DDD - degenerative disc disease

Hi @tosh1064

A very very big welcome to you !!!!!!

It's great to meet you and I do hope that we can help you with this ????

Yes living with pain can be very very difficult/hard at times.

I don't find my medications helpful but I have too live with the "side effects"

I do find "Distraction" very very use full indeed.

Welcome.

DDD is similar to what I suffer. I'd suggest requesting a referral to the Pain Clinic. Look into something called Pacing as this can help tremendously. The Pain Clinic teach it but I am sure you can Google it to get an idea of how it works.

The main thing to learn is to not try to do what you have always done. Reduce your 'workload' and take breaks to rest. Life is so much easier when you manage the pain.

There is no cure for DDD but it can end itself, it depends how many disks become involved. The pain levels will vary with the number of disks collapsing too. You will be told that you have to manage the pain for as long as it lasts and this can be the hardest thing to cope with. Constant pain and numbness make life very complicated.

TK

I have ddd plus stenosis can't understand why Ur under neurology I'm under spinal yes so. Etimes they go hand in hand but neurology doesn't really deal with bone .. Ask to go to pain clinic but if you get a good one she should be able to give you an epidural or nerve root block or facet joint injections to see if any of that helps but spinal constant an do that as well I'm on pain patches but only after I've gone through different medication through the years but I'm allergic to so much stuff too... Pace yourself but also keep moving ask to go on pain management course which will give you ways to pace hints tips how to move do some exercise .. Keep Ur chum up it is hard .. But we're here if you need to talk  

deano5278 said:

Hi there I'm sorry I'm not a big talker I'm really trying to see what help is out there I'm 32 years old and was a carpet fitter for 13 years until about nine months ago ago I got put on limited capabilities only , I am parsley deaf in both ears having to were hearing aids with are degenerate and yesterday I got my results back for my back I've been suffering with pain like made alover my back and shoulders my results have come back as follows c5-6 degenerate disc bulge with moderate foraminal stenosis and chronic looking involvement in existing c5 never .
Also t7-8 and t9-10 degenerate disc osteophyte but not spinal stenosis or never compression .
L3-l4 degenerate disc bugle but not nerves or Spinal stenosis. Thank dean I'm just looking for people with similar problems give there views to what I have as I really don't have a clue be the specialist did a poor job of that thanks 

Question has been answered on your other thread here. https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/51168/ddd-degenerate-disc-desies#latest

Hello @tosh1064 . I also have DDD in my lower back and see a neurosurgeon/ spinal surgeon. My MRI showed the discs are impinging and compressing on nerve roots which cause pain down my entire leg and foot. I've also arthritic facet joints.
Perhaps by seeing the consultant they will explain the MRI results in more detail and you may be offered the spinal epidural injections or nerve blocks. I've had two lots as well as nerve blocks to help manage pain. 
I've been on several medications from my GP prior to seeing the consultant: pregabalin, gabapentin, codeine, diazepam, tramadol, naproxen.
Unfortunately, the injections to help with the nerve roots and leg pain have not been successful for myself, but some people do have very good results. I'm at the stage of waiting for surgery to help with those nerve roots, although the consultant has explained that this may help with leg pain but not back pain. 
Mobility is definitely an issue and doing the simple tasks you refer to, causes pain.  Perhaps a review of your current medication with your GP may help to find something that helps you get through until you see the consultant. As previously mentioned, some of these meds offered have some unpleasant side affects so it's a balance of trying to manage pain and not be zonked out. Some meds also take time to start having beneficial effects.
Just to add, I also use a tens machine and I wear a back brace which definitely helps  remind me to improve my posture and helps correct me when I try to bend. I also have lots of those litter pickers around the house so I'm not bending and reaching.
I sleep on my side with a single pillow under my head and another between my knees. I pace myself when attempting tasks but I do receive a lot of help from my son and his girlfriend. 
Stress definitely doesn't help with pain. I do a bit of meditation and use YouTube to listen to a nice easy tutorial. If you search 'Meditation 1 mindfulness of body and breath' you should find the start of the course, it's free.
Sorry for rambling on.
Hopefully your referral with the consultant will come through quickly.and in the meantime you find some way of managing with your pain.