Living with Degenerative Disc Disease - My Story

At 15, I started working in a local chemist. What began as a Saturday job soon turned into full-time supervisor role, and I absolutely loved it. The work was physically demanding, standing all day, using heavy-duty cleaning machines, lifting stock deliveries, and constantly moving up and down stairs.

The dispensary had six steps that I climbed repeatedly, and the stockroom was up a steep 20-step staircase (to the haunted stockroom - that's a story for another time). Every delivery meant carrying heavy boxes up those stairs and unpacking them onto the shelves. I even used to carry two boxes of nappies at once - heavy, but I thrived on the physical activity.

I felt strong, independent, and energized, earning my own money while staying fit.

Then, in 2000, my work life took a drastic turn. I left retail for a civil service job that required me to sit at a desk all day. From the very first day, I hated it. The only thing keeping me there was the better salary and my colleagues. I ended up staying for 17 years.

The silent damage of a sedentary job

Sitting all day was something I quickly realized wasn’t good for my body. We’re not designed to sit for hours on end, but in an office job, there’s little choice. And it was particularly noticiable to me after being so active in my previous jobs and always being on my feet.

Over the years, I developed persistent back pain. In 2016, I visited my GP about my worsening backache. I was 45 at the time, but the doctor dismissed it as 'normal for my age.' I requested an MRI, but they didn’t think it was necessary. I was sent away with the usual advice: use ice, apply heat, and take painkillers.

Then, in my 17th year at the job, my worst fears became reality - I suffered a prolapsed disc at L5 S1. The disc was pressing against a facet joint, which in turn was compressing my sciatic nerve. The pain was unbearable. It radiated down my right leg, causing constant cramping, and sitting was impossible. The only relief I found was lying face down on the floor.

Finally getting diagnosed

I had to be helped into the car to get to the doctor’s surgery, where I was lucky enough to see a different GP. This time, I was referred for an MRI scan. But even this doctor seemed dismissive, making me feel as though I was wasting her time.

When the results came back, they confirmed what I already suspected - a prolapsed disc. But after requesting a copy of the report I could see that there was more going on. The MRI also revealed early degenerative disc disease. Surprisingly at that appointment, the same doctor who had brushed me off earlier apologised after speaking to a friend who had gone through a similar experience. She admitted that her friend described the pain as worse than childbirth...

What degenerative disc disease actually is

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease isn’t actually a disease. It’s a normal part of aging where spinal discs lose water content, flatten, and become less flexible. This process can contribute to people losing height as they age. However, developing it early meant chronic discomfort became my new normal.

Despite the MRI results, no treatment plan was suggested beyond standard pain management. I was left to figure things out on my own.

Living with chronic pain

Since my prolapsed disc in 2017, my mornings have never been the same. Every day, I wake up with intense stiffness, pain and aching that takes at least an hour, sometimes two hours, to ease. If I need to leave the house early, I have to plan for a lengthy warm-up just to be functional.

Over the last year, the pain has intensified. By January 2024, my back pain worsened, accompanied by relentless twitching in my right calf, especially when lying down or sitting in certain positions.

Seeking Relief: Acupucture and physiotherapy

By August, another MRI revealed further deterioration - bulging discs again at L5 S1 but also at L4 S1. Plus nerve impingement and facet joint degeneration. I realised then that this is the reality of living with degenerative disc disease, there may be more episodes like this in the future.

I was referred to an NHS physiotherapist, and since my primary issue at that point was nerve pain, she suggested trying acupuncture.

I was skeptical at first, but after six sessions, it did help slightly. The nerve pain calmed down compared to how it was, making day-to-day life a little more manageable.

Moving Forward

This has been life-changing in ways I couldn't have imagined when I was carrying double boxes of nappies up a stockroom staircase at 20. The transition from highly active to managing chronic pain has been genuinely hard. But I know my body now in a way I never did before. And that knowledge is its own kind of strength.

I have good and bad days, the nerve pain is still with me in bed every night and that can flare up and down which then affects my sleep.

While there’s no cure, treatments like physiotherapy, acupuncture, and adapting my lifestyle have given me some relief. Hopefully they'll help you too.

Read about my experience of living with Menière's Disease.

Health Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and based on personal experience. It does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, medications, treatment plan or start any kind of exercise regime.

---

Hi, I'm Sally - a Nutritional Therapist and chronic illness blogger who has been living with Menière's disease, TMJ Disorder and Degenerative Disc Disease for over twenty years. I write about the real experience of managing these conditions day to day, blending personal insight with nutritional and lifestyle knowledge. I hope something here helps you feel a little less alone.