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Total spinal degeneration - next best thing I can do?

Posted by osteocurious @osteocurious, Apr 10 7:55pm

I am figuratively crushed. My sensations of tingling all over and sinking into the floor, my stumbling, my stiff back and tight torso are all attributed to complete spinal degeneration. Not just disc degeneration. MRI shows: marked Arthritis, multiple bone spurs, “kissing spine” (two boney parts touching), stenosis, disc degenerations and slight herniations, etc. Nerve conduction (EMG) test next. I have very little pain. Been there and done that thirty years ago with back surgery for herniations.
If anyone out there is experiencing similar degeneration or has and came out stronger and wiser - please be in touch. I am only 59. Oh. I have moderate osteoporosis as well.
What is the next best thing I can do? Besides take time to breath?
Thank you.

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Profile picture for GetWellSoon26
GetWellSoon26 | @vijay26 | Apr 11 1:25pm

Whay kind of work, do you do for living?

Are you on Medicare for people w disability?

I have everything you have mentioned here at age 75 yrs.
I decided to go into Hospice, as I got tired of visiting so many Drs and healthcare providers. Hospice is good for me, as they take care of excruciating pain w proper pain meds.

Try Hospice if you are mentally ready to let go off of all other interventions.

May peace and tranquility be w you.
W regards,
VJ

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osteocurious | @osteocurious | Apr 11 3:28pm

Hi. I do not work. I have good years ahead of me. I’m looking forward to learning more about how I can help my health and improve things. Thank you for the hug. Be well and I wish you many days of peace and joy on your journey.

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Retep51 | @peter51f | Apr 15 11:54am

I cannot give a good answer but just a suggestion.

Go get a 2nd and 3rd opinion of what is wrong and possible treatments.

I also have a very curved spine with disc problems and arthritis. I too experience a lot of back pain. Treatments first was go to therapy, which I did but did not do much good. I then went to a pain med doctor who gave me the shots in the back to relieve pain and that worked very well until this year. My last shot did not work so the doctor suggested burning of the nerve which helped. That treatment will only last 6-9 months.

I had 3 opinions which all came back as surgery since nothing else has worked I wanted to do the surgery 2 years ago but each time the doctor due to other heath issues said he would not do the surgery for at least 6 months and clearance from my specialists. First time my wife had a minor stroke and I postponed to help her out. Second was I had a minor heart problem and was hospitalized for a week. Third time my COPD got worse and my pulmonologist would not clear me. I caught a very serious infection which took a couple months to clear up. Last year I had cancer which the surgeries and treatment took almost a whole year. My last follow up appointment showed no cancer.

I now have an appointment with the surgeon in May. All my specialist have cleared me to do the surgery. We will see how that goes.

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osteocurious | @osteocurious | Apr 15 3:48pm
In reply to @peter51f "I cannot give a good answer but just a suggestion. Go get a 2nd and 3rd..." + (show)
Profile picture for Retep51 @peter51f

I cannot give a good answer but just a suggestion.

Go get a 2nd and 3rd opinion of what is wrong and possible treatments.

I also have a very curved spine with disc problems and arthritis. I too experience a lot of back pain. Treatments first was go to therapy, which I did but did not do much good. I then went to a pain med doctor who gave me the shots in the back to relieve pain and that worked very well until this year. My last shot did not work so the doctor suggested burning of the nerve which helped. That treatment will only last 6-9 months.

I had 3 opinions which all came back as surgery since nothing else has worked I wanted to do the surgery 2 years ago but each time the doctor due to other heath issues said he would not do the surgery for at least 6 months and clearance from my specialists. First time my wife had a minor stroke and I postponed to help her out. Second was I had a minor heart problem and was hospitalized for a week. Third time my COPD got worse and my pulmonologist would not clear me. I caught a very serious infection which took a couple months to clear up. Last year I had cancer which the surgeries and treatment took almost a whole year. My last follow up appointment showed no cancer.

I now have an appointment with the surgeon in May. All my specialist have cleared me to do the surgery. We will see how that goes.

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@peter51f
Thank you for sharing your story and offering suggestions. I have a neuro who wants me to see another neuro. The spinal MRI shows degeneration of discs and vertebra issues. Ligament and stenosis issues. Arthritis. I have NO pain but severe tightening of abdomen, torso and hips.
Dizziness and imbalance.
I was thinking why not see a BONE dr first? Anyway. Getting into a neuro for an EMG study is proving difficult too.
I am persevering. One day at a time. Thanks again and I hope your healing goes well.

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | Apr 16 12:26pm

I’m 74 and have osteoarthritis of my entire spine. I just had an MRI of cervical spine to verify if it was in line with my thoracic and lumbar spine. I’ve got bulging discs throughout with foraminal openings more severe on left than right throughout my spine. I was 5’8” and now 5’5”. Had fusion surgery L5-S1 in 1988 and I will not have any further surgery if I can help it. Movement is the key to better health regarding a bad back. I suggest yoga and or Pilates, walking not running, a physical therapy instructed exercise program you can stick with at home and adjust over the years as you grow older and your back gives you more problems. Now that I’m retired my main job is my back and pain control. I also have osteoporosis due to in part my injury and lack of doing the right things for my back years ago. Good luck with your back.

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2 replies
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osteocurious | @osteocurious | Apr 16 1:15pm
In reply to @jenatsky "I’m 74 and have osteoarthritis of my entire spine. I just had an MRI of cervical..." + (show)
Profile picture for jenatsky @jenatsky

I’m 74 and have osteoarthritis of my entire spine. I just had an MRI of cervical spine to verify if it was in line with my thoracic and lumbar spine. I’ve got bulging discs throughout with foraminal openings more severe on left than right throughout my spine. I was 5’8” and now 5’5”. Had fusion surgery L5-S1 in 1988 and I will not have any further surgery if I can help it. Movement is the key to better health regarding a bad back. I suggest yoga and or Pilates, walking not running, a physical therapy instructed exercise program you can stick with at home and adjust over the years as you grow older and your back gives you more problems. Now that I’m retired my main job is my back and pain control. I also have osteoporosis due to in part my injury and lack of doing the right things for my back years ago. Good luck with your back.

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@jenatsky I am sorry it has been a tough rough journey. I want to avoid surgery at all costs as does my neuro. I havent had a cervical mri just Thoracic and Lumbar. I guess I should. To get the whole pic. I really hope you find relief and answers. I saw Boulder University has a new therapy of injections into the vertebra that use your own cartilage from a dif area to grow bone. Maybe that will be avail soon. Take care.

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osteocurious | @osteocurious | Apr 16 1:16pm
In reply to @jenatsky "I’m 74 and have osteoarthritis of my entire spine. I just had an MRI of cervical..." + (show)
Profile picture for jenatsky @jenatsky

I’m 74 and have osteoarthritis of my entire spine. I just had an MRI of cervical spine to verify if it was in line with my thoracic and lumbar spine. I’ve got bulging discs throughout with foraminal openings more severe on left than right throughout my spine. I was 5’8” and now 5’5”. Had fusion surgery L5-S1 in 1988 and I will not have any further surgery if I can help it. Movement is the key to better health regarding a bad back. I suggest yoga and or Pilates, walking not running, a physical therapy instructed exercise program you can stick with at home and adjust over the years as you grow older and your back gives you more problems. Now that I’m retired my main job is my back and pain control. I also have osteoporosis due to in part my injury and lack of doing the right things for my back years ago. Good luck with your back.

Jump to this post

@jenatsky Also thank you for all the wisdom. 🙂

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