Ron, I showed my MRI's to my PM today and he just shook his head and said you poor girl. I habe 4 herniated disks in my thoracis and 1 in my cervical. Bringing a total of 8 herniated disks thrughout my whole spine. He put me on the Fentanyl patch today. Hopefully it will help.

1. How did it get started? ~~poor weight lifting technique

2. How long have you been dealing with in? ~~4years!

3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help? ~~have tried acupuncture, hydro therapy, prolotherapy, massage, chiro, etc... all help some but no cure. the only medicine that works somewhat is tramadol... listen, this can actually ease my severe pain to a degree, but it screws w/my sex drive and function. it keeps me awake if i take it past 7pm. i hate being on tramadol 3 times every single day year in and year out. i honestly am very thankful for tramadol but it is not without penalty. i'm 6 feet 180. when i starve myself to get to around 160, and lift nothing over 15 lbs and try not to drive as much the pain is slighly less.

4. Has Surgery been considered? ~~MRI: no significant findings. nothing to operate. suspected spinal ligament damage.

5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )~~yes. i love having pressure on the point, but no real help next day.

6. What causes it to flare up more?~~ driving, any lifting especially w/ my arms out in front. yoga, pilates, weight lifting, using poles hiking, sleeping on anything soft all make me horrifically painful. anything at all where my midback is strained, stretched or taxed will necessitate immediate med use.

7. When you have flareups what do you do about them? ~~tramadol plus advil will ease this incredible pain in about 30 minutes. the issue i have is with chronic meds and their side effects. at least i can get relief, but the pain is with me every single day. every single year.

8. Can you continue to work with this condition? ~~ yes, in pain.

9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same? ~~ same

10. How are you dealing with it all? ~~ well, unfortunately i get to be one of us that has the "back pain complaint." i absolutely hate complaining but here we are. im an active man. my life's richness comes from my activities, all of which punish my thoracospine. difficult to achieve a balanced happiness. any advice greatly appreciated. thank you all for being there w/ me.

Outside of me being a female (42yo) - i could have written your post - no answers have been given to me - except they think it is my muscles -even tried botox on the trap....I do have some cervical issues, but the t pain, b/w the shoulder blades oh man - nothing on an mri either....pain from the same complaints you have.

i use tramadol too - thankful for it, but wish it wasn't needed and absolutely no sex drive...poor hubby!

Not sure what you do for a living....but at my job is labor intensive, so i am unable to avoid the exact things that make things worse. I have been dealing with this now for 2 years in april.

welcome and keep us updated.
pfm

problems in many ways better than MRI's for cervical and lumbar problems.
Still, thoracic problems remains the most difficult to treat.
When MRI's do not show up any significant problems, then I would agree to doctors saying its a muscular situation.
One major problem with thoracic situations is the deep rhomboid muscle. There is a major and minor rhomboid. It is a very deep muscle and when it becomes rigid , it can place additional stress on the upper Thoracic discs. Until the muscle is pliable, some of the Thoracic pain continues.
Its not an easy situation to resolve

Hi

I haven't been on for a while but catching up on the posts I see there are more new people sharing the Thoracic conundrum. That's what I call it as no one can give a definitive answer to the wide scope of problems caused by it. (sorry a little down today)

New symptoms, wondering if anyone else has anything similar. Only today did I start to wonder if the Thoracic injury was causing the new issue.

Two days ago I had what I thought began as a cramp in my foot but after staying awake for hours with it I realized it was more than a muscle cramp. For the last few months I have been getting pain in the right buttocks and into the right leg. Then I have this feeling of the foot cramp added to it. I am sitting here now after taking my tramacet and Ibuprofren and icing the foot. I couldn't move for the morning with the pain. But as I sat with the ice on the foot I realized that there was definite nerve sensations throughout the leg which seemed to manifest in the foot the worst.

Am I imagining it or is it possible that there is a link between my thoracic injury and this new symptom. I still have not been able to see a neurologist, I will have to put more pressure on my dr., at the next appoinment.

These questions are great and have been very informative to read the answers posted!

Thoracic Problems

1. How did it get started? November 23, 2008, I feel 8 feet from my daughter's playhouse. I suffered multiple fractures from T2 through T12 and had T11 and T12 fused with screws, rods and plates.

