NeuroTalk Support Groups - Anybody know of any good articles re degenerative disc disease?

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Spinal Disorders & Back Pain (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/)

- - Anybody know of any good articles re degenerative disc disease? (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/191-articles-re-degenerative-disc-disease.html)

Anybody know of any good articles re degenerative disc disease?

I'm looking to gather information about degenerative disc disease. Searched via google and found some basic out of the book stuff.

I'd like to know more practicle ways of dealing with mild degenerative disc disease.

Thanks

PS no this isn't for me personally.

I wish I could access the sites I'd posted in a "Sticky" for our BT home, ZS. If so, I'd have oodles of links, I think. But, since I don't, I'll focus on searching my drives for what I saved and share links (by morning).

One of the most difficult aspects of being displaced from BT is: No access to info. shared earlier :(.

wayback machine may be a way to find old BT1 info

Thanks, Newbie. I wasn't around for SD1 but in the SD forums more recent years (past two or so). I bet, though, you're right, and there is just a ton of insight still waiting to be re-read :).

also Zombie slayer CareCure Community is a spiney forum ...they might be able to help.

CareCure is more focused on Spinal Cord Injury (SCI); there are distinctions between SCI and Spinal Disorders (SD) as K*L*D - a SCI nurse - pointed out here:

http://forums.braintalk2.org/showthread.php?t=81

P.S. I'm not saying CareCure would not be able to help; the folks there understand spine related topics far better than many. Just saying, SCI is different from SD, is all.

opps. not being a spiney I did not know the difference. Sorry

No need to apologize; your willingness to help is what counts. Isn't that what we're all here for, after all :).

I would like to think so.
But there seems to be a lot of attacks about BT1 that makes me wonder.

But as ZombieSlayer says on a different thread, some interesting points have been made.

Don't worry about all of that; there are valid points being made only don't lose "you" in the process of reading everything :). Gotta keep your positive traits while you're helping, too. And, you are!

As for the person you know with DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease), ZS, you didn't mention what level of the person's spine is currently presenting with the most prominent "problems" or symptoms. That can affect what some may suggest. Heck, I ain't a doctor, just a person with a messed up spine (from throat to butt - no joke! :D).

You may have already seen the following:

A Patient's Guide to Degenerative Disc Disease
http://www.umm.edu/spinecenter/educa...c_disease.html

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
http://www.charitedisc.com/charitede...iscdisease.asp

Exercise for back problems: doctor answers patient questions
http://www.spine-health.com/backtalk...rcisepain.html

DDD & Aging
http://www.chirogeek.com/000_DDD_Page-1_Aging.htm

If I were the person, though, I'd have a sit-down or face-time with my treating physician and ask the doc what he or she advises; since you said it's "mild," my thought leads me think that conservative would be the initial approach. Too, though, that depends on things such as symptoms, age, ROM (range of motion) and other factors.

Not only will the doc's opinion, after assessing history, films and so on have influence, so, too, might the person's insurance (thinking that the person possibly has some coverage). Many carriers start with the expectation that the conservative approach will be tried first: maybe exercise (based on the doctor's assessment), PT, NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory), etc.

The doctor the person is seeing will likely, either, coordinate the treatment or make referrals if the doc thinks that's appropriate.

So, first thing, if I was in the person's shoes, and ohhh, I think I've been there, is: I'd ask the doctor what next? and also ask the doc: "If I were a family member, what would you suggest?"

I think, as well, being assertive is key. And, too, so is remaining active without hurting oneself. To strike that balance, a doctor can help guide toward that direction.

I'm sure others will share even more ideas :).

Thanks for the links and replies everyone :)

Ok a bit more info

DDD at L3 to S1 without any significant large herniations. No significant lumbar spinal stenosis.

I will most definately be checking the SD forum when BrainTalk comes back.

I'll see what I can find specific to L & S spine DDD either before going to sleep tonight or after work tomorrow. I saved a ton of sites - prior to when BT encountered probs. I'll post the info. after I've relocated, ZS :).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieSlayer (Post 1120)

ZS, I think one of the reasons that the info. you're finding on the Net is generic or rudimentary is: It's impossible for anyone sharing the info. on a site to tailor it to everyone who will seek/read the info. ;). Without knowing if each reader is asymptomatic or symptomatic, with mild, moderate or severe progression, age, history, lifestyle, and a garden variety of other facts: The info. is pretty much kept to general statements.

