- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
degenerative disk disease...
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:19 am
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:19 am
Is this disease for real? My back has been fcked up for a few weeks...doc said degenerate disk.
Physical therapists looks good, so I keep going back for some touch...but wondering if this whole degenerative disk thing is a sham?
Physical therapists looks good, so I keep going back for some touch...but wondering if this whole degenerative disk thing is a sham?
17
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:22 am to fumanchu
I would avoid a steroid shot in the lower back if offered.
They stuck my Sciatic Nerve and put me in hell for 46 days.
They stuck my Sciatic Nerve and put me in hell for 46 days.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:28 am to fumanchu
degenerative disk thing is a sham?
It doesn't mean you have a disease, it just means a medical term for describing the aging process of your discs.
Just do your physical therapy and start incorporating core strengthening workouts or a few simple back strenthening exercises and your back should feel good soon enough.
It doesn't mean you have a disease, it just means a medical term for describing the aging process of your discs.
Just do your physical therapy and start incorporating core strengthening workouts or a few simple back strenthening exercises and your back should feel good soon enough.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:46 am to fumanchu
It's real.
My mother had it and she probably 50+ procedures on her back from major reconstructive surgery to TENS unit maintenance from the time she was 33 to the time she died at 60 (cancer). She was able to retire with full disability at 50 because of her back. From C1 to L5, she probably had at least 10 bad disks that I knew of.
Don't ever let anyone cut on your back unless they absolutely have to.
My mother had it and she probably 50+ procedures on her back from major reconstructive surgery to TENS unit maintenance from the time she was 33 to the time she died at 60 (cancer). She was able to retire with full disability at 50 because of her back. From C1 to L5, she probably had at least 10 bad disks that I knew of.
Don't ever let anyone cut on your back unless they absolutely have to.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:49 am to fumanchu
Considering the fact that I have been suffering from it for the past six years, along with three herniated discs which are impinging on nerve roots from my spinal cord, I can assure you, it is very real.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:53 am to fumanchu
I had a degenerated disk between L4/L5 and it was collapsing, creating a curve in my spine. Hurt like a SOB. Neither injections or PT helped. Saw 6 spine doctors and ended up with a titanium fusion where they went in from my side and did not slice my back. Was walking 6 hrs after surgery, home in 3 days, and never looked back since. This was 3 years ago and not a problem since. Me lucky! Good luck.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 9:54 am to fumanchu
Almost everyone over 40 will have some level of degeneration - and that approaches 100% as you age beyond that.
Weight and occupation will be the key risk factors here.
The whole thing is symptom and limitation based - if you don't notice multi-level bulging (many don't) - just live your life.
The only serious issues are nerve root compression/impingement. If serious enough it can cause radiculopathy (bad) or paralysis (worse). However, more commonly, people just have back pain and have to make sure they don't "overdo it" when using the back.
Exercise and conditioning (if done correctly) can mitigate a good bit of the negative effects, as can losing weight.
Smoking is something else to consider, as that significantly impacts your body's ability to heal musculoskeletal issues.
Weight and occupation will be the key risk factors here.
The whole thing is symptom and limitation based - if you don't notice multi-level bulging (many don't) - just live your life.
The only serious issues are nerve root compression/impingement. If serious enough it can cause radiculopathy (bad) or paralysis (worse). However, more commonly, people just have back pain and have to make sure they don't "overdo it" when using the back.
Exercise and conditioning (if done correctly) can mitigate a good bit of the negative effects, as can losing weight.
Smoking is something else to consider, as that significantly impacts your body's ability to heal musculoskeletal issues.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 10:15 am to fumanchu
I have it in L4 and L5. There is basically nothing left between the vertebrae. No big deal for me. Just a very stiff back when I wake up and an occasional pinched nerve that will sideline me for a few days. I cannot carry heave things without causing lower back pain.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 10:32 am to fumanchu
Frick yeah it is real. Think of it as arthritis for your back. Put me on total disability at 44. That was after anterior cervical fusion surgery on C5-6-7, months of physical therapy, a half dozen epidurals, etc. For the past 5 years I've been getting 10-20 trigger point injections in my neck and back every 3 weeks. Take advantage of physical therapy and other conservative treatment options in the early stages.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 10:39 am to Ace Midnight
quote:As someone that works in this field, this is great advice. Core strengthening and stretching are great for back pain.