2. How long have you been dealing with in? Since November 23, 2008.

3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help? I am under the care of my neurosurgeon, pain management doctor, back and forth with aquatic physical therapy and see a family therapist for emotional help.

4. Has Surgery been considered? I had extensive surgery after my fall. The surgeon pulled me back together in the thoracic area (muscles, etc.) and fused T11 and T12.

5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing ) I have not tried this yet, but hope to in the future. My muscles are way too sore to start this.

6. What causes it to flare up more? Since I've been weaning myself off of the TSLO brace, my abdominal muscles and back muscles "scream". I thought I was doing great with the aquatic therapy, but apparently I shouldn't have felt as sore as I was. I am off the PT for a few weeks and I'm looking forward to starting this again. Just takes a long time for all of the layers of muscles to come back to life.

7. When you have flareups what do you do about them? I generally rest, take the maximum dose of my pain medications, relax by watching a good television program or movie, read, journal and try my best to think positive thoughts. I always remind myself that feeling pain is good, as it means my muscles are starting to come alive and I am not paralyzed. Sometimes, I cry just to get the frustrations out of my system.

8. Can you continue to work with this condition? No. I am on Long Term Disability until the end of the year. It might be longer. My employer is holding my position for me, in the event I can someday return to work. I love my job so very much. Working in finance and human resources is my profession.

9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same? I have been getting better, thank God. Once I accepted that this is going to be a very slow process... it has helped me mentally. I also realize there are possibilities of set-backs and if those occur... I will do my best to not get discouraged. Bad days are a given and when I get down, I will reach out to others for support and encouragement.

10. How are you dealing with it all? Wow... it has been one heck of a challenge. This has been a life changing event for my family and me. In a matter of seconds, I went from having a happy and active life... to being bed-ridden. The most difficult part of this has been accepting that I will be dealing with back pain the rest of my life. My goal is to minimize the pain as much as possible and do whatever is needed to get me to that point. If I can get rid of the emotional distress my accident caused my hubby and children, I will be so happy. I still have nightmares about the reactions from my children and hubby... what they had to witness and hear at the time of my fall.

1. How did it get started?
This year around memorial day I was chocking on my food, husband almost had to give me the hihmlick. wet my pants and both of my nostrals blead due to the preasure. My husband helped our 3 year old out of the room.
2. How long have you been dealing with in? 3 months of having stabing pain in my right shoulder blade when breathing all the time, sleeping is impossible.1 month wait to see any nurosurgeons in my area.
3. What treatments are you currently under?Tylonol did not work,Aleave did not work,ibeprophen did not work,muscle relaxers did not work,Vicodin did not work,Percocet works for sleeping at night of and on. Was put on oxcicoton every 12 hours was helping the pain but then made me very sick had to stop taking it. I use a tens unit all day and Percocet only at night this helps but is only a bandaid.Phisical theropy 2 times aweek with deep tissue and heated ultrasound feels good for short-term releaf a day.
4. Has Surgery been considered? On Aug. 10 I will get my first nerosurgeon consult. I am nervous and excited at the same time.
5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )I think so but not really sure.
6. What causes it to flare up more?Sitting at my computer desk at work, playing with my son, holding him, doing laundry, dishes, All the everyday things a mom has to do to get through the day.
7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?Hot and cold pack, tens unit, oral medications, icy hot, hot showers and soakings, Nothing really works for very long.
8. Can you continue to work with this condition? I grin and bear it, I can't aford not to work.
9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?It comes and goes the more I push myself the more it flairs up.
10. How are you dealing with it all? It's day by day, As long as I have the Medications so I get some rest the better I can tackle the next day.I am hopefully for some releaf and this forum helps. I am 32 with a very active 3 year old so there is no stoping me every. I will have to totally fall apart before I stop going.

