Ouch! This hurts!

[jodijodijodi]

Not sure what is going on with my health these days. I am 35, still relatively young. In the last year or so, my back has gone to hell. I have a herniated disc at l5 s1 (confirmed by mri) and my doc thinks I have another at c6-c7 based on my symptoms. I get shooting pain down my arms and legs. Some days are ok, others are horrible. What i want to know is does this get better with time, or am I going to get worse as I age? And, if so, what can I do to at least slow down the process?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Jodi and Welcome to the Pain Management Forum.

You are young to have DDD but unfortunately it isn't always age related. Yes may very well progress in time. The good news is they have found a diagnosis (DX) and can begin treatment now. In my opinion you should improve with treatment but obviously DDD is a life long condition. How quickly it progresses or doesn't progress to any great degree varies from person to person. I know many ppl that have this DX. My mother has had it for at least 25 years. She required surgery to correct some stenosis about ten years ago and did well. She obviously has pain but is able to function.  

Your system will adjust to your current meds. It may take a week or two but you will gradually get use to the new meds. Many ppl react to these types of meds with the munchies. Try to chose healthy snacks to avoid gaining too much weight as the more weight you carry the more stress and strain you place on your spinal column.  

I wish you the very best and hope you will keep in touch with us. I'll look forward to your updates.

Best of Luck to You,
~Tuck

[jodijodijodi]

Hey there. I just went to the doctor, and she thinks I do have DDD. That *****. She also told me it will progress over time, and switched me from the tramacet that i was taking as needed to the long acting 200 mg tramadol that I am to take every day. She also prescribed Lyrica. An interesting mix. I feel like I just smoked a big joint, and it gives me the munchies too. I am covered for physio under the hubby's inurance and am starting that next week.

[trdofbeingtrd]

As long as you don't have DD, then there should be stuff you can take to strengthen your bone, cartilage, and muscle tissue. It will get worse with age, but only because everything gets worse, that does not mean you cannot get a huge control on it and make it not so "worse".

L-lysine is said to help certain areas you might suffer harm from.

Others will be on to help, I am hoping the best for you.