Disc Degeneration And Scolosis - Connected?

[WHEELSOFLIFE]

Hi

I am new here and can't seem to find my way around!...

I have such a need to find advise and help please.

I have lived with bad pain since 2002.. and life as become the pits.

I have three degenerative disc - one at top and two at bottom..

It has got so bad I have been in a wheelchair for the past 12 months.. I am awaiting trial for a new disc replacement here in uk.

I was promised I would have them asap.. now told that due to having harrington rods in back I am unable to be part of the trials and have to wait 1 -2 years when medical trial results are in.. only if good can they help me..

I can't live like this.. I have two children and a husband that are the best and they do all to help.. I need a good night sleep..

It's a killer to sit and type this but I need to find some answers and to find out if anyone else is like this or it is just me!

I have been told that the disc degeneration is nothing to do with RODS OR SCOLIOSIS! - what do you think?

That you for taking the time and reading my post...

Kind Regards

sad Uk Lady age 30 - scoliosis correction 1990 (15 years ago)

[CHRIS WBS]

So sorry to hear about the pain you are in. From everything I have read with regard to previously treated scoliois patients, disc degeneration above and below the fusion appears to be an all too common problem. I do hope and pray you will find a solution soon as you are too young to be in so much pain and wheel-chair bound.

Chris

[Sharon B]

My god I cant believe it, it was like reading about me, when I saw what you had put, I had my harrington rod in 18yrs ago at 16, it had broken by 1994 and have had a disc removed, I am now 34 and having been in a bad car accident, am suffering a lot. Have you had problems with MRI scans etc? because I've been told that they cant see exactly what the problem is because the metal-work distorts the picture. The same words keep coming up: gross disc degeneration and cauda-equina syndrome(???). So sorry to hear you are in a wheel-chair, I'm still managing with crutches but feel as if my spine just can't support my torso. Please let me know how it goes.
Regards, Sharon.

[5Terre]

I have disk degeneration and was told that is is a common occurance with harrington rods. I had my rods put in on August 1989. I was also in a serious biking accident in 2001 and have been dealing with pain since the accident. Sitting is just awful. I find that when I exercise on a regular basis my pain is better. Perhaps physical therapy may help strengthen the surrounding muscles taking some pressure off the spine.

I never had back problems prior to my biking accident. Now it's pretty awful. I am sorry that you are in so much pain.

SHARON, after my accident I had the same problem with MRI's the rodsweredistorting the images and could not be read. Which was awful because being in pain makes you want answers and since nothing could be seen I didn't get any special treatment. What was done for you?

[katblack]

I have disc degeneration and haven't had surgery yet.
many of my discs are in really bad shape and I'm getting six of them replaced with new plastic ones.

I hope you can find someone to help you.
I know all too well about pain and not sleeping well.
Good luck to you! :)

[The Professor]

I've often wondered about the link between disc degeneration and scoliosis. Does anyone that hangs out here know anything about the effects of torsion, stress, and pressure on vertebral disc fibroblasts or chondocytes?

Differences in levels of matrix metallopeptidases (that degrade extracellular matrix) have been noted when comparing the edge of scoliotic vertebral discs from the concave versus convex sides. Whether it's just a secondary effect or contributes to the disease is still anyone's guess.

[angela505]

I think disc degeneration has a lot to see with scoliosis. I'm 27 and haven't have a surgery yet. Recently I found out 3 of my disc are showing early degeneration and the lates notice is that I'm having a hernia in one of them. Pretty much scoliosis messed up our entire spine. I don't really know what's better: surgery and latter on have problems with broken rods, more surjeries and more pain or just live with the pain and discomfort that I'm used to have.;.......

toraco-lumbar: 53 degrees.

ahhhhhh and plus that my spine is twisting with the curve. :p

If some one there had surjery having the same problems. please let me know how everything went.

Thanks!

[purecain]

i have had terrible pain with my scoliosis from an early age and admittedly the curveture is only mild. i am 27 and started to get lower back pain also last year. after an mri i was told i was suffering from a degenerative disc in that area. i have been offered no treatment and told by a phisio that its all in my head to boot, in the face of phisical evidence. this contradictory behavior seems to be the norm with nhs doctors and professionals in the north of england. i'm afraid that if you need help in this country you need to have the money to pay for it. i have spent a fortune already and seem to be no further on with getting the propper help than i was 10 years ago.
this all makes me very unhappy as i live out my days in agony. i have a wife and child and feel i need to be healthy for them. i know exactly how you feel all of you living with this terrible burden and my heart goes out to you.....

[angela505]

Hey thanks for let me know I'm not alone. It makes me feel so good. I read your dr didn't gave you any treatment, that's horrible what kind of dr. is that one?. My Dr. as soon as he found out about my disc degen and hernia he order an epidural (cortizone) shot and yesterday they gave it to me. Even when I'm a little bit in pain because of the shot it sems to be working already. The pain in my leg is going away, probably if you ask to your dr he can send you one.

