Degenerative changes are seen involving the spine. What does that mean? I tried to contact them and I feel like they are giving me the run around and they keep telling me "Im young and healthy and I shouldnot have to worry about this". Wow Im only 25, any age has to worry about something. Please explain to me what should I do.
2007-08-09 04:49:51 · 9 answers · asked by LaLa 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I'm 27 and have already undergone back surgery for my bad back. I've had x-rays, MRI's, a CT, a bone scan...and the list goes on. Nobody has been able to tell me why I have these problems since I didn't suffer any type of injury to precipitate this. I also was told that I have the beginnings of arthritis as well. It sucks to got thru all this so young but be proactive with your care and you should be fine:) First off, your doctor sounds like a nincompoop! I highly recommend getting an appointment with a Neurologist- one that specializes in dealing with spine issues. I would also make an appointment with a good Chiropractor- mine has helped prevent another surgery as well as bring me much relief. Also taking alot of calcium (with magnesium) helps too. www.spine.org is an excellent website to get any and all info about the back.
Good Luck and hope you feel better soon!
2007-08-09 05:52:58 · answer #1 · answered by gaiagal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are way to young to be experiencing degenerative changes. Have you had an injury that may have provoked the change. The other very important factors to consider are the possibility of very early osteoporosis, early because it usually inflicts women in the 40-50 age bracket and can result in small compression fractures of the lumbar spine. I would be very diligent in my pursuit of some healing solutions. First I would address my diet, you need at least 400units a day of vitaminD, if you are already experiencing bone density changes you need to increase the dose to 50,000 units a day, YUP, 50,000. You also want to increase protein and vitamin C together they will help your body heal some of the damage you may have. The other very very very important factor is weight and exercise, it will make or break your ability to function. The aging process doesn't have to be a totally dreaded miserable process. The use it or lose it rule applies in all aspects. Good luck , don't settle for a doctor that is not genuinely interested in your problems, at the age of 25 they should be very concerned that you have these changes if it not indicative of your medical history.
2007-08-09 12:03:04 · answer #2 · answered by want2flybye 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a second opinion from an Orthopedic doctor. I was younger than you when I started having those degenerative changes and now am confined to a wheelchair with advanced degenerative disease of my spine. Don't let your doctor just blow you off because you are young and female.
2007-08-09 23:19:49 · answer #3 · answered by SusieQ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another POV: After an MRI, a back specialist told me that I had a touch of arthritis in my back. He hastily added "Not rheumatoid, the bad kind, but arthritic, as in wear and use damage." He acted like it was a normal part of life, and that maybe most people who had a spine MRI might get such a reading. I say this NOT to encourage you to do nothing further, but to tell you not to worry too much about it, at least until you know more.
Good luck.
2007-08-09 12:00:25 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Vincent Van Jessup 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly you need to tell me what caused the degenerative spine and which area. Usually, degeneration occurs in the lumbar area of the spine that is L2 - L5, in which the discs between the vertebrae get worn off or compressed. Please do not lift heavy weights, improve your posture and do some exercises or physiotherapy exercises.
You will be fine.
If you got the MRI or the X-Ray reports, please write back to me the details of the reports.
2007-08-09 12:12:01 · answer #5 · answered by amembal4444 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better consult a neurologist for further help. Since you have not mentioned the specific tests undergone by you, it is difficult to tell what exactly is meant by that "Degenerative changes..."
2007-08-09 11:54:00 · answer #6 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it sounds like arthritis-as i have arthritis in the spine and have exactly what you are describing -tell your regular dr you want to see a rheumatologist -i went through exactly the same thing i have a form of rheumatiod arthritis called ankylosing spondolytis -i was 22 years old -when it started --demand to see a specialist-early care of this may lessen-the damage later on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! keep up the fight
2007-08-09 11:56:03 · answer #7 · answered by matthetech 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it means that your spine isn't normal and shows deterioration, which could be caused by years and years of for example doing acrobatics moves.... or it could be early signs of Osteoporosis.... make sure to take in enough calcium from now on... definitely see a chiropractor
2007-08-09 11:59:10 · answer #8 · answered by justmemimi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it may mean they cant find anything wrong or it may mean that you need to take some mineral supplements. find another doctor, get a second opinion, and consider dumping your existing doctor.
2007-08-09 11:53:17 · answer #9 · answered by Steve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