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Posted 8/21/2009 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
I was reading a post where someone stated that they were very healthy and then at one point everything went to crap.  I'm curious as too when other peoples health issues started?

Myself, I was always very healthy, normal weight, hard working and able to do anything.  Then in 2000 at age 40 I developed a torn meniscus in my left knee and the MRI also showed arthritic and degenerative changes.  Got it fixed then in 2002 had the same thing happened while tearing up my kitchen for some remodeling.  Had surgery again to fix the knee then the back problems started.  MRI showed torn anullus (disc covering) along with degenerative disc disease.  By 2006 at age 49 I had fusion on my lumbar & cervical spine.  Now it is 2009 and I had another MRI showing a bulging disc at L2/3.  My neck is giving me alot of problems again too so this coming Monday I will have another MRI.  Looks like the DDD is getting the better of my spine.

I know alot of people have had health issues since birth and I feel for them but alot of us thought that nothing would ever happen to us cause we were so healthy.

Posted 8/21/2009 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Jag

Whats DDD?

I was normal, healthy and fine at age of 14. Had a trail bike accident one day (pretty minor, a few scrapes) 2 weeks later i was at school and had this recurring pain in my knee, which persisted throughout the afternoon. After i got home i noticed some swelling in my left knee. Next morning it was so swollen i couldn't utilise the muscles required to lift my leg. starting out it wasn't overly painful, but very uncomfortable. we assumed that I had tore the synovial sack in the knee from the accident...after that either knee would swell up for a few days, either go down by itself or I would have it drained (that was unpleasent. probably had to do it about 30 times) probably 3 weeks out of the month either one or the other would swell. We used to get up to a litre and a half of fluid out of them sometimes, and i had to be VERY careful not to fall on it, doc said there would be nowhere else for that much fluid to go but burst out my knee. pretty good for a 14 year old ay

Got Diagnosed with Chronic Juvenile Inflammatory Arthritis, which seemed to go into remission when i was 19. after about 9 months started getting real bad pains in my hip and spine then was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Fast forward 8 years and Im pretty sure i was misdiagnosed with the JIA. I think it was just the starting stages of AS they share the same symptoms of swelling of the knee in alot of cases. Spine and Sacs are now in the process of fusing themselves and I think im in the most painful stage I ever have been with this disease, the fusion that is. Have never had surgery like you though, and managed to not have to resort to narcotics untill 3 years ago with the spinal pain of AS, but in the end it got to hard

One day running around a sports feild and jumping out of trees into the river, the very next on the bed with a knee that felt like it weighed half a tonne lol.

Hope the MRI comes with good news, fusing and spines combine to make for quite an unpleasant experiance, i feel for you
Posted 8/21/2009 3:19 PM (GMT 0)

Well I guess I've been healthy most of my life.. (Fat and Sassy more like it)  I had problems with my back for years, just never enough to "bring me down" til I turned 35......back just decided it had enough and was quitin on me LOL.....

Life is just hunky dorry now!!!!! NOT

Trouble

Posted 8/21/2009 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I was all good until 43.  I was over weight (still am by a bit) but I felt fine and had no limits.  Then I woke up one day with horrible vertigo.  I thought I must have an ear infection.  Off the doc....got antibiotics.  No help there.  Three weeks later I woke up and couldn't walk from the vertigo.  Went to the hospital.  Was initially mis-diagnosed with a small cerebellar stroke.  I am sure my weight didn't help here, they just assumed heart health.  I was eventually diagnosed with MS instead.  I have lost over 40 pounds.  I have a few limits and lots of symptoms to manage.  I have chronic but managable pain.  I have horrible balance issues.  I still have vertigo.....three years later.  I have spasticity, weakness, vision issues and others. 

It is an endless journey.  I still find great joy in life.  I hope I can always do that as this disease progresses. 

Posted 8/21/2009 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have had problems since birth. What a life! I am now 33 and FINALLY starting to get the Doc's to start taking me serious! What a pain.......Literally. Donna
Posted 8/21/2009 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Shanno, DDD is degenerative disc disease. It is normally ( with age) a drying out process of the disc. At times the process can progress faster or at a younger age which seems to be the issue with alot of us. The disc ends up bulging then herniating causing alot of nerve pain and can also cause the vertebra to develope bone spurs (osteophytes) on them causing more problems.

