wasunflowers
Through a bone scan in 2005, I discovered what had been causing the most awful pain in my lower back: severe advanced degenerative disc disease. I had been hurting with this condition (and fibromyalsia later on) since I was 23 and I'll be 40 in June. Without this serious, painful dis-ease, I would have quality of life and otherwise be pretty healthy. I've been taking narcotics for this pain for about 10 years now, & the issue doesn't go away, the narcotics just barely keep the pain at bay. A pain specialist told me that I have the lower back of an 80 year old-the discs from L5-S1 are all crushed upon each other. I've been thru the cortisone shots that didn't work, chiropractic, physical therapy, TENS units, MRIs, X-rays, doctors that don't believe me (you can't "see" pain) or will treat me. I don't have much quality of life right now, but I'm trying to change that. I have to or else I'll be in this awful rut for the next 10 years. It just all sucks this way. I feel like I'm being punished for some reason, always asking "Why Me?" This condition is hereditary. My brother and grandmama have it as well. I sure hope that my daughter doesn't. I'm looking for friends in this community to share ideas about the dis-ease and offer tips for wellness, diet, losing weight and coping. Thanks!
I'm not near the stage yet but I know she's a comin' at some stage! Based on the women in my family, I'm about 15 years away from menopause but one never knows. I wonder how old other women ...
wasunflowers commented on SusanC's post When did menopause start for you?