canada, living in tx

44

arthritic degeration at C4,C5, and C6

my dogs

F, any age

My name is Kathy, I am 44 and have been happily married for 21 years. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and have been suffering ever since, the pain is unbearable. Everyday I cry and of course being from Canada I don\'t have medical. I have lost my zest for life and just need someone in my situation to talk to.

alabama

32

DDD

well now its only watching tv playing with the computer and little things i can do around the house

doesnt matter

im 32 got diagnosed almost 3 years ago with DDD since that time my life has changed alot i have lost my job, my marriage fell apart,lost my car, wife has the kids,i tried killing myself, i moved in with parents who dont understand the pain and limitations and a bunch of other stuff that has happend due to this back problem anyways i like listening to all kinds of music mainly rock/metal and i like watching wrestling,nascar,the walking dead,family guy,american dad, the simpsons,robot chicken,criminal minds,supernatural,pawn stars and all those shows on history and discovery chanels and i love watching comedies the most just so i have something to laugh at ...i watch just about anything those are just my main go to shows

ask me anything

Cincinnati, OH

46

Degenerative disc disease

Taking care of my kids, shopping, listening to music

Female, mother, wife, trying to cope with this disease.

Hi,
My name is Karen Maudlin and I am 46 yrs. old, married and a former pharmaceutical sales representative. I have children, 17, 15, and 3 yrs. old. I have had two back surgeries, fusion of L5 & S1 (anterior approach), fusion of L4 &L5. I live in chronic pain and I have a spinal cord stimulator implant to help deal with the pain. I have trouble sitting, standing or walking. I am a fighter! I had to have the second back surgery because there was movement in the cage at L5 & S1 and a screw was touching my S1 nerve root. Talk out pain, I had to see a Revisionist back surgeon at The John Hopkins Hospital to fix it. This surgery helped by about 50%. I have a wonderful pain management doctor who has gotten me through difficult times. I am on Nucynta ER, Oxycodone for breakthrough, Celebrex, Cymbalta, and recently Neurontin. The Neurontin is helping with the compression feeling from the DDD and helping me to move a little better. Every day is a gift and I want to make the best out of it!
I miss working but, I don\'t know what I kind of job that I could do.

I\'m looking for a pen pal to share treatment options and give each other hope. I want to to help people with DDD in whatever way I can.

