degenerative disc disease

[Peggy1956]

I recently was told by my physician that I had degenerative disc disease.  I have pain in the left side of my neck and my left arm gets numb and tingling.  I was sent to physical therapy for the first time yesterday.  At first they said we usually help most people with your condition.  Within five minutes of telling them all of my symptoms, I was told if we don;t see improvement very quick you are looking at surgery.  My family doctor told me he was not even considering surgery at this point.  All they did yesterday was put moist heat on my neck and use a machine to stretch my head from my body for a very few minutes.  Is this normal and is it just because it was my first visit.  I asked him questions but did not get many answers.  I asked about using heat and cold at home and was told not much you can do at home.  I am wondering if I picked the wrong place to go or is this the norm for my condition.  I got the impression they did not really think they could help much by the time I left there.  Going in today again and Friday for third visit this week.  Can anyone tell me if this treatment has helped them with neck pain and arm numbness and tingling.  

[Peggy1956]

Thank you for your information, I hope it never comes to surgery.  I gather that is not a great experience.  I am hoping this therapy helps and quick.  I felt some relief last night, then this morning I felt like my arm had been hit with a baseball bat.  Sore type pain.  I put moist heat on it for 30 minutes and then a while later I tried ice.  Right now it does feel a little better.  I am crossing my fingers.  I drive a school bus for our County and I am beginning to wonder if I will be able to drive come September.  And then again the bus may be causing some of this too, even though the doctors all say we all have some of this as we get older, just some comes with pain and other don't have pain.  So guess the bus is not a problem.  It does not hurt any worse when driving.  

[Phyllis2010]

Peggy, I do core strengthening kegel based exercises for the transabdominus in order to help me support my lower back. You have a problem with a different part of your spine. My numbness and pins and needles were predominantly in my legs. I was having difficulty walking. My neighbor had an operation on her cervical spine and based on her experience I'd say avoid it if you can. Perhaps, if the problem continues, you should have an EMG and MRI in order to pinpoint the source of your problem and prevent further injury. Also, they found out I was vitamin D deficient (level: 20).

[Peggy1956]

thanks for all your comments.  No, they did not do a MRI just xrays.  I went back to Therapy yesterday for second visit and even though he did same things which was stretching my head from my  body, I thought I may see some improvement.  This morning my left arm seems very sore.  I go back tomorrow for third visit.  

Phyllis, what type of things do you do at home to help with this type of pain>  I am really interested in doing anything I can to try to help.  Its been almost 5 weeks now and its really getting old.

[Phyllis2010]

I realized I didn't fully respond to your question. Yes, this treatment helped with my numbness, pins and needles.

[Phyllis2010]

I have DDD of my lumbar spine (4 herniated discs 3 bulging discs) along with 2 areas of spinal stenosis, and osteoporosis and a pinched nerve. I was diagnosed via EMG and MRI. I was advised against surgery by my neurologist. I found physical therapy to be extremely helpful -- you learn the core strengthening exercises and then do them at home for the rest of your life...People I know who've had surgery have not had the greatest outcomes longterm.

[selmaS]

Hi DDD is a normal aging process...we all have it and all will get it ...at what age is the question....plus u may have something else going on...like  a bulging or herniated disk....did u have a full spinal MRI?

Did u have a MRI of ur cervical spine?

I would ask for copies of all ur tests and get a second opinion......

"selma"