Almost everyone over 40 will have some level of degeneration - and that approaches 100% as you age beyond that.
Weight and occupation will be the key risk factors here.
The whole thing is symptom and limitation based - if you don't notice multi-level bulging (many don't) - just live your life.
The only serious issues are nerve root compression/impingement. If serious enough it can cause radiculopathy (bad) or paralysis (worse). However, more commonly, people just have back pain and have to make sure they don't "overdo it" when using the back.
Exercise and conditioning (if done correctly) can mitigate a good bit of the negative effects, as can losing weight.
Smoking is something else to consider, as that significantly impacts your body's ability to heal musculoskeletal issues.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 10:45 am to LuckySo-n-So
quote:
My mother had it and she probably 50+ procedures on her back from major reconstructive surgery to TENS unit maintenance from the time she was 33 to the time she died at 60 (cancer). She was able to retire with full disability at 50 because of her back.
Doesn't sound like the 50+ procedures did much good.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 10:48 am to saderade
quote:
As someone that works in this field, this is great advice. Core strengthening and stretching are great for back pain.
I'm not a medical professional. However, I'm the next best thing for back issues - lawyer.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 10:48 am to fumanchu
Yes, it's real. Control symptoms with PT/core stabilization on your own if you don't want to pay for PT and NSAIDs. It will wax/wane/flair. It's part of your life now. Your back will always hurt some.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 10:49 am to Roscoe
quote:
It doesn't mean you have a disease, it just means a medical term for describing the aging process of your discs.
Exactly. It's not a "disease" in the sense that people think of like lupus, or Hep C, etc.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 11:21 am to Alt26
quote:
Exactly. It's not a "disease" in the sense that people think of like lupus, or Hep C, etc.
It causes symptoms, relatively predictably, and there is a medical standard as to treatment modalities for it.
"Disease" is a pretty broad term. While it is normal for discs to degenerate over time, some people have an irregular, unusual and/or rapid pattern that causes atypical problems. I'm not a PC guy, but I've got no problems describing this as a disease (heck, I do so almost every day.)
Posted on 4/5/14 at 12:20 pm to fumanchu
I have one at 28 years old. Staying in the gym lifting weights keeps me pain free for the most part. I bought a teeter hang up(inversion table) that I'll use if I start having pain. Helps a lot
Posted on 4/5/14 at 12:30 pm to Casty McBoozer
quote:
Doesn't sound like the 50+ procedures did much good.
Didn't do a whole lot. One of the majors was botched. After that, she had various electrical nerve stimulation devices implanted to block the pain. That was in addition to more herniated/degenerating disks. If not for those procedures, she would have spent the last 15 years of her life zonked out on pain pills. She probably lived those years with a constant pain level of what we would consider a 5 or 6 out of 10. Oh, and then she got ovarian cancer--30 years after she had her ovaries removed.
This post was edited on 4/5/14 at 12:32 pm
Posted on 4/5/14 at 3:35 pm to fumanchu
I was told I have this. L4 and L5 like a few others have said. I saw some idiot dr in Monroe who said that I'm basically fricked and at my age (24) I basically have nothing to look forward to except pain and suffering. I got a second opinion at the bone & joint clinic in BR. Dr told me it's very common (not typically this young) but I'll learn how to manage it. I did 8 weeks of PT (a lot of core strengthening) which helped a ton. Traction table and ice made me feel like a million bucks. It still bothers me from time to time (if I run a lot or drive long distances) but an ice pack and Ibuprofen helps it feel better. Good luck!!
Posted on 4/5/14 at 3:48 pm to fumanchu
My sister had it VERY badly and tried everything except for surgery. She started doing yoga a little over a year ago and it has changed her life. Take it FWIW.
Posted on 4/5/14 at 4:15 pm to fumanchu
It might be real, but most adults have a deteriorated disk without pain.
Probably it will get better on its own.
Probably it will get better on its own.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News