Degenerative Disc Disease
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Wed, 10/21/2009 - 00:42
20 y/o just diagnosed with DDD...please help..
Hello everyone, I'm a 20 year old college student that was just diagnosed with DDD yesterday. I was genetically born with an L6 vertebrae and have degeneration in my L6 and L5 discs. My doctor told me the damage was pretty substantial and essentilly told me I have to stop playing sports and stop doing many of my favorite activities. The back pain started during my junior year during football, so the problem stemmed from an injury. However, since it took over 4 years to diagnose, the problem has gotten progressively worse. I play rugby and am a very active person, go to the gym at least 3 times a week and am always playing basketball or pickup football. These activities always caused me severe back pain and would leave me bed ridden or unable to walk pain free for days or eve weeks. However, I never thought that my problem was this serious and that all these activities were actually making my problem much worse. I was at a loss for words when I was given this information. I was just wondering if anybody has any advice on how to deal and live with this...I was pretty devestated when I was told that I pretty much have to change my entire life to avoid multiple surgeries and even with a change now, since i'm so young, surgery is almost inevitable later on in life. Any help would be greatly appreciated...anybody thats dealt with this before or had friends/family that have dealt with it. Thank you so much.
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~Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence~
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I was 30 years old when my diagnosis of DDD was given.
I had aches and pains as you for years and ignored them. If I had known of my issues I would of changed some things. I am now 47 and have had my 6th spinal surgery. Not a fun journey. Is it fair that we have to give up activities that we enjoy. no,but that being said only you know what causes your pain and know your limitations. There are some activities that I still participate in, one being skiing. Do I pay for it the next day? Without a doubt. I just do not ski as aggressive as I did before. It is all about learning your body and knowing what you can and cannot do.With trial and error you will find whats best for you.Good luck,
Susan
Hi
I am glad you have found this site, you will find plenty of support and lots of information on this forum.
Liz
Born with Familial epiphyseal dysplasia
Polio at 4yrs.
Severe Osteoarthritis from age 30
Lumber and cervical stenosis from 1995, surgery of decompression lumber L4/5 S1 1996
allergy to all NAIDS and opiates
chronic pain since 6 years of age
Sciatic pain and flare-ups
Take a look at this video for some more information on DDD:
http://www.spine-health.com/video/degenerative-disc-disease-interactive-...
In addition to the forums, there is tons of information on the website, written by practicing spinal surgeons and specialists.
It may be that the sixth lumbar vertebra is the culprit in causing the DDD. If it is not somehow stabilized, it can move around and probably cause degenerative changes with the adjoining L-5 vertebra.
I would suggest you get at least another opinion. You may find that another spinal specialist has an entirely different idea on how to treat you.
However, if you plan on walking when you're in your 40s, sports that have major contact are probably not a great idea.
Good luck. It is a heartbreaking situation when you have to contemplate giving up sports that are so important to you.
Gwennie
spondylolisthesis at L4-5; stenosis at L3-4 and L4-5
radiculopathy for about 3 years
PLIF (L4-L5)in Jan '08 (PEEK cage, rods & Screws, BMP); continued radiculopathy....
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan '09; continued radiculopathy;
Bulging discs L3-4 & L5-S1; crazy screwed-up S1 nerve
***** I have no medical training and am in no way connected with the medical profession, other than doing my part to keep them at full employment. My posts are based on personal experience and knowledge gained through the adventures of living. Take them for what they are worth....
Thank you everybody for your input and support. I've decided to get another appointment with another doctor to get his input as well and see if he has some more information on my specific case. As I am just learning of this condition, it is going to take me a little bit to see just exactly how far I can push myself. It's still hard for me to accept the fact that i have to give up so much because of this...but it definately helps that i found this site and know there are other people going through this as well. If other people can adjust their life for it...then i know I have a chance to still live a full and substantial life. This is very much a learning process and i'm still in the very early stages of it. Thank you everybody again, I will continue to keep the boards posted and hopefully soon can help other people as you have helped me.
~Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence~
and have a long life ahead of you. Follow doctors orders and it will be much more comfortable. Good luck.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
hey, I almost have the same exact story but I am a year ahead of you. I just turned 21 and I have been searching for over a year, I have some information if you want it. I private messaged you before I posted, it's past midnight right now and I signed up just so I could talk to you. Read my message, hear me out. I have tried a lot of things to help my back and if our situations are close to the same, like they sound, I may save you sometime and pain.
Jamie Perlmutter
ps I put my email in the private message feel free to email me.
I'm sorry you are going through all of this at such a young age. I was finally diagnosed with DDD earlier this month and like you, was devastated and started crying while my doctor read my MRI results (there was more than just the DDD). I too feel that surgery for my back will be in my future down the road (for right now I'm getting one surgery in January, not on my spine, but to reduce the weight from the front side that isn't helping my spine).
I've been dealing with the pain from my neck/back since I was 18 though. Definitely get yourself to other doctors for more opinions to make sure you're getting the best treatment option possible. I only recommend that you don't jump into surgery right away. Try other means of controlling the pain and such as surgery sometimes isn't the answer for everyone and can cause additional pain after. Just make sure you're trying all options first.
