spinal disc degeneration

[bethmoggie]

I have recently been diagnosed with L4/5 degenerative discs, lots of pain for a year before an x-ray was done and showed arthritis in both hips too but mild at the moment. PA was not suggested as a link to the disc problem but I wonder if it may be. No treatment just paracetamol and exercises I can tolerate. Anyone else have the same problem?

[jade_s]

Yes I had this problem too, and ended up with surgery for a ruptured disc/ hernia at L5/S1. They found some arthritic degeneration as well. Surgeon just said to exercise more. I don't know what the cause is - perhaps weak core muscles thanks to lack of activity and muscle wasting due to B12D and other health issues.

I have increased my exercise levels and started weight-bearing exercises - I have noticed my core is quite weak and so this was probably putting too much stress on my spine. But I started this 2 years after surgery.

If you still have a degenerated disc, I would consult with a physio before starting exercise, as there is a risk of further rupture.

I am also being more careful with taking Vit D and K2 and magnesium, although these are for bones not joints/discs/tendons.

I'm curious if others here have more insight!

[bethmoggie in reply to jade_s]

Thank you for your reply, I am having physio help so I guess that’s all I can do. Hoping my pain will ease soon. Will try some weights too as although I walk three or four times a week for 90 minutes plus I have noticed my arms are weak. My problem is gardening, that started it off so I have to delegate more. My physio said to keep as active as I am and no landscaping. Hope you continue to improve.

[Sneedle in reply to bethmoggie]

Can't write much now but my physio gave me a resistance band fir above my knees to walk up and down with in the house for very weak 'side' muscles - also worn lumbar discs. Cfs causing muscle weakness - the band works so well to strengthen. I love it. More later if you're interested.

[Nackapan in reply to Sneedle]

Yrs I have a thera band as told to get one by s phsio. but it to strengthen muscle wastage from being semi bed bound for some time Told walking uses muscles but doesn't strengthen them ?

I'm 9nlh hoid at pysio If put into everyday things .

So I use my bra fastened round above knees sit on s chair and do 25 stretches before putting it on .

Seems to be the right resistance for my body .

One of many I have learnt .

My daughtef had s herniated disc .

Saw it bulging on the xray .

I think ig was a little higher than yours .

[bethmoggie]

I’m interested in any help, thank you for your reply. My main problem is getting in and out of a car. We looked at a car with a higher seat, but I’m too small to negotiate a high seat.

[Nackapan in reply to bethmoggie]

Yoh can get swivel discs to sit on for the car .My daughter again dislocated her hip getting out of the car .

[bethmoggie in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you for your reply and advice, I will try the resistance band I had for my Achilles injury. I have lost any cushioning between the L4/5 discs so my posture is poor. I must sit up straighter and pay attention to walking with a better posture.

Where did you get your daughters swivel disc? That sounds just right for me.

[Nackapan in reply to bethmoggie]

Online,Like everything it seems. Just type in .Car swivel seat or transfer car swivel seat loads come up.

Yrs my posture 2ax bad due to balance issues so stooped forward .

Shoulders back then relax them then walk.

So many things to thnk about to move !

[bethmoggie]

I saw a photo of me recently, stooped and it’s something that has caused me pain for a long time. I’ve been turning out the house to find a resistance band it’s somewhere in a drawer. I will look on Amazon for the swivel board it might help. My PA wasn’t diagnosed for years so it’s bound to have caused damage. I have a better female GP now she seems to understand the condition more. My eventual blood test results were very low. My worst time was falling asleep in the National Gallery cafe.

Thank you for your help.

[Sneedle in reply to bethmoggie]

²The physio said to me to make sure I got the lightest band - mine is pink and made of fabric. So as not to overdo it.I can send name of brand later if that helps.

If you see a physio you could ask them to put you through muscle assessment to figure out exactly where you are weak or overtight. I printed put a diagram of the abdominal and upper leg muscles and got her to write it jn there as I knew I would forget it all.😀

I got told to walk backwards carefully, concentrating on engaging my lower abdominal and thigh muscles (like striding out on a mountain walk). But making sure I put my pelvis straight first as I have horrible pelvic tilt from muscle wastage and natural curvy lower spine.

But you may be very different and I wouldn't make any assumptions til a physio has told you exactly what to do.

I just wanted to say it is possible to improve your lot.

What  Nackapan said above about walking using your muscles not strengthening them makes sense to me.

