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t8-t9 disc herniation

I have been diagnosed with a large disc herniation at t8-t9(MRI).  I have pain radiating around my rib cage which is relentless and frequent muscle spasms around the disc area.  I can barely use my arms as it aggravates the problem and sets me back.  My surgeon had informed me that the surgery is very complicated and dangerous and does not want to do anything unless he is sure this will not improve with time.  He also infomed me that 3 out of 4  of these herniations will get better on there own without sugery.  Has anyone gotten better with one of these, has anyone had the surgery?  These are rare and no one seems to be able to give me answers.  I don't know if I should be active or do nothing, physio is giving me mixed messages and state they have never seen one of these before.  
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Avatar universal
I have the same injury and the only relief I've gotten is from a third epidural injection and it only lasted for 2-weeks but gave me hope. I would like to talk with you further if you don't mind.
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Avatar universal
Sorry you are having the pain and problems with this.

I was in a wreck in April of last year that caused me to have a herniated disk at T7-T8 and T9. I had the surgery in August, they removed the portion of the herniated disk that was against the spinal core. Then they fused the vertebrae from T7-T9, I was told that I would be back to 95% of what I was before the wreck. I am at about 50% currently and struggling daily with chest, rib, leg, foot pain and nausea. If I pick up something heavy I regret it  for the next few  days. Because the symptoms get worse for the next few days.
I guess that I would say that I feel a little better after the surgery, but i would not say that it was worth it. I tried physical therapy, it was not successful. I was told by my Dr that he is not sure why I am still feeling the pains, but he wants me to try pain management therapy. My guess is that there was damage to the spinal core that is going to take time to heal. I hope that it heals soon.

Hope that helps. God Bless
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Avatar universal
Don't know if you are still on the thread but if so please tell me more about this procedure.  I have a Herniation at T8-9 and just had my second Ep Steroid injection with a little improvement but far from good.
Thanks,
Damon
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547368 tn?1440541785
Please note that this is a very old thread - though there has been some activity by others on it - Robitaip made this one and only thread in 2009. Sadly he has not been active since that date.

Badbody, I encourage you to begin a new thread - "Post a Question". A title that states simply what you're looking for - or your questions should get you better responses - and certainly more visibility. In addition your questions will come up with a goggle search and may be answered by a non-member.

The cervical spine is much more complex and difficult for surgical purposes than the Thoracic Spine. Many surgeons, including those in KY preform Cervical and Thoracic surgeries every day. I suggest you consult another Neurosurgeon, one associated with a large teaching facility.

Remember surgery is the very last resort for any good surgeon. The procedure permanently changes the structure of one's spine - which often brings additional problems, especially with time.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck
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Avatar universal
who is your surgeon because I have the same problem as you  and the doctors either say its to complicated and risky or there is not a lot of doctors that will operate on thoracic disc
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1 Comments
That is what I am told.
Avatar universal
who is your surgeon because in ky I was told by other doctors that its complicated and that not to many doctors will perform thoracic surgery
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Avatar universal
who is your surgeon because in ky I was told by other doctors that its complicated and that not to many doctors will perform thoracic surgery
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Avatar universal
Have had disc against spinal chord for 10yrs but little pain due to Meds for neck pain (have had fusio c4-c7) of pain Meds 200 mg tramadol twice a day, fentanyl patch100 micrograms, and endone as required. Now have thoracic pain caused by pinched nerve at T8 which also is causing whole of body  hyperhidrosis and severe rib cramps where the floating ribs lift about 2 inches
Helpful - 0
7721494 tn?1431627964
If this is facet syndrome, then you are in luck as there's an effective interventional treatment (medial branch neurolysis) that will relieve a large part of the pain.
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone.

I have found it very interesting reading your experiences.

I have been experiencing severe electric shock type pain in my mid spine and stiffness in waking for about 12 months. This eases off through the day.
However, for about 6 months I have been experiencing burning/ aching and pinching type pains around my right rib cage and into upper right abdo. They started out lasting around a week each month, but it's now become constant.
All blood tests and scans of abdo and chest were normal and I am just now waiting for an MRI of my whole spine.
No pain killers have eased it at all. It is better in the morning, and worse as the day progresses. Worse on sitting and driving. The only thing that helps is a warm bath and dry needing of the little tight, painful spots in my upper right back muscle. However, the relief only lasts for mins after I stop.
I also get tingling around the upper back and ribs, like ants walking over my skin.
I'm desperate to find out what is causing this. My GP thinks is facet joint dysfunction.

