Just been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease :(

Archiesmummy

Archiesmummy

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Just returned from an appointment with my consultant regarding my ongoing problems with pain and he showed me the result of the MRI scans I had recently.

I was quite taken aback to learn I have four discs in total that are completely knackered.

I went with a pain in a totally different part of my body and it turns out the pain is referred and its my discs that are the problem.

I am now being montitored, taking pain killers as required and getting on with things.

Mind you, I am much luckier than a lot of people so thank my lucky stars that I have got off rather lightly, things could have been much worse.

Am on the lookout for a lightweight poo picker and/or a quad bike or similar to help me transport hay and feeds, etc down to the field via a, at times, very boggy and muddy track and to help me poo pick too. If anyone has one they no longer use can you please let me know. Good working order a must but cosmetically am not worried about.

Many thanks x
 
Sorry to hear that and I think you are doing the right thing in getting tools to make your life easier...horses are hard work on back sufferers. I think you are very brave going to have it scanned...something I have put off for a few years now because I am worried of the outcome in case it is not a muscular problem...as it was diagnosed as many moons ago.
 
I'm currently waiting for an appointment for an MRI scan, but I have no doubt that my lower back will look like a car crash. Unfortunately it has already all got too much for me, so when I retired my mare I decided to retire myself too, so apart from sitting on her bareback from time to time, I no longer ride.
 
Just to let you know, I know people find the MRI scans daunting but its not half as bad as it seems. For my scan I did have to go into the tunnel with my full body covered. It was reasonably comfortable with a pillow and I closed my eyes. There was a light behind me, somwhere, and I imagined I was laying on a beach with the sun beaming down on me (the light gave this impression). It was not too hot, there is a fan and the radiographer kept in contact with me via an intercom. I also had a panic button, but didn't need this.

For anyone having an MRI, please remember you wouldn't be recommended for one unless it was necessary and you will be looked after. Don't listen to the horror stories. It is not going to hurt you and will be over relatively quickly. So far as confinement goes, when your eyes are shut you could be laying in a field sunbathing, just use your imagination.

So far as the outcome, get the MRI out of the way first before you dwell on that what ifs. Its out of your hands what is going on but if the prognosis proves unwelcome you are already being looked after and your condition managed, something that cannnot be done unless you have the scan done first.
 
Archiesmummy said:
Just to let you know, I know people find the MRI scans daunting but its not half as bad as it seems. For my scan I did have to go into the tunnel with my full body covered. It was reasonably comfortable with a pillow and I closed my eyes. There was a light behind me, somwhere, and I imagined I was laying on a beach with the sun beaming down on me (the light gave this impression). It was not too hot, there is a fan and the radiographer kept in contact with me via an intercom. I also had a panic button, but didn't need this.

For anyone having an MRI, please remember you wouldn't be recommended for one unless it was necessary and you will be looked after. Don't listen to the horror stories. It is not going to hurt you and will be over relatively quickly. So far as confinement goes, when your eyes are shut you could be laying in a field sunbathing, just use your imagination.

So far as the outcome, get the MRI out of the way first before you dwell on that what ifs. Its out of your hands what is going on but if the prognosis proves unwelcome you are already being looked after and your condition managed, something that cannnot be done unless you have the scan done first.
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Great post- ought to be stickied IMO :) <<vibes>> for healing with help and care. A good supplement can help eg glucosamine/green lipped mussel/Chondroitin. FWIW When OH broke his back last year, they found he had 3 discs degenerating so when they operated to realign his broken vertebrae, they tidied up the discs at the same time. OH said he was in less pain after hospital than before!
 
Thank you for your support and vibes.

