+37 votes
by (930 points)
Help!  Has anyone experienced degenerative disc disease?Help! Has anyone experienced degenerative disc disease? My husband was just diagnosed with that he is got at least 3 discs that are damaged and pinching the nerves. His general doctor only prescribed him naproxen (like REALLY!? ) until he sees an specialist which is weeks away, my husband does mechanical work on industrial machines so lots of movement, and hard work making his pain worst, many days he is barely able to stand up and I see him just getting worst every day. How can I help him, how do people manage pain in such magnitude? Any direction or advices would be appreciated  
Help!  Has anyone experienced degenerative disc disease?

35 Answers

+28 votes
by (1.3k points)
 
Best answer
I have had these issues and the fusion of three levels in my lumbar area. If Naproxen isn't cutting it, I would ask the general practioner for a steroid pack for a week which might help with inflammation. I also suggest he see a pain management specialist for stronger drugs or injections of steroids if possible . I don't know if they will allow that before specialist. The pain is definitely debilitating. I lived on pain patches, Gabapentin, injections before my surgery, which took a long time to get. However, I had a bone spur sitting on my L5 nerve in addition to the degenerative discs. I would definitely follow up with original doctor and say Naproxen isn't cutting it. Good luck to your husband on his journey.  
+19 votes
by (1.2k points)
My dad has had this since I was young he’s always in pain unfortunately after awhile pain meds don’t help you so he just deals with it now  
+23 votes
by (1k points)
I have a disc that occasionally sits on a nerve so painful! My surgeon gave me prednisone and it worked awesomely! Took away the pain until they could get me in for an MRI! Prednisone is a steroid not a pain medication so it will take a day or two to kick in but pain meds did not work for me at all
+25 votes
by (5.5k points)
I have degenerative disc disease. I just got my neck fused last month. That will probably be your husbands next thing. A Tens unit helps, warm baths and NSAIDs. Some days are better than others. The muscles and everything around it are impacted. Try a diet that can help reduce inflammation, stretch and exercise. PT will help. Never use chiropractors, they can not help, even though they claim they can. Steroids also help reduce inflammation, which then reduces pain.  
+29 votes
by (910 points)
Try CBD. My father is going through this right now. They were giving him codeine for the pain, but out of fear of dependence they have discontinued prescribing it. Currently his favorite time of day is going to bed cuz he get's some relief  But, He tried CBD once and it really improved his day. Looking into getting a medical card for him now.  
+25 votes
by (2.8k points)
I'd say physical therapy until he sees the specialist. They can make the surrounding muscles much stronger not putting so much stress through the spine. They can also help with modalities such as E-stim, ultrasounds, hot and cold packs. I work for Athletico. You dont need a script from the doctor anymore (it's called open access) so you dont need to wait for the appt with the specialist. He will most likely reccomend PT anyways. Good luck! Let me know if you need a hand getting in anywhere!  
+25 votes
by (3k points)
Sorry to hear that ☹️ does he wear a back brace yet? If not I'd try one of those.  
+26 votes
by (1.4k points)
Like many others here I have it been dealing with it for many many years- I had a time where it was so very bad I would be in bed for days upon days, at the ER for pain, feet up, ice, heat anything to help. I went to M & M ortho and was given an inflammatory reducer call Voltarin 3 times a day. they said it was a long shot and for some it works. It helped me for years. I was told it reduces inflammation. I couldn’t take it forever but it helped 100%- hopefully he finds some relief it’s horrible. I did find ice would help a lot
+21 votes
by (2k points)
Electronic Stimulus machine helps along with Lidoderm patches
+28 votes
by (2.1k points)
Just had disk replacement at Rush. Best thing I ever did!  
+27 votes
by (640 points)
I have DDD in my neck and in my lower back. I take gabapentin for the nerve damage and nucynta for the pain medication. I normally only take it in the evening to help me sleep but occasionally have to take it during the day. Tramadol did nothing for the pain and codeine didnt help much either. Nucynta has been one of the only things that helped. I had a ton of injections/procedures with little to no relief and ended up getting a spinal cord stimulator implant. I literally could not move my neck it was so bad. Now I actually have range of motion in my neck. The spinal cord stimulator was the ONLY thing that has helped. I get my second implant next week and can not wait to hopefully get some relief ♡♡♡
+19 votes
by (2.1k points)
Weed, pain relief oil or patches if the stores have them. Getting the medical card will cut costs, but the process takes awhile.  
+26 votes
by (7k points)
Yes my husband has it from being active duty for ten years he’s learned to manage with massage chiro and gym it’s a learning process to find what helps and not go to hard learn when u need to take down time ect he’s 34 and surgery is not worth the risk for him at his age he tried ablasions and such none of that helped he also lost over 60 lbs this year which has definitely helped and he wasn’t fat just large he’s super tall
+25 votes
by (850 points)
My husband has the same exact thing. He does not use any pain pills. He uses aleve, CBD lotion, chiropractor 2x/week along with a 30min massage. This seems to be helping him. He has had 3 consultations and two of them did not suggest surgery. Hope this helps  
+26 votes
by (3.7k points)
