Tumor in the spine

[ShannonMarieB]

For the past year and a half I have been dealing with severe pain.  We have done MRI's, Bone Scans, Xrays etc. and the one thing we found is a mid-size hemangioma in the T6 where all my pain is from - this is new from the MRI I had done 4 years ago after a car accident.  I understand most doctors believe that they are no symptoms but I have a hard time accepting this when it is exactly where my pain is.  The pain is not muscular - we have done 14 trigger injections twice with NO relief.  TENS Unit - no relief.  Lidocaine patches - no relief.  I have stopped taking my pain pills and muscle relaxers because they are only making me sick - no relief.  The pain is literally in the bone.  What am I to do?  I am having another MRI tomorrow to see if the tumor has changed.  

ps. I am 29 years old, active, former ballet dancer, good posture, great diet, and I regularly worked out until this problem

[Tuckamore]

Hi Shannon,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement forum of MedHelp. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain. we can all relate.

I did a little searching and found this older post on MedHelp Neurology Expert forum. I thought you might like to read this informative response. Address as follows: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/hemangioma/show/294940

As you know vertebral hemangioma is benign vascular tumor composed of vascular channels that are cavernous, capillary, or venous in type. It is most often considered an incidental finding. I agree that there is a possibility that this can be the source of your pain. Opinions differ and indeed we are all different and who is to say just how this is effecting your spinal structure.

I also believe that muscle and soft tissue pain can be difficult to pinpoint in a diagnosis and treat.

I am glad that you are having a repeat MRI. Hopefully this will provide more answers. Please share with us the results of your MRI and let us know how you are doing. We will look forward to hearing from you again.

Take Care,
Tuck  

[Mollyrae]

Hi Shannon:

I'm sorry that you have to go through this. Are you telling me that the Doctors think that you should have no pain from the Tumor? I think that's crazy...especially when it's on the spine. They should know better.

I'm also sorry that the pain meds do not work. I really don't have much advise for you except maybe a therapeutic pool. I have found them to be very soothing. Have you tried it?

I use the Fentanyl Patch which has been a god send for me. Without the patch, I'd be in quite a bit of pain. They have 72 hr, around the clock pain relief. If you haven't tried the Fentanyl Patch, maybe you should talk with your Doctor about it.

Others will post at various times with more advise. Please take care and good luck,
Mollyrae