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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: Herniated Thoracic DiskForum: Neurology Forum
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I need some advise ASAP. I was injured in a fall nine years ago which resulted in RSD. The damage was to my neck, left arm,left hip, and back. over the years the RSD has spread to my left lef and lower spine and has led to what the neurologist says is "sub-acute cord compression" from a herniated disk at T7-8. The pain is in my left lower back and leg, and up under the ribs on the right side like a sharp band that stabs when I breathe. There is positive Babinski in both feet and foot drop developing in the left foot. There has been an increase in urinary frequentcy and urgentcy and in bowel problems since around October of last year. The disk was found to be herniated in Dec of 97. My Attorney is trying to get an emergency hearing with a worker's comp judge to okay the needed surgery, and in the meantime the pain is getting to be more then I can bear. I'm taking 2cc's of Buprenex q 4 hrs around the clock, along w/ Baclofen, Flexeril, Ibuprophen, Calan, & Trazadone. My RSD specialist is a Mayo trained Neurosurgeon who now specializes in RSD and no longer does surgery. He is adamant that I need surgery to "salvage what ever residual spinal function is left". I have seen an Orthopedic Surgeon and a Neurosurgeon and both act like as soon as they hear Thoracic and Workers Comp, they are afraid to touch me or to have anything to do with the case. I'm terrified that it will be to late soon. my doctors have warned me that being bumped or jarred could cause paralysis from the ribs down,and I'm already in a wheelchair from the weakness and tremor in my left leg now. Please advise as to what I should do next. The pain is almost unbearable and I'm terrified that I'm going to lose the use of my legs altogether. Thanks for any advise or help anyone can give. Sincerely, Karen S Hardman khardman@dnet.net ICQ# 4495208 AOL IM= fancyrsd __ __ Dear Karen, Your situation is complex. The severity of compression from the thoracic Good luck.
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