thoracic T2-3 moderately large disc HERNIATED into spine

[elained]

Dearest PID friends,

Eeeek.

Evidently the MRI of my Cervical spine captured a bit of my Thoracic spine and found a ruptured disk. No thoughts about the thoracic spine, not looking at it at all!

Symptoms of this rupture include Cervical Pain (yes) Neuropathy in the legs (YES) and bladder difficulties (YES).

Surgery is only recommended when there is Neuropathy or other neurological damage.

I do not want surgery of course. But pain and neuropathy and numbness in my hands is increasing. Well not the neuropathy, I thought that was better. And my head always hurts so badly. NOT a headache, that's different, and I get that with a FLARE. Boy, are there so many kinds of pain. who knew?

OMG. This may be the cause of my problems. It may have been there for 4-5 years. OMG OMG OMG.

OK. Next step, MRI of the thoracic spine.

I love this Duke system: Test last Wednesday morning, results to doctor and notes to ME by today, Friday morning! Request from doctor in his notes to email him with request for MRI immediately.

Done and done. All at my computer. I'm in computer information heaven. Also checking out T1-2 ruptures and the surgery which sounds terrible. And venting to you, my husband couldn't stand to hear about one more thing.

Does anyone know about Thoracic spinal surgery? It sounds impossible and for some reason they go in from the front or the side instead of the back which seems most logical?

What? Isn't my spine right on top on my back?

No need to think about this now of course. But try and STOP ME! Oh well, "Patience, Perseverance and Acceptance". My new mantra.

It goes with "It's always something. And then....it's something ELSE!'

Talk about things you least expect.

Hugs, Elaine

[john]

Hi Elaine,
Well this could be a turn up for the books ( where did that phrase come from?).
I know nothing to speak of about neurology, except that I have peripheral neuropathy on my lower lega and feet, but that is being blamed on glucose intolerance! Maybe I need to ask for a spinal MRI, although do I really want to open yet another can of worms?
But it seems to me that once the box is opened, Pandora just has to look inside, and I guess you will soon know whether this is truly the source of a lot of your pain.
You know you can always vent to us here, and wisely or ignorantly we all do our best to help each other through.
In the meantime, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome for you....... John

[glowing]

Hi Elaine.
Poor you to have so much going on. My brother had an operation on his upper spine years ago and that was done through his throat. I hope things get sorted for you soon.

Glo xx

[elained]

Hi guyz,

On further consideration and research I have found a couple of things which have lowered my anxiety level considerably.

1. Thoracic problems are often asymptomatic!

2. Symptomatic thoracic problems at the upper level manifest as pain in the chest area, which I do not have.

3. Thoracic problems are rare, but when normal folks are given a thoracic MRI, about 15% show up with thoracic problems they don't even know they have.

SO, while the findings sounded scary, they really aren't. And of course my experience is that things found are often not there on further examination.

Of course that's what I was hoping was the case with my Immune Deficiency, but it seems to be very real, on exhaustive further examination.

A good thing that came from this MRI, which was aimed at my cervical (neck) spine, is that it hasn't changed since three years ago. No further problems!

The difficult thing to ponder (if one must ponder difficult things) is that IF there is surgery on the thoracic spine, it goes in from the front through the chest, or from the side, through the chest, and invariably involves moving ribs around (or at least that's how it seems).

However, since I'm asymptomatic, and what appears to be there is very high on my thoracic spine and couldn't affect my legs (which are my biggest handicap: the neuropathy) surgery just seems out of the question.

Now, one possibility is that an MRI of my thoracic spine will reveal further problems. I've had further investigation eliminate the problem investigated, but a NEW problem (possible) uncovered. This process can lead to months and months of testing.

Sliding onto tables, into machines, lying quite still, things infused into veins, general 'serious' business proceeding at great cost to someone (not me, generally, tho' I usually wind up with some sort of payment).

My Neurologist replied FIRST THING THIS MORNING that he is ordering the next MRI.

It's a good thing I find MRIs to be a 'walk in the park'. Wish I could do them for those who find them stressful.

Doesn't work that way, tho, does it?

Hugs, Elaine

[elained]

Next MRI scheduled for 7:30 AM on Tuesday, the 12th of November.

I just cannot imagine that this is a big deal, since everything I've read about thoracic spine herniations/ruptures seems to indicate the 'no big deal' idea.

Well, I JUST WISH that my Gammagard infusions would begin. Now I am emailing the senior customer service person at the company which handles the infusions, since they are the ones to deal with the insurance.

There is some sort of horrible virus thing going around, and while the reaction to the Hizentra wasn't any fun, in fact I was down right miserable, it didn't involve throwing up or chest congestion. Or a sinus infection. No infections so far this fall…and we're already to NOvember.

So fingers crossed that the infusions start sooner rather than later.

Who KNEW I would be urging on infusions?

Hey, John, how is the sub cut going for you now?

Elaine

[elained]

MRI done today, results back. All is well!

Doctor's note: There are diffuse degenerative changes but nothing here that is significant in my opinion. The spinal cord is entirely normal without evidence for multiple sclerosis, tumor, stroke or other process affecting it.

I am just falling apart in the normal way, on schedule. No problems!

Hugs, Elaine

[glowing]

Thank goodness it's not as bad as you feared, not that falling apart at any pace is welcome but as least you know it's normal.

Glo x

[john]

Happy to hear ther is nothing ominous going on with your spine Elaine.
Guess we're all gradually falling apart as time progresses, you're in very good company!!!!!

[elained]

Well, yes, we are all gradually falling apart from birth, after a fashion.

And yet…….wouldn't you know I find it disconcerting? It is the way of life in general….

And yet……I'm always sure 'life will make an exception for me'. Not of course at the conscious level….but somewhere there inside I am surprise to be a mere mortal!

With the attendant decay. However, I'm decaying in good company. And that's a joy.

Hugs, Elaine

[glowing]

Yes, at least we can have a blast together in the meantme and make memories that we hope to be able to remember.

Glo x