Multi- level thoracic disc herniations

[loiskerr]

CT Myelogram and MRI results.
-T5 T6 7mm large disc herniation
-T6 T7 5mm disc herniation
-T7 T8 3.5 paracentral spur causing deformity thercal sac
-T8 T9 disc/osteophyte complex on the right parcentral region abutting the cord.
-T9 T10 small right paracentral disc herniation and mild flattening.

Impression:
Multiple regions of disc herniation with calcification from the T5 level down to T10 causing varying degrees of spinal stenosis as well as cord flattening and abutment.

I had an Anterior Discetomy and fusion of C5 and C6. Titanium disc and plate. Recovered well some stiffness.

My Neuro said he would do the thoracic operation but doesn't want too. 15% risk of paralising me. I have not worked in two years and the pain is everyday every minute. My question is does this get worse with time? I have trouble with bladder and bowel frequency and my legs hurt, sometime I can't walk. Can't find much info on this subject so rare. Thanks any advice will help.

[2012ram]

I am 39 years old and our symptoms and diagnosis are almost identical.  I was in a car accident in Jan and pray everyday that the "next treatment" will be the one that provides me relief.  It has been a never ending battle of ESI, meds, TENS unit, MRI's, ER visits with severe stabbing pain in my lung and chest.  I am so early in the battle compared to most of you but i am already exhausted.  I pray for each and everyone of us sifting through these websites for a glimmer of hope!  I do have faith it will get better but at times I fear that this is the way it is going to be for the rest of my life.  

[Jodiah]

Pain in the Thoracic region is very complicated and it is different for each individual. The pain around the ribs/chest come from the nerves being pressed on from inflammation around the herniations? If you follow the nerves on a chart as from where they arise from, there is some understanding of that sort of pain. I have a small disc herniation at T8-9 and a large herniation indenting my spinal cord at T11-12. I saw a Neurosurgeon at first; the reason that surgery is risky in the thoracic area is because the spinal canal in that region of the spine is much narrower than the lumbar and cervical; also, there is an area which brings in large blood supply in that narrow canal. So it is risky for the spinal cord and it is risky with bleeding. The Neurosurgeon had a difficult time understanding why I was having so much pain ( I felt he didn't trust my assessment of my own pain), so he referred me to a Physiatrist. I really liked him and he understood my pain much more. I am an RN and my job is very physical and demanding. I will probably have to find a new type of job. What has been working for me:    Ice, Ice and more Ice: 15 min. a few times a day. Acupuncture, Orthobionomy,  Also, Mentally this has really rocked my world as I am only 47 and have always been very active. So, I am trying to embrace and accept this as a part of me, while still trying to find out what helps me feel better and what I can do and not do.  I am also going to try EMDR with a therapist to "sort of re-wire" my pain pathways in my brain. Very interesting concept with chronic pain. I have only been dealing with this all for the past 9 months. My heart goes out to all of you. Don't give up....just keep trying new things. Our bodies are pretty amazing; they can do a lot.     Jody

[aimster26]

Mourningpain,

I have three buldging thoracic disks and I have had severe heart attack like chest pain. Did you just have a steroid injection????? Let me know, I had a reaction to the steroid shots and found out you shouldn't even have them in the thoracic area. Anyway, I have had this 19 years and have had all kinds of symptoms such as parylazation and I can't find a doctor willing to help. The won't help because they say it is too dangerous, also because it is not pressing on my spinal cord enough but it is on the nerve roots. The pain I have from this injury is so painful that I can hardly function anymore. I have a job now, but I am on temporary disability because of my pain. I am desperate to get help before I loose my insurance and my job. I can't afford to go on disability!!!  I am so willing to take the risk even if I was paralyzed because the pain is so bad I wish I were dead! If a person had a dog in this much pain I am sure they would do the humane thing and put the dog to sleep! If anyone knows any doctor that does thoracic surgery for nerve root compression please let me know while I have a fresh MRI and insurance! Thanks, I know what you all are going through. I will have to write my list of symptoms sometime.

[jeffreylane]

I am a 43 year old male with severe thoracic  pain. i have had  mri"s they show the following...multi-level predominatly small central disc hurniations/protusions on t3/4 t4/5 t5/6 t/67 as well as hurniation/protusion with bone spurrs on c/4.There is also thickening of  superspinous ligamnets in this region. anybody have any good suggestions or information for me. i have had epidurals, snrb"s and intercolostal nerve blocks. antiinflammatories have not worked for me either. steroid i njection's nothing. please let me know if you can relateand am i looking at surgey? the toracic thing scares me.

[billybigbass]

Im with you I have a large midline disk herniation at t7 t8 and these people that want to come on here and play doctor get us in trouble, I tried these execises with hope that it would work, but guess what when your nerves are compressed they will hurt.  This guy is either selling the books for them or is mad because he has the same pains but they cant find anything wrong with his disk.  1 year of this trianing muscle bs and probably in worse shape, thanks salesman.

[loiskerr]

I'm Lois who started this thread. I'm now in consult with the Cleveland Spine Clinic. Let me first state that this is not a muscle problem. Mike did you not see my results? I have large heriations that are cutting the blood supply to my spine. So I will have the thoracic operation and will have life long problems. Being paralized from the waist down isn't in my program, so I will try to fix it. I fell off a ten yard dumpster with huge trauma to my back. Telling people like me not to find a real answer scares me. I do need an operation to save myself don't need guys like you telling me or anyone else there is no pain. You have no idea what we deal with. The pain is very real and it comes from the herniations. So please make your own thread, I want to talk to people with my injury. Anyone wanting to chat can email me. Lois