It's interesting seeing your symptoms, as this the closest I've seen to someone describing how I feel. It's so odd and diffuse that I struggle to describe what it is like to anyone.

Thanks
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Avatar universal
Hello watto1, nice to hear you are doing so well after two surgeries! Can I ask what your doctors name was and where were you operated? I'm having issues with t6/7 and considering surgery.
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1043790 tn?1297004644
No need for that. Sounds extreme.

Just a tube drain and bag for the first 36-48 hours.

I only stayed 2x nights in hosp.each time, any longer and I'd be addicted to the morphine, it's good, can't argue that.

Was far less nervous for the 2nd surgery and won't hesitate to do again in future if necessary
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Avatar universal
thanks for the response...I thought with all T-spine they had to do a fusion....I am encouraged to see that is not always the case.  One other question I had for you is did they have to collapse your lung to do the surgery?

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1043790 tn?1297004644
Hi Barca,

No fusion.

I was advised fusion is an absolute last resort for mid back problems.

The costotransversectomy the procedure did involve drilling a hole about 5mm diameter thru one of those knobbly bones for access to the disc.

I believe the old fashion technique involved taking a rib bone out or hacking a bit off it at least. I'm remember reading somewhere that 'costo' is a Latin word for rib.

I don't have everyday pain any more as such - not to be confused with absolute no pain either.

Using posture as an example, I can't sit on a chair without a back for more than about 30 minutes before pain sets in.

I have only learnt how to manage my situation better.
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Avatar universal
Watto,
When you had your surgeries did they actually fuse the vertebrae together?  

do you still have pain every day Watto?
Helpful - 0
1043790 tn?1297004644
Sorry about your problems.

Obviously technology has improved because my 2x costotransversectomies took 2.5 hrs and 1.5 hours.

I'm also embarrassed to say that it probably took the scrub nurses an hour to shave my back hair the first op.

Zero staples or stitches, it was just one of those tape joins which I removed after 12 days each time, swimming on Day 13. T7/8 scar was about 3" and then increased to the current 5" long the following year during the T8/9 surgery.

I'm feeling good now, still got to take care of myself, good posture and all though. It's as good a result that can be expected. I feel like it has improve even further during the last 6 months which I'm convinced is due to sleeping on my back with no pillow.

Don't mean to write this to belittle your or other people's the problems, rather I hope it gives someone hope, motivation or confidence.