NAVASOTA,TEXAS

53

DDD,SPINALNERVEROOT DAMAGE L3-4,L4-5,L5-S1 RUPTUERED,LUPUS

GRANDCHILDREN,FAMILY CANT SEW OR DO OTHER HOBBIES

SIMULAR TO MY SELF AND GODLY A MUST

IN JULY OF 1999 I BLEW OUT MY L4-L5,AT WORK GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE SYSTEM THEY WAITED TO LATE FOR SURGERY,SINCE THAT TIME I WAS TOLD BY MULTIBLE DR.S TOO MANY DISK TO HAVE GOOD OUTCOME I HAVE CONSTANT BACK PAIN PLUS LEG PAIN,HOT ELECTRIC PAIN ACROSS MY LOWER BACK,LEGS,AND HIPS,ANY ACTIVITY PUTS ME IN BAD WAY,ALMOST UNBEARABLE,I CANT STAND UP OVER 15 MINUTES WITHOUT MY BACK AND MAINLY RIGHT LEG FLARING UP WITH BURNING ACHING PAIN,I HAVE TO LIE DOWN! I AM SO ASHAMED OF NOT BEING A WIFE, MOTHER, OR GRANDMOTHER LIKE I WANT TO. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. I REST UP AND DO WHAT I CAN ESPECIALLY WITH THE G-KIDS, BUT I PAY DEARLY. I CANT SHOP,CLEAN,EVEN TAKE GOOD CARE OF MYSELF. I HAVE BEEN ON NORCO 10MG FOR YEARS. I AM ALLERGIC TO NSAIDS AND STERIODS ARE OUT! I HAD 10 INJECTIONS AT ONCE AND IT CAUSED ME PANCREATITIS!!! IT ABOUT KILLED ME IN HOSP.ECT. I CANNOT TOLLERATE EVEN SMALL DOSES OF STERIODS.THE ONLY COMBINATION OF MED THAT EVER HELPED ME WAS NORCO AND BACLOFEN, THAT WAS GREAT FOR A FEW DAYS UNTIL I ENDED UP IN HOSPITOL WITH STROKE TYPE SYMPTONS,DR. SAID NOWAY CAN I TAKE BACLOFEN AGAIN, I WAS THE ONE IN TWOO HUNDRED THOUSAND THAT HAD SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS! I NO LONGER HAVE INSURANCE, BUT I AM THINKING STRONGLY ABOUT GETTING ON STRONGER MED. I REALLY AM VERY SCEARD BUT TIRED OF THE WAY I CANT DO ANY THING, IM PRAYING GOD WILL LEAD ME TO THE RIGHT MED FOR MY SITUATION.I HAVE A LITTLE 4 YEAR OLD GRANDSON THAT RECENTLY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH 4 HEART DEFECTS , HE WILL BE HAVING OPEN HEART SURGERY ON THE 30 OF THIS NOVEMBER, AND I WILL BE THERE UNTIL HE COMES HOME, HIS MOMMY AND DAD ARE LIVING WITH US RIGHT NOW.PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM AND FAMILY.I NEED TO FILE FOR DISABILITY SO I CAN GET SOME MEDICAL HELP.WELL WHEN I READ EVERYONES STORIES I FELT LIKE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING. I ALSO FEEL LIKE AND PLEASE NO ONE TAKE OFFENCE, THAT DR.S ARE NOT TREATING US REAL PAIN PATIENTS, BECAUSE OF ADDICTION WORRIES, AND WANTING TO DO EXPENSIVE PROSEDURES THAT DONT WORK AND ARE DAMAGING US MORE. I WAS SKEDULED TO GET A DENERVATION DONE AND MY HUSBAND WAS LAID OFF, HENCE NO INSURANCE,I BELEIVE GOD SPARED ME AS IV HEARD THEY ARE DAMAGING AND DONT HELP IN THE LONG HALL! I WAS ALSO CONSIDERING GETTING THE WIRES IMPLANTED IN MY SPINE TO SEND ELECTRIC SHOCK TO STOP PAIN,THEN I FOUND OUT MANY,MANY, PEOPLE GET SEVERE STAFF INFECTIONS DUE TO OPEN ACCESS TO SPINE. WELL IM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STRONGER MED IN HOPES ILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE MORE IM LOSING ALL MY STRENGHT, IV ALSO LOST MY REFLEXES FROM KNEES DOWN . THE DR IM SEEING NOW WANTS ME TO GET ANOTHER MRI CAUSE SHE SUSPECTS EQUINA SYNDROME.WELL HOPE WE CAN HELP ONE ANOTHER I WILL READ ALL LETTERS AND PRAY FOR ALL.YOU ALL HAVE MY HEART FELT IMPATHY.POOR THINGS.

I AM GLAD TO HAVE OTHERS TO LEARN AND SHARE WITH, BUT SAD THAT THERE ARE OTHERS IN MY SHOES.

Ontario, Canada

60

DDD

playing piano, reading, knitting, yoga, home decorating, grandchildren, volunteering

another lady around my age

I'm retired and enjoy keeping busy with my many interests and hobbies.
Life is great but would be better without so much pain. Love to hear from you.

I had a terrible fall on the ice 3 years ago, and have been in a lot of pain ever since. My life and activities revolve around trying to keep my pain meds up so I can function. I'd love to talk to someone else who might have ideas or experiences with different treatment approaches.

Cincinnati, Ohio

39

DDD, disk degeneration, and spondylosis

reading romances, painting, gardening, hiking, animals, family

Female

I love to play with and spend time with my family

Am a great pen pal!

Iowa

37

DDD

Mother of 3 boys

Please email me so we can chat.

Please email me!

Tennessee

35

DDD

sewing, playing with my kids, playin pool, swimming, workin with animals

any help would be nice

I found out I had DDD just a few weeks ago, but I have been having problems for years and no dr would listen to me about it!! Now I don't know what to do cause I hurt a lot of the times. I feel bad not being able to be an active parent and go play football or other games with the kids. If anyone can help me understand this a bit better I would grealy appreciate it. I just want the pain to stop and be normal!!!

I want to be in better health but DDD is just part of the problems I have!

PA

40

DDD, bulging disc

Hiking, swimming, reading, flower gardening

just some who can relate

I'm trying very hard to be upbeat as I get ready for an Epidural Steroid Injection (shiver) I hope it's nothing like the spinal tap I had. I asked what the alternative to this injection was at Pain Management and I was told Tylenol & heat, I felt like I was slapped in the face, was that supposed to be some cruel joke?

Isn't there a tried & true way to deal with this pain? I've been dealing with it for 2 years now

Des Moines

37

Spinal stenosis, DDD, spondolythesis

weight training, walking, scuba diving, familytime

young at heart, optimistic at times, similar symtpoms

37, back pain since 23, chronic for years, difficult pregnancy, tried everything, can't have fusion -too many bad discs. Have to live with pain and make the most of it.

Has anyone tried spinal decompression?

