Hello Everyone,

I'm new here so just wanted to share my story.

April of '99 I had to give up my career as Attendant Care Worker and Special Services for disabled clients @ home due to the start of my spine issues.

Took 2 yrs and 2 specialists later to diagnose 5 thoracic disc protrusions. Over the years I've tried all forms for therapy from PT, Massage, Injections, to even alternative therapy a "Witch Doctor" so to speak.

My condition has progressively gotten worse each yr with new meds and more tests.
Now 10 yrs later: 5 thoracic disc protrusions T-5/6, T-7/8, T9/10, T11/12, T-12/L-1
DDD
Spondylosis
Anterior Wedging of T-8 with 25% loss of height
Schmorls Nodes
EMG confirmation of nerve root irritation @ T-8
Osteopenia

I have maintained Registered Massage on a weekly basis to keep muscle spasms under control and am on 75mcg of fentanyl(patch) and 60mg of Cymbalta for nerve pain.

I am @ the point now that my pain and loss of ability is controlling my life. I don't go out for dinner or to a show because I can't sit. And it breaks my heart because there is so much that I can't do with my 8yr son anymore.

I haven't actually used "furniture" for over a year now, I squat or lay on the floor(hands and knees). These are the only positions that take the pressure off of my spine. I sleep on the couch packed in with pillows so that I don't move through the night.(When I can sleep at all)

At least my friends are used to that now and don't offer me a chair anymore LOL
My best friend (incomplete SCI) calls me "Gargoyle" LOL

Met with OSS in Feb., more testing to pin point origin of pain but feels that my spine has become unstable and booked me for surgery in Oct.
Spinal Fusion with instrumentation from T-7 to L-1

My concern now is the last month my pain has drastically changed again. I have been having massive "sweats" that come on like a hot flash, and "cardiac" like chest pain that is radiating around my rib cage.

From further reading and talking to a few members of BT I see that these can be symptoms of disc herniation, and the "knife" pain in the middle of my spine(bra strap level) has become sharper.

I am wondering if T-8 disc has shifted and is now compressing my spinal cord.
T-8 was "Central disc protrusion approaching but not yet touching the spinal cord".

I was hoping to not increase my meds again before surgery but I think that I'm not going to get through without doing just that.

Thanks for listening(or reading) my long winded post. I am not one to complain, I just put on a smile and carry on so most who know me really don't know the degree of pain I live with everyday. It's nice to talk to others that really do understand.

Sincere Thanks,
Momba