shortnes of breath and back pain

1) my MRI OF MY THORACIC SPINE SHOWS   herniated discs at  T3 & T4 also mild spinal cord INDENTATION  at that erea, could it be the resion of my shortnes of breath other than the pain i have.
2) how should i go about my condetion.




This discussion is related to Facial/arm numbness/dizzy/shortness of breath.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
A herniated disc in the thoracic spine can be the most painful and frustrating disease. The main symptoms of this condition include mid back pain, shoulder pain, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath and digestive problems.
Hope this answers your question.

[mikedeliver123]

all you said is what i feel,how should i go about getting to feel normal again?

[mikedeliver123]

all you said is what i feel,how should i go about getting to feel normal again?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing back.
You can start with conservative management of disc herniation which includes ice packs, physical therapy under trained instructor and OTC anti-inflammatory medications which will relieve the pain and inflammation. Please remember physical therapy should only include mild and low impact exercises.
Surgical options include Microdiscectomy and surgical decompression.

[mikedeliver123]

HI ARE YOU THERE?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Please post your query and I will make my best effort to reply as soon as I can.

Thanks

[Hatingpain]

I have a herniated SPINAL CORD AT T-4.
The last several days I have been very short of breath with chest pains, including around my ribs cage in my back,etc.. The last two days I had a VQ Scan and chest xray. VQ was inderterminate. Went to Pulmonary Dr. and he sent me right to the ER. CAT with contrast ruled out PE and EKG and blood work was normal. But yet I continued to have this shortness of breath,and chest pains. The "covering DR." said all tests were normal and sent me home.I was very upset to leave the same way I went in there,but after I insisted the other HOUSE Dr. give me something , anything to make me more confortable,and or to breath easier,before I left the ER. Now, a days and after later, I feel a bit better but still have the chest pain,and shortness of Breath,when I walk short distance (5').... and or do any small task. Just to update further, I am on 8 RX's ,and have been thru ACD for ruptured c-6 c-7,  and brain surgery for a tumor, and several other surgeries. So can you offer anything? I am to see the pumlmonary Dr. Monday, and he said the shortness of breath shouldn't be "worriesome" to me and take tylonol for the chest pain. I KNOW THERE IS SOMTHING WRONG,and since the covering DR. only cared to look at the tests and NOT even try to treat this patient, I need someone to look outside the box. I need some help, some direction,something,anything. I would apprecaite anything you can offer. SO IS IT POSSIBLE THE CORD HERNIATION AT T-4 COULD BE CAUSING SHORTNESS OF BREATH,AND CHEST/RIB PAINS,IN FRONT BACK AND SIDES. thanks. BAM

[Dr Vinod]

The Doctor was more concerned about your tests as he knows that your spine problem will never cause breathing abnormalities because Breathing is controlled by the brain stem, in the medulla oblongatta. So he sent you back and now you have to visit a chest specialist to find if you have any problem in your lungs or respiratory tract? You can have breathing problems, with excess weight, infection in lungs, cardiac problems and the diagnosis is important and i hope you will get your leads from the chest specialist. Take care!

[Hatingpain]

This was the very first time I've ever done anything like this with a posting, and I just wanted to really thank you for your reply. I am a bit confused though, if I had a lung infection, or respiratory tract issue; wouldn't the cat scan with contrast show this? The blood work was normal? Shouldn't an infection shown up there?  One other thought, as one of my Dr. told me that in speaking with the Pulmonary Dr. they thought it could be plural plufitis (pulisey). When I went to the Pulmonary Dr. he totally flat out denied saying this and was MAD at the Vascular DR. for saying so to me the night before. (This was hours before the Pulmonary DR. sent me to the ER). In any event, would something like pulisey show up on the CAT w/contrast, or the bloodwork? Would this cause the chest pain,front/back around the ribs, and shortness of breath?  Also oddly enough, this morning I've begun coughing a little bit and had coughed up very small brownish flem (phlegm). Then I coughed only a couple more times, and now it seems to have stopped. The good news was that in the beginning of March I quit smoking cold turkey. The even better news was that I didn't get really sick with a broncitis as I had in the past when I tried to quit.Three other times I tried to quit, I got sick the very next week, but this FINIAL last time, I never did. Well, I have to say that today the breathing seems to be almost norm.until I do something phyical, or walk basicly. I still have this heavy feeling in my chest, and the back and front ribs hurt, but I know something is brewing, something is wrong. Perhaps the first few questions above you could help with and that would save me alot more hours of  research on the web. THANKS AGAIN VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.

[Dr Vinod]

Any infection will have symtoms (symptoms) like pain and fever and also your white blood cells get elevated. If you have any infection in Pluera in will be clear in the scans. As your scans and blood work are all normal the clinician thinks that you do not have any problem.
With smoking also you have these problems and as you have mentioned you have quit smoking and now continue to do that and also do some breathing exercises. You did not mention your weight and how much your BMI is?  I hope they are normal. Also consult a Cardiologist to know about the cause of breathlessness. Take care!

[Hatingpain]

Thanks once again for your info. I am beginning to wonder what's wrong for sure at this point. I have actually been beginning the process of WLS, but am not 100% sure if I will l have the surgery. I am 290-lbs. and my BMI is 48.5   I have an appointment in 1 hour with the Pulmonary Dr. but am concerned if I should really be going to the cardiologist. The Dr. today (office staff) said they wanted to do some tests today, and I don't know what kind of breathing tests they do in their office, but I guess I will find out. I have to call as today my insurance changes to Medicare. I can't find a medi-gap policy yet, and I am only 45, so the options are slim to none, it appears. In any event I will see what happens today,and again thank you for your help. I am MUCH better today,and are not breathing anything like I was,and the pain in my chest and ribs have subsided. This is very strange, but I am afraid if it was to come back. Then what?  Well,thanks and have a great day. BAM

[nerniated]

I have a herniated disc, t3, t4 and have begun having pain  and trouble breathing, not like when your sick, like the lungs dont want to work properly.  I feel a burning thru my arms and legs and have had digestive issues for years.  Usually with massage I can have it manipulated so the pressure eases, not at this time though.  I am on toradol anti inflammatory and getting minimal relief.  I figure something must have happened to make my condition worse, but frankly cant recall.  Should I see my Doctor and is there any hope for a recovery?