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 :).

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.

These could help:

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

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

:)

I do not know if I am duplicating what Bobbi has posted, but look at these...

http://www.spineuniverse.com/display...article42.html

http://spinetalk.conforums.com/index...num=1156831550

Video on DDD...
http://spinetalk.conforums.com/index...num=1156832002

http://spinetalk.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=DDD

Hope these help....

Thanks! :)

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