Hello petra and welcome to the spine forum.
It is likely you are feeling the effects of lumbar stenosis, where disc material or scar tissue from degnerative disease, called osteophytes, are placing pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots that innervate the bowel, bladder, and lower abdomen.
You may require decompression surgery, so find yourself some Medicaid or insurance as quickly as you can.
In the meantime, visit www.spineuniverse.com and look under the conditions menu for lumbar degenerative disc disease and stenosis.
I posted links for a member named denpet earlier today. Take a look at that post, and visit those links.
Best wishes.
hi...peetra...spinal degeneration leads to compression or injury of the spinal cord, weakness and limited motion may increase significantly. Loss of bladder and bowel function and problems with sexual function also may occur as the problem worsens......
Treatments can vary depending on the severity of your symptoms and how much they limit your everyday activities. Here are some treatments you may want to discuss with your doctor, depending on your level of pain....
Non-surgical treatments – Not all patients with pain from degenerative disc disease require surgery. For mild to moderate pain, more conservative treatment methods can include medications, physical therapy, and chiropractic care.
Spinal fusion – A procedure called a spinal fusion can be used to surgically treat degenerative disc disease.
Hi Peetra,
Welcome to our Back and Neck forum. I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms (SX) and loss of medical insurance.
Certainly DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) can progress to major spinal structure issues, including the bowel issues you are experiencing. Lower back pain, in conjunction with loss of bladder or bowel control, may be cauda equina syndrome (CES), which results when an injury, illness or degenerative condition exerts pressure on the cauda equina, a bundle of nerves at the base of the spinal column. Is your Physician aware of these bowel SX? If not you need to make me/her aware of it asap. Don't wait. CES can be an emergency condition and needs immediate care.
I assume you have not lost bowel control but are feeling a "pressure" in the area? Loss of B/B control accompanies CES - bowel pressure does not but may mean a prelude to it - so monitor your SX closely.
This bowel pressure is most likely related to the progression of DDD. Arthritis sets into damaged joints. It's imperative that you obtain medical insurance asap - however don't let that stop you with appointments or at least a call to your treating physician.
Phil has much more information in this nasty spine disease. I assume he will be along shortly and add more detailed information - along with his suggestions.
I hope you'll keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Take good care of yourself.
Best of Luck to You,
~Tuck