AN update

[steve55]

Hello everyone. Its been a while since Ive updated here. Well, as many of you may recall, 16 months ago , Dr B did a C4-7 ADR removal converted to fusion. Well, over the past 6 months, I have a problem that has slowly been getting worse. Its either T1 or T2 , but my best guess is that its T2 disc that is giving me problems now. This is starting to look like the same movie Ive already seen before. Ughhh. Just like before, it started with a deep dull pain that is extremely tender. Touching it is like as if it is severely bruised. In addition, Im just starting to have ever so slight burning in my arms and hands, and also that familar below the waste irritation sensations like I once had before I went to Dr B for my original surgery. And just like before, epidural injection worked for a few days and that was all. Like I said, Ive seen this movie before.

I thought thoracics are rare to blow!?? Over and over I read about how so rare that is. My thoracic discs were not at all compromised prior to surgery so this really shouldnt be happening at all, much less so FAST. How can a healthy disc breakdown in just 16 months??? It doesnt make sense.Interestingly enough though, I did notice early after surgery that this same spot was already sore and tender and so was all my T spine for that matter, but the rest of the T spine only a t ad bit sore and even today all my t spine is still ever so slightly tender at times when I bend or move it alot. I guess Im saying that I can feel how much stress this fusion is putting on my T spine.

And how strange is it that this may very well be the disc next to the adjacent disc that is causing this issue now? Unbelievable. My August CT scan reports c1 through T2 as normal. I guess it will be on to an MRI next. I cant even think what it will mean if the MRI shows normal. On the positive side, my symptoms were 100% by surgery before, so I hope that bodes well should I have another fusion surgery. Another relieving thing to read is how there are alot of people out there with 7-9 level fusions in C and T spine and are doing very well, skiing, running , and most seem to be for the most part, pain free. So that was a relief to see that if worse case occurs and I get another fusion at T1 or T2, another fusion wont necessarily have dire consequences even though 4 levels is alot. But I do wonder, am I going to cascade 1 level at a time every few years?? Maybe even more so as more and more levels put more and more stress on the next adjacent level on down the T spine line. Then again, Ive read that T spines dont move much so perhaps it wont be as likely to cascade. I also read that there is no real need for ADR's in the T spine due to this lack of movement there and such little disc thickness, especially if its T2 as I suspect it is.


PS- I feel guilty for even complaining about my situation after reading Kajari's ordeal. Lord have mercy on his poor soul. Talking about a nightmare coming true. I dont feel so sorry for myself after reading his ordeal.

[dshobbies]

Steve,

First, though others may have it worse doesn't mean your situation isn't bad unto itself. And as 1 level melds into another, you have plenty to complain about. And honestly, hardly anyone with severe spinal problems which were resolved (or not) with surgery has no residual problems. Though considering my surgery successful, I live in constant pain however managable. I occasionally have my pity parties despite other's successes and failures. We all want to see the world through a half full glass but damned if that glass isn't half empty at times.

Then... after all you've been through you find yourself back to where you need more surgery and possibly more surgery. However, if others who've had 7-9 t-spine fusions live somewhat normal lives, you have hope that you too can be pain free. And since they don't move much to begin with, adjacent segments have little to worry about?????

If you do decide to have another surgery, I so wish you well. I can imagine you're saying 'enough already'.

Off topic, I just smiled as I wrote that - I remember saying that exact phrase when in the throws of labor, shortly before giving birth. I would then say to my crying babies 'enough already'. I would say the same to my toddlers, my children, my teenagers, my young adults and now my 30 somethings. I suppose this is life!

Whatever happens next, I wish you good luck, Dale

[steve55]

Thanks DS . I went to my neuro today. When I showed him where it hurts, he said I was pointing to t4!! But it could be referred pain from a disc above. He said if by chance fusion was necessary at any part of the t spine, they do not do discotemy and allograft or autograft. He said they simply do rod and screws posteriorly from the back. WOW! I asked him if I had a bulging disc or tear causing the pain, how would a fusion without discotemy solve my problem. He just said I'm getting too far ahead of myself and let's wait on the MRI . I personally believe that the discs are causing the pain and I cant see how anything short if a discotemy will do. Heck, I never heard of a fusion without discotemy. I'll have to definitely get a 2nd opinion on that. He also says they dont do discograms to help confirm which disc is the painful one. I guess he is one of those docs who don't trust those tests.

I wish it was higher up. If a 2nd opinion suggests a fusion with discotemy, I think they have to collapse a lung and go through the rib cage area. Sounds hard core.

[Maria]

Don't get ahead of yourself. Get the diagnostics done and then perhaps get several opinions. That makes the most sense to me.

[cp7959]

Steve,

Any update on that MRI?

[steve55]

Hi all. Yes! To my amazement, the MRI is for the most part clean!! Though, that's just based on reading the written report. Havent met with the neurologist yet. I dont see how it was so clean given that Ive had occasional slight burning in my hands and arms, and also have experienced the old below the waist nerve tenderness (but very slight, but noticeable)

The only thing that was found wrong was as follows below. Everything else was normal so I didnt retype the good parts.

Findings : There is mild disc space narrowing and anterior marginal endplate vertebral spurring from T4 through T 10.

Impression: Mild multi level mid thoracoc Spondylosis, but no disc displacement, and no canal foraminal stenosis.


Upon looking at my films, I do see very thin Thoracic discs, and yes, the T4 disc looks the thinnest and the darkest.

However, I have good news to share . About 8-10 days ago, I switched from neurontin (which seemed to of stopped working) to Lyrica. And within 2 days of being on lyrica I was pain free!! I went from pain levels of 5-6, and having to take pain meds almost every night to a occasional pain level 1-2 on a few nights a week and mostly no more pain meds . Ive taken meds for pain only once , maybe twice in the last 12 days. I thought Id wait a week to be sure it wasnt just a temporary natural reprieve. But having 9-10 days 90% pain free, I know it has to be the lyrica. I was pain free within 2 days of starting lyrica. And I dont have that deep tender sore spot over T4 anymore either. If lyrica was just blocking the nerve pain, I would have thought Id still have that sore spot over T4, but its also gone.

Lyrica kicked my pain's butt! Total KO. Amazing. Hope it stays that way, Mark asked me to do a seperate post about my Lyrica experience so if you see it posted again here, thats why I did it. I pray this isnt just a temporary relief. We'll see