Gretchen I'm sorry to hear of your MS. While working as a home health aide I had a client with MS. You definately have your work cut out for you, hope you have a good doctor and family or friends for support. The gentleman that I cared for eventually passed away from cancer. He had a fat old cat named Russell and he was worried about who would take care of Russell if anything happened to him. Well, I've had Russell for two years and I'm sure Larry looks down on us often and smiles.

Donna, what is a tethered spinal cord?
Posted 8/21/2009 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
bsjaguar: (sorry, a little long)

Tethered spinal cord is:

Tethered spinal cord syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. These attachments cause an abnormal stretching of the spinal cord. The course of the disorder is progressive.
symptoms may include lesions, hairy patches, dimples, or fatty tumors on the lower back; foot and spinal deformities; weakness in the legs; low back pain; scoliosis; and incontinence.
A rare neurological disorder (occurring in 0.05 to 0.25 of 1000 births) caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column. These attachments cause an abnormal stretching of the spinal cord. This stretching interferes with the function of the nerves in the spinal cord and can cause problems with sensation, movement, and control of body functions. This can actually cause scoliosis as well as most of the other symptoms of the more typical tethered cord.

Symptoms may include lesions, hairy patches, dimples, or fatty tumours on the lower back; foot and spinal deformities; weakness in the legs; low back pain; scoliosis; and incontinence. Tethered spinal cord syndrome may go undiagnosed until adulthood, when sensory and motor problems and loss of bowel and bladder control emerge. This delayed presentation of symptoms is related to the degree of strain placed on the spinal cord over time. Tethered spinal cord syndrome appears to be the result of improper growth of the neural tube during fetal development, and is closely linked to spina bifida.

Fluid pressure may cause cysts to form in the spinal cord, a condition called syringomyelia. This can lead to additional loss of movement or feeling, or the onset of pain or autonomic symptoms.

In adults, onset of symptoms typically include severe pain (in the lower back and radiating into the legs, groin, and perineum), bilateral muscle weakness, and bladder and/or bowel incontinence. Neurological symptoms can include a mixed picture of upper and lower motor neuron findings, such as amyotrophy, hyperreflexia, and pathologic plantar response, occurring in the same limb. Profound sensory changes, such as loss of pain, temperature, and proprioceptive sensations, are common. Last, progressive symptoms of a neuropathic bladder are noted on over 70 percent of adult patients, versus only 20 to 30 percent of children. These symptoms include urinary frequency and urgency, feeling of incomplete voiding, poor voluntary control, and urge and stress incontinence. Chronic recurrent infections are common and occasionally lead to nephrolithiasis, renal failure, or renal transplantation. Female patients also give a history of ineffective labor and postpartum rectal prolapse, presumably due to an atonic pelvic floor.


So ya.......that pretty much sums it up.
Posted 8/21/2009 4:51 PM (GMT 0)

My health problems started when I fell off a horse several times between 1979-1981, ages 11-13. I hurt my back at that time. I went to bend over to pick something up and couldn't get back up. Then about 1984-1985 I was working with my dad and I was on a transvers table and I felt something pop and then I could bend over and straiten back up with no problems.

Well I think my youth has caught up with me. My lower back is so sore and stiff I cry or whimper everytime I move. No there really wasn't a trigger.

HARA

Posted 8/22/2009 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
bsjaguar,

I love the Russell the cat story!!!  That is awesome and her is another strange coincidence.  My beloved dog is named Larry!!!  Hehe.  Cool.

I DO have a wonderful team of doctors.  I have a PCP and a neurologist that work together extremely well.  My PCP is actually quite knowledgeable about MS and he is stellar at not only managing my symptoms by then emailing my neuro to keep her up to date.  My neuro is 2 hours away and so she is very good at answering emails and faxing scripts when need be (between exams).  I also have a great husband and two wonderful, helpful sons.  I am very blessed.

