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.

[marrry256]

My husband is 33 years old. In October he had his first attack. He thought it was a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. They did every heart scan possible and everything came back wonderfully. We have had every organ checked and everything came back fine.Heave also been to the ER a few more times after that as he has Vagal Responses to this. We just (after months of internet research) found a sports medicine doctor who figured out that he has a bulging thoracic disc.MRI results are:
T5-T6: Small right paramedian herniation
T7-T8: Small right paramedian herniation
T8-T9 Right paracentral to lateral herniation, with effacement of the thecal sac and minimal chord deformity on the right
T9-T10: minimal central disc bulge or protrusion
I wanted to let you know that his too feels like a heart attack and after researching the internet I have found that most thoracic problems lead to chest pain. He is now taking Percocet and we have Lidocain patches the he puts on his chest and back. They take some of the edge off the pain. He is scheduled to have a nerve block tomoroow morning then we will go from there. I don't know how you feel about Chiropractors but I have heard some promising thins about a technique called Flexion-Distraction. I know that most Doctors will tell you not to go the Chiropractic route but after the nerve block tomorrow I have every intention of doing so. If the surgery is a difficult and has a low success rate why not? We also plan on seeing an acupuncturinst for pain management as he also has slipping rib syndrome on his right rib. This has been such a hard year for him I hope each and every one of you find some kind of relief as I know that it must be for you as well. Good luck to you all in your searching. Please for your own sake don't put all your eggs in one basket. Doctors are a gift but they are still just people with a higher education don't rule out alternative medicine. I hope to combine the two.

[mike1105]

what are your husband's symptoms? what does he do for a living? when is his pain the worst??? is he overweight? does he spend alot of time on the computer??? i may be able to help.

[marrry256]

Mike, my husband is 5'8 and 185 pounds. He is a Director of a company so is in a super high stress position and spends COUNTLESS hours on the computer. He has also been in about 5 car accidents and has had a "bad back" as long as I have known him. His symptoms are severe chest pain, dizziness, rib pain. The pain seems to be worst when he is sitting. Also I have observed they seem worse after a big meal (is that possible?) We have been to the ER a few times, on Friday he had a nerve block which seems to be doing very little to relieve the pain. The Doctor did say that this would take about four days to help. I am not holding my breath. Sorry to sound so negative but even being the one not in pain, just dealing with this and the meds, pre-pays, docs etc...has worn me out and I am trying very hard to keep the faith that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. My friends father is a chiropractor and I have every faith in him. However, he lives about 130 miles from us so going to his office has not yet been possible as my husband cannot sit that long. We are considering taking our motorhome to his house and camping out in his driveway for a week to do some extensive work. ANY andvice, thoughts, opinions would be GREATLY appreciated. Hope you hear b ack from you Mike. Thanks for taking interest.

[mike1105]

This is not a diagnosis by any means, just something you should look into, as I had very similar symptoms. I am pain free now. There is something called Upper Crossed Syndrome. It is a fancy name given to a syndrome of front to back muscle imbalance. You'll need to look it up: search on the net for Vladimir Janda and Erik Dalton for a detailed explanation. You will need some sort of muscle chart too.

It is a pain syndrome that comes from a weak mid (thoracic) back--weak rhomboids, posterior scapular stabilizers and longitudinal muscles of the spine, combined with a tight chest, and tight short muscles in the neck--namely the scalenes and SCMs. The tightness in the pectoral muscles (pec major and pec minor) cause chest pain that also sent me to the ER a few times thinking I was having a heart attack. The serratus muscles on the sides of the chest, under the arms can also hurt,. this syndrome is horrible, but it is fixable with dedication, patience and an understanding of the problem. You get this syndrome from long term closed in. hunched over, forward head posture-- typical in computer users. the trick is to stretch and relieve trigger points in the short tight muscles, and to strengthen the mid back muscles--especially the rhomboids and posterior scapular stabilizers with exercises--namely shoulder blade pinching exercises and extension exercises (ie the OPPOSITE of the flexed computer at the desk posture). Your husband needs also to aggressively correct his posture and be aware of it 24/7. The sources I recommend are: a website by Jolie BookSpan, and perhaps her book on "How to Fix your back pain without drugs or surgery"--a trigger point manual by Clair Davies, and a great little red book on posture by Paul D'Arezzo. It took me 3 months of 3 times per day 45 minute sessions to even notice improvement---- so be patient. I still constantly check my posture to make sure my head is balanced over my spine, and my pelvis is not tilted forward. I know this all sounds like alot but once you understand the concept (tight front/loose and weak back) it is easy to fix (stretch the front/strengthen the back). Jolie Bookspan was nice enought to explain the syndrome to me personally thru email. She saved my life as I had already had 5 useless surgical procedures/injections/meds etc etc. IF your husband's problem is the same as what I had, he cannot rely on laying on a table and having someone else fix him....... He is the only one who can do it. keep me posted.

[mike1105]

ps-- to me, your husband's MRI report seems very unimpressive.....of course I know you did not post the whole report but what you did post does not sound like anything important and related to his pain.most people over the age of 30 have herniations--they hardly ever cause symptoms. this is one thing patients have a hard time understanding when they read their own reports-- findings do not necessarily translate into reasons for pain.

[mike1105]

one more thing-----it can never hurt to have  complete medical workup-- i would never advise against that-- but the more often tests come back negative, the more likely his problem is muscular---(and it certainly sounds like what i had) this is how it went for me-- i had every test imaginable during 2 visits to the mayo clinic in minnesota (i live in florida).... they found nothing. the worst thing anyone can do is allow a doctor to operate on pain.