27 w/ DDD in L5 & S1

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.

[Sugie1938]

Just a quick follow up on using the "Back to Life" machine. I can say for sure now it is helping. I was out of state and din't use it for a week, and the siatic (sciatic) pain came back again. After using a couple weeks it is getting better. I am still surprised that such a small amount of stretching can help.  I have tried all kinds of OTC pills, and percriptions, which caused more problems, so will continue using this.

[sarassuicide]

hi redkim i've got herniated disk bulges at every level of my spine with four tears, and stenosis of cervical spine and lumbar, and osteoarthritis from blood disease.  my cervical neck has gotten worse was scheduled for surgery a year ago but cancelled due to living arrangements.  Nerve impingement at both cervical and lumbar most of the time in unbearable pain got stuck leaning over the tub two wks ago couldn't straighten up. Need a good neuro, and a good pain management clinic that will give me shots, pt again, and pain meds that will work have been on low low doses since 08 and really don't want to go higher breakthroughs don't help just the ers.  I take meds as directed but the same meds for more severe pain isn't working so I have to go up cause I feel like dieing depressed.  Cervical neck surgery when the disk is sitting on the spinal cord is dangerous and a long recovery.  I'm depressed I think pretty bad right now, and don't have a psychologist as I once did then met with pain management. Been thinking about suicide which is crazy and this is not the right forum to talk about that nor is it something am sure I would go through with such a boring thing to say.  Last month or so not stable, and more downs than ups feel like I'm a lost cause disk disease, degenerative disk and joint disease so young under 40 is like so sad.  Don't socialize or feel like it most of the time but am isolated where I live right now perhaps if I moved to the city it would be different.  Lost the shots and pt insurance willl only pay for things that fix you not help you live better so your not driving under the influence of 100 or more mgs of narcotics pt helped so much.  Did you have surgery redkim? How do you deal with your life?  Thanks Loads

[opus88]

hi sara....you are sure in a bad state of horrendous pain and I am so sorry for the condition you are in and all the dilemma concerning your medication.
I cannot be of much help, I have similar issues with my lower spine, nerve impingement  the refered pain down the legs...but not nearly to the extent you suffer from.
deep depression and thoughts of suicide are common when we see no relief within our grasp, I do hope you seek out help for this, its hard when like me you live in a small city, do you have access to a good psychiatrist that your insurance would cover?
You need help first with the depression and hopefully a good pain management clinic as well. ...you cannot continue to not have this pain under control.
Can I make a suggest to you?  I would like to see you also post on the PAIN MANAGEMENT FORUM that MH has, there are many others that are in similar circumstances as you there on this forum, perhaps there you can find some answers with the medication and insurance coverage you are facing.....please try ok.
I hope for all the best for you in your search for help that you need.
keep up the fight don't give in there are other alternatives and you do need help to find them.