The nerve pain is what needs to be treated. Opioid pain meds do not address that. Gabapentin will help nerve pain- I’ve been on it for YEARS. I also take Nortriptilyne, along with the Gabapentin. About a year and a half ago, I had spinal surgery. I had a fusion, laminectomy and discectomy at different levels in my lower spine. Three herniated/degenerative discs. I have the same issue in my cervical spine. Have your husband see an interventional pain specialist to address his immediate issues.  
+22 votes
by (1.1k points)
I have DDD and I see a chiropractor to manage the pain. I’ve seen 2 specialists and they both have suggested surgery and it scares me. Regular adjusted twice a week have been working wonders. going on 3 years now!  
+20 votes
by (600 points)
I have it in my neck. The only thing that helped was the chiropractor. I did physical therapy first and it did not work.  
+21 votes
by (10.8k points)
May I suggest seeing both Dr Chris and Dr Mike Smith at Plainfield Chiropractic Clinic? Dr Chris is a chiropractor and Dr Mike is a naturopath who does biofeedback work. They might be able to get your husband back to a tolerable state in the short term while you all figure out the long term plan.  
+22 votes
by (1.4k points)
Talk to Dr Miller at Rose Fitness and Wellness. He’s amazing at helping the body heal itself! Good luck !  
+28 votes
by (2.9k points)
I know people mentioned stay away from chiropractor but I was at a point where I had pain and numbness down my legs. Went to chiro. Sent me for stat MRI without touching me and then sent me to primary who sent me to neurosurgeon stat within 3 days this all happened. When I got to the surgeon he was shocked at MRI results was willing to try Therapy. I asked if I could try chiro. He said only if they have traction bed which is what some PTs use. Mine does. If u want more info PM me. My chiro also understands primary medicine etc.  
+20 votes
by (1k points)
I get trigger injections at the pain and spine institute on black rd. Hands down best decision I did was walk in there after a year of PT, seeing the ortho, and regular chiropractic care.  
by (720 points)
This!  
+19 votes
by (1k points)
I would see Chris at Elemental care in crest hill. He’s amazing with pain management and directs where to go from there. Trigger point injections are amazing
+29 votes
by (1.1k points)
I just had my 2nd spinal fusion with a cage. Don't stop moving, I understand your going to feel like you can't move any more. But the minute you stop moving you lose your muscle mass & you ability to move in directions & places you could before. Gabapentin is a medication that has worked before. I'll be praying for you, theres nothing worse than pain.  
+27 votes
by (910 points)
Talk with Dr. Oki Villarreal Borowski with HealthSource Chiropractic of Aurora. She's the best chiro, I know!  
+20 votes
by (3.4k points)
Chiropractor traction bed and yoga really has helped me !  
+17 votes
by (1.3k points)
My best friend has this. She saw a chiropractor and had the therapeutic massages and that helped some.  
+28 votes
by (6k points)
It’s terrible. I have had it for most of my adult life. I suggest finding a good rheumatologist. Mine has been a god send. Pm me if you want to talk more about it.  
+20 votes
by (370 points)
If your insurance covers her dr grace cheng with dmg worked with mine and helped me.  
+20 votes
by (1.4k points)
My husband had a discectomy for a bulging disc, and his discs above and below that are also deteriorating as well. It wasn’t explicitly diagnosed as degenerative disc disease but his is a genetic problem. The discectomy was immediate pain relief and fairly non invasive-he has a very small incision and I believe it is done with a laser now. He had it done and went home that day. Before that, he had done PT and injections. At 29, his doctor said there was no reason for him to have this issue and that usually much older people have it. But he got the surgery done 6 years ago and has had no issue since. His dr didn’t want to do a fusion bc of the location of the bulging disc-it was in his lower back.  
+11 votes
by (1.4k points)
My husband has this. He was in horrible pain but started seeing a chiropractor after his primary doctor did the same thing. pain meds.  He is SO much better. He saw a pain specialist who suggested cortisone shots. He isn’t even sure he needs them as the chiropractor has helped so much.  
+12 votes
by (1.1k points)
Physical therapy, steroid shots where the discs are degenerating and consistently keeping up with the PT exercises at home (unless he wants surgery). These do work and help with the pain.  
+30 votes
by (2.9k points)
Ask his dr to prescribe a medrol dose pack. I assume the diagnosis came after the initial mri? He needs a steroid shot, but that will get him through and def help. If you need a pain specialist- msg me. Could probably get him in right away
+33 votes
by (2.9k points)
Believe It it i not- PILATES too
+8 votes
by (3.4k points)
Get him in to see a chiropractor - take it from a lady with serious back issues; Dr. Erik at Illinois Spinal and Sports Rehabilitation has SAVED my life more than once! Back pain is the worst because from the outside you "look" fine - but when your back is in pain it's hard to do EVERYTHING! He is a no BS chiropractor - will assess your hubby & see if he can help (and if he cannot - he will at least give him good advice on what his next steps should be). Good luck!  
0 votes
by (3.2k points)
Yes! Years ago diagnosed with same thing. PHYSICAL THERAPY will help for sure- its part of aging. I have no issues anymore. Strengthening the core muscles and be proactive with exercises are crucial. Best of luck!  
The Plainfield, IL Group is where you can always find questions, answers, advice, reviews & recommendations from other community members about anything happening near the city of Plainfield, Illinois.
...