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Degenerative disc disease & pain management
Spine Health | Last Active: Jun 4 4:06pm | Replies (36)Comment receiving replies
Hi @eagoss - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, and thanks for sharing these experiences with DDD.
Glad the MRI saved you and you finally have the information you need.
You are right - each patient has to decide, with their medical provider's guidance, what is best for them. It's very individual.
You have said nothing at all offensive.
Unless I missed it in my rereading what you wrote, did you end up having surgery, in the end? If so, what was done, and how was the recovery?
Replies to "Hi @eagoss - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, and thanks for sharing these experiences with DDD...."
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@lisalucier Thank you for your message . Yes had surgery in January 2022 C6-7
Also surgery February 2023 Lumbar L4-5 . Also diagnosed with DDD.
I’m sure I probably add to the worsting of my spine conditions, doing way too much physically.
After the surgery in 2022 unfortunately I was left with Myelomalacia
The new MRIs revealed that C5-6 are slipping due to this condition along with the advancement of Modic 1.
My biggest mistake was not looking inside my body to see how my bones and nerves and spine health was progressing.
I thought I was doing all the correct things, for my physically healthy.
Now Having to see a physiatrist, a neurologist, also surgeon in neurology.
I totally understand why some people choose not to have surgery .
In my case the herniated disc was so large it was damaging the nerves affecting my spinal cord.
I am no longer candidate For hydronic gel shots , Lipo Gems , or PRP shots.
Unfortunately, again this is just me, Gabapentin does not work for me,
Ice & heat also physical therapy helps with the pain, Lidocaine patches also
I have had epidural shots in my Lumbar spine ,
Two spinal cord compressions , epidurals help somewhat , but again they are only Band-Aids.
I continue to look for non-invasive treatments. Also looking For any advanced trial studies . My biggest fear is irreversible nerve damage.
I’m still trying to find a happy balance where I still can participate in activities with my grandchildren take care of my property in the mountains and also take care of my physical and mental health .
Thank you again🌻 I joined Connect Mayo Clinic. Question & Answer & blog group. Hoping to read Other People’s experiences, with the intend to gain knowledge from various discussions . Maybe learning about Different techniques, Procedure’s that are helping others, with the same issues .
I’m sure with respect everyone has the same goal , to have a healthy spine.🍀