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.

[kitkat31625]

HI Paintogo,
I have multiple disc problems as well in my cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.  I've been diagnoised with Cervical & Lumbar stenosis, Myelopathy(spinal cord injury), degenetive joint disease, Fibromyalgia, TMJ and Multinodule goiter.  I had Cervical fusion done in July 07 and had worsening pain/problems.  I have been off on medical leave from work since surgery due to all these problems. My employer has not been paying me my benefits.  I was thinking about filing for Social Security Disability.  My doctors told me that I will gradually worsen.   I see you were denied.  Did you try to get approved just one time or several?  If I may ask what was the reason for the denial?

[Maine859]

This is a very interesting website...I've saved it as a favorite.  I had C5/6 fusion in '04 and it went grate until July now my C4 and C7 vertebrae have deteriorated as a result of the fusion.  Horrible numbness around my C7 vertebra with again horrible radiating pain to my shoulders/arms/hands/ collar bone!!! My Neurosurgeon doesn't recommend surgery until better options are available with artificial vertebrae ... he hopes in a couple years so I'm waiting for that.  

So I started going to PT and now have horrible pains in my thoracic spine.  I have a LOT of muscular problems ... but the PT was making my ribs hurt (floating ribs and ribs associated with my T10).  I had already been to the ER because I had a lot of pain trying to breathe on night trying to sleep.  They concluded after 4 hours that it was muscular/skeletal.  I finally told my PT to STOP HURTING me worse than I already hurt!!!  She looked up the results of my MRI online and the Neuro's comments said I have an abnormal blood flow at T10 and recommended a CT/Myelogram if any pain ever developed.

So, a week and a half ago I had the CT/Myelogram.  Unfortunately, they sent me home with the film to wait for my follow-up appt with the Neuro on 1/3 (he was out last half of Dec for holiday).  And I am, unfortunately, too curious not to look at the film, research online, and try to self-diagnose.  There really isn't much info. out there for the thoracic spine.  My Neuro warned me that surgery to the T-spine may help keep the pain from getting worse, but that there hasn't been much success in making it better ... even if they "cure" the problem.  [Great, hun?]  

From reading countless neurological abstracts, looking at CT/MRI images, etc. it "appears" ... and, yes, I know I'm no radiologist, I have a complete break-down/calcification of my T1-Vertebral body and what appears to be a tumor in T9-10 in the thecal sac pushing against my spinal cord.  Even if he suggested it, I don't know that I'd let him perform any surgery on T9-10 if I was even close to a correct "self-diagnosis."  I wish I could just forget about it until 1/3 when I see the Neuro again!!!  I'm obviously not too good at patience!!!

I'm taking Robaxin, Vicoprofen, and Ultram (not sure if that one's doing anything).  I also have a TENS unit.  As long as I don't let the meds wear off and I use the TENS machine when the pain is really bad, I can get through the pain.  So, I highly recommend the TENS unit if you (or your loved one, Marry256) don't already have one.  It sends signals to your brain that interrupts the pain receptors so your brain doesn't receive the pain signals.  They're a hand-held version of the machine they use in PT and at the Chiropractor's office.  Of course, don't over do it, or you could put yourself in more pain ... I kept using my attachment (sorry, can't remember what they're called) even after the gel wore off and was giving myself shocks ... which made me have chest pains.  

[P.S.  I'm also past the days of going to the chiropractor ... I'd be too afraid to let them "adjust" any of my bones as they are ... I also have osteoporosis.  Wouldn't want to give him an opportunity to make things worse!]

[nolifetolive]

I would LOVE to talk to you,as we have the same symptoms. my email is ***@****
hope to hrar from you soon

[mike1105]

if the chest is tight, the pecs ned to be manually released of their trigger points and then stretched... doorway stretches are the best for this--- also-- keep your head over your spine--chin tuck exercises. the scalenes and SCMs also being tight will pull your head forward-- so they also need trigger point release and then steetching-- as often as you can...

for the back-- do exercises that strengthen the rhomboids---shoulder blade pinching exercises.

i cant tell you what to do-- i can only tell you what i did..... it hurt to do all this stuff- sometimes i t made me worse in the short term.. when it hurt, i used heat, and then did more trigger point work and more stretching. then I iced the really sore areas. muscles are very very very very (get the idea??) stubborn.

[Bear2811]

Hey Mike,
I have a similiar problem that started in August, and I would like to follow your suggestions, but everything I do seems to send me back into spasm, and I don't want to repeat those chest pains again. I've been trying to do no physical until it settles down - do you think that's the right thing to do?
If everything is really irritated, what is the best way to start?

Thanks for any advice, Barry

[mike1105]

in he meantime while you are waiting for books you can read Jolie Bookspan's website.. she has many exercises and stretches right on her sight. You can print it out and give it to your husband to read. In my humble opinion, the sooner you stop hoping that doctors will"fix" him  the better off he'll be. He is probably better off spending the time stretching thasn sitting in a car or a waiting room. I do not want to go on record as saying he should not go to the doctor. I am just saying that for me (and my case sounds similar to your husband's) all they did was give me false hope and cause disappointment. And I saw dozens of Mds. If he has a muscle imbalance syndrome, I would not expect chiropractics, acupuncture, injections, surgery or pills to work at all. Repeated visits to the doctor with no results eventually convinced me  had to fix my pain on my own--ie that nothing a doctor could treat was wrng with me,