I suffered from DDD for about 14 years, I had a spinal fusion in sep of 07, So, I am now9 months post-op, I am so glad I did it!!! I feel like a different person.

I have ddd in my upper and lower back,but i haavnt had surgury...

i have DDD in my back and DJD in my hips, as well as arthritis and several bulging discs. there is no surgical solution so i use medication, exercise, rest and Yoga to help with my pain. I had a double laminectomy many years ago and there is alot of damage around that site now. i have severe sciatica in my left leg! sorry to see so many others suffering so! Jenny

Thanks to you all for posting back:) I am not really leaning towards the surgical side;):)

As long as possible. It does not always end in positive results. Try every option possible before resorting to surgery. What type of surgical procedure are you thinking of having?

I too had severe DDD and severe spinal stenosis. DDD usually comes with age but it can also be genetic, especially if it is evident in one disc only while the others look good, as was my case. I had a laminectomy and fusion 18 months ago and now live a back pain free life.

If you have exhausted all conservative pain options to no avail and you have got at least 2 informed opinions from spine specialists (either neuro or ortho surgeon is OK, so long as they specialise in spinal conditions) both saying surgery is your only option, then surgery it is. In that case I would suggest having surgery sooner rather than later, if surgery is inevitable. Reason being by delaying surgery you run the risk of causing further, and possibly permanent damage to nerves. Permanent nerve may not be repairable, meaning even after surgery you may still have some pain if there was permanent nerve damage. Not trying to scare anyone, but I do want to point out the realities.

All the best... Bruce.

I was diagnosed in my 20's with it and it is very herditary in my family, I have 2 great aunts in wheel chairs from just letting it go without treatment! I too like Bubblegum waited so long to get treatment that I was bone on bone and in horrific pain and unable to do much but lay down in my recliner. My NS told me I will never be totally healed or feel like a kid again but if I can get from my usual 10+ pain level to half that I will be happy!!!!! But I tried all options first before surgery so do your homework before a decision~

Polly,
I know it has to be hard with all the pain you are in. I know the feeling. I have DDD also but it happens to be in my neck which I also have a bulding disc. I was dignosed with this 1 mth before my birthday with a Thyroid problem. So yeah. I know what you feel. I will be getting PT for my DDD though. Good Luck. Feel free to talk to me through PM or Chat. I am always at chat. Rarely on Message Boards.
Love Ya & God Bless Ye,
Jessica

I've been seen by a NS and an ortho doctor who both told me that I'm not a candidate for surgery, despite having severe painful cervical DDD, spurs, herniated, cord compression, etc. I've had three cervical MRIs in the past 18 months. I don't understand. My left arm goes numb all the time. I get spasms in my upper back that are just horrible. About six months ago, my whole body started hurting, to the point that I can hardly walk. My doctor diagnosed Fibro.

I'm fortunate that my primary doctor prescribes pain meds.

Bruce, I just saw your post and checked out the mountain climbing link. Wow, that is pretty amazing and inspirational. Way to go!

I have been taking glucosmine as a suppliment to slow down deterioration. I heard there are two other vitamins you need to go with it in order for it to work but I forgot to write it down and now I forget what they were. Anyway they seem more harmless than the ibuprophin the doc prescribed.

I too used to use the Osteo Biflex and it did seem helpful with the pain in my knees. However, I had to stop with it as it is very high in sodium and I am very sensitive to sodium. Recently they released a study that says that it has been proven beyond a doubt that these two ingredients do not help regenerate cartlage. I think that it works by making you retain fluid thereby adding more fluid and lubrication to the joint area.

I was injured by a doctor in 2003. Long silly, wierd story. It caused my spine to go all out of alignment. I had horrific awful nerve pain. My MRI only showed bulges, and fusion was the only surgical answer. My EMG was abnormal.

I didn't want to go through the fusion, so I just "thought about it".

Believe it or not, within 6 months I got better.

By now, you have read many different posts about people who have DDD. And I hope that the message is clearer.

Degenrative Disc Disease is something that is very treatable.
With approved proper exercise and the use of NSAIDS, most DDD situations can be managed and controlled. Its only the rare and severe cases that surgery is considered to correct DDD.

DDD is something that many people can cope with (assuming they do follow the necessary treatments). As you have read by now, Bruce (one of our Mods) is living proof as to what you can accomplish even while dealing with DDD.

Maintaining a positive approach to this and to any spinal condition is one of the major ingredients that will help in overcoming spinal problems.

I am a 59 year old RN who tripped at work a few weeks ago and thought I pulled my back An x-ray showed severe DDD
with almost complete loss of L5-S1 disc Doc told me yes your back is screwed up but buck up and go back to work and gave me some pain pills Said the NSAIDS I had been on for years treating my knees masked my back symptoms How do you guys manage to work with this I am either in pain or a haze from drugs

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Check the various tabs at the top of the Spine-Health page and you will find so much that is offered here.

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To the best of my knowledge, X-rays only are not enough to determine the degree of DDD and disc situations. Either way if you are in pain, having the doctor tell you to just put it aside and continue to work is a bit archaic
The DDD can be very treatable, but complete loss of L5/S1, its hard to imagine how you are walking without support.
I would see a specialist, neurosurgeon , neurologist and since you mentioned you are a Registered Nurse, talk to some of your co workers to see what are the better places to go for back related problems.
Just popping NSAIDS and not knowing exactly what is going on and without details from a doctor is not the best route to take.

I'm thankful to find a group where there are others who acvtually really understand the severe chronic pain from DDD & how it effects the nerves & makes daily life a battle to function. NOOOOOOBODY ever 'gets it' unless they live with it. which is why I'm soooo greatful to find a group of others living with it, too. My biggest struggle is how the chronic pain keeps me from being the best Mom I can & have to be for my kids. Some days I cant even stand at the stove to cook dinner. I cant dance with my daughter or throw the football with my son. I feel cheated out of live, and far worse I HATE how it effects my kids. I try my hardest to not let them see exactly how horrible the pain is, but theyre not stupid. I HATE that nobody gives a crap enough to ever even offer to come over & help with tasks they take for granted that their bodies let them do every day. I do NOT want pity, but not to be ignored or treated like a mutant either. The gebneral public is sooo uneducated on DDD & it's associated problems & disorders.
Frustrated.

I would like some advice on shoes/footwear to help releive the pressure points reacting in my DDD neck, spine, lumbar, and hips. Shoes seem to be very expensive and I've put it off way to long. About the only excersize I can/could now can't is casual walking. My poor dog is missing the walks too!

I have MBTs and Sketchers shape ups they have a nice padded memory foam heel and soft to land on. Well they work for me anyways. I also use a cane to take the pressure off my bad leg and have used a walker when the pain was really bad. I hope you can get out for your walks soon and know your puppy will be glad also

Hey start your own post and you'll get more responses to it. Okay? Take care. Charry

My lumbar crisis is taking up so much attention, my neck has kind of dropped into 2d place. My new MRI is showing DDD & arthritis (moderate).

I have yet to hear from my doctor as to whether he plans to do anything with that or if the pain meds for my low back are supposed to help my neck as well.

I do start every morning with an ice pack on my neck.