Digenerative Disk Disease

Hello All!
I had RNY in 2001 and am currently in the process of  seeing if I need a revision.  I was recently diagnosed with DDD and my DR put me on Voltaren(sp?) I didnt know I wasnt supposed to take these meds due to my RNY, so with my recent trip to the GI dr for some testing, I was told, by the GI dr to stop taking them.  They really do help with the pain and I'm so afraid of being that debilitated again.  I go at the end of the month for round 2 of the steroid injection in my lower back, but the first one gave me no relief.  Just wondering what other options are out there for DDD? Thanks in Advance.

ok so it took a bit for me to finally get the proper DX but I have degenerative Disc Disease and deg bone disease. It kind of sucks to hurt when I am at my most fit. But really honestly Skelaxin is a good muscle relaxer that is non drowsy and I can actually work while taking this. It relaxes the surrounding muscles and causes less pressure and pain. I was on Relafin for months prior to surgery and was a hurting unit when I had to stop since it was an NSAID. well the rheumy and I talked and decided that cortisone shots and the Skelaxin were the best choices. Really wonderful since I am so active..

DDD here too. I was on skelaxin for years. Now I am on another muscle relaxer, tramadol (useless), gabapentin ... and I am still in constant misery. My DDD is mainly in the C5-C7 region so it radiates into shoulders and skull. No fun. I also have OA and fibro.

Tramadol isn't a muscle relaxant, it's the generic for Ultram, which is an acetominephen/hydrocodone pain medicine.

Kind of like Tylenol 3.

I take tramadol prn for pain, and flexaril, whch is a muscle relaxant three times a day.

I have DDD and spinal stenosis.  I had a procedure done that really helped.  I don't know the official name, but they put microwaves into the nerves.  Check with your pain management doctor, they will know what you are talking about.  I had had many steroid injections before this procedure and they were useless.  Also, with the DS you can take the meds!

I had my second steriod injection the other day, while I have had *some* relief with it, the dr said if the relief doesnt last, then a third injection is pointelss.  I do go on Monday to get a "machine" I believe it is called a Tens machine, it will be little elctrodes that I put on my lower back and it will electronically stimulate the area.  He said it only gives relief to about 1/4 of the patients that try it, but at my age it is worth a shot.  I'll get to bring it home and use it...I'll get all the details on Monday.

Good luck with the tens machine.  I had one of those too.  It kind of feels good but didn't really help with the pain.  I had zillions of injections.  The only thing that helped was the microwave thing.  It was much more involved than the steroid injections. 

I also have had  DDD for 17 years now.  Been through it all, water therapy, physical therapy, pain management, epidurals, injections, and finally a trial stimulator where you shoot electrical charges to the nerves.  Found the stimulator gave a shock at a green light while driving.  So did not have it implanted.   Pain causes stress, and stress causes pain.  Get rid of the stress and you will find some relief.  Depression is also a part of the pain.  I have been on medicine for the last 17 years.  My WLS is scheduled for April 9th.