Degenerative Disc Disease

    
      Re: Degenerative Disc Disease
    


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Posted by CCF NEUROSURGERY MD on August 12, 1997 at 22:54:07:

In Reply to: Degenerative Disc Disease posted by F.B. on July 20, 1997 at 23:29:05:

: I'm not sure if alot of the problems I seem to be having now are related to DDD but I think they are.  
  In 1989 (Sept) I had a sharp pain in my back and progressive weakness and paresthesias (pins and needles sensation, nothing felt *right*) in both legs.  Worse on the left side.  Also I had sciatica.  At first I was diagnosed as having "Lumbar radicular syndrome".  Which, they told me meant I had pain radiating from the lumbar area but no "official" cause.  A CT showed mild diffuse degeneration of the disc at level L4-5 & L5-S1.
  Duing the spring of 90 I began having times where I could not feel my legs and would fall.  These times correolated with an increase in back pain.  I finally broke down and allowed myself to be taken to the hospital.  I had an MRI (The numbness lasted approx 1 wk but it took many months for full feeling to return BTW)  The results of which showed "mild central protrusion of disc material at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 with L5-S1 being worst". And "Mild degeneration L5-Si and moderate degeneration @L3-4".  An EMG was normal.
  In the fall of 91, I once again had a lenghty period of lack of feeling/ability to move in the legs.  I don't have the medical records from that hospital stay.
  During the summer of 92, I was told that I have DDD.  I was also told I needed testing to determine the cause of "hyporeflexia" with "clonus".
  I'm now having a great deal of problems with loss of sensation in not only my legs but my arms as well.  I often feel as though my face and scalp have something crawling all over them.  I have lost my appetite (except for cravings for sweets -which normally I can't stand, and carbohydrates.  I'm not a nice person if someone eats my stash of these).  My coordination has gone downhill (a marked decrease in typing speed and accuracy for example), I get confused even during things I am accustomed to doing.  I have to stop because I can't remember what I am doing, why , where I am at times...etc...I am really irritable. My bowel habits have changed. I have difficulties concentrating, my vision gets blurry, stays that way for a bit then gradually clears.  I'm sooo exhausted I can barely climb out of bed, but I can't go to sleep (once I do fall asleep I don't wake for 8-12hrs).  My GP said he feels I'm depressed and put me on Zoloft.  Though he said if this doesn't work he wants an MRI of my head.  I'll admit I'm under a fair amount of stress (Who isn't..Stress is everywhere) But I honestly don't feel I'm depressed.  I'm not sad.  I enjoy my normal activities if I can get the energy together.  I'm more inclined to believe that most of this is strictly stress related or from previous problems with my back.  Which btw he says he can't feel anything wrong with my back.  (Other than muscle tightness).  Can or do discs "rebuild" themselves?  I'm not having the pain that I was, just the odd sensations and numbness.  Could this really all be due to depression??  If not, What else could cause this?
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Dear F. B.,
After reading your long letter I think you are fed-up with long-standing
back problems. Your description of your MRI reports doesn`t sound like you
have any lesions that require surgery.In fact , I think you will have no
benefit at all from an operation.We as surgeons don`t like to ever operate
on a patient for pain alone. However, pain with an identifiable lesion
that would explain such pain responds well to surgery. Also progressive
loss of neurological function like weakness or loss of bladder control
require surgery.
Most of the symptoms you describe sound like they may be stress-related
and your chronic back problems may contribute to that.
I think it will be in your best interest to see a physical therapist to
help you develop a stretching and exercising program to strenghten your
back and abdominal muscles. Although a damaged disc is never as good as new
you should be able to continue with most activities.
Remember, flexing and turning at the same time like when taking something
out of a car trunk is the worst movement for your back.Also, remember to
always bend your knees when lifting.
Incidentally, exercise also helps for mental stress as will developing a
healthy routine of regular meals and enough sleep.
Good luck!