Degenerative Disc Disease

[KristaleeJane]

Hello

I am 28 and was just diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease also, I have been gluten free since my diagnosis of celiac in April 2008 so only 3.5 mths. I have had back problems for about 8 years now and my doc did and xray on my back a couple of weeks ago where they found bone spurs, and disc narrowing, she said this is disc degenerative Disease. I am worried about that I could also have arthritis or osteopenia, although my doc doesn't seem to see the connection that this has with celiac.

I now want to get an MIR to further investigate what else may be happening, although my doc doesn't think its necessary. She said that there is really nothing you can do about it except take anti infammatory meds, do physio and massage.

I feel very young also to have this and I think it has alot to do with celiac. I am now taking extra calcium, magnesium and a good mutli vitamin, because I also avoid dairy(may introduce it later)

If anyone has any advise as to if I should have an MRI or a bone density scan and if they know more about Degenerative Disc Disease, I would really appreciate it.

Here is my results from the x-ray (in doctor language) :

Disc space narrowing is noted at aC5-6 with posterior osteophytes(bone spurs) there is also narrowing of the left c5-5 intervertebral foramen.

Thanks

Krista

[trents]

Hi Krista,

I don't know that DDD can be directly tied to Celiac disease. Degenarative discs, unlike osteoporosis or osteopenia which affect the bones and the vertebrae are not tied to calcium malabsorbtion that I know of. I certainly would recommend getting a dexascan done to check bone density as bone density loss is very common in Celiacs. You don't want to start getting fractures on top of disc disease. I am a 57-year-old male with osteopenia from years of undiagosed Celiac disease. I'm now on Fosamax and calcium supplements. I also take 1000 IU of Vitamin D3. Sense beginning the D3 regimine I have actuially regained some bone density whereas that was not the case when just on Fosamax and calcium. Remember, Vit. D is essential to calcium uptake and Celiacs not only absorb minerals poorly but vitamins as well. You might want to look at D3 supplementation. I should also add that I live in the Pacific Northwest where we don't get much sunshine and are not able to make D through the skin naturally in sufficient quantities.

Steve

[Ridgewalker]

Although I'm not sure what the process actually is, I do think it's possible that Degenerative Disc Disease could be related to Celiac. I'm 30 now, and was diagnosed with it (DDD) when I was 18. 18! And there's another member here who was diagnosed with it at 17.

Over the years since I was diagnosed with it, I've had discs actually rupture, and then gradually heal with courses of steroids and anti-inflammatories... only to herniate again in 6 months.

I've been going to through those weird cycles for YEARS... the pain can be excruciating, as I'm sure you guys know.

The only other thing I can tell you, is that I've had very few problems with my back in the year that I've been gluten-free. I'm not making a staunch claim that going gluten-free has fixed my back. I'm not sure how it could do that, but nonetheless... that's where I'm at right now.