Patient Comments: Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica - SymptomsWhat were the symptoms and signs of your degenerative disc disease and sciatica?
Comment from: Kim1522, 25-34 Female (Patient)
Published: May 14
I have had degenerative disc disease for about ten years now. I got it when I was 22, and it took 7 years to get it diagnosed properly. Because of my age they were not looking for this. I have read some of the other posts and one lady said she thinks her life is over. The thing with degenerative disc disease is yes you will have pain but it does lessen with time. Once the fluid had drained from you discs the nerve pain stops and you will just have muscle pain. Yoga is the best thing you can do! I do relaxation yoga and I will have periods of time with no pain after this. It lengthens your spine and stretches your muscles. Try it! When my pain first started I had a nine month old baby and it was horrible, but you learn what makes it worse and what makes it better. Join a gym with a great hot tub and yoga classes. Water physical therapy is great too. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: Ole66, 45-54 Female (Patient)
Published: May 09
I had a rupture disk that sprang out sideways unto my sciatic nerve. I could not do anything but lay flat on the bed. Sitting down was impossible. Standing for a number of minutes was too painful, but siting sent me through the roof. I had part of the disk removed, the part that had broken onto my sciatica. However, it was the most painful surgery I have had in my life!! Today, I am still struggling with my sciatic nerve, for there was nerve damage and the pain is back. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: syb, 55-64 Female (Patient)
Published: January 20
I have pain in the area of the 4 lumbar disc problems with the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve which the both have the 4 lumbar disc and their root to the spinal cord. The femoral nerve which controlled the bending of the knee in the thigh area made it difficult to walk up and down stairs I used my good leg to do this at work. I also had paralysis in my left leg and I have a rash on the right side right near the 4 lumbar discs. I have no reflex which the 4 lumbar disc nerve has it was absent when tested on both legs I am afraid of permanent damage to my spine in this area I have had two episodes to date. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: gramma, 55-64 Female (Patient)
Published: December 01
I have had degenerative disc disease since 2007. My mobility is affected requiring the use of a cane. I experience burning pain at times in the lower back which shoots down the buttocks and into knee area mostly on the right side. When I walk, the pain intensifies and feels like a band which tightens the back further hindering mobility. With each MRI there is a significant change. I am in pain daily. I need help with chores I use to be able to do myself. Sometimes it hurts too much to drive. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: steve grier, 65-74 Male (Patient)
Published: April 12
I have had two lumbar fusion and one cervical fusion surgeries. In the past four years, I have peripheral neuropathy from the lumbar surgeries – the chronic pain is constant. I've tried everything – a pain management doctor, massage, yoga, etc. I have now been using a cannabis salve for the last three months, and this, along with a neurostimulator implant, has changed my life. With the salve, especially, I have no side effects at all. I am off all opioid meds and take an aspirin every few days. I know I will never be the same as before all of this – the nerve damage can't be fixed and I must use a walker. So be it. I can now go to the gym, use a stationary bike, a treadmill, and lift light weights with no to very little pain. I buy my salve from a state medical marijuana dispensary. Without the salve I would not want to life the rest of my life with chronic pain. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica - Effective Treatments
Question: What treatments have been effective for your degenerative disc disease or sciatica?
Patient Comments are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. |
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Suggested Reading on Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
12 articles-
Pinched Nerve
- A pinched nerve can be caused of a variety of conditions, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disc, sciatica, arthritis, spinal stenosis, trauma,
-
Lower Back Pain
- There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and
-
Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Also known as degenerative arthritis.
-
Neck Pain
- Neck pain (cervical pain) may be caused by any number of disorders and diseases. Tenderness is another symptom of neck pain. Though treatment for neck
-
Radiculopathy
- Radiculopathy, a condition in which a nerve or nerves along the spine are compressed causing pain, numbness, weakenss, and tingling along the nerve(s).
-
Spondylolisthesis
- The five types of spondylolisthesis include 1) dysplastic, 2) isthmic, 3) degenerative, 4) traumatic, and 5) pathologic. The most common symptom of spondylolisthesis
-
Pain Management
- Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain.
-
Herniated Disc
- A herniated disc may be caused by injury or degeneration from age. Symptoms depend on the location of the herniation and whether nerve tissue is being
-
Chronic Pain
- Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises
-
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Lumbar stenosis can be caused by degenerative arthritis (the most common cause), tumor, infection, or metabolic disorders (Paget's disease of the bone).
-
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH or Forestier's disease) is a form of degenerative arthritis. It is characterized by calcification along
-
Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency condition that is caused by the uncommon compression of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Symptoms
-
Pinched Nerve
-
Medications
5 articles -
Procedures & Tests
5 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
5 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
12 articles -
Health News
1 articles -
Health Features
0 articles
This sciatica is making me depressed. I have DDD in L5 S1 and have had this for at least 10 years and it is progressively getting worse. I used to play hockey and I still golf however that is at risk now that this sciatica is making my foot numb. I have gone to several Chiro, and physio however I cannot find one that relieves. I also want something to make this go away and allow me to continue my day to day activities and allow me to golf.