Am going to live with things for the forseeable future. I see a lot of people in a million more times pain than me and thank my lucky stars I can walk, talk and ride.

xx
 
I have this too, and havent ridden since november - but doing core strengthening exercises and i reckon another month i will be back happy hacking! bad backs a misery tho eh?x
 
hi was diagnosed with this 6 years ago and with careful management i still event. I have only 1 horse now tho as I had 3. I have tried everything with regards to treatment etc but find being careful daily the best thing x
 
I was diagnosed with this 4 years ago at 19yrs old. I was the youngest my consultant had ever seen with it. I also had 3 bulged disc and a ruptured disc.
I continued to work (I am a groom) at my consultants advice. I wasn't going to make my back any worse and exercise would actually help. I just have to be careful with lifting/carrying etc. I found riding really helpful and my back didn't hurt when I rode.
I did 6 months of physio for the bulged/ruptured discs and spent 18 months on painkillers.
I do still get pain from time to time, usually in the lower back and legs (sciatica pain) but am so used to it now I rarely need painkillers.
My consultant was more worried about my bulged/ruptured discs then the DDD.
 
What a old pile of crocs we are on here ;) Yeah, I have the bulging discs too but am not at all worried and I think keeping active is key.

Good luck to all my fellow crocked HHO's and wishing you stay safe enjoy doing all you can while you can x
 
Oh dear, not good news. But, as you say, at least you know what you're dealing with now and can take positive steps to look after yourself. It's so tempting to ignore a health problem - out of sight, out of mind - but that's never the best long term plan.

Best of luck working out a new, supportive regime. I'm sure Archie will do his level best to look after you.

Hey, maybe he could learn to pull and do his own fetching and carrying! :) A friend of mine stands a competition stallion that also pulls the muck cart down the barn every morning and I taught my eventer to drive so he could harrow the ring - I figured if he was on walking exercise he could at least make himself useful! :D
 
I have exactly the same, I had 2 slipped discs because they were drying out, cut out to take pressure off of my spinal cord. I have more degenerating above. I have bad days and good ones but I am surviving, my OH does all the hard stuff and I expect one day my lad will have to go into livery. Core exercises and good muscle tone help but when my back 'goes' they are hard to relax and I have to take pretty strong stuff. It's livable and riding helps me, where as washing up, cleaning stables, painting etc don't. So in a way I'm not complaining. By the way if you are feeling a tad sore, these new heated pads you stick on your back really help me when i'm wandering about and teaching lessons.
Best of luck anyway, hope someone can help you out. It is hard to admit you can't/shouldn't do things though....
 
Of cause we are a load of old crocks, we are into horses, at least they keep us going. I'll still be doing my horses with a zimmer frame. Just giving up and doing housework and the garden (shudder) not an option:):):):)
 
I have a couple of friends with the same problem.

One doesn't ride anymore. The other carries on as normal with her sensible pocket rocket cob and hunts etc.

She has found (along with her enourmous amount of painkillers and physio) reflexology helped her pain. She has also tried Bowen and acupuncture. These didn't work for her but it is worth a try.

Another person I know has found using shoes that mimic going barefoot has helped her backpain (although I am not sure what is wrong with her back). The science suggests that as well as a more natural posture, less support under the foot means you take a shorter stride and land more centrally so that concussion is not transmitted upwards.

Looking at your saddle and stirrups to avoid shockwaves may be an idea too.

Good luck!
 
so very sorry to hear about your back - I have three knackered discs, and have had ops and injections, and I am pleased to say that I am NOT in a wheelchair( as was suggested) and have a very happy, normal life INCLUDING having my beloved horse and riding almost daily , albeit I have to be bloody careful. Please do PM me if you want to chat, I know how devastating it all was for me.

sm x
 
i'm 28 and i was diagnosed with the same problem 5yrs ago. it put paid to my ideas of being an equine vet and i now do small animals only. i still ride nearly every day. i was told riding was ok, just not to fall off. so, 2yrs ago i took up draghunting! fell off 4times really badly in my 1st season, but i'm still here. my ponies live out so i can avoid mucking out as that kills my back and i have a good stash of painkillers :)
 
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