Having interacted with you at the BT Computer/Tech and Feedback forums, I think we both know: The Net isn't a replacement for advice from a competent, licensed, medical professional :cool:.

Many doctors, these days, don't mind if a person has a friend or family member accompany to appointments. Because of the "take of your clothes" aspect of exams :eek:, though, the patient might want to wait for someone to join-in when the doc does the "let's talk about it" stuf.

Not everyone needs or wants someone to go along. Some people, however, prefer it, especially when it's a "new" or recent diagnosis and that, alone, for some is overwhelming. With more ears present, it increases the chances that even more will be retained during and following appointments - and, too, that more questions might be thought of and asked.

Practical suggestions for the person:

- Relax.
- Have family member or friend go to appointments if that could help.
- Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry; I don't understand. Could you repeat that in layperson's terms?"
- Take notes. (Or, as I do, and my doctors don't mind, have the doctors make bullet point notes during the appointment(s) of things thought important or wanting to be remembered and possibly checked out and reviewed later.
- Ask the doctor for a treatment plan that is specific to the person and his/her condition.
- Find out if the doctor has "take-aways." For example, my neurosurgeon subscribes to a service and purchases a plethora of patient-centered, helpful information that he freely gives to patients. The material is also condition-specific.
- And, maybe most important: Get a second (even a third, fourth, etc.) opinion if surgery is suggested.
- Finally, be an assertive and an active participant in one's health care and treatment. If lifestyle changes are suggested, that's something that someone really needs to give serious thought, since someone doesn't want to sabatoge his/her own future health :).

Those things all said, here are a few more links...

Lumbar DDD
http://www.spine-health.com/topics/c...g/degen01.html

A Patient's Guide to Degenerative Disc Disease
http://www.spine-health.com/topics/c...g/degen01.html

Lumbar Disc Disease: Family Guide to Neuromedicine
http://www.muhealth.org/~neuromed/lumbardisc.shtml

It will be good when BT is back; there is such a wealth of information within the SD forum. By doing a "search," youre sure to discover so much more info. and ideas people have shared about DDD - and as it applies to the L & S spine levels.

I hope some of this has helped, ZS.

Yea I know the net has nothing on Drs.

I didn't think of taking notes or having someone else take notes. When I was there the Doc was in a hurry (HUGE accident on the freeway) and rushed the explination.

The patient has been trying (with my help) to get copies of their medical record and we are going in circles. I've even mentioned legal action and was told to come back on Wed (30th). So we'll see how that goes.

One of the concerns that I haven't been able to clearly answer is "is DDD hereditary"? There is a small history in the family of DDD, but we don't know if everyone who might have suffered with it actually reported it *stubborn family*.

DDD, in some, can have its roots in genetics, ZS. If you want, I can post the info. about it :).

Also, under things affecting patients and medical professionals, there is a given time-frame by which records have to be given to a patient requesting. That time-frame is dependent on which state the person is in and whether the request was put in writing. I'd make sure it's in writing; there might also be a fee for the copies.

I've always had to pay for copies for long-ago records stored on archaic types of "docs having access" means; in other words, those who aren't up with technology and data storage means that are modern-day had a fee. But with my present-day doctors, I'm not charged. They give me whatever I ask for and advise their staff.

The shortcut I've found is asking my doctors directly :D. The docs, then, tell their staff to make copies and I leave with them.

I may be fortunate, I dunno, but I think I really lucked out with my neurosurgeon, too. His belief is that films do not belong to the imaging centers. He orders the copies and he makes notes during appointments and hands over the films to the patient at the end of the appointment :). He's never inflated the billing because he's given the radiographic imaging and reports.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombieSlayer (Post 1566)

One of the concerns that I haven't been able to clearly answer is "is DDD hereditary"?

These could help:

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH...WSSAN283|~b,*|

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...%22heredity%22

:)

Thanks! :)

Looks like I have some more reading to do (maybe get the patient to do some reading too). :)