lindie2
12-30-2008, 10:36 PM
anyone out there have thoracic problems?
I had a mri and dr. found disc herniation at t6/7 and bulging at t7/8,t8/9.
he said i needed to start with injections in this area to see if i get any relief,
i am in such horrible pain it feels like someone is standing on my back inbetween my shoulder blades. sitting is the worst as it seems to put the most pressure on this area. i had disc fusion on c5/c6 in april '07 now it's
moving on down. when i seen the dr. today (assistant) he said they rarely operate on this area-well i can't imagine living like this in this kind of pain, i can hardly drive anymore the pain is that bad. please if anyone out there has this problem would you please give me some info and hope....i really would be thankful and i appreciate everyone taking the time to listen.
GOD BLESS!:angel:
I had a mri and dr. found disc herniation at t6/7 and bulging at t7/8,t8/9.
he said i needed to start with injections in this area to see if i get any relief,
i am in such horrible pain it feels like someone is standing on my back inbetween my shoulder blades. sitting is the worst as it seems to put the most pressure on this area. i had disc fusion on c5/c6 in april '07 now it's
moving on down. when i seen the dr. today (assistant) he said they rarely operate on this area-well i can't imagine living like this in this kind of pain, i can hardly drive anymore the pain is that bad. please if anyone out there has this problem would you please give me some info and hope....i really would be thankful and i appreciate everyone taking the time to listen.
GOD BLESS!:angel:
Sponsor
neckpatient
01-03-2009, 01:37 AM
Hi lindie2 - I have problems like you. I am fused C4-7 after multiple surgeries for lots of degenerative related problems and I still have stenosis. Then I started with thoracic (T5-6, 8-9. 11-12). Sorry to say it worked its way on down and now my lumbar is degenerating too and recently my discs blew out at L4-5, L5-S1 and my legs have been having problems. I have bad foraminal narrowing and facet problems at all my levels as well as the disc degeneration so basically I am continually chasing problems.
On the thoracic here is what helped me - I used these patches on the surface by script with lidocaine in them - lidoderm. I was told in that part of the back especially around T5 -7 level the nerves run real close to the surface. They did work a little on those levels. I also had epidural injections in the thoracic and they helped take the edge off as well. Maybe you might also benefit from a course of oral steroids - ask doctor. Thoracic isn't an area they go into lightly so it would have to be real bad (life threatening) before I would consider anything there. And even then I would only let the best surgeon in the country in Thoracic Surgery come near me.
If this is a continuing problem for you it might be time for you to get into pain management . Sometimes surgery can't fix everything! I have a great PM and am able to have somewhat of a life and my pain levels have gotten into a more managed state .
Hang in there!
On the thoracic here is what helped me - I used these patches on the surface by script with lidocaine in them - lidoderm. I was told in that part of the back especially around T5 -7 level the nerves run real close to the surface. They did work a little on those levels. I also had epidural injections in the thoracic and they helped take the edge off as well. Maybe you might also benefit from a course of oral steroids - ask doctor. Thoracic isn't an area they go into lightly so it would have to be real bad (life threatening) before I would consider anything there. And even then I would only let the best surgeon in the country in Thoracic Surgery come near me.
If this is a continuing problem for you it might be time for you to get into pain management . Sometimes surgery can't fix everything! I have a great PM and am able to have somewhat of a life and my pain levels have gotten into a more managed state .
Hang in there!
chatterboxsd
01-03-2009, 01:13 PM
Hi, Lindie. I had a herniated disc from an injury that progressed to a point that I couldn't stand it any more. I have bulges at the cervical level that I manage with exercise, acupuncture, meds, and such. I tried everything for my thoracic area: yoga, chiropractic, acupuncture, PT, water PT, injections, RFA, meds, and all that multiple times and nothing helped. So, I had an XLIF surgery. And the fusion failed. So, I had a revision about a year later. Fortunately, it was successful, but the hardware was so invasive that I had back spasms that wouldn't ever stop. So, I had the hardware from the 2nd surgery taken out. I still have severe pain. We suspect it is still from the original hardware because my rib rubs against a plate from the first surgery. I cannot work, cook, do housework, walk more than 5 blocks, and so on. I'm 35 years old. Before, I ran half marathons, worked 60 hours a week, and entertained all the time.
I understand the constant pain. I encourage you to find a very knowledgeable doctor and try every non-invasive strategy you can think of before considering surgery.
I did not think I could end up like I am today because I was such a healthy, positive person who took responsibility for my health. I don't say this to scare you, but just to give you a real life story. I think there are treatments that can make you more comfortable and functional. If I were to go back, I would keep trying to find one, rather than go to surgery. I found a surgeon who made it seem like the surgery was not going to be a big deal. And now here I am...
I send you the very best. Please update what's going on with you. I don't check in every day, but I will make a point to check in more often because I know there are so few thoracic folks!
- Margaret
I understand the constant pain. I encourage you to find a very knowledgeable doctor and try every non-invasive strategy you can think of before considering surgery.
I did not think I could end up like I am today because I was such a healthy, positive person who took responsibility for my health. I don't say this to scare you, but just to give you a real life story. I think there are treatments that can make you more comfortable and functional. If I were to go back, I would keep trying to find one, rather than go to surgery. I found a surgeon who made it seem like the surgery was not going to be a big deal. And now here I am...
