Steve wrote:

Hello Steve.  We welcome you to ASA, though we're sorry
it had to be under these conditions.

Everyone is going to be wondering "what is your age?"  Family?

I deleted a lot of your post.  When were you diagnosed with those
problems, and who (what kind of doctor)?

I was diagnosed with ankyloysing spondylitis (in the spine and neck)
in 1976 -- probably had it at least a year before I visited a doctor.

Finally retired on disability years later when the administration's
own
doctor recommended doing so and gave me a 10-pound lifting and
carrying restriction.

Had to stop driving in 1996 because of the limited range of motion in
the neck (couldn't turn to watch for other traffic) and had a total
hip
replacement in 2000 (should have been years earlier).

Right now the opposite side is acting up, from the hip to the knee.
Limits my walking distance and time on the dance floor, and I guess
I'll be going under the knife again.

Stick around, contibute when you can, lurk when you feel you
need to, join the continuous prayer circle.

... Deju Dew:  The feeling you've slept - drunk - on the grass before.

Steve, I can't offer any information on al the things you are having
problems with, but I do hope you can save your marriage and your job.  Are
you going to a rheumatologist?
Gwen

Hi Steve,,,, Its really not about a  "to offer"  and it is about taking part
and sharing your problems with the people here that more than likely have
been through the same thing or have the same problems and waiting for
someone to talk about the same thing in the newsgroup.
     You are already taking steps to make your life better.   I know its
hard but its not your families fault for the way you feel or how much your
arthritis hurts.   Its just not fair to them to put the weight of what we
have on them.    About the job,,,, we are paid to do one without causing
problems with those around us in the work place.   Let me assure you that
finding a new job when a person is disabled is not easy.   Been there and
done that.
    On the upside,,,,, when your medicine and doctor get control of your
problem, the depression becomes much less.  The pain becomes a smaller
problem.  Please take part here and talk about the medicines, problems,
doctors,,,ect. ect. and there will come a time when what you have lived with
will be of value to someone new,,, here,,,,.....also.

Harv

hi steve and welcome to the sandbox!  as mama char (whom i've been missing)
would say, pull up a chair and sit awhile.  i think there are several of us
on asa with these kinds of spinal issues.  i'm sorry that you have these and
that they have affected your life the way they have.

what kind of a doctor do you have helping you with these spinal issues,
steve?  what other kinds of symptoms, besides pain and depression, are you
having?  in what way do they limit you or make you modify the normal ways
you used to do things?---depending upon what these symptoms are, these might
give you a good direction to go in for the best kind of doctor, in addition
to a good rhuematologist, to have help you . . .ie., like an orthopaedic
surgeon or a neurologist, etc.  i think you are on the right track, seeking
assistance for your depression situation.

yours would not be the first marriage or job that has been affected by this
kind of condition.  but there is hope and help out there for you, steve.  it
is a matter of finding the correct medical help for you and your condition.

btw, your sincere prayers are always welcome here.

kate

Hello
  My name is Steve and I live in southern Maryland.
I have been living with degenerative disc disease, central disc
heriation abutting the cervical cord, and spondylosis involving the
posterior vertebral body and unconvertebral joint lateralizing
producing bilaterial neural foraminal narrowing at C3-4. Central disc
herniation at at C5-6. Straightening of the cervical lordosis.
Degenerative disc disease, central disc herniation, and disc space
narrowing with disc desiccation at T3-4 and T6-7. Degenerative disc
disease, disc space narrowing, disc desiccation, degenerative endplate
changes, disc heriation producing mild mass effect on the ventral
thecal sac, and facet arthrosis with bilateral facet effusion producing
bilateral exit foraminal narrowing which compromise the nerve roots at
L5-S1. Anular disc bulges and disc desiccation at L3-4. Anular disc
bulges, disc desiccation, and a central tear of the annulus at L4-5.(
don't assume I know what I'm talking about, I copied this from my last
report.)
I have been very interested in the letters lately about epidurals. I
hope to learn more about them. Maybe with some pain releif and the
depression counseling I recently signed up for I can save my marriage
and job.
I don't know if I have much to offer the others in the group besides
my sincere prayers

               Steve

Welcome to our group, Steve!  And don't worry about what
you have to offer...  being able to just support each other is
sometimes the best thing we do here.

Many of us have MRI reports that read in lots of big, nasty
sounding words like yours do.  I had a few words I could add
to mine!!

Depression is a big problem, and likely if you're in pain.  Make
sure your doc is doing everything s/he can to relieve your pain,
because that's sometimes the only thing that helps.  Don't be
hesitant to consult a pain management specialist if you or
your doc think you need one...  I wouldn't be getting any kind
of quality of life if I didn't have strong pain meds.

Whatever questions you have about your issues or anyone
else's, please ask, because there's nothing dumber than not
asking a good question.  And if you know any good jokes,
we just loooovvvvve those!

Glad you joined us, and please stick around.  This is a very
supportive and loving group of folks.

Ginnie    >^..^< ..and my sarcastic, opinionated cat, Clooney
_________________________________

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article42.html
Morning Steve,
The above link will provide much useful information. I had another with all
kinds of definitions, but it is no longer working.
I have many of the same problems as you (minus the T stuff, though I have a
spot there now that is questionable.)
I've had my neck repaired by a neurosurgeon who put a steel plate in after
clearing out the disks and relieving the pressure on my spinal cord. I take
anti-depressants and they have helped. I take pain meds each day and they
are a god-send to me. I can still play golf. Kinda funny 'cause you'd think
that would be impossible with the lumbar trouble. Well, due to the specific
type of movement involved, I can do it. Just don't ask me to stretch
backwards or walk up and down a ramp! I generally take pain pills to work
and they help me get through the day. I have to say that work has been very
accommodating to me with my problems and I am very lucky in that regard.
Stick around. This is a very good group of people with much experience in
all areas of our buddy Arthur.
GaryZ

Hi Steve,

I also have a series of back problems similar to yours.  I'm going
through IDD THerapy that is regenerating my discs so there is no more
pain and I'm feel more normal.  That may be one thing you can look
into.  If you go to their website at www.iddtherapy.com you can find if
anyone in your town is providing the therapy. I have found it very
helpfuly.

And I have also had a series of facet steroid injections in my back for
the arthritis that have really made a difference.  I had three sets of
four injections but now I"m not so sensitive.  I'm also doing water
exercises to gently strengthen my muscles and rebuild my joints and
that helps at well.

One thing I have that can't be helped is my tethered spinal column.
It's a birth defect where the spinal cord went to far down the column
and can get tangled in the bones.  Right now it's not giving me
problems but I'm aware of it so I know what to look for if it causes
problems.

But I think you would be a great candidate for IDD Therapy.  It works..
it is regenerating my degenerated discs and I'm thrilled with the
results.

Mary :o)