Degenerative disc disease

[Socialbutterfly00]

Hiya everyone,hope you're all doing OK?I wrote a post a little while back regarding my spine and hip pain. Another mri later shows degenerative disc disease,it hasn't really been explained to me very well,does anyone else suffer with this,is it another fibro relative?one thing after another isn't it.Thankyou in advance ☺️

[Aka-Ice]

I have had a degenerative disc issue in lower back for last few years had lower back pain last 10 years and fibro diagnosed recently. I was also beginning to think of the fibro was causing my back hip neck and shoulder pains as when my back hurts it pulls me to 1 side and I end up leaning at an strange angle.

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Aka-Ice]

Oh bless you,I hope you can get as many pain free days as possible,it really is tough isn't it

[Dinkie]

I don't think it is fibro related. I was diagnosed with early onset osteoarthritis at the age of 30. I have degenerative discs in neck and lower back together with chronic hip and knee arthritis. One ankle has been operated on, but not keen to have the other one done until it gets worse, as I find any medical intervention impacts on the fibro in a negative way as my fibro body hates trauma of any kind.

I do have chiropractor treatment as I find that helps but if you go down this route please make sure you choose a chiropractor who understands fibro otherwise you may find it a very painful experience. Heat pads help too and I have found that hot wax treatments on the hand arthritis works really well. It's a case of trial and error to find what helps and what doesn't upset the fibro.

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Dinkie]

Aww hope your doing OK,thankyou for replying I'm honestly lapping up all this kind advice 💓

[Nelly1]

Hi, yes I do, I recently had an anterior Discectomy and fusion link below due to DDD. I have also just had a steroid and anaesthetic injection in the top of my spine to relieve the Pressure on my discs. Both of these procedures have worked really well so there’s help and interventions out there to help relive the symptoms.

I sympathise with you on this one, I also have spondylitis in the base of my spine.

Try and get referred to a good spinal surgeon.

Hope you get the help you need.

I have a fantastic consultant who listens and understands.

Regards

Neil

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Nelly1]

Thankyou so much for responding ☺️ I've literally been given the results and just left to get on,I'm in absolute agony,would sleep better hanging upside from the ceiling I reckon 🙈

[Colourpink66]

hi I have fm and recently been in agony with sciatica due to a herniated disc have had sciatica in the past but this has lasted a lot longer , just wondered do you have hyper mobility it seems a lot of people with fm seem to also have this problem,

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Colourpink66]

I'm honestly so baffled,it seems one thing after another. Fibro was first but at the time of diagnosis this back pain was there it's just got so so bad over the last 12 months taken til now to get the mri for ddd diagnosis. I feel lost with it all and don't know where its all heading.

[blueisgreen in reply to Colourpink66]

Yes, I too am hyper mobile and have Fibro. See below.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

I have degenerative wear and tear in my discs in my lower back and is completely separate to Fibro ,, hot water bottles is the only thing I find soothing and soaking in the bath. I got told too watch lifting anything heavy now, yes the joys of having a condition and all the other stuff that comes our way xx

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Yassytina]

Oh absolutely it's terrifying xx

[Chloeblue]

Hi . whilst it’s not a Fibro thing, there’s definitely a correlation between Fibro sufferers and degenerative discs. Each vertebrae has a spongy disc between and as we age or injure these discs they can dry out or herniate. I had my herniated disk operated on which didn’t improve my symptoms probably due to Fibro, but over the years I find it’s settled down. Morning hot water bottle and stretches are what helps me. Try and keep moving. I made the mistake of sitting too long , it’s extra difficult for us with Fibro

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Chloeblue]

Thankyou lovely very helpful and much appreciated

[Jaycee18]

hi, I have degenerative disc disease, particularly in my neck/upper back and lower back. I’ve been told that at some point it may settle which will ease the pain. Fingers crossed.

I agree with Chloeblue about keeping moving, gentle exercise/ rolling through the spine. Cat stretch or Pilates roll downs are helpful. Heat packs, particularly around my neck help too.

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Jaycee18]

Thankyou so much 💓

[Simmeke83]

All the people here with DDD please be aware of the red flag symptoms for Cauda Equina Syndrome.

Like you I thought I had fibro pain and it turned out to be ddd and unfortunately for me the worst happened and it was caught too late and I now suffer consequences of Cauda equina post emergency surgery.

aans.org/en/Patients/Neuros...

Do not hesitate to call emergency when observed those symptoms.

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Simmeke83]

Thankyou,will keep this in mind for sure,blimey it's like a minefield isn't it 🙈

[blueisgreen]

I have to say I'm in exactly the same situation. After 8 years with PMR, and getting to 1/2 mg, I was diagnosed with Fibro. I have aches and pains all over. Had an MRI of my low back and they said I have some degeneration of my discs. Same in my neck. And osteoarthritis in my hips and knee. This stuff never ends! And nobody knows how to treat it. Also, I have bursitis everywhere. Feel like I just need to give up. I've had cortisone shots everywhere that only last a few days, except for one in my groin that got rid of pain everywhere for two weeks. Then it all came back. My next step is to ask my primary doc to give me different drugs for fibromyalgia . I'm on celebrex now but it is not getting rid of the pain.

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to blueisgreen]

Oh god bless you sending love. We never seem to get the answers we need it's feeling like it's going to be a constant battle dosnt it

[Bluebell999]

I am really sorry Socialbutterfly00 you have this but you really do need to be pro active about your health now, as I would encourage anyone with DDD to do. I don't want to cause you alarm and I don't know how old you are, but if you are menopausal/post menopause this could be a sign of osteoporosis.

If your doctor ordered your MRI then it may be a good idea to ask for a DEXA scan. It measures the density of your spine and hips and it is painless, quick and like an xray. If your results show a lessening of density, then do ask for a referral to a spinal clinic.

I would encourage you to increase your calcium and vitamin d intake if possible. Your levels can be assessed by a simple blood test. Gentle stretching and exercise like walking, losing weight if needed and a healthy diet, (I know, all the things you know you should do, but sometimes let slip).

I ignored my back pain for many years, had a DEXA scan which showed osteopaenia, a precursor of osteoporosis, and which I eventually ended up with.

Foolishly I didn't do all the right things, and eventually had a vertabral spinal collapse, the most painful thing I have ever had. The first collapse was lumber, three years ago, the second was thoracic, six months later. I was in hospital for six weeks. I lost nearly four inches in height and I walk with a frame.

Please do not ignore your symptoms and take note of any advice given by professionals.

I do not think this is linked to fibro except perhaps when we are apt to sit or lay about when we should be moving, even if it is painful sometimes and we don't feel up to it. Also don't struggle to lift heavy items or stretch to reach something that needs just that extra push!

I am not a medical expert, just telling my own experiences. I would hate for anyone to go through this when it may be avoidable.

[Socialbutterfly00 in reply to Bluebell999]

Oh wow this is fab advise thankyou so much!!Will definitely take all that on boardHope you are OK??x