I have a DR's appointment on Tuesday regarding Degenerative Disc Disease that I have in my lower back. I have had several treatments for this including; cortizone injections, physical therapy,massage therapy just to name a few. I am currently on Percocet 7.5mgs. I want to stop taking these so bad. The pain is the worst pain of life and is completely ruining my life! I am 28 years old and can not function like a normal human being. What can I expect from this appointment? Will they offer some kind of surgery even though none of my nerves are being impacted? Will the orthopedic doctor just dimiss me? I am so nervous that I am going to have to live with this pain for the rest of my life. Anyone one else have this? What treatments did you receive?
2007-11-29 07:50:42 · 4 answers · asked by karatoto74 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
is your problem around the L-5/ S-4 area? the reason i ask this is i too have had degenerative disc diseaseand i had a ruptured disk at the L-5/S-4 area. i justhad surgery and the relief is great. Don't be afraid of having back surgery. If you do you need to fgollow the docs orders to a tee.... no lifting after operation for 4-6 weeks. no driving for 2-3 weeks and plenty of rest. give me a holler in the message thing if you need more advice.
2007-11-29 09:41:36 · answer #1 · answered by Michael V 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am 16 and was first diagnosed with Scheuermann's Kyposis, but then diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease. I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back (L3, L5, S1) and had one bulging disc. I did a decompressing table for about 4 to 6 months, but that made the pain worse. Then I learned that I was a candidate for Laser Spine surgery which I had May 31. It's January 14 now and the pain is finally getting better. I did a month of pt and rested a lot. I wouldn't say it's common at 16, but being so young helps us heal (I know it was asked 5 years ago, but still) Wish you good luck!!! Surgery may not help everyone, certainly not me in the beginning, but helping in the long run.
2016-04-06 04:08:40 · answer #2 · answered by Janet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease when I was 20. I was devastated when the spine specialist told me that there was nothing I could do to fix it or stop it from progressing. He just told me that I'd have episodes of pain off and on for the rest of my life.
So, after years of back pain that I thought I couldn't do anything about, I ended up meeting a chiropractor in my Sunday School class. One day, he saw how much pain I was in and offered to take me to his office and examine me. Turns out that I had more problems than degenerating discs, and he found other causes for my pain. I've been going for adjustments for a little over a year now. My problems are so severe that he can't "fix" me, but can help me keep my pain lower.
I'd advise you to see a chiropractor, as they do different types of treatments and x-rays than other doctors. Most likely, surgery won't help anyway, at least not with degenerating discs.
I'd also advise taking extra vitamin C supplements each day, as it helps repair damaged connective tissue.
2007-11-29 08:03:00 · answer #3 · answered by Elizabeth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a severe degenerative disc disease, osteo arthritis. I have had surgery four times on my lower back, I have two cages on my lower spine, both have broken loose. I have 32 screws and eight bones, four cadaver bones holding my spine together. My prognosis, a wheel chair.
My neurologist suggested a Medtronic spinal stimulator. The device is attached to nine spinal nerves by wires and these go to a receiver implaced in my butt. I hold a sender to control the unit, the speed of amps, the wattage, etc. I can also tune it off.
It's the best thing that has happen to me in fourteen years. I have after all these years, found relief, without drugs.
2007-11-29 23:25:46 · answer #4 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your next course of action will probably spinal fusion. And surgery isn't the answer for a person as young as you. It will only buy time. The normal biomechanics of the spine is meant to move, not to be fused. The discs above and below will take on additional stress due to the fusion and will prematurely wear out as well.
As a fellow person who went through the same thing after a car accident, may I suggest an alternative? Seek a special type of chiropractor who are very good at stabilizing and repairing discs. You won't be able to fully restore the disc to the original size, but you won't need the surgery. I rarely take painkillers myself, just a few rare times a year when I can't make my chiropractic appointment. These guys saved my career.
http://www.gonsteadseminar.com/referral.aspx
2007-11-29 08:05:27 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. K 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a friend with this and it seems that the doctors would just rather giver her more pain pills then to do surgery. You have to be really worse off-in a wheel chair cuz of it etc. before they will do surgery. I'm sorry that this is not good news,but its exactly what i think they will do to you.
God can take away your pain-Jesus' stripes are for our healing. If you believe you can be healed then you will be.I will pray for you. God Bless!
2007-11-29 08:01:27 · answer #6 · answered by nickybickyboppers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