How bad is your curve?

[bbest]

Wheels, I cannot imagine what you must be going through. I wish I had some advice for you or knew all the right things to say. Please hang in there, don't give up hope. It sounds like you have a wonderful family. I will pray for a positive change in your condition.

Brandi

[waterpixie1327]

Hello. I'm sorry to hear about your pain and sleepless nights. I hear you, believe me! I also had harrington rods placed when I was 15.
I had the placement in Jan. 2002, and was diagnosed with disc degeneration in Sept. of the same year. Both of my parents and their parents have it. You may want to look into your family history. I've been told that it's genetic (degenerative disc disease).
Now, I am facing a second surgery most likely. I have an infection with the rods and they need to be taken out. I'm afraid, but trying to keep my head up. Thats the most important thing to keep in mind. With all these problems we have, the best thing to do is too be optimistic.
I've also heard, on this site, that after 18 months to 2 years of having harrington rods, if you have the rods removed, your scoliosis curvature won't come back. So depending on when you had them placed, you might be abe to have them removed.
I wish you the best of luck, and I'm glad to hear that you're family is there for you. Thats very important.
Good luck with everything, and I'm sorry I have no advice for your pain, I am having trouble with that myself.

[wheels]

Hello Everyone

I've changed user name because I changed internet supplier and forgot old password!!

I'm no further on since the last time I posted.. infact I'm worse.. I've had three hospital stays in the past 5 months each time for two weeks.. due to pain crisis.. or that's what they are calling it.

I collapsed at home and lost the feeling in the left side of my body.. and to make it worse.. the hospital staff where to busy to get me out of bed for 10 days so I had a dropped foot to go home with..

I was sick during the whole months of May,June,July. When I say it was upto 7 times aday.. hospital doctors didn't have a clue..

My own gp was my "God" he worked it .. it was the fentalyn patches I was on.. I had lost 3 stone and couldn't eat.. I only started eating proper food again two weeks ago..

I was ment to have a hospital appointment to see the spine specialist this wednesday and today I received a letter cancelling it because the surgery was too busy to fit me in.. i've had the appointment for 12 months and they cancel it two days before I go..

I'm desperate for help.. Noone (hospital doctors) are hearing me..

My gp is the only one.. but obviously his help is limited.

I don't know what the answer is but I just can't live with the pain.. I just can't get use to it even after all this time.

take care all
x

[ck43]

Hey, Wheels. Visit us also at Adult Scoliosis Surgical Revision. You will find many a kindred spirit in addition to those you have found here. You will also find some folk who got the initial run around from some doctors. I joined recently and have led the effort to virtually thwack them. Mama joins in the cause, via a phone call.

I have disc degeneration in my neck but was told it was too far above my rod to have anything to do with it. I believe my doctor. I believe others too though with disc degeneration above and below the rod.

I'm 43 and just came out of a really good scare and near 8 weeks continuous pain mostly in my shoulder. Slept fine most nights though.

You are too young to be in a wheel chair.

[wheels]

hello ck43

thank you for you reply.. When I brought my new electric wheelchair my two children came with me(aged 6 and 4).. hence I ended up coming home with a candy pink chair (barbie to our daughters!).. but it makes me feel good because they couldn't get over the fact it was pink!!.. makes me feel less of an old woman and more trendy.. I get alot of people stop and admire it!!! :)

Looking forward to christmas.. hubby has had to do all the shopping, I am not up to getting out at the mo... just hoping I am well enough to enjoy the festive time.. I am going to give it all I have.. I don't want to miss out with the kids.. they are at a great age..

Thank you again for posting me.

Kind Regards
x

[macky]

Hi Wheels, I to know where you are coming from. I have degenerated discs just like you. I have been in pain since 1997 and I do mean PAIN.

As you can see from my signature I had my operation in 1966 and honey believe me you arent by yourself. I do feel sorry for you as I know how debilitating it can be. I have 4 discs that are on their way out. I have lately had unbelievable pain near my right shoulder blade which is the side my rib hump (which I call it) is on, and that I cannot hardly stand.

I am thankfully not in a wheel chair as yet but I think yours sounds pretty cool, I mean if you have to be in one you may as well be in a groovy one.

God bless,
Lorraine. (Macky)

[wheels]

hello

Thanks for your reply.. it's nice to know i'm not alone

Best Wishes
x
:)

[purecain]

well nothing has changed in my situation only my wife has left as she was put off being with me by doctors saying they couldnt help with the pain. she couldnt deal with me being in pain all the time and said it brought her down. i miss my daughter terribly.

[Cena75]

Hi I just had surgery 3 months ago for several problems - one of which was disc degeneration below my original fusion.
Sharon, I also had cauda-equina syndrome prior to this last surgery. What kind of symptoms are you having?