MRI results

I don't see the back specialist until Tuesday but my mother works at the doctors' office so I called her and asked what the MRI report said.  It says I have degenerative disc disease in L4 and L5.  It said other stuff but I think she was mispronouncing stuff and I wasn't sure what she was saying, but that's the bottom line, anyway.

I know this sounds stupid, but I am kind of disappointed.  I'm probably the only person in the world that gets an MRI that is disappointed it doesn't show something terrible, but I kind of wanted there to be something really obvious that the doctor would say "Oh gosh!  Look at that!  No wonder you're in terrible pain.  Here's the problem and here is what we need to do about it."  What do you want to bet when I see him Tuesday, he recommends some NSAIDS?

I went through those same feelings...and the exact same L4-5 problem. I ended up going to a spine physical therapist and went through a few months of the "vax-D" (where they pull you apart and release the pressure so it can heal.) It worked wonders. At first, it hurt to walk, sit, lay etc. But after that I was free of pain, no surgery, and it has been 4 years.

 my aunt has the degenerate disc disease thing too she also had rny.

Hey Kelly, I was diagnosed with DDD about 7 years ago.  L4 and L5 are gone (yes missing), L3 is going and I lost an inch of heighth.  I went through Chiropractors and Orthopeds.  After being told repeatedly there was nothing I could do since mine invovled three discs I then I went through UPMC back/spine center.  I highly recommend this center (I know it's not exactly a stone's through from you but it might be worth the consult).  They told me I had plenty of options for treatment.  I went through several spinal injections which worked.  I've chosen not to do them since surgery hoping the weight loss would help; it hasn't.  I work with my trainer on extra stressing and picking an choosing which exerises can built back and core strength without hurting my back more.  At this point (when it doesn't take me down for the day), I fight through the pain and as much as I hate to say it exercise usually helps, but often makes it hurt more a few hours after.  If it becomes unbearable again; I would definitely do the injections again.  There are surgeries available for up to 2 discs but not 3 or more.  Don't accept them saying there is nothing they can do for you.

Thanks.  I had epidural steroid injections twice.  Both times it helped but only for about one month.  They won't do them that often, and it would not be affordable or feasible for me to get them once a month, anyway.  I did chiropractic and it seemed to be making things worse.  I also did physical therapy and it did not seem to help at all.  No one has mentioned surgery to me.

The pain is bad but not exactly unbearable.  However, it's to the point that it greatly interferes with my daily activities and I find that pretty intolerable.  When I go grocery shopping, I can only pick out items on the upper shelves.  Can't bend over to get something on the bottom shelf.  When I get home, I cannot carry heavy items into the house, have to leave them in the car until my partner gets home and can bring them in.  I carry in the cold things to put them away.  I cannot bend over to get something out of the oven.  I cannot get clothes out of the dryer.  The pain wakes me up multiple times a night.  It's not unbearable but it's miserable.

I know when it's there it's miserable.  One of my worst situations when it's bad is getting out of bed in the morning (which can take a long time), then getting to the bathroom when I really have to go by the time I get there and having great difficulty squatting (that action hurts more than anything), and if I successfully make it , the movement it takes to wipe causes huge pain.  Mine is usually worse first thing in the morning or a few hours after working out... and that squatting action whether just on a chair or using the bathroom about knocks me out.  Also trying to explain to people (like my husband) that are trying to be helpful, this can't be rubbed out like a muscle.. it's nerve pain and it's acute, is always a problem.  Tens units don't help much.  Jerking actions hurt... I especially hate it when I'm pushing a cart in a store and someone stops directly in front of me.

My twin daughters (35) had a similar exsperience they both went for a MRI a couple years after the previouse one and they both thought that FOR SURE things were worse because they felt so bad , one even was in bed most days and it came back the same , which wasn't good to begin with but nothing worse to say ohhh yea , of course some want to do surgery and others say they are way to young.......pain pain go away !!!

I so wish I could make you all feel better!! must be the mom in me

I wish you could too!  That's sweet of you to say.

Blah.  Now I'm getting depressed.

This back issue IS effecting your quality of life ( same with my daughter's) your life is limited by what your back and pain level dictates , I sure hope you can find some relief, in whatever way possible.
I would stay AWAY from a chiropractor , and my dad was one for 40 years, UNLESS he/she is activator ONLY method.
It's funny my daughters didn't have back problems until they had RNY and lost their weight and I had mt surgery to hopes to get my life back and avoid knee and hip replacement. My life for the last 2 years has been one of a near shut in and at times need help to shop ( from daughter's who need help themselves)....life is strange and not always so fun , but we all still have much to be grateful for !!

I fortunately had a really good chiropractor that ordered my first Xray and diagnosed me from that.  He stated he would not touch my back in this condition and began giving me referrals.  It was good he knew his limitations and pointed me in the right directions.