Posted 8/22/2009 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
My health started going down hill at about 30 when I was diagnosed with diabetes. In the last 9-10 years I have developed severe neuropathy, had to have my appendix removed. had two discs in my back go bad on me, came within an inch of losing a battle against pneumonia that had me in ICU for almost a month and on a mech vent for just over 3 weeks not to mention 2 major surgeries during that time due to complications of the pneumonia, a severe bout of pancreatitis, and hospitalized 5 or 6 other times due to an "undiagnosed" digestive problem where I was getting sick 3-7 days a week, every week. (Since then I have diagnosed that problem myself. It was a drug combo for cholesterol I was on.)

I have also developed an allergic reaction and/or intolerance to hydrocodone, metformin, and CT contrast dye. (Forgive my spelling errors) Of course I still can not get 90% of the quacks and radiologist techs to believe me about what happens to me after getting a contrast CT scan. I end up with a SEVERE whole body flush that lasts up to 24 hours and causes my skin to peel just like if I had gotten a bad sunburn.
Posted 8/22/2009 8:42 AM (GMT 0)

OMG! Jim, I don't know how you are doing it? I had to go through another doctor just to get my doctor to give me and MRI. I didn't like doing that at all and I told the DR I work with just that. She knew I didn't like doing it that way at all when I had asked my other DR for an MRI many times before.

HARA

Posted 8/22/2009 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Jim you sound like me. It's one thing after another. In between all my problems I've had surgery on my right breast to remove two lumps that were both negative, I've had shingles which are very painful, found an enlarged kidney during an MRI on lumbar spine so had to get CT scan of pelvis and stomach to find I have an enlarged left kidney & a kidney stone in right. Have to go back to urologist in 6 mos. for more xrays. We have decent insurance but the co-pays and deductibles still about kill us with me not working. Are you type I or II diabetic?

Gretchen I see we have something in common!!

Donna keep us updated, I'd never heard of your condition. Are you able to walk without assistance?

Hara, have you gotten the results of the MRI?
Posted 8/22/2009 10:11 AM (GMT 0)

No I don't have any results yet. I just did the MRI on Thrusday and my DR is on vacation.

HARA

Posted 8/22/2009 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I am lucky.
Been healthy all my lfe. Thin, and in good shape!

Woke up on morning, went to work at the age of 50 and my neck and shoulder started hurting REAL BAD!
It never went away! Just worse. Now 53, I am in constant pain. It never stops. Oxycontin and Percocet takes the edge off, but I can only describe my condition as having a REAL BAD toothace in your neck. Can't sleep due to pain.

Anyway, it was all good till I hit 50.
Posted 8/22/2009 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Jim!!! Sounds like your next in line for the MRI machine. Maybe we should all pool our money and just buy our own to share. We'd probably save money in the long run. Anyway, good to meet you and pop in anytime you like.
Posted 8/23/2009 9:09 AM (GMT 0)

I think we should pool our moneys together to and get one we can all share and then we need the technician to run the thing.

Just make sure I am unconciants (spelling) OUT before you run me through it. turn

HARA

Posted 8/25/2009 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
bsjaguar~

Thanks for inquiring about me & my condition. Not too many people have heard about it.

I can walk by myself, for now. I have been told my whole life that I will get progressivly worse.

Actually, I have been stumbling a LOT more, but this weekend was the SCARIEST! I was in the living room, placing a plate of cheeze & crackers on the table for the kids...and as I bent over, BOTH my legs gave out, I caught myself with my arms on the coffee table, and those started to give out and I was leaning so far I almost fell over pushing the coffee table with me.
My 12yr old daugher was right behind me (freaking out) and luckly was able to grab me so I didnt fall.
I am so embarrassed.

