Anyone found a good solution for degenerative disc disease?

Question

I am 21 and have been diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease. I have always been very healthy, and do not smoke, so i believe it is quite rare at my age. I have had pain on and off for over 2 years now, and currently for the last 6 months straight. I used to play basketball, it was my life, and in a way still is, I really just wanna know if I'll be able to play again. If anyone has had DDD and found a good solution that has worked for them please let me know your story. I have tried all the exercieses, anti-inflam., and chiropractor for months but have yet to find a solution besides injections or surgey which looks to be next on my list. I dont need a total painfree solution, I can play through pain, but it totally locks my core up when i try to do anything. So if anyone has any solutions, or has had the injections or surgey please let me know what happened good or bad. I kno even doctors arent always rt, so i want to get some other opinions from people who have been thru this, thx

Yes I did have electric stem. for 3 months along with the chiropractor and therapy and i also used a lumber trackion all with no results good or bad. The treatment did not start that aggressive with all those things, but we tried to add things and build my strength up but it didnt seem to help at all. I'm getting my mri this week and seeing my orthopedic the next week with results and what he thinks is best to do, I just want to get other peoples opinions and experiences, so that i can develop better questions and ideas to ask my doctor. Thanks a lot for your answers so far, anymore would be greatly appreciated...

Answer 1

I am leaning to the injections. My friend has DDD lumbar 2-3-4. She was in tremendous pain until the injections. She has been relatively pain free for over three years. Good luck, dear one.

http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/spine/conditions/ddd.html

A great site with good information.

Answer 2

This is a difficult problem that people have and the treatments often do not give relief. The confusion could be from his medications - some people do not tolerate steriods or pain killers well. Work with your doctor on maybe changing some of these. There are new, artificial discs which some surgeons are using and some people get relief from their constant pain. Others have the same surgery and the pain is still constant. There is no rhyme or reason why one stops the pain and the other does not because they are the same surgery. Every person's body responds differently. If they talk fusion of the spine - most people end up with chronic back pain after having this done. Lots of people end up dependent on narcotics to control the pain. But, lots of people live with degenerative disc disease and never have surgery. The answer for them was an exercise program to strengthen the back muscles to support the spine better and weight loss. Exercise for back pain people is walking. Slowly at first and then longer and longer distances at a faster and faster pace until he is up to 30 - 45 minutes per day of brisk walking. This warms the muscles, provides increased blood flow to the painful area and seems to disrupt the pain pathways, making him more comfortable. Good luck with whatever he decides to do.

Answer 3

I had this when I was about your age. I am now 35 and don't notice it anymore ( most of the time ). I use a steam shower, sauna or hot tub when it does act up and that helps a lot. When I was younger I did physical theroopy for it and that seems to be what really worked. They did electric stimula to help build muscle in my back for extra support.

Answer 4

I would not have surgery, that can mess you up for the rest of your life. What did your Chiropractor say? Did they do elect. stim? I have had back problems all my life, I have regular chiropractic adjustments to keep everything in proper alignment.
I am sorry to hear at your age you have this. I hope you find relief.

Answer 5

contact my e mail , I can help u
[e-mail]

Answer 6

I have been in pain for the last two years. I saw my doctor who sent me for a CT-Scan and was diagnosed with a bulge. Then he wanted me to do blood work to find out if I had athritis,which I don't. He then force me to do a nuclear bone scan because he said there might be something with my bones. I refused to do it at first but the orthopidist wanted me to do it as well. When my results came back normal, neither one was able to help me. I have gone to physical therapy and felt worse afterwards. the therapist kept putting all her weight on by tender spot and rubbing. She said she had to push it back in it's place. I felt comepletely exhausted from the pain, I stopped going. I tried a chiropractor who promised me the world. I can help you he said. What he did killed me. After the first time, he got so scared that I was in so much pain, he did not touch me any more. I continue to do the excercises that I was told to do to strainghten my core, but really they do not work. I saw another orthopidist who said that I'm very lucky because my problem is nothing. He told me to do the cortizone injections but people who have had them say they do not work. So, basicly I have been without a doctor since last April of 2005. Doctors just classify this problem as a degenerative condition and leave you to suffer. I have tried on my own to find a spine specialist but the response is always the same, I need a doctors referral. Most Hospitals do not have a spine specialist so even if I go to the emergency room, chances are they will tell me they don't have the person responsible. I would stay away from surgery if I were you. Surgery doesn,t always work. I really do not know what else to do but suffer. I cannot function for the most part. Simple everyday household chores are a challenge. The symptoms are so bad sometimes, nothing helps. I can't stand, can't sit, can't lie down, can't sleep. Nothing helps. My lower back is stiff and burning. If you get any answers can you contact me. I would be curious to here what they say to you. I was surprised to hear you are only 21 and diagnosed with DDD. I would like to know how your first answer can help you. I am in canada so our healthcare is different than yours. Hope you have better luck than me. Hope you feel better. Unfortunately, from what I understand, there is no cure for DDD.