27 w/ DDD in L5 & S1

[redkim]

I have digenerative disc disease in my lower back.  I actually found out when I saw an NS for Chiari (had decompressoin brain surgery in Jan of this year).  He was doing an nuerological exam and while looking at my lower back said "Oh, I am going to hate to have to cut into that (lower back tattoo)".  I asked him what he meant and he said "Oh, no one told you.  You have DDD and will require surgery".

At the time I told him I have no pain and he said that it wasn't necessary to have surgery until I felt I needed it.  I have just started to get pain in my back, with shooting (shocking) pains down my legs.  Not enough to warrent surgery.

I feel that surgery is extreame, is this the case?  What do you do to monitor this?

[opus88]

Hi sorry for your problems...DDD is a not a good dx.
I have had it for at least 5 yrs but was just dx'd in 2007...the pain in my back is only extreme if I sit or stand or bend for long periods. however the shooting pain down my leg(legs) has been extreme for at least 5-6 yrs....along with the shooting pain there is numbness and tingling...this is from nerve impingement in your spine.
surgery is NOT recommended until there is paralysis &/or incontinence issues because the surgery if not successful could cause these conditions, so I would not consider surgery without educating yourself very well first and finding an expert surgeon.
A medication i have been on for over 4 yrs called neurontin is very good for this sciatic nerve pain you are having....it does loose its potency over the years but will give you alot of relief.
good luck

[redkim]

Hi Opus.  I am sorry to hear that you have been in pain for so long.  My back pain is really just begining.  I am glad to know what to look for and expect.  I have Chiari and had brain surgery in Janurary for that and I also have a Pineal Cyst.  Add to that the DDD and I guess I can expect to be in pain.  Before my decompression surgery for the Chiari I was in pain which prompted the surgery.  For the past few months I have been feeling so much better then I did before.  But now this is cropping up...I think I shold ecpect to be in pain with all that I have going on.

I don't have an NL, just the NS who did my surgery.  I guess it's time to find a NL to monitor things since my NS can really only help if I have surgery.

[opus88]

oh you sure do have alot going on and I sympathize with you!
Yes find a good NL and get him to redo an MRI and find for sure what the problems are and what he suggests.
Don't consider surgery unless the pain gets much worse, you are already dealing with alot.
best of luck to you

[Sugie1938]

I have degenertive disk and joint disease, but my primary care doctor, says he can't give me a cortizone shot. I have sharp pains down my legs. I recently bought the "Back to Life"  machine. To my surprise, it does seem to be making that pain some what less. I need to make time to use it more often each day, as it says the more you use it the more it helps. I have several other health problems going on, so any relief I get helps. You might research it to see if you think it would benefit you.