any good sources for info on DDD?

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airpainter80

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After about 3 years of literally constant headaches, my Dr finally listened to me and took an x-ray of my neck (where I'd been telling them for years is where the source was), and found degenerative disc disease between my C4 and C5 vertebrea. It's been causing progressively more pain including headaches, pain in my neck, left shoulder and arm, and a "nurab" area on the left side of my back.
I've found some info on DDD, but it seems like treatment options go from asprin to surgery, without a whole lot in between. I've been going to chiropractors for years, done accupuncture, massage, yoga, etc, etc, which seems like most of the "conservative" treatment options.
I'm not even 30 years old yet, but this has been going untreated for 3 years, and I hate to even think of what damage that delay may have caused (not to mention all those wonderfully useless migrain drugs).
I'd just like to find out what sort of treatments are likely, but can't find much info on the topic anywhere, especially when it's cervical and in a (relatively) young patient.
Right now they have me doing Practically Torture, I mean, Physical Therapy, and a quick steroid taper (which from what I've read is usually used for "traditional" migraines, but, what the hell. It can't be any worse than Depakote.
 
A consultation with an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and/or Neurosurgeon will give you a wealth of information on non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

You will also want to find a good Pain Management physician, and the best time may be after you get to see an OSS and/or NS. My OSS and PM doctor have worked together to work on various symptoms in my lurabar spine and cervical spine.

It can be a challenge to find good physicians so if you know anyone who has had back surgery or may be in chronic pain talk to them about who they recommend. I have gained two frienRAB in my area through some on line boarRAB and we've been able to discuss different physicians. There is one OSS in our area known as good as a surgeon but anti-pain management so one of my frienRAB left him to see my surgeon. A good surgeon is open to all kinRAB of possible treatments. My OSS worked for a year to find non-surgical alternatives before we went to the surgical option and I'm SO glad I did.

I have seen one person on either the back board or spinal cord disorder board, just recently, who is from your area and recently had neck surgery I believe. Most of the discussions around neck pain are on the Spinal Cord Disorders board (not sure why it's called that considering it's more a neck pain forum but that's where you may find more information)
 
I'll check that area out. I'm currently going to a well-known pain and headache clinic, but in the 6 months or so I've been going there, I've been far from impressed with the over all level of care and follow-through. And they definitely have an anti-pain med bias, which, as a person in pain, I don't ecaxtly see eye-to-eye with them on.
I'm definitely NOT to enthusiastic about the idea of neck surgery, though. I had knee surgery done about 5 years ago, and the doctors idea of "good as new" is quite a bit different than mine.
 
If you insurance allows you to I recommend you see Dr Arvid Ahuja at St Lukes Milwaukee he fixed my neck and I was much like you. I am 42 now and finally after 15yrs of headaches and paim im my neck and arms its gone. He is one of those doctors who he and his staff take the time to listen answer your questions and really care about the person. I have to say it never hurts to get more than one opinion. Keep searching till you find your awnsers. Good Luck.
 
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