Degenerative disk disease

[Ryman2007]

Does anyone know what can help. It can be very painful at times.

[Hidden]

Hello Ryman, not sure that this will be within the normal range of AF knowledge. If you are thinking of painkillers, keep well away from anti-inflammatories (NSAID’s)

[Ryman2007 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I have been advised not to take anti inflammatory pill. I have stayed away from everything except Tylenol. I will be speaking to my GP today.

[Hidden]

Cannot edit posts for some reason! Was going on to suggest you speak to your pharmacist or GP. Hope you get the help you need.

[Finvola]

Not sure my experience may help Ryman. I have an atrophied disc from a prolapse decades ago. After years of pain, the first real relief I got was from an excellent Chiropractor who, in addition to adjusting my spine, gave advice about management and excercise - particularly which types of exercise to avoid.

I attended his clinic for about 2 years and my back has been relatively stable for the last 25. I hope you can get relief as I can remember how the agony affected my life. Best wishes.

[Ryman2007 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you for the advise as I cannot take pain pills due to AFIB and really not in favor of doing so. I have an appointment with my GP today and will ask about this.

[Finvola in reply to Ryman2007]

When I asked my GP about chiropractic treatment, he was adamant that it was a VERY BAD IDEA, but he felt that massive doses of Ibuprofen were OK. ☹️ That was before AF by the way.

In desperation, constantly losing days from work and in agony, I went to chiropractic without telling my GP. I have never regretted it.

[Ryman2007 in reply to Finvola]

I went to a brain and spine doctor and was told the good news is “you don’t need surgery” but the bad news is “your foundation is crumbling.” He prescribed muscle relaxers. That was not the long term answer for me and I hate thinking about what’s down the road for me. I think I will try to find a good chiropractor and thank you for your advise. I also have AFIB so pain pills are out.

[RiderontheStorm]

Serious Pain meds for me turns the volume of pain down to bearable but the side effects are sometimes problematic to deal with.

[Ryman2007]

The pain can be bad. It will shoot across my back just below my shoulders. I have AFIB and am told I cannot take anything but Tylenol. I assume this is not fixable.

[cassie46]

I had two disc mid back rupture in my mid twenties. The fluid spilled onto the nerves on my left side damaging them, this left me with numbness down my left side down to my foot.

There was no cure but I was given exercises to strengthen my back and I have done these all my life. I now visit a Oseopath on a regular basis who sorts out some of my falling apart bits lol and I find this very beneficial, she is well versed in AF and helps with that too.

I would never visit a chiropractor after a very bad experience, was a top UK man in his field, spent a lot of money over 6 months and he got no where sorting the problem. Went to Osteopath as a last resort, problem was cleared in 3 months and never returned.

Cassie

[Ryman2007]

Well, I never even knew about Osteopath. I had my GP visit today and she said it wasn’t my disc but rather my ‘meat’ . She advised me to either take pain pills or go to therapy. I chose therapy. I was always a bit leary about going to a chiropractor. I couldn’t get an appt. until May 4. Better than nothing. Sounds like you’ve had things under control for quite some time. I will try to look on the internet to see if I can find a Osteopath.

Thank you so much for your input.

Maureen

[cassie46 in reply to Ryman2007]

Hi Maureen - As I understand it an Osteopath is the better trained, they have a longer training period than a Chiropractor. They take a very detailed history of your health, medications ect. My husband suffers from muscle spasms at times in his back, he can hardly move when this happens, get him to the osteo and he is back to normal again in one or two visits, he used to go to the doctor at first, just pain killers and rest would take weeks to get better. Also he has always been seen within a day or two when this happens.

Cassie

[Tudee]

I too suffer from significant degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, with moderate stenosis, I found the stiffness a major problem and have been under the care of the local MSK, the only hope for my mobility was to strengthen my core, and I had targeted physiotherapist for for the same, as a result I am virtually pain free, and with little stiffness, perhaps you can benefit from this targeted approach. Good luck, Dee

[christos1]

I have lost height on 4 of my lumber discs and have degenerative changes in two of my lumber vertebrae my physio told me to strengthen my core and have had similar results as Tudee.

[solarjdo69]

Ryman2007,

I just came across this and it is very interesting. Sonic spine surgery.

sonospinesurgery.com/

washingtontimes.com/news/20...

Very compelling and hopeful for some.

[Ryman2007]

How very nice of you to forward this info to me. I just received this and will definitely read it later as I have been out until now. Thank you