1. How did it get started?
This year around memorial day I was chocking on my food, husband almost had to give me the hihmlick. wet my pants and both of my nostrals blead due to the preasure. My husband helped our 3 year old out of the room.
2. How long have you been dealing with in? 3 months of having stabing pain in my right shoulder blade when breathing all the time, sleeping is impossible.1 month wait to see any nurosurgeons in my area.
3. What treatments are you currently under?Tylonol did not work,Aleave did not work,ibeprophen did not work,muscle relaxers did not work,Vicodin did not work,Percocet works for sleeping at night of and on. Was put on oxcicoton every 12 hours was helping the pain but then made me very sick had to stop taking it. I use a tens unit all day and Percocet only at night this helps but is only a bandaid.Phisical theropy 2 times aweek with deep tissue and heated ultrasound feels good for short-term releaf a day.
4. Has Surgery been considered? On Aug. 10 I will get my first nerosurgeon consult. I am nervous and excited at the same time.
5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )I think so but not really sure.
6. What causes it to flare up more?Sitting at my computer desk at work, playing with my son, holding him, doing laundry, dishes, All the everyday things a mom has to do to get through the day.
7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?Hot and cold pack, tens unit, oral medications, icy hot, hot showers and soakings, Nothing really works for very long.
8. Can you continue to work with this condition? I grin and bear it, I can't aford not to work.
9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?It comes and goes the more I push myself the more it flairs up.
10. How are you dealing with it all? It's day by day, As long as I have the Medications so I get some rest the better I can tackle the next day.I am hopefully for some releaf and this forum helps. I am 32 with a very active 3 year old so there is no stoping me every. I will have to totally fall apart before I stop going.

1. How did it get started?
No real incident that has happened recently, although I had a C4,5,6, fusion three years ago after suffering with daily headaches for years. I was sore 'between the shoulder blades' on the 4th of July, no big deal but I did have trouble pushing/steering the shopping cart. I woke up in the middle of the night on the 5th with very intense stabbing pain in the thoracic area that shot down both arms, stopping at the elbow.

2. How long have you been dealing with it?
July 5th, 2009 However, I dealt with severe neck issues for 10 years before I found a doctor who could help me, so I know all about this road.

3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help?
So far I have visited my PM three times and my Neurologist twice. (in one month) My PM will not treat me for pain but he did order Xrays and a MRI. The neuro read the Xrays and it showed 'bone spurs impinging on the nerve roots' in the T4,5,6 region.(this is similiar to what I had going on with my neck prior to the fusion) The Neuro told me "it will get better' and to come back to see him in 4 months. No meds give for pain, neither one seems to believe that this pain is worthy of narcotics. I have a few Vicoprofen that are given to me for migraines but the amount I have are not going very far with this pain. Ice is my best friend and I am living on it. I sleep sitting bolt upright; if I lay down I will wake up in incredible pain. I have been on Relafen for awhile but I don't think it is helping me one bit.

4. Has Surgery been considered?
Not yet. I see my Neurosurgeon on August 19th, the same guy that did my cervical fusion in 2006.

5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing)
I love DTM when I am hurting, but right now this area is too painful to even touch.

6. What causes it to flare up more?
Everything! The qquestion should be "What DOESNT cause it to flare up?!" Walking, riding in the car, anything that involves using my arms. I have noticed that if I let my shoulders roll forward 'it' will eventually spasm on me - BAD. This is why I can't sleep on my side and sitting upright prevents this from happening. I feel very debilitated right now and only with great care, pain and difficulty can I do the bare essentials around the house. If I do 'too much', which is nothing at all, I will pay for it with incredible pain an hour later.

7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?
I cry a lot; this pain is really scary. I take what Vicoprofen I have with a Soma and sit straight up with ice on my back. Eventually it will simmer down to where I can at least sit up and watch TV.

8. Can you continue to work with this condition?
I haven't worked since my fusion, but if I had a job I would not even be able to drive myself to work.

9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?
Definitely getting worse, even if I am being as careful as I can be not to aggravate it.

10. How are you dealing with it all?
Not well at all since this is so new and I know it is not a very treatable condition. Reading your posts have not helped one bit because nobody has posted a viable treatment that made it go away. I feel like I am getting stabbed in the back and elbows ALL the time and sometimes it is absolutely unbearable and I don't have a doctor who believes me yet.
In a nutshell, I am frustrated, miserable, terrified and not able to take care of my house, pets, orchids and husband. And that Sucks!!!

