Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has spinal degeneration ( where the discs just crumble and disappear) with oesteo? Do you do certain exercises and if so which ones? My spine is hurting so much, my hips I can cope with more but I cannot cope with the spinal pain. Thanks.x
Probably half of everyone over the age of 60 has DDD.
Depending on the type of pain and whether it's borne from inflammation or degeneration, you might ask for a script for Tramadol to use as needed. Might take the edge off the pain.
In my case, I've found that any kind of biking is bad for me. Swimming and walking, at least for me, are best.
You're sure you didn't fracture a vertebrae?
Hi,
I'm only 43. I got run over when I was 18 and had sever back problems ever since, but now been diagnosed with oesteo and DDD. I'm in so much pain, I walk all the time but only get to swim once a week. I'm changing my doctors because dry codamol is what I'm on but they do nothing and they just basically don't know what to do.
Unfortunately this has been a issue I try to ignore but it won't be quiet long enough. We mean the nagging pain in the back that is always there.
i asked my doc for PT ..it is recommended to keep muscles & tendons strong to help support degenerative arthritis in the spine, same with oster. Thru PT there's a how too move..lift.. Walk even daily household chore. Learning the aids that make tasks easier.
OTH anti inflams help and talk with UR doc for treatment there a lot that can change the way we move just in small ways.
Cheers
In the US Tramadol is great. I take it with Tylenol. The combination of taking the two together makes all the difference.
Tramadol is not a opiate & I can't take morphine & allergic to both.
Tramadol is great...I take it helps occasionally when a pain reliever is really needed. Or before I do something like grocery shopping.on my feet without a break...
Otherwise I take OTC anti inflam meds . I was diagnoses with osteo about the same age..I now sport 2 bionic hips...osteo isn't called wear & tear for nothing.oh and screws in my shoulder.
Have u tried DMARDs. They really helped me but the doc took me off due to side effects. Same with Cymbalta..biological drugs & injections with Entercept..Remicade, Humira and many others .. Ask UR rhumy what's right for you.
CHEERS
I will ask for these, I'm not sure we have all that over here in England but they really need to do something. I work with an autistic student and cannot afford to give up work but I need the pain suppressed so I can do my work. I'm bored with pain! Lol
Hi Lindsay,
I have osteo in my lower back too, now and a disc that is a little bit bulging. Where I live we can self refer to local physio services, have had five out of six sessions now. He mostly did massage on my back and hip (have a hip prob too) but he also gave me exercises to do which have helped a bit to strengthen the muscles, (or would if I did them more often)
If you ask at your GP's surgery they should be able to give you more information about physio your area. And you definitely need good pain relief, it's awful having to work through pain and still try and do a good job.
I work with students, some with autism, too. Are you based in a school or in the community?
Hi jeanp,
my gp have said they can do nothing and I'm on a list for a consult for a physio but am on a three month waiting list.
i am changing my doctors as I'm in agony. What exercise do you do so I can see if it helps.
Thankyou.x
Hi Lindsay,
you would really be better getting a professional to show you exercises to do, especially if your spine is as bad as you describe - wouldn't want to tell you things you shouldn't be doing in your case. Sorry to sound unfriendly, but would hate you to make yourself worse. Hope you get to see a more sympathetic GP as soon as you can and that they help you.
Sorry to hear u r in so much agony. That description of pain sounds very moch like a herniated disc. That's the outer shell of a disc that is leaking jelly like tissue from inside the disc on to the nerves of the back. This can cause agony type pain constantly no rest or exercises will help repair a herniated disc. See medical description online. Usually surgery is the only fix.
In most casess a back specialist can help. Have u had recient X-rays that can help diagnose bulging discs or herniated discs. UR doc may recommend injections in the back to relieve pain depending on the cause of UR pain there r solutions weather a erniated disk or not.
Once the orgin of the pain is identified then a course of treatment can start, pain injections like epidural or Etancerpt or surgery can be recommended. Back pain is so miserable. Yes all these meds and treatments r available in the UK. Tramadol pain meds and available in the UK. Maybe a different name but it's used all over the world ...see online info on other names for Tramadol AND countries it's available in. Just a google .