Helpful - 0
7586247 tn?1392266830
Hello, I have had 2 seperate Costotransversectomies, two months apart. One @ T 6-7and one @ T 8-9.First surgery was 8 1/2 hrs long and the second surgery was 7 1/2 hrs long. About 53 staples in my back each time. It's a tough surgery. It's kinda like they filet you open. I received these awful injuries from falling out of an elevator. I actually had these surgeries about 20 years ago! I think it is because I had the obe surgery and then, not even two months later, had the second one, in which the surgical incission partly cut through some of the same area which I suppose was beginning to heal, but then cut through again, but I have developed tremendous scar tissue/adhesions throughout my epidural area. These adhesions are pressing on nerve endings, causing so much pain! In addition, I've also developed adhesions around the intercostal nerves (where they cut through the ribs) , also caus a lot of pain. I had no choice in having the first of my two surgeries, because the Dr said that the disc had only another milimeter to go before severing my spinal cord. He actually said that if I so much as tripped on my shoelace that I'd be paralyzed for life. But, what I have to say about my experience with the thoracic surgery is that I am in much more pain after the surgeries. Perhaps my body just over produces scar tissue. One Dr even said so much as it might've been some sort of autoimmune resonse. I don't know if any of this info helps, but I hope it offers you some perspective.
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Avatar universal
I have had similar problems for 12 years. I have herniations & bulging discs in my neck, thoracic & lumbar spine. The cause was wear & tear from mail delivery and genetics I suppose. My father had a bad back. I have been on disability for 3 years and of course it's somewhat better but they keep telling me I have pneumonia!! Coughing has always hurt me and I get searing pain in right thoracic quadrant straight through my breast. To move is horrible. The last 2 times I had it doc thought it was pneumonia....if it is then I have had it like 20 times and I kind of doubt that!! Recently I had an abnormal ekg and need to see a cardiologist...in the meantime I got the horrid pain & cough again so IDK whats going on. You are not alone. I am 50 by the way and carried mail for 25 years before they got rid of me. I have 4 herniations in the thoracic area. I am sick of it all!
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Avatar universal
It's been a while since I posted so I thought it time to update you on my progress. As far as "progress" goes, I'm progressively getting worse, at least as far as pain is concerned. I had a second thoracic mri done a week ago, and I'm waiting on the report. I can tell it's worse though. Despite stronger pain meds (percocet 10/325 x 8 daily), the pain has broken right through and NEVER gets below a 5/10. Most of my waking moments are spent in the company of a pain scale of 7-9/10. Arm and/or hand movements, or holding my head back or forward starts that stabbing in my rib cage and burning in my t-spine...I know you know the sensation.
I have filed for disability but I wont get my hopes up, as I've heard it can take up to (and sometimes longer) 5 yrs.
With no hope of a "fix" in my future, I have been on a journey which includes a lot of meditation, which, surprisingly, helps, at least in the moment, and keeps me from worrying about what my life will be like a year from now when I'm on so many pain meds I wont be able to think straight. I would highly recommend learning to meditate. Learning to live in the moment, is the only thing which has kept me sane. As we all know, worry, stress, and the gambit of emotions we feel on a daily basis, plays a huge role in how much pain we feel, and we have to learn how to cope with it, because, cope we must.
That's about all I have been doing for the past few months...learning to LIVE WITH, and accept, this lot in life. It's much easier to swim with the current, than against it. I don't mean to go on and on about it, but, when my surgeon said there's nothing to be done, and after several months of deep depression, I knew I had to find a way to deal with it, or the constant pain and physical limitations would destroy all quality of life, and to be honest, all I was doing, was waiting to die. Meditation, for me, is a life saver.  
I'm still looking out for ANYONE that has had thoracic surgery, specifically in the T.5-8 area (although I'm beginning to doubt such a person exists).  
Anyway, it's nice knowing I'm not the only one out here with this injury, and who can understand what it's like.
Thanks for listening (reading).                        
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am the latest to join this "community"! I am based in Sydney Australia and have just found out that I have a bulging T8. Have not slept for a week as the pain at night flat on my back or side is excruciating. I can manage walking, sitting, standing and pretty much anything else but cannot lie down and therefore sleep is impossible.

I have read the whole thread and sadly this does not bode well.

I have just started anti-inflamatories and hope that this helps. I have absolutely no idea if I will ever sleep again and that is terrifying.

So, sign me up and I wish you all well and hope that we all find some solutions to our respective problems!
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1043790 tn?1297004644
BNH Hospital.

Make an appointment with Dr. Wicharn in the spinal clinic, then just rock up and register at the front desk,  Take any MRIs you have. Not sure how you would get on if trying to make insurance claims. Easy if you are paying yourself.
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Avatar universal
please which hospital in Thailand you had your operation. And how does one go about meeting the consultant and so on. the procedure before the operation!
thank you,
myo
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Avatar universal
I've had a herniated disc at T8&9 for over a year. I've tried every pain medication prescribed by pain mgmt. Plus I've has several injections which didn't seem to work either. Physical therapy was a waste of my time. Pain mgmt told me to lose weight and have a breast reduction. Easier said than done.
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Avatar universal
HI,I know just how you feel I have been dealing with disc hernation 2 yrs now t7 t8 its horrible.It has stolen my life I try my hardest to keep a positive attuide but it is so hard when you hurt so bad every damn day.I feel the same way about my pain meds I hate that I have to take them but I know if I didn't take them I would have no quality of life what so ever.Here is a doctor that specilezes in the t-spine he is in NEW YORK Dr.noel PERIN GOGGLE him.Hang in there I know how horrible it is.
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