I do a crab walk sideways with the band on, up and down the kitchen while cooking. The side muscles at top of my thighs and hips get worked much more than when walking forwards. And complain about it!

[bethmoggie in reply to Sneedle]

Thank you for your reply. It all makes sense and the physio has referred me to an assessment programme. They will tell me what exercise is best for me. The few I can manage seem to have helped me to get upstairs without pain and putting a pillow next to me at night has really helped.

I have ordered my swivel seat from Amazon today so I’m hoping it will help. I would appreciate the manufacturers name of your pink resistance band.

Thank you so much ladies.

[Sneedle in reply to bethmoggie]

No problem 😊 This is the band:

mymeglio.com/products/resis...

The pink is the lightest.

I can't remember where I got mine from, this appears to be a set of three.

🌸

[Ashweb901]

Me! I'm 54. I have mild scoliosis that didn't need treatment when I was younger but it sure causes low back pain now, as the vertebrae (and their nerves) touch each other in the curve. Plus discover degeneration, whether due to age or due to PA or for me due to psoriasis arthritis, which I haven't been diagnosed with yet.....but I do have psoriasis of the fingernails and toenails.

I take low dose naltrexone (3mg) and it works really well. The pain doesn't disappear but it's much much better.

[EiCa]

Hi,

I have been in chronic and lately acute pain for many years due to degeneration and osteoporosis in my whole spine. The pain started 20 years ago in my SI an d lower lumbar area. Now I am in pain in my hips, femur and groin as well (along with upper spine problems). I have had a lot of physical therapy but trying to strengthen one area of my spine (mostly my hips/lumbar) always flares up another area. Example, trying to strengthen the muscles around my hips I put my knees into bad pain doing pretty simple quad strengthening. In other words, when I work on one thing another flares up and I keep having to quit because it is all just too much pain

I am trying to envision where you are putting these resistance bands. If you put them just over your knees and walk around, don’t they just fall down? I am missing something here. Thanks!

[bethmoggie in reply to EiCa]

Good morning, I’m so sorry you have so much pain it has such an impact on daily life. I had an almost pain free day yesterday but woke in the night in pain. I was told to strengthen my muscles and have been referred to an assessment programme, still waiting a month on, to hear from them. I think it costs about £40 so I can dig out the details if you think it might help you.

One of the ladies that replied to me uses resistance bands so will probably reply to your question on how to use it, not sure myself. I found some exercises I can do on arthritis research but of course it depends how my PA is affecting me. The best thing I bought is a heat pad and I use a gel ice pack if my leg is too painful.

I hope you can get some more help, I’m considering Pilates.

Take care.

[EiCa in reply to bethmoggie]

Thank you Beth, PIlates would be way too aggressive for me but I don't think you have the same amount or intensity of spinal degeneration that I have. Have you looked at blood flow restriction strength training? Someone on another forum suggested it to my. Because my bones, muscles, tendons, etc are so fragile, I am a little hesitant to try it but apparently they even use it on elderly people whose muscles are atrophying from too much bed rest. If you are interested, there are videos, etc on Kaatsu which use bands around your upper thighs/arms to kind of trick you muscles into being exercised even doing isometrics or just wearing them. Athletes use them too for muscle building. Anyway it is a thought.

Heat and ice gel packs are my best friends. I couldn't survive without them.

I am not sure my B12 deficiency contributed to the rapid deterioration of my spinal cord and surrounding tissues, but I suspect it did. I also have not been able to tolerate strength training for a very long time. I was not diagnosed with B12 deficiency for at least 10 years (maybe more). I had bloodwork but no doctor pointed it out. It was my own research that got me diagnosed and two years into treatment. I suspect it is too late to turn things around, but not for you!!! My case has been long-term and severe so don't be discouraged by me. I would encourage you to try everything you can to strengthen your core and all surrounding tissues. If you strengthen your upper body, you will be able to do the core exercises without flaring up that as well.

Best wishes.

[bethmoggie]

thank you for your reply, I appreciate all your advice. It’s difficult to take it all in when the doctor interprets the x-ray. I had a painful night so I’m hoping my assessment happens soon. My daughter is getting married next Saturday and I have a three hour journey to Kent so I’m taking my stick to help my pain.

You have really had a struggle to get a diagnoses and I’m sorry to hear that. My first attempt with a GP resulted in being told my fatigue was due to my age. I didn’t have a menopause so it wasn’t that, so I gave up and waited years before they did a blood test. I now inject myself every four weeks but the fatigue is still there.