Degenerative disc disease

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What is degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease is part of the natural process of aging. It may also be due to structural damage. Intervertebral discs lose their flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics, ligaments that surround the disc become brittle and the disc starts to dry out and shrink.

Common symptoms reported by people with degenerative disc disease

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Tramadol Ibuprofen
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Modafinil Rest
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Trazodone Amitriptyline Zolpidem
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Clonazepam Alprazolam Lorazepam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Duloxetine Sertraline Fluoxetine
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, insomnia, fatigue, and pain) regardless of condition.
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Treatments taken by people with degenerative disc disease

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Home Physical Therapy)
Type
Physical Therapy
How many have tried
126
Tried for
degenerative disc disease (126) Pain (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Advil)
Type
Over the Counter Drug
How many have tried
75
Tried for
degenerative disc disease (69) Pain (30)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
61
Tried for
Pain (53) degenerative disc disease (5)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
60
Tried for
Pain (57) degenerative disc disease (6)
Treatment name(s)

(Norco)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
54
Tried for
Pain (51) degenerative disc disease (6)
Treatment name(s)

(Percocet)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
43
Tried for
Pain (41) degenerative disc disease (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
38
Tried for
Depressed mood (33) degenerative disc disease (5)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
35
Tried for
Insomnia (21) Pain (20)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Flexeril)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
34
Tried for
Pain (32) degenerative disc disease (5)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Oxycodone IR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
32
Tried for
Pain (30) degenerative disc disease (7)
Data from patients with degenerative disc disease, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:

Compare treatments taken by people with degenerative disc disease

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Home Physical Therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for degenerative disc disease (66 evaluations)
Side effects
Back pain Increased pain 22 more
Total evaluations
76
Tried for
degenerative disc disease (126) Pain (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Advil)
Perceived effectiveness
for degenerative disc disease (25 evaluations)
Side effects
Nausea Acid reflux 4 more
Total evaluations
36
Tried for
degenerative disc disease (69) Pain (30)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (37 evaluations)
Side effects
Weight gain Drowsiness 31 more
Total evaluations
53
Tried for
Pain (53) degenerative disc disease (5)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (35 evaluations)
Side effects
Dizziness Dizziness and feeling faint 16 more
Total evaluations
40
Tried for
Pain (57) degenerative disc disease (6)
Treatment name(s)

(Norco)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (33 evaluations)
Side effects
Constipation Insomnia 10 more
Total evaluations
36
Tried for
Pain (51) degenerative disc disease (6)
Treatment name(s)

(Percocet)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (18 evaluations)
Side effects
Drowsiness Chronic constipation 12 more
Total evaluations
20
Tried for
Pain (41) degenerative disc disease (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
for Depressed mood (23 evaluations)
Side effects
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Constant tiredness 16 more
Total evaluations
31
Tried for
Depressed mood (33) degenerative disc disease (5)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Perceived effectiveness
for Insomnia (22 evaluations)
Side effects
Constipation Dry mouth 16 more
Total evaluations
34
Tried for
Insomnia (21) Pain (20)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Flexeril)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (22 evaluations)
Side effects
Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) Dizziness 7 more
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
Pain (32) degenerative disc disease (5)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Oxycodone IR)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (22 evaluations)
Side effects
Chronic constipation Constipation 10 more
Total evaluations
23
Tried for
Pain (30) degenerative disc disease (7)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None
Data from patients with degenerative disc disease, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Who has degenerative disc disease on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 1
20s 77
30s 544
40s 1,350
50s 1,636
60s 760
70+ 122
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 230
20-29 years 707
30-39 years 957
40-49 years 722
50-59 years 243
60-69 years 28
70+ years 2

Sex

Distribution of sex

89% Female
11% Male
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 3,516
Not Diagnosed 39
These charts show data from degenerative disc disease patients who have completed their condition history
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