I send you the very best. Please update what's going on with you. I don't check in every day, but I will make a point to check in more often because I know there are so few thoracic folks!
- Margaret
lindie2
01-03-2009, 01:25 PM
thank you so much for the reply and info!
it means so much to talk to someone else that is dealing with the same issues.
i have disc problems in the lower region also but the thoracic area is the worst pain i've ever had, it actually is hard to take a good breath. hope and pray these injections help
me deal with it. i take tramadol for pain and it doesn't even touch it. also the patches you mentioned sound good. again thanx so much for the advice and support!
GOD BLESS! LINDA
it means so much to talk to someone else that is dealing with the same issues.
i have disc problems in the lower region also but the thoracic area is the worst pain i've ever had, it actually is hard to take a good breath. hope and pray these injections help
me deal with it. i take tramadol for pain and it doesn't even touch it. also the patches you mentioned sound good. again thanx so much for the advice and support!
GOD BLESS! LINDA
lindie2
01-03-2009, 01:40 PM
hi chatterboxsd!
thank you for your response, i'm am so thankful for your insight.
i can't imagine what you've went through with the surgeries. when you are in so much pain you will try anything to get out of it. i can deal with the other pain but the thoracic
has brought me down. actually standing with my neck bent foward is the only relief i get, i can't sit over 5 min. at a time. i am sceduled to see the dr. for injections-hope and pray they give me some relief. will keep in touch and praying you have pain free days, god bless. linda
thank you for your response, i'm am so thankful for your insight.
i can't imagine what you've went through with the surgeries. when you are in so much pain you will try anything to get out of it. i can deal with the other pain but the thoracic
has brought me down. actually standing with my neck bent foward is the only relief i get, i can't sit over 5 min. at a time. i am sceduled to see the dr. for injections-hope and pray they give me some relief. will keep in touch and praying you have pain free days, god bless. linda
chatterboxsd
01-03-2009, 04:50 PM
Hi, Linda. I thought I'd check back, and yep, you checked in! I remember when I first got on these boards I searched frantically for any thoracic folks!
I hope the injections give you relief, too. Remember that they can cause an increase in your symptoms at first before they start working. And sometimes, it takes a couple rounds because they can only put so much steroid in that small space. So, try, try, try to be patient. I know that's not a comfort at all. But, get your ice packs ready and some funny movies or whatever brain candy you like... ;)
The one strategy I try to use as I still navigate this process is that I try to find a way to manage my pain for the short term while I work on solutions for the long term. So, I may use ice, lidocaine patches, and meds for now, knowing that it's not a permanent solution. But, it keeps me from going insane TODAY! You know how long it takes to get appointments with specialists and to try the more specialized treatments and how long it takes to see if they really are going to work for you. So, you need something in the meantime to help with day to day. Does that make sense? If you don't already, I'd consider working with a pain management doctor who has that perspective. You've got to keep your sanity as you go through this process. The reality is that you probably won't find an overnight cure to your situation. While you're working through it, you do not deserve to be in horrible pain.
I do not like taking pills, but I have resigned myself to taking meds with some regularity just to be more comfortable, along with plenty of other lifestyle changes. Journaling what you're trying will REALLY help you in reporting your history: what you've tried, for how long, and so on. You'll be surprised as time goes by that your memory can get fuzzy what you were doing when and how you felt. It really helps doctors know your condition and take you seriously.
Keep your chin up and don't be afraid to ask for support from those around you. Lots of times, people want to be helpful and they just don't know how. So, if you just need a shoulder to cry on, tell them that. Or if you need them to pick up basic groceries to save you a trip, I bet they wouldn't mind. But, otherwise, folks sometimes move away from people in pain because they don't know what to do.
I'm rooting for you!
- Margaret
I hope the injections give you relief, too. Remember that they can cause an increase in your symptoms at first before they start working. And sometimes, it takes a couple rounds because they can only put so much steroid in that small space. So, try, try, try to be patient. I know that's not a comfort at all. But, get your ice packs ready and some funny movies or whatever brain candy you like... ;)
The one strategy I try to use as I still navigate this process is that I try to find a way to manage my pain for the short term while I work on solutions for the long term. So, I may use ice, lidocaine patches, and meds for now, knowing that it's not a permanent solution. But, it keeps me from going insane TODAY! You know how long it takes to get appointments with specialists and to try the more specialized treatments and how long it takes to see if they really are going to work for you. So, you need something in the meantime to help with day to day. Does that make sense? If you don't already, I'd consider working with a pain management doctor who has that perspective. You've got to keep your sanity as you go through this process. The reality is that you probably won't find an overnight cure to your situation. While you're working through it, you do not deserve to be in horrible pain.
I do not like taking pills, but I have resigned myself to taking meds with some regularity just to be more comfortable, along with plenty of other lifestyle changes. Journaling what you're trying will REALLY help you in reporting your history: what you've tried, for how long, and so on. You'll be surprised as time goes by that your memory can get fuzzy what you were doing when and how you felt. It really helps doctors know your condition and take you seriously.
Keep your chin up and don't be afraid to ask for support from those around you. Lots of times, people want to be helpful and they just don't know how. So, if you just need a shoulder to cry on, tell them that. Or if you need them to pick up basic groceries to save you a trip, I bet they wouldn't mind. But, otherwise, folks sometimes move away from people in pain because they don't know what to do.
I'm rooting for you!
- Margaret