Living with Degenerative Disc Disease

I have had some back pain for a long time. I suffered for two years before I realized that things were getting worse. First I lost the use of my toes and then my leg would not lift up and down and drag on the ground. My family doctor recommended I went for a MRI Where they found a herniated L5 and a small hernia on the L4.

When I finally had surgery they found a large bone spur on the L4 as well as the herniated disk. I was only supposed to have a small 2 hour surgery that lasted for 4 to 5 hrs. I was off work for 4 months as well as 4 months of physio therapy. There they realized that I would have some siatic nerve damage. I have the use of my toes and my leg after 4 years but I have a pinched nerve in the right foot and the nerve damage from the back is on the right as well.

Some days are great and some days are not. The foot issue requires I use orthodics and that happens to be the way it is for the rest of my life. I will always have pain and live on pain meds as well as medication for sleep. This has really changed my life style. I do not go out much so I sleep to be able to work and I need to take the pills at the same time every night.

I am so glad that the operation was successful so I have the use of my leg. But I am not looking forward to getting older and having to manage degenerative discs as well. I am ok I know how to rest when I need to and to take things easy when I am in pain. Things could be worst I could have an untreatable illness.