(((((thunderbear)))))

sorry to hear about that dx...i have the same thing...and to put it in a nutshell, DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease) is the same as degenerative arthritis only it relates to the bones of the back...the MRI might show that there is spinal stenosis which is narrowing of the spinal canal that your spinal cord sits in. it could also show spurs on the spine which is a calcification of bone that grows on the spinal bones and interferes with the spinal cord. There isn't a lot they can do about it except give you pain meds and muscle relaxers, which do help. And if the pain is severe, they might do a couple different procedures that might further help you with the pain...the ones that I get are called Facet Injections, where the steroid and Lidocaine is put into the spinal spaces. For me, it lasts about 3 months, and I would gladly do it and give hope for others than to keep my pain a secret...if you want more information, you can look up DDD on Google. You can find Facet injections there as well. I hope things turn around for you soon ThunderBear. You are a good person, I can tell, and know that you will get through this. Feel free to PM me whenever you need to.

Megwetch.