I know that many of us have dual diagnosises. I got my x-ray results back from after my car accident and it shows DDD, which my GP insists upon calling DJD (degenerative joint disease) and arthritis in the neck. This would explain why my flare-ups are so bone-sawing painful and triggered by weather. Here's what it says:

"The cervical spine is adequately visualized to the level of T1. Multiple views show the cervical bodies are normal in appearance and alignment. There is multilevel degenerative disc disease in particular at C4-C5, C5-C6 and C6-C7. Anterior osteophyte formation is present. There is loss of normal cervical lordosis. No fractures are identified. Oblique views demonstrate normally patent neural foramina. The perevertebral soft tissues appear unremarkable."

Funny how the reading has no mention of missing 1st ribs!! I'll post this over in the spiney forum too, but was wondering if anyone here had an idea of what DJD encompasses? Is this why my shoulders crackle and have broken vessels around the shoulder joint? Should I have a Rhumey workup? And what is osteophyte formation - deteriorated bone? 'Caust that's what it looked like on the x-ray.

At least I know I'm not going to get better and I can moderate my activity accordingly. No whipping my head around, or thinking 'if I had just worked harder'... but what I worry about is my last c-spine x-ray in 2000 was clean. This had to start developing after my surgeries, which means it's rapidly progressed.

On the up-side, I just faxed 23 pages to Emory's Pain Mgmt. Clinic and have an appt for an interview next Monday. I'm hoping they will accept me, that they have the expertise to treat me, and do it within medicare. A tall order for sure.

Wish me luck, family!
Anne