Good luck with everything. You'll find a great deal of support from everyone on this site. Feel free to contact me any time since I know what it's like to start dealing with the pain at such a young age.
Liz
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2010: Breast Reduction Surgery scheduled for January
2009: September: MRI discovered cervical & thoracic disc degeneration with foraminal stenosis and herniated discs in C5-6, C6-7, T4-5, and T7-8
2009: January: Laparoscopy (confirmed Endometroisis Stage II) and Hysteroscopy (Fixed Septate Uterus)
2008: Diagnosed with Psuedotumor Cerebri, PCOS, Endometriosis, Depression, and Anxiety
2003: MRI discovered L4/L5 herniation which affected the right leg sciatic nerve
1998: First time feeling any neck/back pain.
hi and welcome to the forum!
you sound like a very sharp, intelligent person who realizes you must make some life changes.. it is so difficult being a young person and having to do this!! stick close to S-H. you will make some good friends and get loads of info on your condition... 
i know it is not the same but swimming is something you should be able to do... talk to your doctor or pt if you are interested.. 
good luck to you and keep us informed of your progress. 
Jenny 
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
I started having problems with my back when I was 21. At 22, I went to a specialist and was I told I had ddd. It was devastating. I started to just sob in the examine room. I had surgery at 23.I am 26 now. I had gone through all the steps until I personally decided to have the surgery. I had a round of steroids, went to a chiropractor, and had epidural shots into my back 2 at a time(usually you only do one). I will tell you will have bad days. The hardest thing for me to hear, you will hear it, "you are too young". It would tear me up inside but I would smile and say " i know". You can have a life. I work 30 plus hours a week and raise a baby. I got pregnant 6 months post-op. That was hard and I had issues. I did have to have a c-section because my back couldn't take labor and delivery. But you can do it.Ok maybe not pregnancy lol, but you can have a normal life. You just have to do small things. The best thing go to physical therapy. They will teach you how to walk,stand,sit,etc and it helps sooo much. There will be things you can't do. I can't hold my child for long periods of time or carry her around. But i enjoy my time. Good luck! also remember it's ok to be angry sad depressed but don't let it rule you. just adjust i promise you can.
Hiya
, Welcome To Spine Health 
.Firstly i want to say you are so so young and i am sorry for your pain and discomfort 
, but One thing i can say you are in the right place 
. We are one big family here 
, we are here for you if you want a rant or just to ramble on 
. Have a good look around the site you will find some good and some useful information 
. My advice is "EXCEPTANCE" is the key! 
Angie
"ALL ADVICE GIVEN IS BASED ON OUR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES"
"WE ARE NOT MEDICALLY TRAINED IN THIS FIELD"
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL AND GOOD HEALTH FOR 2009 XXXX
My name is angie, i live in birmingham england.my back problems started in 1998.2001 had cartlidge removed in my right knee. when i was recovering from that i had a car accident, this caused my discs to prolapse.x-rays , MRI scan. 2002 epidural. 2003 had discs removed and 1 shaved.This has left me in pain and i have a protruding buldge to the right of my scar. 2004 PT. 2005 facet joint injections. 2006 more PT, MRI scan. 2007 referred to Pain Management.Now i have to take lots of medication. 2008 im waiting To have epidural and facet joint injections. I also suffer fibromyalgia this diagnosis was confirmed in october 2008.November 28th facet Joint Injections. After being examined by the GP he has concerns, so waiting for referral to orthopedic surgeon and for MRI scan, should recieve these in 2009 as he wants me seen ASAP. Appointment for orthopedic surgeon is dated the 27th january 2009. Not very well with my back at the moment, and been ill all over christmas, its so painful to walk now . Well i went to see the spinal surgeon, he said my spine is crumbling and he also said i have arthritus in my spine but the middle of my back, he said theres nothing he can do, until it gets worse. I have to continue with pain management, and the tablets, and he said i need to strenghten my muscles around the spine,and then he discharged me. But i am scared of doing more damage, i have lost faith in doctors, i feel so poorly at the moment, i havnt got any more energy. I cant stop crying, since i got back. The doctor knew about my spine crumbling in 2006, and still sent me to physio areobics.
im 30 and been dealing with this crap since i was 23. i have it in my L3, L4, L5 and spreaded into my S1. it sucks. i cant work for more than 3 months without pain starting back up, i have to lie to employers of why i walk with a limp or crooked. i tell them that i hurt my leg, cause i know if i would have told them the truth i would have been let go for being a liability. just like what happened with my previous job. i was working for a temp at wal-mart.com and my back went out on me over the weekend, had to tell wife to call ambulance to get me and coulnd't return. i was fixing to get hired on in 2 weeks. i hid my problem for almost a year dealing with the pain. they told me to get a release from the doctors and i could come back to work. in reality, i cant get a release. that is why i have to lie to employers. i hope you(well, NOBODY) get this bad