what is best treatment for severe degenerative discs in lower back

[arvine]

Im 76 yrs old, along with a history last few years of several issues, pmr(still on prenisone since oct 2016), spinal stenosis, arthritis, bbuldging discs, now L3,4 and5 have degenerate discs, been told hardly any left between those areas, stiffness and pain very bad getting up in mornings, and on and off through day, this had all been diagnosed with exrays, mri s etc, can only take tylenol, which not much help, as still tapering pred and down to 5 mgs currently

[strongmouse]

Sounds hard for you. Degenrating discs seem to be from wear and tear as we get older.

I have cervical spinal stenosis and a bulging lumbar disc along with osteoporosis, I am on painkillers (cocodamol) and at night take nortptyaline as I have nerve pain. I have found physiotherapy helpul and heat treament. It brough the pain down to a level I could manage better. I attended a pain clinic which I found helpul, Now I try to do exercises to strengthn my core muscles and ones for daily use. I've improved my balance and posture, Nothing rigous, just gentle exercises. They do help.YouTube Margaret Martin has some good ones, I was advised not to do any which cause me pain. I have a warm bath in the morning to help ease the muscles and movement.

There are some surgical procedures they can do such fusing certain bone, and steroid injection can be used locally where the pain is worse.

It is hard to manage, but i've found it helpful to have a routine, Occupationl therapists can advise about managing at home, but it can be hard to get an appointment, All the best,

[arvine in reply to strongmouse]

Thank you

[Macblank]

arvine

I totally get your pain, I've been like that since 1989, after an accident in 1988.

Slowly but surely the back has gotten worse, and since 2010, I had to stop work. Now I'm 54, with 8 (last MRI not clear enough apparently, so dont know if more since) compressed bulging discs, stenosis, dual sciatica, and other back issues.

They call the main thing degenerative disc and facet disease.

I was on tramadol for years and years, but my main pk is now morphine, but it's not that great either.

About 15 years ago, the manager at the pain clinic wrote me a clinical letter stating: we will never be able to cure your pain.

On the pain scale (1-10) I live a constant 5, but can quickly go to 7, and 9 isn't hard to reach either. Rarely I get a 10.

In the UK, apart from extremely rare surgery, you can have nerve root injections. I had that once, and bar the extra pain it caused having it done, didn't get any extra relief.

Back pain and it's issues, is so under studied and understood.

I would suggest if you can, see a pain clinic, or a lower back clinic. They maybe able to come up with a plan that helps you.

Just because pks haven't helped me, doesn't mean the same ones won't help you.

Tramadol being a synthetic opiate is generally easy to take, and with a stomach pill, may help you.

Good luck.

[arvine in reply to Macblank]

thank you Macblank

[Nottobad123 in reply to Macblank]

Reading through your post I almost felt lucky to have just what have, because I can at times get some relief from pain, and I suffer from a few chronic conditions that are notorious for pain. I've been talking Tramadol for some time now, and is does help, but I can only take it every now and then as the side effects is that it doesn't come with letting me sleep, it is very restful though and I can have a good day and not feel tired, it's like being high on some kind of drugs.

Does it effects you in this way?

[Macblank in reply to Nottobad123]

Yes, a little, except when I took it full time.

Once I took it 4 times a day, that feeling worse off.

Occasionally I'd let people at work have a single tablet, and advised, don't take til you're home

Next day they'd come up ... Fk me, that's the best I've felt in ages, that day just flew by. Hahahaha

It doesn't matter on here, who has what, it's no comp. What you have is bad for you, and you struggle with you have ... Dont do the , why do I complain when so many are worse than me. Your health and it's issues are what you cope with, and not everyone can cope as well as others.

I don't feel that my arm length of conditions is that bad, and things could be worse.

Od definitely take the tramadol more regular, even if you just take the one. Then take 2 when really needed.

[Nottobad123 in reply to Macblank]

The night does seem to fly by, and it's peaceful to. I've taken a few in the past 18 hours and probably take one more in a couple of hours time..am feeling okay now with no pain and relaxed, family all sleeping and everything is on hand if I get hungry or need a drink. My last post was really very helpful for me in taking with others are in similar situations in handling debilitating pain.

Near to midnight where I am now, time to dream of good day and happiness tomorrow.

[DENZ01 in reply to Macblank]

Hello

I know exactly what you mean. I am in constant pain 24/7, I am also on morphine sulfate liquid, morphine slow release tablets, Pregabalin, Tramadol & various other meds.

I feel very saddened, they don't seem to realise how physically and mentally exhausting it is to be in constant pain. I am also never without pain, 5 - 7 out of 10 seems the "normal" each day.

I am the same age, 54, I am now in a wheelchair & it's easier to just stay at home on most days!

Sorry to be sounding so pitiful! I've got to the stage where this is as good as it gets.

I'm not looking for pity or anyone to feel sorry for me, I make the best of what has been dealt to me.

I just wish that doctors/consultants could actually feel the pain rather than just see it! Maybe then we could have some medication for the pain we have every day & night.

