Degenerative Disc Disease

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

See more

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
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine, Modafinil, Vitamin B Complex
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Duloxetine, Bupropion, Fluoxetine
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
Ibuprofen, Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen, Tramadol
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amitriptyline, Trazodone, Zolpidem
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.
Last updated:

Treatments taken by people with Degenerative Disc Disease

You’ve tried
Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Balance and gait training, Bed Body Movement w/PT, Exercise machines) 10 more
Type
Physical Therapy
How many have tried
164
Tried for
Degenerative Disc Disease (164) Pain (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Advil, Advil Extra Strength, Advil Liqui-Gel) 42 more
Type
Over the Counter Drug
How many have tried
105
Tried for
Degenerative Disc Disease (100) Pain (32)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Anexsia, Lorcet 10/650, Lorcet Plus) 13 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
94
Tried for
Pain (88) Degenerative Disc Disease (9)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Conzip, Dolol, Dolzam) 23 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
84
Tried for
Pain (80) Degenerative Disc Disease (10)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Aleve, Aleve Caplet, Aleve Easy Open Arthritis) 12 more
Type
Over the Counter Drug
How many have tried
63
Tried for
Degenerative Disc Disease (61) Pain (3)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta, Cymgen, Yelate) 1 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
61
Tried for
Depressed mood (47) Degenerative Disc Disease (6)
4 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(APO-Gabapentin, DOM-Gabapentin, Epleptin) 7 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
60
Tried for
Pain (54) Degenerative Disc Disease (4)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Amineurin, Amitriptyline Troche, Anapsique) 10 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
54
Tried for
Insomnia (41) Pain (33)
3 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Lyrica, Maxgalin, Provelyn)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
46
Tried for
Pain (41) Degenerative Disc Disease (6)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Endocet, Magnacet, Oxycocet) 11 more
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
45
Tried for
Pain (43) Degenerative Disc Disease (4)
Data from patients with Degenerative Disc Disease, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:
You’ve tried this treatment.

Compare treatments taken by people with Degenerative Disc Disease

You’ve tried
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
How many evaluations
Tried for
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Balance and gait training, Bed Body Movement w/PT, Exercise machines) 10 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Degenerative Disc Disease (44 evaluations)
Side effects
Pain Increased pain 19 more
How many evaluations
53
Tried for
Degenerative Disc Disease (164) Pain (1)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Advil, Advil Extra Strength, Advil Liqui-Gel) 42 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Degenerative Disc Disease (14 evaluations)
Side effects
Stomach pain Acid reflux 3 more
How many evaluations
25
Tried for
Degenerative Disc Disease (100) Pain (32)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Anexsia, Lorcet 10/650, Lorcet Plus) 13 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (42 evaluations)
Side effects
Constipation Drowsiness 22 more
How many evaluations
44
Tried for
Pain (88) Degenerative Disc Disease (9)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Conzip, Dolol, Dolzam) 23 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (26 evaluations)
Side effects
Constipation Dizziness 10 more
How many evaluations
28
Tried for
Pain (80) Degenerative Disc Disease (10)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Aleve, Aleve Caplet, Aleve Easy Open Arthritis) 12 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Degenerative Disc Disease (8 evaluations)
Side effects
Acid reflux GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) 1 more
How many evaluations
11
Tried for
Degenerative Disc Disease (61) Pain (3)
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta, Cymgen, Yelate) 1 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Depressed mood (26 evaluations)
Side effects
Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) Sweating excessive 22 more
How many evaluations
45
Tried for
Depressed mood (47) Degenerative Disc Disease (6)
4 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(APO-Gabapentin, DOM-Gabapentin, Epleptin) 7 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (24 evaluations)
Side effects
Tiredness Weight gain 22 more
How many evaluations
31
Tried for
Pain (54) Degenerative Disc Disease (4)
2 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Amineurin, Amitriptyline Troche, Anapsique) 10 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Insomnia (31 evaluations)
Side effects
Dry mouth Constipation 22 more
How many evaluations
36
Tried for
Insomnia (41) Pain (33)
3 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Lyrica, Maxgalin, Provelyn)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (20 evaluations)
Side effects
Weight gain Dizziness 25 more
How many evaluations
29
Tried for
Pain (41) Degenerative Disc Disease (6)
1 more
Check to add this treatment to your profile
Treatment name(s)

(Endocet, Magnacet, Oxycocet) 11 more
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (14 evaluations)
Side effects
Drowsiness Addiction 4 more
How many evaluations
14
Tried for
Pain (43) Degenerative Disc Disease (4)
Data from patients with Degenerative Disc Disease, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:
You’ve tried this treatment.
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Who has Degenerative Disc Disease on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 2
20s 82
30s 420
40s 916
50s 1,028
60s 359
70+ 52

Gender

Distribution of females vs. males

89% Females
11% Males
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 160
20-29 years 487
30-39 years 625
40-49 years 495
50-59 years 145
60-69 years 19
70+ years 0
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 2,423
Not Diagnosed 28
These charts show data from Degenerative Disc Disease patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: