Degenerative disc disease

Sandy_123

Hi does any body else suffer with this and if so how do you manage it? I've had for 15 years and suffered a relapse recently which was worst one I've had,  couldnt stand or walk straight for 5 weeks and needed a wheelchair, not sure if it's deteriated as Drs not sending me for referrals or another MRI, he said it's going to happen and left it at that. But it's worse and I'm limited more then before. I've always been unable to Bend with it. How are you getting on and any tips.

janer1967

Hi and welcome 

Sorry I dont suffer with this but have seen other members here who do 

Have a look around the site and feel free to join in 

Wini1960

Sandy_123@ Hi i have degenerative lumbar spine and sacrilitus. Physio exercises is,the only way forward but with this pandemic its tough to get any kind of help right now. When the lockdown has been lifted ask to have some physio it wont get rid of the condition, but it will help you to manage the pain. I wish you well going forward ??

Sandy_123

I've tried physio they discharged me saying they can't do any more, I try keep my spine moving till it tells me to stop because resting it is no good. I could try it again when there open.

Sandy_123

No, I've always took what consultants have prescribed or gps and played around with medications, trying to find a method. I sympathise with your wife. I know how she feels.

Sandy_123

@woodbine thanks I'll look into it 

Sandy_123

Hi @RobertCharles no disrespect but I very much doubt any herbal treatment would reverse COPD if that was the case the co condition  wouldn't exist.  

Lisatho11987777

@Sandy_123 I had the same problem I was referred to pain clinic and told keep myself moveing  lol I have good  days and bad days 

chiarieds

Hi @Sandy_123 - there are some good physio exercises in the following link. If you scroll down to the last video on degenerative disc disease (please ignore the fact that these videos say they're for 'sciatica' on a NHS website too) Oops forgot the link: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercises-sciatica-problems/

Sandy_123

Ok cheers

Crumbled72

I have DDD and have had it about 12yrs..causing most problems now in the past couple of years.

 My gp is refusing to refer me to full back x-rays or MRI and says there’s no cure, and just prescribes rather just co-codamol and Methocarbamol and that’s it. 

So god knows if it’s any further than what they saw in the x-rays taken of my hips, which showed 5 vertebrates affected.

So I have to be just accepting her explanation “Most people get these problems and when I get older they should stiff up and then there’s no more pain. Such empathy ?

I don’t even know do I have any saying to this, but like I’ve said already before, I feel strongly that no-one gives a **** how I feel, or about the disabling effects of DDD in my life.

I’m about to give up even asking for help in this issue.

Sandy_123

@Crumbled72 I know  the feeling I refused any more spinal injections as the procedure wasn't worth the 2 weeks pain free I had. I just have to be careful what I do because the flare ups leave me unable to move stand or walk for weeks, last 1 was bad lasted 7 weeks. Then every day is limited 

Crumbled72

Sandy_123 said:

@Crumbled72 I know  the feeling I refused any more spinal injections as the procedure wasn't worth the 2 weeks pain free I had. I just have to be careful what I do because the flare ups leave me unable to move stand or walk for weeks, last 1 was bad lasted 7 weeks. Then every day is limited 

Sorry to hear that ? 
My issues are more like my back aches wake me up every day..so it’s rare that I get more than 4-5hrs of sleep at night. We have an ortho-mattress, but I think changing mattresses wouldn’t do anything since it is what it is.
I have had to leave even cleaning to max once a week, since my knees and hips are so bad that can’t squat at all, so it’s always bending down with straight legs, which then causes my back hurting so bad that I numb myself stupid with meds for couple of days afterwards.
I need breaks even when doing dishes.
Also if I stand still too long the pains come, so I’m fidgety constantly just to avoid the pains. 

Only “help” and advice is always:
”You need to maintain your weight and keep taking painkillers”... 
I’m maybe a stone overweight and that has all come after my health went worse...so never ending cycle of ****.
GP wants only to repeat themselves and my painkillers, but don’t then even try to help with proper diagnosis etc to get other options.
I would be happy just to actually know what’s going on in my body, but nope..

Sandy_123

@Crumbled72 hi there, I cant bend, I know that sounds stupid and its stupid living like it  I invested in a helping hand stick, so I don't have to bend to pick any thing up, there are so handy, I can put washing in the washer with it, close curtains, put a cloth on the end and it becomes a cleaning aid. Used it to pick cats bowl up n put it back down when I had my cat, well worth picking 1 up and ghrre about e pound in home bargains.
If I relapse then I'm bed bound with limited mobility and only able to stand 1 minute, so nothing gets done then not even cooking. Lasted 5 weeks last time and drs just give tablets. 

Tazuk

Sandy_123 said:

@Crumbled72 I know  the feeling I refused any more spinal injections as the procedure wasn't worth the 2 weeks pain free I had. I just have to be careful what I do because the flare ups leave me unable to move stand or walk for weeks, last 1 was bad lasted 7 weeks. Then every day is limited 

I had the same experience with spinal injections I.E  Very painful to have done for short term benefit.  The last treatment i had left me hardly being able to stand or walk and pain relief only lasted 5 days.  I know it has worked for others in my family, but not for me.