Back problems

[Moor]

ok, here is the situation.
i have degenerative disc disease. this was just diagnosed last month.
i was told by the dr that they can do injections, but i have had one, and DON'T want to do that again. the other option, is to have physical therapy. been there, done that, got the tshirt, don't work.
so i was told, that they can do surgery. that is something i don't want either. i know people, who have had back surgery, and it's helped them. but i also, know other's who have had the same surgery, and it's messed them up totally!
so i am scared. i have been dealing with this for 9 years. finally got it figured out what is going on.

so what would you do?

[nwmissourigal]

I really feel for you. I have degenerative disc disease in all 3 areas of my spine. I have a herination in my cervical and thoracic and had back surgery last January to fix the herinated disc in my lumbar. I went back to work to soon and now have 3 bulged discs in the lumbar. Sometimes I wonder if I should have had the surgery. I am unstable in the lumbar region and now I am having to have another MRI on my cervical this week because the herinated has gotten worse. I was off work 5 months this year and have went back to work and it's not going well for me. Having back problems is the pits. I live on ultram and fexeril and Vicodin when the ultram and flexeril doesn't help. My doctor says I am not a candidate for surgery on the thoracic because the degenerative disc is to bad and surgery would just make it worse. I know you are living with back pain everyday and I truly feel for you. The decisions are really tough to make. My doctor says that I will probably have to have the one in my neck fixed. I am dreading it. I am just leaving all of this in God's hands. I don't know what else to do. I don't think I have done much to help you, but I just wanted you to know that I truly feel your pain. Blessing to you and I hope you can make good decisions...Kathy

[BetterLateThanNever]

I also have a degenrative disc in my spine. I have been going to a chiropractor every month for about 6 years to have my spine stretched and it really has helped. Also exercise really helps me. I can wake up stiff and in pain and once I get moving I usually am pain free in an hour or so.

Traditional medicine didn't help me at all. I was sent to physical therapy and really didn't help me. But also at that time I had pinched a nerve and was in a load of pain for about 5 1/2 weeks. i went to see another Chiropractor who gave me a complete body alignment (crack every joint in my body he also advised me to lay in bed with a heating pad on low ) withing a week and a half I was up and walking around with screaming in pain.'

Sounds like you are at the point where it wouldn't hurt to at least explore alternative medicine. Just talk to a chirporactor and see what he/she says. It can't hurt to consider another point of view.

Sorry you're in so much pain. Trust me I've been there. I'll say a prayer that you'll find teh information you need to make a good decision.

[KJayEsq]

I feel particularly qualified to discuss this topic for two reasons:

First, I am an attorney in the insurance industry dealing with work-related injuries. I read tons and tons of medical reports every year. Back surgery should be a last resort. I'm not saying it never works. There are certain situations where it is indicated and people do improve, but the vast majority of them do not, and many get worse. I'm not trying to scare you off of it. If a qualified neurosurgeon with a CONSERVATIVE reputation recommends it, then you are probably OK. Otherwise, I would avoid it if at all possible.

Second, I also have back problems. It's not exactly DDD, but I did tear a disc in my back and all the fluid has leaked out, thus leaving me with virtually no disc at the L4-5 level. I have tried it all...chiropractic, stretching, massage therapy, medications, acupunture, etc. I did not do injections, because I just didn't want to start up on something like that.


The one thing that has, after all these years, worked wonders is something called ART. I believe it stands for Active Release Technology. It is usually done by a chiropractor or physical therapist who has special training and certification in ART. It is very different than your "typical" chiropractic or PT treatment. It really is amazing.

Now prior to ART...I was still able to be active in racing triathlon and doing karate, but it was significantly painful at times. Now, though the pain is not 100% gone, it is definitely more comfortable and I would describe it most of the time as an annoyance more than anything else.

The downside is it isn't cheap. I paid $63 per session. However, you should take a look at that cost vs. surgery, recovery, PT, time off work or unable to help family, follow-up care, etc. Personally, I think anything to stay off the surgeon's table is worth it!

I hope this helps. The ART really did help me a lot. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

[Moor]

thanks!

i have been doing a lot of praying about this. my insurance only covers so many chiropracitic visit's a year. so i may have to space those out.
one of my dr's is also thinking that i might have firbromyalgia also. going to go see him this morning.

[Darlene]

Don't have any answers for you Nancy but I have a sister with chronic back pain and know how much it can take over & take away from your quality of life. I hope you find relief asap and that it's long lasting. My heart goes out to all of you who suffer with daily pain.

[PrairieRose]

I too have degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. In '93 I ruptured 1 disc and herniated 2 others and was slowly losing use of my legs due to numbness from the toes up. My legs were twitching and jerking all up and down. I had to have back surgery and it was hugely successful but didn't cure my ddd. I sometimes use chiropractic which helps a lot. I also use an inversion table at home and this provides a lot of relief. My hottub is my friend as well. You have to learn your limits and listen to your body, head the warnings.