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Degenerative Disc Disease

Hello.  I am female, 38 years old.  Average weight and build.  I was diagnosed with DDD at L4, L5 about 6 years ago when I went to the hospital with severe pain.  I am also a "graves" thyroid patient now taking Armour.  Since I have been have had a thyroid problem I have suffered with a lot of bone pain which they chalk up to low bone density.  I can't take the medication like Actonel or Fosamax because they give me severe headaches.  

Back to the DDD.  I can only stand up for about 10 to 15 minutes before the pain sets in.  When I stand too long, by the time I sit, I am so stiff and in so much pain, I can hardly move.  I am not overweight at all and get alot of exercise by working on my farm.  I also work full time, and at work, I get stiff and can't stand up straight for a few minutes after sitting for 30 minutes or so.  I have a desk job and get up often because of the stiffness setting in.  I am thinking about going back to the doctor since it has been a few years but I was wondering if this is normal for DD disease?  From what I understood, I thought it only caused pain but not stiffness so I am worried about Ankylosing?  Whatever.  I was told it was probably Osteoarthritis and given anti-inflammatories but they don't help.  Any ideas on what it might be and what type of tests I should have my doctor perform would be appreciated.  Thank you for your time.
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with DDD in 1997; this after 2 surgeries to repair herniated discs in my neck.  So my problem is in my neck, as opposed to your, in the lower back.  However, could the herniated disc(s) in your lower back be compressing nerves that cause your back muscles to contract?  I had major problems with tension headaches and spasms in my neck and shoulder muscles.  It showed up on an x-ray--you could see that the bones in my neck were straight instead of having a normal curve.  In my case, I had a bone spur and herniated disc, and they were compressing nerves that caused those terrible headaches and muscle spasms.  

Thank God I found a doctor who figured out what truly was wrong.  He is an exceptionally skilled spinal surgeon and now at 6 weeks post-op, I have been off the narcotics and muscle relaxers for over 3 weeks and feel better every day.  I hope you find some comfort with further tests.

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Avatar universal
Is it common for Osteoarthritis to make your back lock up and make you not able to stand up straight for a while after sitting?  As I said, I am only 38.  I didn't think osteo would be this bad so soon.  My back hurts when I sleep and I get stiff after sitting and then try to stand, I end up hunched over for a while until I walk it out some.  My hip has also been hurting like it is about to break or something.  I am going back to my family doctor tomorrow to discuss doing another MRI since it has been several years.
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Avatar universal
When I work outside on my farm, I am fine for a longer period of time than as if I were just standing or sitting around but when I do go to sit down or lay down for the evening, I can hardly move and will be in alot of pain.  It usually subsides by morning somewhat but I will have stiffness again the next day after sitting, etc. and some back pain.  Just not as painful as if I had been standing a long time.
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Avatar universal
Dear Mary:

Sorry about your back problems.  Likely the diagnosis is correct and what your experiencing is the progression of disc disease.  Sounds like you already know you have osteo changes.  You need to keep you calcium intake maximal.  You are excercising which is good.  I would suggest working with a rehab specialist to develop good excercises to help strengthen the muscles surround the spinal column.  You might also want to consider taking a Cox-2 inhibitor to reduce inflammation surround the disc.  Sounds like your doing the correct things.  Keep on doing what your doing and hopefully you'll suppress the progression of your problem by many years.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD
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