Hi I have not been on forever but.... I am now post Transthoracic Thoracotomy at the Mayo Clinic in 2005. I am overall doing quite well. But as you can see it has taken quite a number of years to get back on my feet. I am getting myself prepared to return to work sometime in the near future. I am on SSDI so have been working on supports to get there. I am a RN and owned my own company for 14 years before I had to resign in 2003 due to the Disc problems. My spinal cord atrophied at T8-9 and have issues at T5-6 up to T11-12. I have had a fusion at C5-6 to C6-7. Also a herniated disc at L 4-5.
Severe degenerative disc disease. Some falls, some minor car accidents but otherwise probably genetics. It has been a long road but I worked really hard to find the right surgeon because this is NOT a minor surgery. But I see myself as a Success!!! I do have autonomic Nervous system dysfunction. (tachycardia,gastroparesis,Respiratory issues etc) Ongoing pain and weakness along with a very weak core. I have found the BEST thing for me is exercise. I MUST MOVE or I CANNOT MOVE. It also seems to reduce my pain overall. The more I am down the worse I get. I walk every day to keep my strength. I was not sure I could but I did and I can. I am weaning from Duragesic but this has been a VERY LONG HAUL> I do have HOPE for the FUTURE!!

Dear Barbie,

Thank you very much for sharing this. It is great to hear how well you are doing and I wish you continual strength and healing. I must say, that you are an inspiration to me.

After four long years of recovering... to hear that you will be able to work in the near future is fantastic.

You are absolutely right on exercising and walking. As much as it hurts me to exercise, I know I have to do it. The pain and weakness I feel... well, I don't have to describe what I feel to you as you know firsthand. Trying to strengthen my core muscles is excrutiating and very exhausting. I sometimes get frustrated, as I can't see my tummy move when I do the one exercise of trying to touch my bellybutton to my spinal cord. I can feel the muscles move deep inside, but I have so many layers to go. It doesn't matter if I stand up or lay down and do these exercises... there is no visual appearance of my stomach moving.

I'm scheduled to start a little bit of massage therapy on my neck and upper shoulder areas next week. I'm hoping to have some of the knots worked out in these areas, but I'm a little nervous about laying on my stomach for a half an hour. I am able to lay on my stomach for about 15 minutes in bed and it has taken me a couple of months to get this far. My ribs are so tender to the touch. If I can only lay 15 minutes, I'll be happy. At least I can get 15 minutes in of working on the knotted areas.

Thank you again, for sharing your success with us. I would love to hear more about your recovery, if you would like to share?

Take good care and keep up the great work, Barbie.

I wish you all the best,

Tammy

I started having problems with pain, very tight muscles in upper back and shoulder this July. No sharp pain but constant varying degrees of ache, 24/7. Chiropractic adjustments help to contain area involved but never total relief. Same for massage (regular), and acupuncture. My chiropractor is recommending a MRI and neurologist. A few years ago, I went to a pain clinic for my lower back and the last set of injections really helped along with regular adjustments, massage, and daily yoga stretches. The pain clinic doctor, an anesthesiologist,left so I have no connections there. I have also wondered about seeing an orthopedic doctor. Any ideas about where to start? I understand that pain can get to be a bigger problem the longer your system has to deal with it. Also, has a hot tub/jacuzzi helped anyone?

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I think your first step should be in seeing someone who can diagnose spinal problems. A neurologist and orthopedic doctors can do that. After some clinical analysis they could decide if a MRI is warranted.
Hot tubs are GOOD for any spinal problem, be it disc or muscle related. We purchased one 3 years ago and it helps me relax.

1. How did it get started?
*7 weeks ago I simply bent over to pick up a toy on the floor, something I do all the time, having 4 kids.

2. How long have you been dealing with it?
*7 weeks, but I suspect I may have initially injured the spot many months ago. I was cleaning and felt what I thought was kidney pain. I went to Urgent Care and they said I had a kidney infection. I followed up with my Dr. when the weekend was over, and they said I had no sign of bacteria in my urine and it was unlikely I'd had a kidney infection, especially since I'd had no symptoms other than pain.

3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help?
*Neurosurgeon ordered bedrest for 4 weeks- flat on my back, for fear that it would get worse if moved wrong. It's helped with the spasm that had me locked up from armpit to groin, but I'm still in pain, still have loss of sensation in my leg and groin and still having radiculopathy in my leg and abdomen as well. I'm also obviously in a lot worse physical shape and am weak due to 7 weeks total spent mostly in bed. The first 3 weeks I was so locked up I could not move at all. I was supposed to get an ESI, but my pain mgmt Dr. assumed my problem was lumbar and gave me one at L4 area. It caused me extreme pain, loss of function, and extreme weakness in my leg for 2 weeks until it mostly subsided. I've been waiting an ESI for the proper spot for over 3 weeks now. I could absolutely KILL my idiotic doctor's office staff for not including my MRI with my referrals to Pain mgmt and Neurosurgeon. I've actually wondered if I could sue. This is just one in a LONG string of screw ups they've done that have impacted my care since last year's lumbar problems. I've not switched doctors simply because I can't imagine finding someone else and informing them of all my problems, having to re-establish a relationship with them. My current FNP that I see at the practice is pretty good and doesn't delay with referrals and diagnostics due to my problems. I also have a personal healthcare advocate through my med group who helps me when things need to get done.

