[thunderbear]

Well I got a half ***** dx last week after spending 3 weeks in the worst pain ever. Got my "T" and "L" spine xrayed and the doc said I have severe arthritis there as well as in my "C" spine. And degenertative disc disease which i know nothing about. They are still pushing my insurance to allow an MRI to show how far along the disease is.

[Amazonmom]

I'm sorry your insurance isn't allowing a full evaluation of your condition. Spinal arthritis and degenerated discs are nothing to play with.

[(JD)]

Ugh. I'm sorry to hear this, but glad that you finally have some answers, and the doctors actually have something on film to validate your pain!

What do the doctors say they will do? I can see the insurance company's issue in that many spinal issues are treated the same regardless of how extensive the illness, you know? (No, I don't side with the insurance company, I can just see their point.)This has been a problem that has only increased more recently, that of rationing treatment. I've run into it myself several times already in less than 2 years, and I have a prime insurance. (Like not being able to even BUY a medication I required!)

See what difference knowing will make to the doctors, then you have more ammo with which to argue with the ins. company. (they might be looking at the other end of it too, that IF ... THEN you might opt for surgery etc. )

[Jewels]

(((((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.