Obviously, things are getting worse. =-(
Posted 8/25/2009 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Donna, I have a friend from my days in home health with a very rare disease also. She is 28 with 3 children. Her disease is also progressing and she is using a walker all the time and is in constant pain even with pain meds. The sad thing is with the rare diseases is that they don't fall into any categories for assistance. She has to go to Cincinnati Childrens hospital with specialist in this field which is a 3 hr drive one way. The ride just about does her in but there are no low cost housing such as ones for cancer patients or a ronald mcdonald house because she doesn't fit any of these categories, they don't have the money to pay for a discounted hotel. She would like to get into a support group but she is the only one around here. With the privacy acts in place no one will give her names of other patients like her. She keeps getting denied SSDI because her illness is not on the list according to SS. Her doctors are all pulling for her by writing letters and sending test results but they just can't get it through their thick skulls. Sorry to ramble on but I've seen what a lesser known disease can do for a person. I wish you all the hope in the world. If you want maybe I could hook you two up and you can start your own support group. Sounds like you two would have alot in common even if it is not the same illness.
Posted 8/25/2009 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
bsjaguar~

Thanks for this info on your friend!
I really feel for her! And I think there SHOULD be a support group fpr people that have a condition/disease that dosent fall somewhere else.

I am still currently working 40hr a week and its killing me! We just returned from a road trip to Oregon. Man, sitting like that in a car is a killer! I had to keep stopping to mive & go to the rest room. (I feel like an inconvience to the rest of my family) So I know how she must feel in those car rides.
Posted 8/25/2009 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've not been good, so I'll make this short and sweet for you, I've had Asthma, all my life and having had pneumonia over three before your 18 is not fun, but
I'm lucky to have my good days......my back pain started after 2nd car accident in 1997, I was 32, my upper back got better with only flairs here and there, but my lower back never did..........
and my pcp finally referred me out to pm doc 3 1/2 years ago...
see short and sweet...ain't life a hoot!!!...lol..
I'll edit this later when I'm feeling better....Ya have and will be in my thoughts and prayers,
yur friend Chart
Posted 8/31/2009 9:00 PM (GMT 0)

snobrdgrl321 said...
bsjaguar~

Thanks for inquiring about me & my condition. Not too many people have heard about it.

I can walk by myself, for now. I have been told my whole life that I will get progressivly worse.

Actually, I have been stumbling a LOT more, but this weekend was the SCARIEST! I was in the living room, placing a plate of cheeze & crackers on the table for the kids...and as I bent over, BOTH my legs gave out, I caught myself with my arms on the coffee table, and those started to give out and I was leaning so far I almost fell over pushing the coffee table with me.
My 12yr old daugher was right behind me (freaking out) and luckly was able to grab me so I didnt fall.
I am so embarrassed.

Obviously, things are getting worse. =-(

 

From Hara: Oh Donna I feel for you. I know what things are like when your legs and arms and such give out. I'll give you a smile today smilewinkgrin .  

I haven't been on the Internet in about 4 days so yes this might be a little late.

HARA

Posted 8/31/2009 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Chartreux I feel for you to. I finally got to a spinal specialist and PM doctor....LOL.. He doesn't know what he's in for...LOL I started on Indomethacin ER. It upsets my stomach a little but it sure does help with my moving around.

HARA

Posted 8/31/2009 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hara, what did you ever find out about your MRI results? Hope your new doctors are taking good care of you.
Posted 8/31/2009 9:45 PM (GMT 0)

I was 19 or 20 when I had my first "episode" with my back... I was bending over and picked up an almost EMPTY garbage bag to empty the cat litter when....WHAM!!! I was flat on my back...Never had any problems before that...I laid on the kitchen floor for over an hour before I agreed to have an ambulance come... I had to pee something fierce too.  That was the longest 1 mile trip to the ER of my life...

 

Once I got there they gave me some morphine and sent me home...said to see an Ortho.  After about 2 weeks they finally said that I had herniated discs...sent me to PT.. I couldn't stand up straight for about 3 months...and here I am today.

 

Started out with Herniated discs, bulging discs, ruptured discs, DDD, Spinal Stenosis, oh the list is long enough...

 

That's my story...and I am 42 now...

 

Me.

 

2 surgeries, endless procedures, injections, tests, PT, and there's nothing else they can do for me... HOORAY

Posted 8/31/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)

bsjaguar said...
Hara, what did you ever find out about your MRI results? Hope your new doctors are taking good care of you.

 

From Hara: I'm hoping to find out something soon. The new spinal DR had it faxed to his office and I asked them to send me a copy. I might just ask my GP tomorrow since I have an appointment with him.

HARA

 

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