4. Has Surgery been considered?
*Dr. won't consider surgery unless I'm at serious risk for paralysis or permanent bladder and bowel dysfunction. I already have problems emptying my bladder which led to a mega kidney infection 2 weeks ago(105 fever with it. Not something I ever want to experience again)

5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )
*A few years ago at a spa, but not for my current or past back problems

6. What causes it to flare up more?
*Walking and sitting, bending in any way or twisting.

7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?
*Still on bedrest, so hasn't had a chance to let up yet really

8. Can you continue to work with this condition?
*Nope, and I'm a SAHM; I don't qualify for disability. This has seriously impacted my ability to care for my children and our family's financial situation since we've had to hire help. I had to resort to calling my credit card company and asking to be placed on a hardship program to scrounge up the money to pay for our housekeeper/childcare that comes 2 afternoons a week. Thankfully they were great and I have 0% interest for 6 months that will lower my payments significantly and cover the expense. I better be doing better in 6 months though!

9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?
*A little better, then a little worse, it's like 2 steps forward, one step back, sometimes 3 steps back if I overdo it.

10. How are you dealing with it all?
*Hired help for housekeeping twice a week. My husband has permission to work from home unless absolutely mandatory attendance is needed at a meeting or something. He works 60+ hours a week though and much is on conference calls, so it's really tricky with a 22 month old to care for. I am constantly aggrevating my problem when I have to care for him while hubby is on conference calls. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing if most of his calls will last 5 minutes or 4 hours until they're under way. He manages the website for Blue Shield of CA, so as problems arise, he has to handle it- whether it's 5:00 am or 10:00 pm.

I have had significant pain in my upper back, around T6 and T7. What it turned out to be is that the vertebrae themselves turned to pointing to the right and dug into the muscle.

After months of PT in which the PT would push it back into place, along with exercises it has been under control.

The major cause of flair ups is bad body posture. I read many people here say it gets worse working at the pc all day. You have to sit up straight. Trust me it works.

1. How did it get started?
One day i was visiting some friends and was holding my 1 year old daughter who was about 17 lbs at the time. I stood at their door and when they answered, I took one step and my back started cramping very badly. I though it was just a muscle cramp or pinched nerve, so i just laid down. I started going numb from my chest down and had a hard time walking. I also felt that I had to urinate but i couldnt. So deciding to go home, I used the stroller as a walker. My legs felt like rubber. When i got home, with help from my girlfriend, I got to bed and just fell asleep. I woke up a few hours later and couldnt move my legs or toes or anything bellow my chest. My bladder was bulging from my belly. I was very stubborn still, and army crawled to the bathtub to take a bath. But i couldnt feel the temperature of the water. So i went to the E.R. and they decided that I needed surgery right away.

2. How long have you been dealing with in?
This happened in March of this year, so about 6 months.

3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help?
After the surgery i went to live in Rehab where i got therapy. I learned to stand and walk again. My muscles slowly started working again. The dr's said it happened very quickly. I have a lot of pain in my back and all over my body from my nerves going crazy. I currently take Norco and Neurontin for pain and spasms. But the dr lowered my dose of Norco, my pain is getting worse though. And the neurontin doesnt seem to be doing anything, but I continue taking it.

4. Has Surgery been considered?
I did have surgery

5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )
No

6. What causes it to flare up more?
moving, roling over in bed, standing

7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?
take pain pills or lay down.

8. Can you continue to work with this condition?
not yet. I wish I could. I miss working. Im worried about Social Security not coming in time or denying me.

9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?
My pain is getting worse. The dr's are saying that its good pain and I pretty much just have to deal with it.

