Cervical Degenerative Disk Disease....anyone?
 

I was diagnosed with Cervical DDD almost a year ago now but have been seeking treatment for the past 5 years. I am in constant pain from muscle inflammation and am currently having a terrible flare up. It gets so bad, I have a vegal reaction causing sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting all at the same time *fun*. I'm only 29 years old. I'm wondering if anyone else is dealing with something similar? I have done physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, and use medications to "control" the pain. And here I sit in agony. Does anyone with similar experience have any ideas?

I'm not sure what you mean by a vegal reaction, and found nothing by searching.
You may need to review medications and anything else that you take to see if the cause is there.
It may be unrelated to the DDD.
It may be more to do with stress.
I have similar spinal DD and I take mainly pain meds to handle it, with an occasional Celebrex anti-inflammatory, plus gabapentin.
They all help with the bone type of pain, and a bit with the muscle pain, but by far the best treatment I've found for muscular pain is magnesium chloride.
It is also called magnesium oil, and is just mineral rich deep-sea water.
You rub it onto the skin several times a day, ideally on the sore muscles, but anywhere is good.
Personally, I found that a bit of a nuisance so I now drink 1 teaspoonful in a large drink bottle of water, sipping throughout the day.
The results have been amazing, stopping all of my muscle pain in 2 weeks.
Have a read about it online, and you may then like to try it.
It is the best thing I have found, better than remedial massage too as it works permanently.
Once you have the muscles back to normal, you can then try exercises again.
I have been told that it is important to keep active, other wise the spine gradually seizes up, restricting movements and activity.
I use Echolife magnesium oil.
You can also get powders and tablets, but the oil is far more effective and faster.
Take a good multi vitamin as well as you need to have calcium for the oil to work well.

Peter,

What mfitz is speaking of is a vaso vagal response. Pain and/or the severity of the pain can be a trigger. I used to experience them all the time and there really isn't much one can do. I was always told to put my head down and breathe slowly and deeply. My experiences with this was definitely due to the severity of the pain.

mfitz, what does your MRI report state?

Hi Mfitz ~ I'm sorry you're suffering so. I have degeneration from the cervical all the way down to the lumbar, and I've had surgeries on the lumbar.

I'd suggest that you ask for a referral to a pain management specialist so you can get your pain under control. These docs are usually anesthesiologists, and can give you many many options for pain relief. These include spinal cord stimulators and morphine pump implants. These two implants give peoples lives back to them. There are many other options too.

Do me a favor tho ~ please do not see a chiropractor again. i've been told my 2 different Neurosurgeons that any spinal patient is risking paralyzation and/or the wheelchair by going to chiros. Just one wrong push, pull, tweak can put you in a world of trouble.

Best of luck and I hope your pain is relieved. God bless. hugs, Lee :)

Thank you all so much for the support. I see an osteopath every four weeks and at the time i had this last flare up, i had missed an appointment and went about 7 weeks without treatment. He does some manipulation, but also does muscle work too. And i def notice a difference when i miss an appointment. Peter, thanks for the tip about the magnesium oil, i will definately look into it! I'm open for anything at this point! I do take a pure form of fish oil, glucosamine capsules, and zyflammend (an herbal supplement that promotes a health inflammatory response), as well as a multi vitamin...I'm trying but I'm afraid I need to take it to the next level. Only problem is, I'm currently without insurance :(

Re:cervical
 

:Good-Luck:[I have cervial disk disease too. Get a good pain specialist. I am Post fussion C-6-7 have lots of degernative issues. I do get good pain control from my specialist. If the pain gets worse, he does respond accordingly. If you have cervial disk disease, perhaps a neuro Dr. would be best for you and not a chiropracter, it is too risky to a really important area of the body. I had a doctor pulling up on my neck before my MRI, bad idea. I am new to this site and looking for support too.

I have DDD, but it's in my neck (mild) and lower back (severe). I don't have all the same symptoms you have since it is a different location, but I do have severe pain. I also have peripheral neuropathy and 4 other back conditions.... the neuropathy is what causes most of my pain.
I don't respond to any medicine--even strong narcotics. Yesterday I was just put on the fentanyl pain patch, so we'll see if it is strong enough to work for me. I really hope that you are able to get some relief soon. I know it's not easy and it's not fun to be in pain all the time... I've been dealing with this pain all my life... I'm 24, and not sure if you feel this way... but I feel 90 most days since I am totally bedridden... and feel as if I am missing out on the best years of my life. If you would like to chat more, feel free to message me--I haven't found many on this site around my age--most are much much older... which is fine, but it's hard to relate when most people have seemed to have a rich and happy life before the pain even started (though I realize that is NOT the case with all, especially probably on the chronic pain board, which I don't frequent....).

I do have the same symtoms have neck surgery a stimulator implant nothing has work.and still the doctor is saing that I'm faking.is terrble

pain and the stomach
 

I had this responce before I got pain control with a specialist. I think it was my nerves and the combination with pain. The doctor said it was in my head but I know pain was the trigger. I am sick now just from my new CT scan, can't eat. I know it is an emotional responce I am not dealing with it to good.I am emotional anyway just my basic disposition. All these upsets do get me to feel sick. I am on this site today, just to try to feel a bit better about things. glad to meet you, and hope that you are better.

Hi mfitz,

I have cervical DDD (c5-c7) with muscle spasm flares. I've experienced vaso vagal response, but not in relation to my DDD. Like others here, I was advised (by my orthopedist) to avoid chiropractic for neck disorders. I concur with the suggestion to seek a pain specialist/clinic. There are still therapies that you haven't listed.

Couple of questions:
What kind of PT?
I went through different courses that tried different regimens for the same underlying condition.
What kind of massage therapy?
Shiatsu did nothing for me. Myofascial Triggerpoint "massage" did a lotfor me; the knowledge/skill of the therapist is crucial. Our therapist taught us how to do it at home, and we use it regularly for a variety of muscle problems.

Have you tried:
TENS
Magnesium, other supplements
Hot/cold
Yoga, Meditation, or Tai Chi
Steroidal/nerve block injections

There are more, but those are off the top of my head. Check out (search engine) some more informational websites for your particular dx and for chronic pain.

If you are still sitting there in agony, it would seem the meds aren't working and your pain is not being adequately addressed. A change may be in order, but that's between you & your doctor. You have to be your own advocate and communicate with him/her. If pain patients don't communicate that their pain is not being adequately treated, doctors assume that nothing is wrong and that no change is warranted.

Doc Smith (IANAMD)
Oh, the pain... THE PAIN...