t8-t9 disc herniation

[robitaip]

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.  

[1step4ward]

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).                        

[DPL_OZ]

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!

[watto1]

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.

[myot]

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

[Carr0104]

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.

[corey4433]

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.