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1448748 tn?1312956208

25 year old female spinal stenosis and 4 bulging discs..what is the cause?

by jenniferk86, 8 hours Background:I am a 25 year old female who started experiencing severe pain and debilitating fatigue about a year and a half ago in my sacroilliac area, buttocks and hips. I tried all sorts of treatments such as physical therapy, diet change, and nsaids and stretching and heating pads, etc. They provide very little relief and It always gets worse after standing and walking for long periods of time and is relieved only somewhat by laying down or sitting and resting. I had an MRI done at first showing only minimal facet degeneration in the lumbar area and I have had a herniated disc in my c-4,c5 disc since I have been imaged as well. I had posterior fossa decompression surgery in August 2011 to relieve my Chiari 1 malformation symptoms. I am also on 4mg prednisone daily because I have stopped producing my own cortisol. My testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, fsh and lsh are also low and prolactin 5.0. I have not been tested for any arthritis or anything like that but have ruled out celiacs and limes disease.

In the past 3-4 months I started getting much worse and the pain is now radiating down both of my legs it wraps around my legs and groin area and goes all the way down to my calves. I cannot stand more than an hour before I am in excruciating pain even on 60mg of ms contin and percocet for breakthrough pain. I have a constant deep ache or pressure feeling in my very low back/hip area and buttocks even when I have not been active, but it is tolerable until I am walking or standing for more than 30 min to an hour. It is partially relieved when bending forward, sitting down or lying down or bringing knees to my chest while lying down.I was finally able to get a second MRI since it had been 9 months since my last lumbar MRI and the results are significantly different they are as follows:

L1-L2: There is minimal facet joint degeneration without thecal sac or foraminal stenosis L2-L3:Facet degeneration and slight disc bulge are present, without thecal sac or foraminal stenosis. L3-l4:Facet degeneration and bulging disc are present,without thecal sac stenosis or definite nerve impingement.The l3-l4 foramina are mildly stenotic.

L4-L5: facet joint degeneration is present at l4-5. A concentric l4-5 bulging disc is present, with moderate left and mild right degenerative foraminal stenosis. The thecal sac is also mildly narrowed. L5-S1: There is slight facet degeneration witout thecal sac or foraminal stenosis. Impression: Relatively mild mulitlevel disc space and facet joint degeneration is described in detail above. at l4-l5 , this leads to mild narrowing of the thecal sac with moderate left and mild right degenerative foraminal stenosis.No discrete disc herniation or areas of thecal sac or severe foraminal stenosis are identified.

So my question is , what does this mean? Nobody will tell me why my back mri has this, from what I read only older people should have stenosis, I am only 25 and have had no injuries or any trauma at all. Is this a degenerative disc disease, arthritis, just something that wont get worse or better or what can I expect? Can the above mri results cause such severe pain? I just want to know what I can expect. I also was fired from my job recently due to inability to be at work, and don't know how I am going to be able to work if I am in this much pain all of the time and am thinking about filing for disability, but is this something that would qualify me for disability is this fixable? I just need some more information on how my back went from just mild facet arthritis to all of these changes in less than 9 months?
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2040171 tn?1329838866
degenerative disc disease is actually pretty common.  some people do not feel any symptoms from it, others feel unbearable pain from it.  i was first diagnosed with it at 28, so it can and does happen at early adulthood.  my neuro said it could be genetics, as my mother and brother also have it, and also the fact that i was extremely athletic in my youth.  so yes, to answer your question ddd, and arthritis does not discriminate when it comes to your age.  sorry to be the bearer of bad news .... good luck
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648

  Hi Jen...I too have disks shifting post PFD surgery, I do have EDS which is a connective tissue disorder and affects the joints,...having chiari u should check to see if u also have EDS if this has not already been ruled out.

   "selma"
Helpful - 0
1448748 tn?1312956208
But does this indicate  degenerative disease or arthritis? What would cause this that's what I'm trying to figure out that nobody will tell me I've had absolutely no trauma or falls and I'm so young only 25 I should not have 2 herniated discs, 2 bulging discs, degeneration and stenosis and arthritis in the facet joints at my age....
Helpful - 0
2040171 tn?1329838866
sorry, laptop mouse pad is soooo sensitive.  As I was saying it sounds like the disc has finally herniated, and some other discs as well.  I am sorry to hear you are going through so much.  Best of Luck, keep me posted on your recovery
Helpful - 0
2040171 tn?1329838866
Hi Jennifer,  it sounds like your doctor needs to order another mri, with contrast this time.  It sounds like the L5 S1 disc has finally
Helpful - 0
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