Connecting to those w/diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)?

@tallyteresa
Thank you for posting as I'm here to see if there is some information to help my husband who is newly diagnosed-also cervical with concerns of bone spurs and growing into esophagus. Thank you for sharing your surgery hx and the disagreements with providers is a good heads up. I've read a bad outcome with osteophyte removal and glad that you had a better result.

Can you share which MD you see at Mayo? Your experiences? Suggestions? We are considering if we should go there or local care. We've been seeking out latest research, trials, anything that may lead to a way to slow down progression, along with supporting your body at the cellular level.
He was diagnosed from xray at chiropractor and wondering if next step is Rheumatology, CT scan, MRI as a herniated disc with nerve compression an possibility.
We are in the first stages of learning and sorting out a path.
Thank you kindly and thinking of you and your recovery!

@toddwgwen Newly diagnosed with DISH or the cervical issue or both? It has been awhile so I hope my memory is correct, but I believe Dr Selby Chen, my neurosurgeon who did both cervical spine surgeries for me told me that a CT is needed to confirm DISH. I am glad we removed the osteophytes causing my problem, otherwise I imagine my life would be far less comfortable and enjoyable. I do not seek care for DISH there or anywhere. When I checked years ago, there was really nothing that could be done so I did not want to monitor progression unless something became so problematic that it warranted investigation and possible remedy. What helped most with symptoms from it and other maladies was the 15 day program I did at Mayo JAX through the Pain Rehab Clinic. It not only is for patients with chronic pain, but lots of other chronic conditions. In that program, we learn tools to live with challenging health problems in a way that actually keeps us away from unnecessary Dr visits and medications! I seldom come on Connect because we do not talk symptoms, diagnoses, or prognoses as a matter of practice. I now take no prescription meds or otc pain relievers and actually have far less if any of that "p" word than when I took them. To be frank though, I, on my own, take Vitamin D and Vitamin k-2 because of incidental findings of too much calcium along with a couple of other Vitamins my drs have me on due to other issues. If there is newer research for DISH, I have not looked which in itself is a huge change. I used to volunteer counsel newly diagnosed cancer patients and others as well and spent an inordinate amount of time doing the Dr Google thing. Now, I focus as much as possible on doing what I learned to do in PRC to be as healthy and happy as I can be. I have come a very long way in the 3 years since I graduated. Still have had surgeries and the acute thing here and there, but recover faster and with as few meds as possible. I would encourage you or anyone to seek care at a highly ranked, top volume medical center. Back in my counseling and caregiving days for my husband and other family members, I learned that patients who seek care at these places statistically live longer and better under their care. I call myself a medical tourist now because I moved to JAX to get that kind of care. It shows and has changed my life. Not on paper if you look at all my diagnoses, but in the way I am now able to live my happiest and healthiest life since I finished that program. At age 70❣️ I hope this is of any help to y'all and wish you both so well as you figure out what your next steps will be. Mine, if all continues to go well will be a year in Europe which I have never visited!

@tallyteresa \

DISH is at C4-C7 with bone spurs. In addition nerve issues radiating down left shoulder, arm and inflammation.
It was a great benefit to us to read your reply-thank you! It was good to hear your experience removing osteophytes. Also good information regarding 15 day Pain Mgmt Rehab program at Mayo! Something for sure to look into. Mayo-Rochester is closest for us. We have been seeking a path to begin with more scans/specialist care and debating on local or larger facility and your feedback was helpful here as well. We are in Dr. Google mode which did lead me here so am appreciative of your time and sharing your journey. We also are seeking cellular health, helping body to heal itself to help ensure vitamins and minerals are able to be accessed by cells. Appreciate your Vitamin intake. In our research we were hopeful with some human trials in ENPP1 Deficiency-a 21/11/25 article suggested potential targeted therapies for DISH. I deep drive shows these are primarily focused for Rickets -pediatric patients as high mortality disease.
I'll be continuing to learn if ways to reduce bone spurs or prevention of calcium overgrowth. As mentioned with new diagnosis we are in learning mode.
Thank you again for your reply-greatly appreciate and we wish you the best-you are doing great!