.. core.. sitting with tennis ball. I Discovered something called "SI-LOC" got it on Amazon its like a belt is not that big you just gotta put it in the right place and it talks about getting the pelvis to be kind of alingned and the pelvic ring and the gluteus maximus and all the muscles around there you have to get them stronger but this thing takes away the pain,>I walk around I can empty dishwasher in peace. it's great, anyone with Back prob, I think would help..
  • marcia02865
    marcia02865 tara95293

    Posted

    Oh my god I can't believe what I have just read about you!!! It's like a mirror diagnosis and like you I can't get anymore help its basicly live with it!!! I am in so much pain I can't drive for more than 10 minutes as sitting aggravates it, I can't sleep I can't do anything and am starting to think its all in my head although the pain is so real!!! I'm 38 with 3 kids and I feel like everything I do is a challenge... If you get an answer or advice please let me know as the medications I'm on are starting to not work

    Kindest regards good luck

    Marcia

    • tara95293
      tara95293 marcia02865

      Posted

      Nearly 3 weeks ago I had an edpidural

       to help with the pain & I do think it has helped a little. Enough for me to feel happy & a bit more confidence to try some very basic core Physio exercise which I know will help. 

      in saying this tho I have had an epidural a few months back and it didn't work at all. The only and possibly main difference was that the first was done just under local by a pain management anaesthetists doctor. The one I had done recently was done by an orthopaedic surgeon and I was put out for it as he said it is better to work on and get the exact pin point spot & the person is not tense. I don't know if it was coincidence that this one worked as it was done a different way and by a different person but it does give hope that if one thing doesn't work the first time then it may be worth still giving another go with a different professional.

  • sandie-pants
    sandie-pants tara95293

    Posted

    Was it this one? Xx
    • tara95293
      tara95293 sandie-pants

      Posted

      Hi. As per normal my memory is shocking and it was not this forum it is Healthunlocked which I am a member also. My user name on there is oiroiroir and there are 43 replies so far on it, it's titled, "DDD L3/4 & 5. What can I do?" If your not on that forum also then I would advise you to join is great just like this one is too.

      Have a "good day"! Everyone!

  • Gen.Patton
    Gen.Patton tara95293

    Posted

    I ran across this thread as I've been fighting the same symptoms (L3-->S1) for many years now.

    Even though it's an old thread, I feel compelled to share my experiences.

    First, I must caution all those seeking pain relief; DO NOT allow Doctors to perform any Epidural injections on you involving STEROIDS of any kind. In the U.S. they are NOT APPROVED by the F.D.A. (as of this posting which is Nov. 29, 2017) I know it sounds crazy...but do your own homework! With a quick search, you will understand............. When I had Cortisone injections for the first time, to treat my debilitating lumbar pain, It was then that I lost a significant amount of motor control in my left leg. Now I have left knee weakness, and cannot walk in confidence.

    Anyhow, I hope someone will read this and avoid what I have gone through.

    • Amos2015
      Amos2015 Gen.Patton

      Posted

      I got offered injections which I turned down as a friend of mine goes through them and he said if he knew the problems they would cause he’d never accepted them. 

      Good luck. 

  • Amos2015
    Amos2015 tara95293

    Posted

    Yes. I’ve got the same problem.  My surgeon told ne only op possible is fusion. But this has high failure rate. 

    So I’m now in my fifth year with server pain. Pain killers don’t really work. I’ve tried everything and no success. 

    Good luck. 

    • Gen.Patton
      Gen.Patton Amos2015

      Posted

      I feel ya...it's a long and painful road. I haven't been able to work since May of 2014 sad I've taken Aleve to the point of bleeding ulcers in my Colon since I refuse to get sucked into Opoids.

      (and I'm worthless to my Family when taking them) & My Wife is in the process of Divorcing me. But it can always be worse...at least I can still get on my feet most days.

    • Gen.Patton
      Gen.Patton

      Posted

      My ultimate hope is that the Axiomed Freedom Lumbar Disc will get full FDA approval here in the U.S. soon. It is the only disc replacement solution that I could sign off on...Fusion on 3 levels? NOPE. Pro Disc L? Epic failures for the Lumbar region. Balanced Back? (Check on YouTube) What. A. Joke.
    • tara95293
      tara95293 Amos2015

      Posted

      Hi

      Well I started this thread 3 years ago and here I still am. I basically now only take amitryptaline and diazepam at night to help me sleep. I do t bother with anything else as nothing touches it. I have a Physio massage every Wednesday and have done for 18 months now. This gives a little help to my really tight muscles, especially glutes which now give me pain. 

      Still looking for that miracle cure! Still miserable. 

      Hope others are finding relief.  

    • Amos2015
      Amos2015 tara95293

      Posted

       Hi Tara.

      Good luck, I’ll say a prayer for you hoping he’s listening and answers by helping you to become pain free. 

    • Amos2015
      Amos2015 Gen.Patton

      Posted

      Hi Gen.Patton

      Yup. My wife is having an affair with her ex boyfriend. She thinks I don’t know. What she don’t see is I sent separation papers in had them back so I’m now legally seperated. Divorce is auto after that here in Norway. 

      So I’ve got rid of one pain and giving up on finding a cure for lower back. 

      Good luck. 

    • Gen.Patton
      Gen.Patton Amos2015

      Posted

      Sorry for your troubles Amos.

      I believe those who suffer in this life will be rewarded in the next wink

    • Gen.Patton
      Gen.Patton

      Posted

      From my understanding, doesn't Europe have the best back surgeons and processes? They've been doing total disc replacements for over 20 years. Doctors are morons here in the U.S.

    • Gen.Patton
      Gen.Patton

      Posted

      Check out Clause Manniche at the Spine Centre of Southern Denmark.
    • Amos2015
      Amos2015 Gen.Patton

      Posted

      Yup surgeons here are good I had two replaced in neck three years ago. And the save surgeon said the lower back cannot be operated on. So I even went back to uk for a second opinion which was the same. 

      They both said a fusion could be done but the failure rate is too high to go ahead with the operation.  

    • Amos2015
      Amos2015 Gen.Patton

      Posted

      My friends wife is from Denmark and told me about that center. Ill look them up on internet and send contact. 
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