Help for degenerative disc disease?

I was diagnosed about 1 1/2 ago and so far have not found any relief from the pain. I have tried chiropractor, different exercises etc. My Doctor advised me that I can keep taking super strength motrin for the pain but I seem to be taking more than recommended dose just to get through the day. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
You do have some options (see the information below). I would suggest that you seek a specialist and even a pain managment specialist to work in conjuction with the orthopedist. You may never be totally pain free, but the goal is to improve your quality of life. Good luck

Here is some information from health.com/topics/cd/overview/lumbar/young/degen01.html" title="http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/overview/lumbar/young/degen01.html">http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/ov...

'Lumber Degenerative Disc Disease treatment
For most people, degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated with conservative (meaning non-surgical) care consisting of Medication to control inflammation and pain (either oral or injection), and Physical Therapy and exercise. Surgery is only considered when patients have not achieved relief over six months of conservative care and/or are significantly constrained in performing everyday activities.

Non-surgical treatment for degenerative disc disease
The ongoing pain, as well as the frequency and intensity of the flares, can be mitigated through a number of non-surgical options. Modifying activities to preclude lifting of heavy objects and playing sports that require rotating the back (e.g. golf, basketball or football) can be a good first step. Other options include:

Applying heat to stiff muscles or joints to increase flexibility and range of motion, or using ice packs to cool down sore muscles or numb the area where painful flares are concentrated.
Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, COX-2 inhibitors) and pain relievers like acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) help many patients feel good enough to engage in regular activities. Stronger Prescription Medications such as oral steroids, muscle relaxants or narcotic pain medications may also be used to manage intense pain episodes on a short-term basis, and some patients may benefit from an epidural steroid injection. Not all medications are right for all patients, and patients will need to discuss side effects and possible factors that would preclude taking them with their physician.
An exercise program is essential to relieving the pain of lumbar degenerative disc disease and should have several components, including:
Hamstring stretching, since tightness in these muscles can increase the stress on the back and the pain caused by a degenerative disc
A strengthening exercise program, such as Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization exercises, where patients are taught to find their �natural spine�, the position in which they feel most comfortable, and to maintain that position
Low-impact aerobic conditioning (such as walking, swimming, biking) to ensure adequate flow of nutrients and Blood to spine structures, and relieve pressure on the discs
Chiropractic manipulation can relieve Low back pain by taking pressure off sensitive nerves or tissue, increasing range of motion, restoring blood flow, reducing muscle tension, and, like more active exercise, promoting the release of endorphins within the body to act as natural painkillers
Epidural steroid injections can provide low Back pain relief by delivering medication directly to the painful area to decrease inflammatio
Surgery for degenerative disc disease
Patients unable to function because of the pain, or who are frustrated with their activity limitations, may consider lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Fusion surgery works because it stops the motion at a painful motion segment. A one-level fusion at the L5-S1 segment does not significantly change the mechanics in the back and is the most common form of fusion, as this is the most likely level to break down for degenerative disc disease. Fusion of the L4-L5 level does remove some of the normal motion of the spine as this is a major motion segment (as opposed to L5-S1 which has really limited motion) Multi-level fusions are more problematic. A two-level fusion may be considered for patients with severe, disabling pain, but three-level fusions are not recommended because back movement is too diminished and altering the muscle composition can in and of itself cause pain (this has been termed fusion disease).

While it is a major surgery, fusion surgery can be an effective option for patients to enhance their activity level and overall quality of life. This is particularly true now that minimally invasive techniques are available to decrease post-operative discomfort, preserve more of the normal anatomy of the low back, and result in higher rates of fusion than previous techniques.

A newer surgery to treat pain and disability from lumbar degenerative disc disease is artificial disc replacement. The theory is that replacing the disc, instead of fusing the disc space together, maintains more of the normal motion in the lumbar spine, thereby reducing the chance that adjacent levels of the spine will break down due to increased stress. This procedure is still a new procedure in the US, so long-term efficacy, and potential risks and complications are still relatively unknown.

By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD"

From yet another site: http://www.bayareapainmedical.com/wdgndi...

"Painful degenerative disc disease can be treated in a number of ways. Conservative approaches may involve the use of physical therapy and/or pain medications, including antiinflammatories, opioids and membrane stabilizers. Additionally blocks to nerve roots and facet joints may be both therapeutic and diagnostic. Discograms can help determine if internal disc disruption is present. If it is a part of the clinical picture an IDET (Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy) approach can be taken. Some surgeons even recommend using the epidurascope to visualize the torn anulus and repair this, employing microsurgical techniques. Still the mainstay of surgical treatment for the painful degenerative disc is that of spinal fusion surgery, which may be done from the anterior approach, posterior approach or both, with and without hardware placement."

Finally from a 3rd site: http://www.allaboutbackandneckpain.com/h...

"Treatment Options
Conservative Treatment

Treatment will depend on the seriousness of your condition. Some problems need immediate attention-possibly even surgery. The vast majority of back problems do not require surgery. Treatment for your back may be as simple as reassuring you that it is not a serious problem and doing nothing but watching and waiting. In most cases, simple therapies, such as mild pain medications and rest are effective in relieving the immediate pain.

The overall goal of treatment is to

make you comfortable as quickly as possible
design a spine-care program to reduce further degeneration
get you back to normal activity in a timely manner
The more you know about how your back works and what you can do to prevent further injury, the more effective your program will be.

Specific Rest

Immediately after a back injury, rest is often all your back needs to feel better. Rest is used to take the pressure off your spine and the muscles around it. You should rest in a comfortable position on a firm mattress. Placing a pillow under your knees can also help relieve pain. Do not stay in bed for several days. Bed rest for more than two or three days can weaken the back muscles, making the problem worse instead of better. Even though you may still feel some pain, a gradual return to normal activities is good for your muscles. In most cases of sudden Back pain, the sooner you start moving again, the sooner your Back Pain will improve. If you are sent to see a physical therapist, the first few days may be spent educating you on ways to take stress off the back, while remaining as active as possible. Short periods of rest combined with brief exercises designed to reduce your pain may be suggested.

Physical Therapy and Exercise

Your doctor may have you work with a physical therapist. A well-rounded rehabilitation program assists in calming pain and inflammation, improving your mobility and strength, and helping you do your daily activities with greater ease and ability.

Therapy visits are designed to help control symptoms, enabling you to begin moving and exercising safely and easily. Regular exercise is the most basic way to combat back problems. Consider it part of long-term health management and risk reduction program. Exercises focus on improving strength and coordination of the low back and Abdominal muscles. The emphasis of therapy is to help you learn to take care of your back through safe exercise and self care when symptoms flare up. Therapy sessions may be scheduled two to three times each week for up to six weeks.

The goals of physical therapy are to help you

learn ways to manage your condition and control symptoms
maintain appropriate activity levels
learn correct Posture and body movements to reduce back strain
maximize your flexibility and strength
Learn more about spinal rehabilitation.

ESI

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) can be used to relieve the pain of stenosis and irritated nerve roots, as well as to decrease inflammation. Injections can also help reduce Swelling from a Bulging or herniated disc. The steroid injections are a combination of cortisone (a powerful anti-inflammatory steroid) and a local anesthetic that are given through the back into the epidural space. ESIs are not always successful in relieving symptoms of inflammation. They are used only when conservative treatments have failed."
Pain Managment RN