Good luck everyone & best wishes with your "troubles".

Keep on fighting for the right to get some proper pain relief ✨️🙃✨️🙃

[Macblank in reply to DENZ01]

Hi ya

Twenty five years ago during a medical review, I was told I'd be wheelchair bound within the next twenty years.

The pic is me last year.

The rollator was a good send, as crutches just didn't do it.

I stopped liquid morphine due to the wasted sense all the time.

I stoped pregab too as the side effects were too rough.

Currently 10 for breakfast, 10 for tea, 2 for bed, and 4 during the day as needed..... 4 morphine pills

I have 2 zomorph twice a day, 60mg.

Washing, pooping is very hard work, but as I said above, I'm lucky I can still do those things, regardless of how much pain it causes.

I've learned over the years to treat my 5/6 score as ok, and able to continue. 7+ tho does stop me.

I also have a fantastic partner that is extremely understanding

You take care, don't give up, and keep being a pain to those who should be sorting you. Keep asking questions, keep strong.

Me!

[DENZ01 in reply to Macblank]

I have been fighting this spinal fight my whole life. I was told that I wouldn't live past 27, I am 54. Constant surgeries, meds etc.Fight the good fight and don't take everything that these specialists as gospel!

[Mitch48]

Hi there,

I had emergency surgery 3 years ago (when I was 51) for impending cauda equina, spondylolisthesis (2 vertebrae) & spinal stenosis which required 3 laminectomies, 3 Foraminotomies, 2 discectomies and a posterior lumber Interbody fusion L3/4/5.

Afterwards I was left with a numb lower leg & both feet, various different nerve pains, back & buttock pain along with mobility issues etc.

I’ve recently had bilateral radiofrequency ablation which is helping with some symptoms. I also have cervical radiculopathy at C5/6 & C6/7 and have had the RFA many times there which has also helped.

I’ve had severe chronic pain for 20 years following a road traffic collision & the pain levels I have at my worst most days are 8/9 in my limbs, I also have Cervicogenic headpain and other symptoms in my hands.

RFA is the way to go, the pain clinics that I’ve been to have never been able to offer anything more effective for me (including private treatment) as meds are not very effective for nerve pain but I’m sure that you may have found that out already.

You may want to consider steroid injections in the first instance (I know you’re on pred but that surely must be for an auto immune disease?, I take it too on & off for Sarcoidosis).

See what a pain clinic can offer if surgery is not suitable, I wish you the best of luck.

Kind regards,

Mitch

[Hidden]

Your post reads like my same symptoms. I started seeing a pain management doctor in 2020. Did the X-ray and MRI. Severe DDD, stenosis, etc... She prescribed Hydrocodone which I have been taking since and I have had a handful of steroid injections as well as RFAs (Radio Frequency Ablations). I actually see her again this morning. No major problems at the moment but that can change any day as I am quite active and tend to do things that hurt my back.

[arvine in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, not familiar with radio freqency ablations? Are your steroid injections guided by ultrasound, went to pain management clinic last May, had 8 injections of some kind not steroid, they hit a nerve , went through roof with pain, worsened after 2 days, MRI showed nerve root impingement, believe disc leaked, or ruptured onto nerve, no meds helped pain, ended up going to a spinal decompresion clinic, 20 sessions, eventually releif, so reluctant to get injections, unless guided ultrasound, which these wrre not,

[Hidden]

I'm not sure what the machine is but yes my doctor has something she puts over my back to guide the injections. I think it's actually an X-ray machine of some sort. I've seen the pictures on a large screen after the injection was over. She gives me small injections of Lidocaine first and then the steroid. I've never felt any pain and the injections have helped immensely. She is actually an anesthesiologist and deals with nerves. The RFA uses an electrical probe that is places near or on certain nerves and a series of pulses are sent which deaden the nerve for about 9 months to a year. The nerves eventually regenerate and it needs to be repeated if still a problem. There is another form of RFA where they sedate you and the probe is inserted into the the spinal discs and the nerves inside the discs are deadened. I can't remember the trademark name for that but you could probably Google it.

[arvine in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[looby24]

Hello my mum is 84 and suffering with her back for a long time, she was diagnosed a couple of years ago, with discs pushing into her spinal cord, narrowing of the spinal canal due to this. Her pain got to very high levels (she normally bears it) and so she was given cortisone injections. That did take care of the worse of the pain for her.

[caz1967]

If you possibly can do it, try an exercise bike, gentle usage a few times a week along with some gentle swimming, both have eased my symptom's considerably. I Suffered from 2006 with only what the Drs gave, which included a TEN's machine. Until my husband got me a 2nd hand exercise bike, since slowly having gained a lot of weight due to my various medical conditions. Since staring using an exercise bike gradually increasing time i use it along with using the slim-fast programme, over 2yrs ive lost over 7stone. which has helped me exercise a little easier which in turn has contributed to easing stiffness and a little pain , im not your age but a little movement hopefully will do some good and you may get a little relief.