New member, DDD 4 levels, 25years old

[CurtM]

Like the title says, I am 25 years old and I have been in pain for as long as I can remember, I think it started around 15years old. I have been to a lot of doctors and several surgeons but none of them want to help me. I have recently gone to texas back Institute to get a new MRI and review from a surgeon and she diagnosed me with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, L4-L5, L3-L4, L2-L3, but she said that there is no fix for it and that I must "just live with it". I have been just dealing with it for years, but it has been getting worse and I now have nerve issues along with the pain, so I am considering an ADR surgery with Dr. Clavel in Barcelona.

[JeffR]

Curt,

Condolences on being here, but welcome. I can tell you that the diagnosis looks pretty sound in that you have clear DDD from L2-S1. TBI wouldn't really be able to help too much as I think 4 prodiscs on top of one another would be asking for trouble, and you are too young for a fusion. I am not going to sugar coat it - you are a challenging case given your young age and the number of discs involved, but I will say that it would definitely be a good idea to talk with Dr. Clavel and other foreign surgeons about your options as I think you would definitely have some - don't despair.

Good luck,

-Jeff

[newleaseonlife]

Curt,

I'm sorry that you are here. There is a lot of information on this board, so you are in good hands. Like Jeff said, check out the overseas surgeons. They can be a bit more willing to do so many levels. A lot of people have had excellent outcomes with the European facilities. Feel free to drop me a PM if you want to ask questions regarding my overseas experience.

[Boxer78]

Clavel, bierstedt, pimenta

[Lillyth]

Curt,

I think you are doing the right thing going overseas. I have been in pain since I was 15 too. (That is now 20 years for me). Do not wait any longer.

I am having six levels redone by Dr. Clavel next Monday.

My prognosis by American docs was a lifetime of pain and a wheelchair.

I won't sugar coat it either. Use your college fund, have your parents mortgage their house do whatever you need too do, but get to Europe to get yourself fixed. The discs above the four major ones aren't looking so great either. Likely from all the strain of the four bad ones underneath. Get this done before those get stressed even more.

Was this the result of an injury?

[Harrison]

Sorry about your suffering...I recommend a radical, nutritional approach (like the Gerson Therapy). This can only help you regardless of your surgical choices. To what do you attribute such an advanced state of generation? What does your gut tell you (no pun intended)?

[Lillyth]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Sorry about your suffering...I recommend a radical, nutritional approach (like the Gerson Therapy). This can only help you regardless of your surgical choices. To what do you attribute such an advanced state of generation? What does your gut tell you (no pun intended)?

Good call Harrison! (She says as she stuffs her mouth full of kale salad).

I was wondering the same thing, about how it got that way.

Oh, and don't forget to create s spine signature Curt. It will help us help you.

[newleaseonlife]

MMM...kale salad. I bought some kale today to juice, but that sounds yummy!

I second what Harrison said. Eating healthy will only help you.

[annapurna]

To retell an old story, a man had his whole C-spine reconstructed a few years back with a mix of ADRs and fusions. He was incredibly fit going into the surgery, far more than was the usual. He was photographed by a long-time medical advocate eating pizza at a restaurant several days after his surgery. The incredibly fast recovery time was attributed to his pre-surgery health. Basically, the healthier you are going in, the faster you'll get back on your feet.

On a side note, I've mentioned that Laura sees a prolotherapist regularly. Each trip includes purchasing a pound of kale salad from the local Whole Foods. I don't know which she looks forward to more, the treatment or the salad.

[Harrison]

OK, all this kale talk is getting weird!

I made red kale tonight for the first time in a few weeks and I didn't like it. I used another variety last time and it was yummy. I need to get smarter on super greens....since I nag you all about it so often! I usually juice it...a great way to cheat. Which varieties are more tender?

Curt, how are you dealing with the pain? Cause of all this DDD?