Hi, my name is ZoeD1975! I have DDD and it's making daily life hard. Not sure what next steps are

ZoeD1975

Hi guys I'm new here after having a search for some advice lead me here 
I was diagnosed with DDD at 39 years old consultant told me I have the discs of someone in their 70's,  having been a chef for most of my life I have had an office job for 5 years but the wear and tear of life is making daily tasks hard I have been in pain for 7 years now and not sure what my next steps are 
I would go see a chiropractor once a week but that proves to be quite costly
Would love to go back to my chef days but I know I just can't do it 

cozyplants

Hi @ZoeD1975 and welcome! I'm sorry I can't offer any insight into next steps, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in wishing you could do the things you used to. I personally miss being able to engage with school! 
I hope you find some communiy here, and maybe some advice on next steps

ZoeD1975

Thank you so much means alot 

Adrian74

Hi @ZoeD1975, welcome and so sorry to hear of your situation sounds just like myself told about 5 years ago i’m 46 and have i’ve DDD and an annular tear which isn’t showing as affecting my spine but the pain is real as i’m Sure you’re aware. A bit sceptical about chiropractor but if it works so be it! Good luck! 

ZoeD1975

Thank you Adrian it's horrible and never thought I would be so restricted on things I could do until I started to have foot pain which tool so long to diagnose
Specialist told me if I continued to be a chef I would end up in a wheelchair
Bit scary 
Hope you're doing ok 
Thanks for the message

ZoeD1975

@Adrian74

Adrian74

Yeah it does take a while to sink in alright, i’ve Found it difficult not being able to do the things I took for granted way too much. Doing ok at the minute, what about yourself? Bet it was a shock to hear that specialist say that? Must say the time it takes to diagnose things are very frustrating, I understand other things have to be ruled out but in the meantime the pain still nags. I’m currently taking Co-codamol 30/500mg, Duloxetine 60mg, Gabapentin 100mg & Maxitram 150mg yes I know. What about yourself?

chiarieds

Hi @ZoeD1975 - welcome to this friendly & supportive community, & thank you for joining. I have a different disorder (the hypermobile type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). When I was 40, I was told I was more like an 80 year old internally. In the USA they study Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome as a model of ageing(!). Mind you when I was 20, I was told I would end up in a wheelchair by the time I was 40, which didn't happen, & still hasn't!

You're wondering about your next steps......have you discussed this with your GP? Perhaps pain management, or a referral for physiotherapy may prove helpful.

Financially you could look into what benefits may help. Try this online calculator: https://benefits-calculator-2.turn2us.org.uk/

Meanwhile at work, if you're still working, ask for a referral to Occupational Health to find out your options.

Please come back with any questions.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @ZoeD1975

Welcome to the community, good to see you join us  

I am sorry to hear of how much this has impacted you, it must be hard to feel as though you can't go back to being a chef when I imagine you have quite a bit of passion for it. Are you able to scratch that itch at home and do some enjoyable cooking there? 

Have you explored the various kinds of pain management with your GP or health professional?

ZoeD1975

Hi @Ross_Scope I've not been offered anything once at the beginning they gave me some physical therapy but it didn't do much and only had three sessions 
The thing Is I'm really not enjoying my job at the moment I feel taken for granted and undervalued and I feel stuck there as I am limited on what work I can get, I looked for a year during lockdown for a new role but most consultant roles require some experience and I only have a hospitality background it's very stressful worrying about it all the time 

ZoeD1975

Thank you I will take a look @chiarieds

ZoeD1975

Hi @Adrian74 thank you for your message 
I tend to use an ice pack quite alot and I have put on some weight during the lockdown which probably isn't helping much

I've not been offered any pain management as I have only spoken to the doctor once they don't seem interested at all 

Tori_Scope

Hi @ZoeD1975 I'm sorry to hear about your difficult situation. 

I'd definitely second the advice to look into benefits as an option, as that may take some of the pressure off if you struggle with daily living. 

If you'd like to stay in employment, but are looking to change careers, you might find one of Scope's employment services helpful. Perhaps you could take a look and let us know if that's something you'd be interested in accessing? 

I'd definitely encourage you to speak to a doctor again to discuss your pain management options. I'm sure it must feel tiring to have to chase them up, but do you feel able to make another appointment to try and get across that you need some further support?

ZoeD1975

Thank you @Tori_Scope