Degenerative Disc Disease

[regant]

I am in late 40's, slightly overweight, and have had chronic back pain and headaches and irregular migraine attacks for as long as I can remember. In my teenage years I taught Gymnastics. Have had blood tests for arthritis about every 5 years (negative), had brain scans ("nothing unusual"), seen various ortho specialists ("nothing to worry about"). Told "lose weight, exercise more. Take more pain-killers." One special told me it was "just aging" - I was then 27yrs!
I have trouble walking now, as my ankles feel smashed and my legs feel set in concrete. Getting up first thing in the morning and putting weight on my feet is painful. I used to be able to walk 1km to the beach and return 5 years ago, and now can barely make it to the front gate. If I push nyself (taking lots of breaks just standing still) I can do it, but by the time I have reached 1 klm I cannot lift my feet, nor feel my toes at all. Now my hands are going the same way with painful spasms and numb fingertips.
Enough!
Latest CT Scan of Cervical spine now shows "Moderate to advanced OA change of most of the facet joints. Mild to moderate OA change of the atlantoaxial joint space. Central disc protrusion at C5/6 abutting the anterior cervical cord without obvious evidence of nerve root compression. Central disc and osteophyte complex at C6/7 pressing on the anterior cervical cord. There is relative adequate foraminal patency throughout."
MRI of Lumbar states "Early changes of lumbar spondylosis. Minor disc disease is also seen throughout lumbar spine. Mild canal stenosis from L3/4 - L5/S1."
So, the Neurosurgeon looks at these reports and says "Nothing too bad" and has now sent me off to have the MRI redone at another hospital: of the brain and whole spine.
It is lucky (?) I work at a computer and can maintain my full-time job. Because I can't walk far I have put on weight (almost 90Kg and 163cm tall). Am frustrated at the lack of medical concern, and dread getting older.
Does it take this long for everyone to be diagnosed??

[meglaser]

It can - but you really need to have a set of good doctors! Neuro, Pain Mgt, Surgeons ect. I have the exact same problem - neck and lower back as well as the facets and compression. I also have RSD in two limbs.

You need to stay on top of the doc's and have a list of questions prepared prior to your next visit! Did you see any specialists regarding the DDD? If not tell your family doc to refer you to either pain mgt or a surgeon.

You will probably have to go through physical therapy first. As this occurs keep telling your doctor how you feel and get a new MRI for comparison. The next step will probably be that they test your discs and then they will want to give you injections. The injections are useless!!! I cannot have surgery as I have the RSD - my pain mgt doctor inserted a stimulator which has cut the disc pain back by about 40-60% He then started working with my neck when we discovered how bad my facets had gotten so he burned the nerves on both sides. Lucky me - my nerves recovered in three months.

Try not to get too many injections as they seem to my back worse!!

Good luck and let me know how you make out!!