Do u get a break from the pain at all? A few exercises may help give u relief .they always help me. Laying down on UR back with legs propped up on pillows to relieve the pressure on the spine and small pillow under the lower back, lift knee up to waist hight keeping back straight then back on pillow . Simple and helpful start slow then switch to other leg. Another one is laying down on UR back holding the stomach tight while squeezing but muscles staring at as many as as u can can help.also ice the area to lower inflammation.
I can sympathize for ya it's so miserable to be in constant pain.
Hi Lindsay, I know and understand exactly how you feel. At 43 I was diagnosed with severe DDD in my neck with nerve root compression. The cervical discs involved are from c3 to c7. I had a cervical epidural to help with the pain and some physio - the physio didn't really help. Then my lumbar spine started to play up so I had another MRI and they found further bulging discs facet joint disease and osteoarthritis which has spread to my hips, hands and feet. I am now 50 years old and also have fibromyalgia. Other than the several injections I have had over the years the best treatment I had was radiofrequency denervation where they burn the nerves away that are causing the pain - this helped me so much but only lasts for around 18 months. Spinal pain is excrutiating and I am on Pregabalin, Duloxetine, Cocodamol etc and I have now been put on Methotrrexate as I have inflamatory arthritis. I hope this helps a little and really do understand what you are going though. Love, Paula
Oh gizmo that's a lot of pain, and fibromyalgia and rheumy too. Feel for you. I had never heard of radiofrequency denervation, interesting what they can do nowadays. My pain is not that bad compared with others, to be honest, but good to know about these things for the future. Take care of yourself.
Jean
No relief unfortunately, my spine hurts all the time, my legs feel like they weigh a ton each but now I'm getting pain down the front of my thighs. My ankles hurt too and my hips, well, I can put up with them, the spine pain is too severe. I walk a lot as I have two dogs and now I'm noticing I'm stopping a lot just from pain. I walk so slowly now too I feel 200! I'm going to ask for an MRI scan because it's just getting worse and no one has bothered to show me the X-rays and what is actually going on. I'm at the end of my tether. I only talk to you guys because you understand, and people get bored with hearing you're in pain so I smile and carry on. Thanks everyone, will let you know the outcome! Xxx
Hi Jean, yes it's been a nightmare as all the steroid injections have made me put on 3 stone and I just can't lose it. Yes it really helps when you have other people you can chat to who have some sort of understanding. Hugs, Paula
Exercises can make a great difference, if the spine is supported by strong muscles and ligaments the pain should be less. I go on some US websites - Stuart McGill, Craig Libenson and Evan Osar have really helpful websites and exercises. If the rest of your body is strong it will help support your spine. Do you have access to a GOOD physio, whereabouts are you,in the UK? My husband and a work pal who has sciatica have done a couple of the stretches prescribed for me and both are now functioning normally and out of pain. So, exercising can make a vast difference.
Boy I understand exactly what u mean. Every day it's getting worse and not better. Totally miserable to wake everday and still no progress. Like someone hung a ton weight on UR bones.
Don't give up.. See a rhumy they r great at getting down to the issues and help with meds or PT. Whatever it takes stick with it u will feel better. I know its rough there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After I was Dx with arthritis and FM then it all made sence . Auto immune diseases can be miserable. Good luck I know this is ur journey to will find help support and treatment for feeling better soon.
Hi, yes, I was doing sit ups, running, jacks and press ups which was fine for about an hour and the rest of the day I spent crying. I walk a lot with my dogs which seems to be the only relief but it doesn't get rid of the pain just eases it off and helps me straighten up. I've actually asked a friend of mine whose an instructor if he knows of any exercises that will help me lose weight ( which isn't helping but was put on steroids and my body went out of control) I am very active other than that as I feel if I don't sit, I won't get stuck! Lol I do my gardening, go to work, paint, anything to keep me busy but all a strain on my lower spine. Thanks for all your ideas, my doctor is rubbish and my physio is non existent for 3 months! I am moving doctors! Lol
A friend of mine went to a back person in spain and he told her to eat jelly everyday, if replenishes the jelly lost, apparently. How many calories in jelly? Lol
I will try these exercises, you never know, it could help! Thankyou! X