Categories: Health

My Life: Degenerative Disc Disease- Cervical

Months ago I was diagnosed with degenerative deterioration disease and I am in pain all the time.  At first I thought I must have slept wrong because I did not remember my neck hurting in this way. My doctor ordered an x-ray and found I had this disease.

My doctor advised me to start physical therapy as soon as possible.  The physical therapist explained to me how traction might help my condition. The therapist told me I could choose to massage my neck by hand or by machine.

Honestly when the therapist stretched my painful neck muscles out with gentle pulling stretches it eased my pain. This way didn’t help long term for me though. The therapist tried actually using the traction device to try to recover my mobility the best way possible. That way did not help my painful situation either.

I tried about 8 treatments with no significant signs of relief. The therapist told me if I wasn’t seeing results by then, chances are I would not see any improvement in the future. Then I decided to stop the treatments

My choices were:  Pain medications or a shot in my neck

The pain medications I tried were Vicodin and Percocet.

Vicodin is used to help people deal with their pain better. However doctors do not want their patients getting addicted to drugs of this nature. Doctors usually only put their patients on this medication for a short time.

 My opinion about having pain shots in the neck

People that have degenerative deterioration disease may decide to try shots in their neck.  I have heard that having too many of these types of shots can cause deterioration of the joints. Many doctors feel that the benefits outweigh some of the risks involved.

Personally I do not want a needle of any kind going into my neck. One doctor told me that this type of shot helped him have less pain. He recommended that I have this done if an M.R.I. shows it might be beneficial.

I may end up having a shot put in my neck or even having neck surgery someday if my condition progresses into a more serious nature.

Haiku Poem about my overall thoughts

Natural is best

To put into my body

I pray for healing

Related Post

Reflection:

Natural is the way I try to handle most of my ailments. The use of natural oils has been helpful.

I want all my readers to understand that my way may not be best for others that are suffering from degenerative deterioration disease. I just wanted to share my thoughts about this disease, and what I am doing about the choices I was given that might help me recover from my painful neck condition. I would suggest making an appointment to see a doctor if neck pain continues to be of concern.

I posted a few links that may help people decide what to do about their neck pain condition.

https://www.verywell.com/arthritis-in-the-neck-cervical-spondylosis-296658

(http://www.spineuniverse.com/author/961/kalfas)

Readers that would like to sign up to write at Literacy base please use my referral link. My referral link is:


http://172.104.9.193/?mref=LindaKaazJennyHeart%402015

 




  • Linda Kaaz/ Jenny Heart

    View Comments

    • We cannot refrain from degeneration of the joints in our body. It will strike at the age of 20 onwards. The traction treatment is also good to prevent from nerve impingement. The bottom line, these treatments are only temporarily. Once the body joints had its degeneration process, it will result in different ailments.

      • Thank you for reading Shavkat! I am slightly feeling better and soon to be on the road to feeling more comfortable. God bless!

    • I'm sorry to hear the physio didn't help relieve your pain. I know it's frightening to think of a needle going into your neck. I have had to have epidural pain meds and spinal blocks during childbirth despite being very uncomfortable with the idea. It did relieve my pain, and it also permitted me to have necessary surgery to deliver my youngest when the doctors couldn't turn her.

      If I could have avoided it, I think I would have. The thing is that when you know you really need it, something inside you will just take over and help you through the fear. I believe that you know what's best for you. If it comes to a point where you think you really must get the injections, you'll find the inner peace of mind to get through them. Just trust your gut, get sound medical advice, and try to focus on the goal of taking the treatment. You'll be more than strong enough to get through it all!

      • Thank you Kyla Matton Osborn (Ruby 3881) Your words are wise from your person experience. I am doing better lately. I was in a car accident and made my condition worse. I now have whiplash! I am in therapy and it is helping the whiplash at least. God bless!

    • Oh, my goodness. That's what I have, Linda. Avoid surgery at all costs. Physical therapy can help significantly. You just have to do the exercises at home. It won't work if you don't. The shots didn't help me, but that's because of a hole in the space between the vertebrae. I've been using prescription pain cream. It helps. You might want to ask about it.

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