10. How are you dealing with it all?
Day by day. Im misserable all day. Im 29 years old and I cant walk very far without having to sit and rest or feeling a lot of pain. Everyone keeps telling me that Im "lucky". I say more "Unluckily Lucky". With a lower dosage of pain medication, it doesnt really do much for me. I really dont know what else to do. Can anyone help or want to chat? Ive been looking for chatrooms for people with my problem. But no luck.

1 How did it get started?
That is a long story, I will just say I was injured at work during a physical training exercise

2. How long have you been dealing with it?
I was injured on April 17th, 2008 and my symptoms got progressively worse until I went to my primary care physician the first of September, she thought I had MS because of the loss of feeling and motor control in my lower extremities so she ordered an MRI of my brain, I asked her to do my spine as well because I thought that is where the problem was but I was told no, and the MRI returned as normal. The muscle spasms, loss of feeling and I started having incontinence issues, continued to get worse until my wife took me to the local Emergency Room the end of September 2008. That is when I had the first definitive MRI that showed C-2/3 osteophytes & neural foraminal narrowing, Herniated disk at C5-6 with cord impingement by the osteophytes with severe c-7 nerve root damage, Herniated disks at T6-7, T8-9, T-12/L-1, L-4-5, L-5 S-1 with severe S-1 root damage. All of the herniated disks are compressing the spinal cord and nerve roots on the right side of the foraminal canal.

3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help?
Right now I am taking extended release Tramodol (200 mg/day) and then 50mg as needed to a max of 300 mg/day and that isn’t really cutting it.

4. Has Surgery been considered?
Yes I had a C 5-6 micro diskectomy and fusion in September 2008, then I had a Minimally invasive trans thoracic corpectomy, thoroctomy and micro diskectomy at T 6-7 and T 8-9 on November 17th, 2008. During the surgery they deflated my left lung manually and when they finished I didn’t recover very well, so I stayed on the vent and spent 48 hours in the medical ICU until they were able to wean me off the ventilator. I have only recently been told that all of the plural effusion has been abated and the lungs are clear but there are two large areas of scar tissue present in the lower part of my lung and chest wall on the left side so it hurts to breath.

5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )
Nope never has a chance to try it before the surgery and now I don’t think it would help

6. What causes it to flare up more?
Daily life can be really rough.

7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?
Lay down, alternate heat and ice and pain meds, my comp insurance won’t authorize any more physical therapy sessions because I have had my maximum 25 visits for the life of the injury.

8. Can you continue to work with this condition?
No the spinal surgeon has said he won’t allow me to return to work in the capacity I was when I was injured. So now I will have to find something else after 24 years of fighting and investigating fires

9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?
The thoracic injuries are permanent and stationary, the pain is a constant 6 and can go higher. But the only neurodeficit I have is the loss of the feeling in my right ring and pinky fingers, the right forearm and the back of the right arm. But I still have the lower thoracic, lumbar and sacral damage to have repaired. And the comp insurance is fighting every single thing the doctors request.

10. How are you dealing with it all?
I have good days and bad days, some days are really depressing and I have some really black thoughts. The worst is how it is affecting my relationship with my wife, she has been doing her best but I was the major income for the family and now she is trying to make her real estate income bridge the gap. She is getting burned out and frustrated with the system and how I am being treated or not getting treatment. It is rough on my kids as well because I don’t have a lot of patients for anything on those days when the pain is off the hook.

1. How did it get started?
I think it started when I was in a car accident about 15 years ago.
2. How long have you been dealing with in?
15 years off & on
3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help?
Right now, Aspercreme and muscle relaxers.
4. Has Surgery been considered?
Just recovering from a 2 level cervical fusion, doc hasn't mentioned any other surgery
5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )
I can barely tolerate my husband putting the Aspercreme on, VERY touch sensitive.
6. What causes it to flare up more?
No idea, it seems to be a random thing.
7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?
Take OTC painkillers along with the other stuff, or percocet if I have them.
8. Can you continue to work with this condition?
I haven't worked for 6 years, due to this and other conditions (fibromyalgia, etc)
9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?
Worse, since cervical surgery in July '09.
10. How are you dealing with it all?
I take it one day at a time, and when that gets to be too much, I drop it down to 1 minute at a time.

