hi everyone,
so i've had DDD forever... Im 33 and I'd say about once a year i totally throw out my back (either slip a disk or tear fibers) that leave me in horrible pain and bed ridden for close to a week and then in pain for a long time after. This just happened on Dec 25th... not ever sure what I did, but I was bed ridden for a week in terrible pain, back spasms etc... and Im still not able to sit or stand without being in a ton of pain.
During the course of the year, my back will give me smaller issues and may throw out one more time... it totally sucks as you all know...
I take percs 10/325, usually relafen but it hurts my stomach so im now taking 3-4 advils at a time instead, and I am now trying baclofen for a muscle relaxer. It seems to work ok.
I'm doing a standing MRI next week as Im in so much pain when I stand for more that like, 5 minutes, or even sit for too long. Ive done regular MRIs in the past.

My question is (and of course I'll ask my doctor when I see him in 3 weeks) - what other options besides meds, PT etc are there? Like, what kinds of surgery could I look up online or read about on this board and learn about so I can be educated for my next meeting with my doctor? Im terrified of any surgery, especially on my back, but I think I'm realizing Im too young to live like this... this weekend Im still in bed, I've missed work and dont know what Id do without my meds, I think i need to possibly try something else.

Thanks!!

[QUOTE=Wendy88;3376281]hi everyone,
so i've had DDD forever... Im 33 and I'd say about once a year i totally throw out my back (either slip a disk or tear fibers) that leave me in horrible pain and bed ridden for close to a week and then in pain for a long time after. This just happened on Dec 25th... not ever sure what I did, but I was bed ridden for a week in terrible pain, back spasms etc... and Im still not able to sit or stand without being in a ton of pain.
During the course of the year, my back will give me smaller issues and may throw out one more time... it totally sucks as you all know...
I take percs 10/325, usually relafen but it hurts my stomach so im now taking 3-4 advils at a time instead, and I am now trying baclofen for a muscle relaxer. It seems to work ok.
I'm doing a standing MRI next week as Im in so much pain when I stand for more that like, 5 minutes, or even sit for too long. Ive done regular MRIs in the past.

My question is (and of course I'll ask my doctor when I see him in 3 weeks) - what other options besides meds, PT etc are there? Like, what kinds of surgery could I look up online or read about on this board and learn about so I can be educated for my next meeting with my doctor? Im terrified of any surgery, especially on my back, but I think I'm realizing Im too young to live like this... this weekend Im still in bed, I've missed work and dont know what Id do without my meds, I think i need to possibly try something else.

Thanks!!



Hi Wendy, sorry you are having to deal with DDD. I was diagnosed with DDD in 2004. It was at the L5 S1 level. Every subsuquent MRI was worse than the first and like you I was not in chronic pain at first. I would have three good weeks one horrible one. Then that began to change until I got to the point that I could not sit down for more than five mintues or so and then standing long periods was an issue, tossing and turning all night in pain trying to get comfortable, I was not able to enjoy any of the things in my life that I once was able to do. I tried pt, injections, medication, rest. I had a discogram done two months prior to surgery.
Have you tried injections? They helped me for awhile but then even they failed. Also, Lidoderm patches helped me for a bit too.
Also, about the migraines, I have migraines as well, pretty severe ones, I have needed infusion at home on two occassions because they could not stop them. I have never taken percocet for a migraine. I take Maxalt and Fiornal#3. I find that the triptan Maxalt was the best one for me, some of those triptans are so harsh and if the Maxalt fails then I have the Fiornial as a back up. I use the Topamax as my preventative (200mg) a day. The topamax has been a lifesaver for me as far as migraines go.
Anyhow, good luck to you, keep us posted
Lori