Cervical DDD any cure or treatment

shahadak

My name is Shahad and I'm 19 years old medical student
I've been suffering from neckpain since I was 15 but the pain stopped for 2 years and now it returned accompined with lower back ache and leg pain 
The backache and leg pain became worse than the neck. I've reached a level where waking up for school was torturing 
The pain is worse in early morning but continues throughout the day. I decided to go to a doc and had a cervical MRI and was found to have DDD 
I'm suspecting a lumbar DDD as well but still didn't do a test to confirm it 
I use muscle relaxants and NSAIDS to relive the pain but now it doesn't work anymore 
My question is does anyone know a way to relieve the pain or a cure? And would it affect my future to become a surgeon ?

Bruce Eitman

shahadak

Welcome to the Spine-Health forums.  I am sorry that you are going through this while studying to help us.

A few things to discus with your doctor are physical therapy and cervical traction.  Both can help.  Of course there are surgical options also.

Will it prevent you from being a surgeon?  That would be hard for us to answer, but in general it shouldn't. But you should work with your doctor to resolve this sooner than later.  You should seek the care of a spine specialist to get answers for your specific condition and symptoms.

Please click on the following link for some helpful information to get you started Welcome to Spine-Health

shahadak

Thank you so much for your help and trying to answering my questions 
Yes I'm going to see my neurologist tomorrow and hopefully he might give me some answers 

Bluegirl13

Hello! Sorry you have to go through this, it sucks. I have mild DDD in my lumbar spine and in my neck. Im pretty sure im getting it in the middle of my back as well. Ive done countless hours of physical therapy and drugs. Helps for a little while then right back to pain. Im stiff everyday and pretty much the only thing that helps is exercising. Although that helps for a half an hour then right back to stiffness. My tip to you is to find a good set of stretches and exercises. A good mixture will help, ive gotten most of mine from PT. im nervous anout surgery in the future or ending up in a wheelchair. You're certainly not alone. Keep your head up! Hope what ive suggested helps.