1. How did it get started? Combination of a T12 laminectomy to remove spinal cord tumor & degenerative scoliosis
2. How long have you been dealing with it? Thoracic area 3 & 1/2 yrs., scoliosis most of my life
3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help? Pain meds. Don't help as much as they used to
4. Has Surgery been considered? Yep, going in for a T10-S1 fusion on Nov 5th & Nov 18th
5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing ) Yep, waaaaaay too painful to continue. Silly me, I didn't know there was a difference in massages. Thought I was in for some kind of spa massage. WRONG!!
6. What causes it to flare up more? Leaning forward, like trying to do dishes at the sink, reaching over my head, holding or carrying anything too heavy
7. When you have flareups what do you do about them? Pain meds, slow breathing, heating pad, crying sometimes
8. Can you continue to work with this condition? No. Worked part-time for awhile after I recovered from my first fusion but had to quit in early Aug. Just couldn't function thru the pain anymore. Hated to quit
9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same? Been getting much worse. Thought it was another flare-up but never went away & just keeps escalating
10. How are you dealing with it all? Good days & bad days. Concentrating on accepting what my new "normal" will be, since I will never be able to bend again after the surgeries. Finding y'all has been the best medicine so far

1. How did it get started?
Trampoline accident 34 years ago

2. How long have you been dealing with in?
Last 10 years have been worse

3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help?Travel retard. 50mg 100mg 150mg Norflex. Brufens, back brace when needed

4. Has Surgery been considered?
Yes. Not an option at present

5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing )
No

6. What causes it to flare up more?
Any activity for a period of time

7. When you have flareups what do you do about them?
Usually have to lie down, click my back by stretching, movement helps a litle and/or consume drugs

8. Can you continue to work with this condition?
No only for brief time

9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same?
Ins some ways better, in some ways worse

10. How are you dealing with it all?
Usually staying at home, resting and my exercise program

Central Stenosis L2-L3, L3-L4
Foramenal Stenosis L4-L5, L5-S1
Broad based lumber disc hermiations L1 L2 L3 L4 L5, with posterier bulges and anterier lipping of all lumber
vertebrae, osteoarthritis of all lumber facet joints
Herniations of thorasic discs T9-T10,T12-L1
Spinal cord compression with spinal cord displacement due to
Ankylosis

Every once in a while, I want to comment on the posts that have been made to this thread. At some point, I do plan on consolidating everything into a neaty package.

There are some common points that I have seen:

1 - Origin of the Thoracic pain varies, but many seem to be a result of some type of trauma situation.

2 - Flareups can be started by some of the smallest and most innocent actions

3 - Thoracic surgery has almost been zero

4 - Impacts to day to day living makes it rough and hard to deal with.

The whole Thoracic region has been a spinal section that 'should' never have created problems. It is the strongest and most secure of all spinal discs. The fact that they are attached to our ribs adds strength and stability. But when something happens to tear that down and cause thoracic disc problems, we all know how painful and difficult it is to deal with.
I have a friend who had a great practice going as a Primary Care Physician. She was only 35 at the time, healthy as can be. She herniated some thoracic discs and had to go on perm disability. Here, you take a person that spent years and years going through college, medical school, Internship, etc, finally beginning to make it and a thoracic disc problem put an end to all of that.

All I can add is that whatever you do as a thoracic pain sufferer to feel better, go for it. (of course, I need to add legal things) I dont think there is one specific action that can be used for everyone to make them feel better.

Good luck to all Thoracic pain sufferers, we do need it

BUT NEVER Give up.

I found my way to continue having good quality of life.. For me, if I hadn't started with the Deep Tissue Massage therapy, my quality of life, or better yet, as my wife puts it, that therapy, gave me back my life