Michigan

29 and holding

DDD

My kids, scrapbooking and sports

Any one who can relate

I am a recently diagnosed DDD sufferer. I felt as though I was in the prime of my life, when recurring pain became more than unbearable the last few months. I am a college student with three kids; 6 (who is autistic), 4 and 1 1/2, all of whom I adore - and whom I feel I am letting down. I have become unable to play with them, do things for them and meet some of their smallest needs. This is not how life is supposed to be, is it? I am looking to meet people who have been going through this, and maybe can offer some advice, or some helpful tips. I had the "I will beat this" attitude when I got home from the doctors, but after investigating and reading - it seems as though I must approach this with "how do I cope" attitude. Anyone out there who can bring something to the table, it is greatly appreciated.

Looking to cope!

reynolds ga 31076

48

ddd ra

clean houses yards

f anyage

crying

Iwant to get well and stop hurting all time

Dayton Ohio

43

Intractable Pain

reading romance novels, used to love doing things with kids and husband

anyone who can help me, support me, give me advice!!!

Okay was diagnosed with DDD in 2002 by my PCM (Primary Care Manager-MD) was told I would be on a specific treatment plan did the plan and lived my life normally, one year later in 2004 my PCM left (military Doctor) recieve care at military base, hubby is active duty. Anyways got new doctor and he decided to stop my pain management the other doctor had me on and gave me nothing, so switched doctor, this doctor wanted to put me back on previous anti-inflamatory and muscle relaxers which stopped working a year prior and my original doctor put me on a narcotic and muscle relaxer (flexril), told this doctor was down that road before and way pass that, but to appease this doctor said I would do it, Dec 2005 and Jan 2006 went to ER with Chronic Back pain and my back locking up in a bent over position server pain in lower back through the front right side in pelvic region and down rigt front side of thigh to knee 4 different times in a two month span, then switched doctors again, another MRI performed and found another buldging disc now have two in L3 and L4, this doctor put me on Glucosomine which did nothing then put me on ELevil which caused me to have suicidal thoughts, chest pains, nausea, constipation, server lathargic and moodiness. Stopped that med and from 2005-2006 have locked up on 5 occasions, I am only on mobic, and now for the past two months went from having pain and burning sensation when lying on right side to now having burning sensation and server pain in middle of lower back to the front right pelvic area to the back of right buttock, down in the back of my right thigh all to my ankle and my calf muscle on right side cramping all the time either sitting or lying down. The Doctors on base are doing nothing, they are passing me off from one doctor to another, nothing is being done and I am in constant chronic pain, can not clean my house, do laundry, have intimate relations with my husband, and all the doctors at the base just want to send me to mental health and call me crazy....I have no one who understands, I do not know what to do, I am tired on no-one listening and nothing being done, and getting worse and having no pain relief. Can anyone please help me??????????? Am I going crazy????????? Oh and by the way I am a mother of three girl 20 boy 16 and boy 7.
It has been two years now and have been in chronic pain with no pain relief, except for those times I have had to go into ER.

I am tired on feeling like I am a bad mother a bad wife and just over all home provider

Bartow, Fl

58

DDD, Osteoarthritis, Cervical facet syndrome, Cervical Spondylosis, Cervicalgia, Neuroforminal spinal stenosis

Love animals, bowling, gardening, swimming

any

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ny, moved to Central Fl in 1983. Married, 2 grown children

Would like to know what treatment people have received and if it help? Also has anyone applied for Social Security Disability and what was the outcome?

Indiana

18

Ruptured Disk, Narrowing of the Spine

Internet, Video Games, Reading, Horror Movies, Cats, Dogs

:) Anyone

I'm getting ready to have back surgery, 10/30/06

I'm glad I found this website.

MI

24

Annular tear in L5-S1, mild bulg of L4-L5, and bulg in T1-T2.

Watching sports, education, stem cells, technology.

Someone around my age between 21-26

I have suffered from back problems for 3 years now and every day, month, and year my health gets worse. I was once very much involved in sports and running, but it seems time has pasted me by. I am on a handful of medications and hate the person I have become, because of the pain. If I had a dollar for every time a doctor told me I am too young for the problems I have, I would be well off. I am a shell of the person I once was, but the good news is that my condition will not kill me. :) Wow that is great I get my own personal torture.

I have done more research then most people spend time doing their taxes in a life time, trying to find my cure. For all of you new to your back problems let me save you some time and sleep. THERE IS NO CURE! My advice do what you can now, because you may not beable to do it again.

Illinois/Michigan

34

ddd, nerve root imp, spinal stenosis,

pugs, crafts, receipe xchange

female any age with confirmed diagnosis to talk

I am married and have three children. The condition reared it's ugly head about 6 years ago after the birth of my second child and I was orginially told it was my pelvis that didn't "grow" back together properly after pregnancy. That was not true had surgery in 8/2005 and have been on horrible medications since and probably forever. Have been fighting disability for a year and I am waiting for a hearing date at least I have someone representing me which should help with the procedure.

n/a

europe

good guestbook :). hello .from europe!. this .is free guestbook ?..

Online drugstore

Life is good)! pharmacy USA

maria

Nice site :) good book_)