Wish I knew more multiple cervical degenerators like me

Hello!
I have many levels of DDD. I would look under 'spine' for the forums and answers. Many sites are out there.
I had a one level disectomy ( removal ) of a lumbar disc 10 years ago. It wasn't sufficient. I am now going to have a 4 level usion because I now have several discs which are bad. I have it Dec. 1st.
I also just have cervical disc surgery C-3-C 7 with fusions, titanium plate and 8 screws. I am doing very well! No pain as before and my numbness is all gone.
DDD sounds like it is a disease because they call it that but it is actually pretty common. It is a syndrome more than a disease.
Many treatments are available. They do go from worse to worser as we age. I am 57 and now I am just getitng around to facing the issues I have had from too much exercise, too many life's episodes and a fall from a horse. I am now getting my spine repaired so I am good to go another 20 years! I have alot to accomplish. I don't HAVE to have this surgery, It just depends what sort of qality of life you want. I am doing well post op- numbness in hands and fingers is gone!
Stay away from Chiropractors. They can make t worse.
Good luck to you.

I am 30.  Diagnosed when I was 24.  My ortho has said he has never seen the level of degeneration that I have in anyone under 70.  I have a risk of paralyzing myself with one of my herniations and will need surgery eventually to prevent this.  I am hoping to put it off as long as possible.  I am glad to hear you had multi-level cervical fusion.  That is one I have been wondering about.  I have not found many who specifically have cervical multi-level degenerations or surgeries.  Will you tell me more about your neck and how it si doing?  How far post-op are you?
Thanks for taking the time to write!

I am a female, 52 and have been very active my entire life.  Have experienced minor to significant back and neck pain most of my adult life, but following an injury to my neck about 15 years ago, I have developed 3 - level cervical DDD, which has gotten significantly worse this past year. I have lived with verying levels of pain over the years, with periodic acute pain that knots my upper back and neck muscles up so tight that I get migranes.  Chiropractors used to do the trick, but now that detetioration is greater, their success is limited.  I have had some luck with pain management medecine. (eg: muschle relaxants and mild to moderate level pain / inflamation drugs have helped.  Injections to stimulate growth and strengthening of the tendons and ligaments have also  provided some improvement,, as well as the 'K' Laser treatments to encourage blood flow and healing to the damaged area.)      Most recently, rather than pursuing a three level fusuion...OMG!, I opted to try the prednisone pack which is inteneded to reduce swelling and inflatmation so that range of motion can improve   It's a week long  treatment that begins with a double dosage and gradally tapes off to the final single dose.  Other than frequent extreme hot flashes.this seems to be helping some, but i am going to ytu smpp
receive a cervical epidural injection on monday.  This is an injection between the spinous process and the sack around the spinal cord.  Much like the lumbar epidural used to reduce the paint of natural childbirth, this cerical epidural is intended to block nerve pain and reduce inflammation of the ddeteriorated area(s).  I have not been pain free for many years and over the past year or so, it has become unbearable to the point of preventing me from running to train for the half marathon's I have come to love  Execise has dwindled with my spirits and I believe this lack of exerise is expediting the determioraton, which continues the visicious cycle.  I want to start exe

Wow, Vicki, sounds like you have been through a lot.  I've gone the steroid route before but find the benefits really don't outweigh the problems it causes for me.  It tends to make me very shirt tempered and in my job I just can't go getting frustrated all the time!  :)  I just found out the other day that I now have some permanent nerve damage in my left arm.  Some areflexia- lack of reflexes- that isn't improving when the acute episodes ease off.  I may be getting close rot the need for surgery but I am still really hopeful that I can at least put it off until I have kids in a few years.  My ortho has said pregnancy should be fine but I have read otherwise.  Do you have kids?  Did you have any issues with family and your CDDD?

This is the first time I have ever posted anything.  Don't know if it will work or not.  July 2006 I had 9 hour surgery for CSM for stenosis c2-c7 and kyphosis and deformity and DDD C2 - T1 all cervical levels.  It was anterior/posterior reconstruction and decompresion with instrumentation C2 - T2.  After surgery I was 1 and 1/2 inches taller.  I'm male and was 71 at the time.  Before surgery could barely walk or hold head up or sit and little feeling in hands and arms and feet.  I was facing being a quaddraplegic at any time.  I'm doing fantastic now. Most feeling returned and I walk 2 -3 miles daily and live a great life - even though head is rather rigid.  I think I had the best surgeon there is for that kind of surgery.   Jerry

Wow Jerry!!!  I am so impressed!  Is your neck stiff daily now?  I have lost 1 inch in height.  it would be so great to have it back!
I too face the risk of becoming paralyzed were I to fall or get in a car accident.  How long did you wait from diagnosis to surgery?  Did you try any conservative methods?
Thanks so much for posting!

In answer to questions from MVanS:    There's little flexibility in my neck because I'm totally fused..  I can't lift my head to look up nor can I lower it much to look down.  I can only turn head to the left about 2 inches and a little bit more to the right. It's basically sorta locked in place.  I'm just happy it's still attached to my body.  I have a degenerative arthritic spine and the first indication of trouble was in 1961 when I was 26.  I had a lower back laminectomy and fusion and the neurosurgeon sort of flippingly said "Let me know when you want me to fix your neck".  So the problem got continuously worse over 45 years.  In 1993 I had another lower back lam and fusion and the surgeon said it would be too dangerous to attempt surgery on my neck.  Thru the years I tried every conservative treatment w/o much relief and the Doctors said I couldn't be helped - no one would operate.  Finally in 2006 I went over the cliff as one Dr. described it and I was in the "final stages" before the cord shut down.  From the time of that awful evaluation to surgery was only a few weeks.  I was very surprised that a Dr. would agree to attempt such drastic surgery - all C levels front and back.  Every day I thank God because of the success of the surgery.  Oh I have pain every day but I'm used to it and can live with it.  I resort to taking Vicodin only once or twice a month.  The only reason I'm posting is to offer advice and hope to others with severe spinal problems.

Wow!  I have had trouble since I was almost 25.  Now, at 30, the degeneration is starting to speed up.  So I can really relate to your story and appreciate you sharing it with me.  I also have an arthritic spine, worsening arthritis in my low back and the severe CDDD.  So far I have had no surgeries.  
The final stages?  Did they mean you were going to become paralyzed?  Why was it considered so dangerous before?  
I am so glad to hear how well you are doing.  Compared to the pain the herniated neck can cause, a little stiffness and limited mobility sound like small prices to pay.

I had a two level anterior cervical fusion in 2006. Returned to neurosurgeon for increased pain, numbness and twitching in arm in 2009. Underwent a posterior lamenectomy and fusion from C3-T1 in June 2009. Returned to work for a period of one month before pain was intolerable. Currently have immense bilateral pain that is much more significant than anything prior to either surgery. Physical therapy does not seem to be helping. My job is physical, i repair (and move) LCD and plasma monitors of 65" screens. Currently can not perform ANY activity for more than twenty minutes without onset of extreme pain in both neck and shoulders, even just supporting my head brings this on. Used three months of short term disability from work after surgery so back out now with only three months left to resolve. Have appointment Dec 12th with pain management doctor. MRI shows spinal canal open, "successful surgery.