I was hurt several years ago. I started to get better, then I got worse. The pain settled in, they did MRI's and then I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. I've talked to many people with DDD who say it started that way. They were prefectly fine, then they had an injury, and then they were never the same again. Is that how it was with all of you? Or did it come on slowly, like arthritis?

This is what I can't understand. I was fine! And now I might as well be a cripple. Heck, I AM crippled: by the pain, the muscle spasms, the pain medicine, the constant need to pace myself, the exhaustion and need for rest, the inability to do any of the things I used to do. How can life end so fast?

I can sympathise 100% I know exactly how you feel it's the same for me. You have actually made me feel better after reading your post. (I'm not the only one!) :bouncing: I have all of the above.
I also have arthritise in my neck and spine. I was fine one day, had a small injury got over it. Then a person ran up the back of my car. Never been the same again! I had a discectomy three years ago and also feel like my life is over. Cant sit too long, stand, lift, bend, twist, streach and I have a 3 year old daughter. She has had to learn to climb up to me ect as lifting is not a good idea :nono:

Degenerative discs are a natural part of the aging process, usually causing no symptoms. However, it can also be caused by such things as injury which can hasten the process.

Life isn't over! Are you under the care of a good spine specialist? What exactly are your problems? Do you have a bulging herniated , dessicated disc? What kind of pain are you having and where is it? The proper physical therapy can sometimes do a lot of good as can other treatments. Is your dr. offering anything besides pain meds?

Hope some of this helps.
Carol

Hi Carol,

One chiropractor told me that my MRI's read like an encyclopedia of everthing that could go wrong: slipped discs, bulging discs, dessicated discs, spinal cord depressed, foraminal stenosis, facet arthropathy, osteophytic spurring, pinched nerves, etc.

I've tried every thing: three chiropractors, nerve block, accupuncture, neuromuscular therapy, physical therapy, and every single drug there is. If you've got an answer, let me hear it! I'm living on narcotics and muscle relaxers, and this is no life.

Hi it never ends ... to answer your question (sudden or slow onset) I also have DDD and by definition, that is a condition that may be present for years without any symptoms. For me, the onset of symptoms was sudden. One day I was walking, fine, when I suddenly felt horrific buttock pain. That never went away and it spread down my leg. No injury or accident caused the symptoms to appear.

I was in a car accident. Hit while stopped and in the rear. I had whiplash to my neck and back. Then it was descovered that I had a disc out. I've had a discectomy. Now I have DDD and arthritise in my neck and base of the spine. I live on drugs. I have a 3yr daughter who I cant bath ect. I have constant pins and needles in my feet and hands. I cant sit or stand for long and every now and again my left leg gives way.
I do go to they gym a couple of times a week to keep mobile. My doc has put me in for physio again (third time) I've had acipuncture but had a bad reaction. Cryed for days, sorry to say didn't get any relife from it.
If anyone suggests it's in my head again I will Cry!!!!!!!!!!!!! O'h yeh I have nerve damage too!

Hi onthemendnow. Where did you see that definition? I'd be grateful to look it up. I never knew that was DDD.