Upper Back Pain, Thoracic
Posted on: Fri, 10/10/2008 - 20:02
Having Thoracotomy 10/16 any post-Thoracotomy out here?

I am scheduled for a thoracotomy on 10/16 for a T7-T8 disc herniation. According to the surgeon I have an extremely large disc that is causing spinal chord distortion and stenosis and more recently spinal chord swelling. My symptoms are progressively getting worse and I realize I am within my window of opportunity.

I am anxious about what to expect post operatively. I have had multiple abdominal surgeries in the past, but I am concerned because they have stated that there is a possibility that the neurological symptoms could get worse before they are better.

Can anyone out post Thoracotomy give me a sense of your experience during your recovery phase.

Thanks,
Donna


Posted on: Fri, 10/10/2008 - 20:58 #1
HI

HI Donna and welcome.
You will find very few that have had this surgery.
Here is a link to some info that someone posted in the thoracic fourm

http://www.spine-health.com/forum/upper-back-pain-thoracic/thoracic-surg...

If you scroll towards the bottom you will see different types of procedures.

I want to wish you the very best of luck in this surgery. I have a severe thecal sac compression T1 and mild cord compression so I feel your pain..

Hang in there.
Please let us know how you make out when your able. Angel Big Hug

_____________

**ALL ADVICE GIVEN IS STRICTLY PERSONAL AND NOT MEDICAL**
www.myspace.com/emsluvbug 41yr old mom 3 kids Married 21 years.Former EMT-D, Firefighter, CNA, LPN nursing student.
2 C-sections 86/89
R kidney removal 02,
Cervical fusion 5/6 04,
Right lumbar hernia repair 05 (rare)
IBS, OSTEO ARTHRITIS, ARTHRITS, FIRBROMYALGIA,CHRONIC KIDNEY STONES.
L5/S1 fusion w/ hardware own bone graft 9/2007
Proximal row carpectomy (3 bones removed out of wrist)08
Chronic kidney stones
T1-T2 large herniation with severe thecal sac compression. mild cord compression
9/17/08 Revision for non-fusion of lumbar L4-S1. Now home recovering. Angiogram 11/08,
11/24/08 scheduled Aortic Bi-Fem bypass surgery through the belly&thighs due to MIN. circulation in both legs, 90% blockage in left valve in my belly Sad
BRING IT ON BABY!!!! I can handle the world! Smile You cannot knock me down!!!
Its not easy but ya HAVE to keep going or it will get to you first Smile
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Posted on: Fri, 10/10/2008 - 21:08 #2
Thank you

Thank you so much for the link, it was very informative. It scary to know that it is not a common procedure and that the risks are very real. I have a team of 3 surgeons that will be performing the operation, so I have faith in the team, I am just worried about what happens once the surgery is done.

Thanks for your support, and I am sure I will be out here alot once I get home from the hospital

Posted on: Sat, 10/11/2008 - 09:01 #3
Thoracotomy

Hi Crazy5,
Welcome, Sometimes its so hard to get an answer because we go through a procedure that is not done as often. Is this procedure going through the chest?

I did want to offer my support.

Everyone is so different with the healing process. Please be good to yourself and just plan to rest as much as you can. Ask your doctors what type of limitations he will prescribe for healing.

Take care and I'll be thinking of you.
O-

Posted on: Thu, 10/30/2008 - 00:20 #4
thoracotomy surgery

Hi donna,
I am also going to have this surgery around the same time hopefully. I was in an accident june 6 and my disk came out of the space at t7/t8 and traveled up my spinal cord and is putting pressure around t6 area. the doctor has been treating me with conservative measures but the pain is not getting better,and i keep going up on pain meds. the last few days my lower leg has been hurting like i really injured it, but the pain iscomingfrom my spinalcord. the strange partis that when my leg hurts my intestines work,which theyhaven't done sine june. this is great because it shows my intestines can work! what are your symptoms. how did youinjure yourself? where are you having surgery?
i willbethinking about you
carrie ann

Posted on: Wed, 11/26/2008 - 12:22 #5
Post-thoracotomy

I'm 1 year post-thoracotomy, so if there is anything specific you need to know for the road ahead, feel free to ask (PM is fine). Sorry I didn't see this post pre-surgery.

Good luck!

_____________

30 y/o male - 3 kids
11/07 - Diagnosis after minor pain (hemangioma eating T8)
12/07 - Tumor embolization, thoracotomy, T8 Vertebrectomy, T7-T9 fusion
11/08 - Remaining tumor still growing toward spinal cord. Possible posterior surgery in future?