I guess my degenerative disc disease should be talked about because I believe everything else actually stems from the degenerative disc disease.  My latest MRI report stated that I have the spine of a "much older person".  Long story short, there are herniatiations, bulges, impingements, protrustions, compressions, you name it, all up and down my entire spine, cervical, thoracic, lumbar.  Apparently, no one is willing to operate, or I have inoperative disease. 

I have managed thus far with epidural injections, osteopathic manipulations, ice packs, steaming hot packs (rather feel the burn than the pain), I have used hyaluronic acid for my joints, bosewella, Voltaren gel and Capasian for pain.  Recently I was prescribed Lyrica and some other type of medication which I can't remember the name, but it is usually prescribed for people with MS, and that medication, same as Lyrica, involves tweaking the neurotransmitters in the brain.  I still go weekly for trigger point injections.

Things have changed.  I have a lot more limitations, physically, than before. 

But, I'm getting by.  Coming to realization that this isn't going away.  That I have to live with it and deal with it.

Will begin eating better, trying to exercise (in the pool at Rehab Center), using vitamins and supplements, taking new meds if they work.

This is a great forum for people like us, as at least for myself, I sometimes think nobody knows what I'm talking about, or, why isn't anybody else having these issues?  So, here, it is nice meeting all of you, and sharing our stories.

Cris L.