How did it get started? I fell from a ladder (about 8 feet) and landed flat with my right side: 2 broken ribs, 3 cervical bulged discs, 3 thoracic herniated disc, 3 lumbar bulged and 1 lumbar herniated disc. Some changes in my digestive system.
2. How long have you been dealing with in? 2.5 years.
3. What treatments are you currently under? Do any help? Nutritive food (Very important to help any digestive changes). Ice, Deep tissue massage, Mackenzie Exercises and some other neck and thoracic exercises but I dont know the exact name, plus 30 minutes walk and or 10 minutes in special bicycle
(a kind of horizontal bike were you sat down, not the traditional vertical bike that you must be like standing) Yes, I feel better I think the Mackenzie exercises are the difference. Also a new med helps a lot, in Mexico the name is Tafirol and contains paracetamol and diclofenaco potasico. In the past I use some medicine without success: Neurontin, Lyrica, Arcoxia and about 6 more medicines even a similar med to Darvocet or Darvon medicine with Awful side effects, and cero pain killer, really, avoid this last medicine or similar medicines.
4. Has Surgery been considered? Yes, at the begining but since my ribs wont heal and took 1.2 years to heal and now the pain is lower, more theraphy is today better for me than surgery.
5. Have you tried Deep Tissue Massage (The "Real" thing ) Yes, about 30 sessions, but I think I dont feel better, right now is too intense and extremely painful, I think now exercises are better for me.
6. What causes it to flare up more? Doing nothing to help the problem, like no ice, no med, no exercises not walking and also extreme hot days makes it worst ( in my city we have very hot days in summer).
7. When you have flareups what do you do about them? Ice, exercises, meds, light walk.
8. Can you continue to work with this condition? Absolutely No, until I started with mackenzie exercises, about 5 month ago, now I can do more things .
9. Has it been getting worse or staying the same? Better but not 100%, at least I can handle this new pain level and now Im going really fast with light walks or bicycle and mackenzie and some other exercises. I think I can get up to 80% and I think it will be great.
10. How are you dealing with it all? Looking for a new kind of life and trying to make this a bit unpainful.Also, trying to tell other people about my experience and the thing that makes this a bit unpainful.

Note: Mackenzie exercises are great and you can check them out in youtube or searching yahoo but you need help at the begining because you can get it worst, please take care, you must start slow and with care. It took me 5 months to finish one session. And you must do first some teraphy (hot, cold, ultra, laser, etc) to help a bit and then you can start with exercises. Please ask a terapist.

1. I have DDD
2. Just over 4 years
3. My surgeon said he wouldn't consider FUTURE surgery if I am not getting any relief from my other BMP surgery sites...(3 BMP cages)C5-C6,L4-L5 & L5-S1. Monday I will have an injection in my lower lumbar area to see if the hardware is what is still giving me daily pain, or is it me? He said IF it is the cages he can remove them as I do now have NEW bone in both sites.(Neck surgery June 06 & Lumbar June 07). He also wanted to do 3 more ESI in my lower back AGAIN but I refused as the 1st 3 shots that didn't work are going be my last 3 shots as well LOL
4. I have herniated discs in my neck C3-C4 & C7 and in my thoracic area T1,T2,T3,T4,T5,T6,T7,T8 & T9
5. Yes in the beginning year I did at physical therapy and also the tens unit but neither helped, in fact the tens unit was quite irritating to me.
6. Mostly repetitive arm movements such as this typing, washing dishes, when my neck starts to hurt it also affects my T area I think it's mainly because the bottom Cervical C7 is herniated as is the following consecutive 9 Thoracic discs.
7. The weather plays a BIG part in my pain levels. The cold or the rainy days seems to be the worst oh also stormy days. I try to eliminate the trigger-er.So if I am doing dishes and the burning pain starts between my shoulder blades and the base of my neck, than after I stubbornly stop and sit and relax awhile. I take Flexeril, Tramadol and Cymbalta. I also get prescribed 5 mg Percocets but I do not want to take them. I am concerned of any addictive medications. I am in pain EVERY DAY and I try to bare with it the best I can. Thank God I can handle a lot of pain until I get to the breaking point then I go to bed and cry myself to sleep but only after I take the dreaded Diazapam (Valium).( I got them in the ER 2x total I think 20 pills, but after 2 major surgeries and lots of bad pain days I still have about 8-10 left.I really hate taking any LALA land pills as I call them.
8. No,too much pain. I had a desk job, mainly comp work.
9. Much worse.
10. I am 48 and I feel like my body is 95. I am very stubborn (Italian lol) and I hate the word NO and NO you can't do that whatever it may be. Then the major problem with that is I suffer for it then, and mainly later. I am learning to slow down and stay home more often. I finally realized that by going to the stores most days then not, that I subconsciously felt (normal) but the reality is I am not and my body is most definitely rejecting all the in and outs of the SUV and the stores in general. I also have a big problem walking due to Fibromyalsia (muscle disorder). So in short I thank God for each day, and I pray that I will get through it.

Is there any information or some cases of the Ozone treatment for thoracic herniated discs??