Degenerative and bulging discs in spine

Hi

I have congenital fusion at C5/6 and both disc and Vertebrae damage to C3/4 and C4/5 with Narrowing but not compression (only recently found this out, as they scanned my back in 2008 and not my cervical spine), I also have a L4/5 Annular tear that I have had since at least 2008.

I get Pain in my neck and head (Formally Identified as Migraine ( but meds made me ill/ probably because it was due to undiagnosed neck problem) also get heavy ness in my shoulder on the right hand side.  currently waiting to see a new Neuro to asses Pain and hopefully resolve it.

Sorry its not much use, but hopefully we can share in the future.

Love light and peace

Storm  

I have been told by one gp (locum!) and he told me I had arthritis in my spine, my own gp tells me it isn't arthritis, she calls it "lack of disc space".  I have been told after an x ray that L1 - L5 have no discs in between them and the actual vertebra are wearing out, with L1 almost gone (90% missing).   I first started complaining about severe back pain when I was 14/15 years old, but my (then) gp. said what so many do - growing pains, also I was overweight and that was the total cause... It wasn't until I was 29 that I had the first x ray on my spine which showed the damage done, also there's a lot of wear and tear damage on the whole spine.. In fact the technicians reading the x ray phoned my gp and said the date of birth must be wrong, they hadn't seen damage like that people my age unless I'd had a major accident. I have been on many different anti inflammatories and pain relievers for about 15 years now, the latest is naproxen and dihydrocodeine, also had oxycodone for pain relief, but jad the spinal facet injections done in january and the doctor I saw at the hospital had me taken off the oxy. as they weren't relieving the pain but they are also an "obesitic" medication. (I knew my weight wasn't just down to a bad diet!) I'm also on duloxitine (90mg) for depression which is allegedly good for nerve pain too.            I don't know if this is the right group for this but hope to chat with anyone and maybe we can support each other.  

Over the years I've found Osteopaths very useful. I was in a wheelchair for a prolonged period following an accident that caused three slipped disc's. The pain was beyond words and I was very reliant on others for personal care and daily living. One year later, I still had disc bulges at L/3, L4, 5L & S1 and was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.

Seeing an osteopath eventually got me out of the chair. I was carried into the appointment, but managed to walk out with aid. I've had a few significant relapses over the years, but gradually things have improved to a manageable level and now I only visit if I get Sciatica or if I have a pain flair up. For me, Osteopaths are less forceful than Chiropractors and I have used them with moderate success to help other conditions like migraines and sleep issues with significant relief, but not necessarily irradiation.

I've been on Naproxin and Codiene for many years, but the Naproxin seems to be now causing me issues with my liver. Tremadol seemed to cause my skin to itch, so I'm back to the Codiene. Pain-wise I have good days and bad, but I'm aware that may be just as much about my Fibromyalgia as it is about the discs bulges in my back. Seems my condition is heredity as my father had Spondylitis, as well as disc bulges.

I hope you find some relief and I wish you well

hi. i had l5s1 decompression last july. i had my operation in turkey as i was given the ok to travel but ended up wheel chair bound on holiday due to severe impinged nerve.

i have been able to walk since surgery but am in constant pain every day and limited to what i do. my surgeon did a good job but unfortunately i reherniated i have had a couple of appointments to see a consultant here in UK but never actually seen anyone other than a junior registrar. i saw a private consultant last week and im hoping to see an improvement in treatment. 

i also have narrowing on my right side vertabrae which causes pain.

i dont take much in the way of pain relief as i was recently diagnosed pbc, (autoimmune liver disease).

i have never been taken seriously by gps/hospitals and im a little cross that i have been left to deteriorate.

wishing you all well.

claire