Stressed out...t5 spinal cord herniation
 

SO JUST FOUND OUT TODAY AFTER MANY TEST THIS MONTH THAT I HAVE A T5 SPINAL CORD HERNIATION :eek:I am 33 and will have the spinal cord surgery....found out today that I am paitient number 4:confused: I have 2 young girls and am very very SCARED! Has anyone had this done or know someone who have had this done?

I don't know anyone personally but I have read many success stories on thoracic disc surgery. Most people I believe opted for neurosurgeons over orthopedic surgeons. Also I have read that surgery is only done as a last resort in that area. What are your symptoms? Who have you consulted? What conservative treatments if anything have they tried?

Thanks for the reply
 

Well I actually found out by mistake... I went to the dr bc my right leg and knee was swelling ... My left leg was fine.. Did an MRI and found out I had 3 herniated disk L4 L5 S1 N1.... Set up for my lower lumbar epidural ... While I was meeting with the dr I expressed pain in my upper back( at the bra strap up) so I asked for a MRI of that area... Had it done on a sat and was called that mon... ( the dr called from home) "SHE STATED... YOU HAVE A VERY SERIOUS SPINAL CORD HERNIATION" ...with that said I was scared to death... Found a neurosurgeon who is highly recommended and is great at this portion of the spine... I have always has numbing and tingling in my legs feet hands and fingers... Through the years never been able to find out why... So my MRI showed a spinal cord HERNIATION .. I do have nerve damage that can not be reversed ;( there are really no other option other then surgery since I
Have symptoms already... If I don't get the surgery i will lose my ability to walk;( that is not the chance I am willing to take and have 2 girls who I would love to be there for... Just found out surgery is may 17... I have quite a health history and have to be cleared by cardio...pulmonary.....pcp...etc...
I have had trouble finding things online and or finding things out about people who have had it done... I have had many surgeries in my life but NEVER one this serious... I would love and appreciate any helpful info you have....thanks so much!

If it makes any difference to you, I also have a bulge at t5/6. An osteopathic did it to me when he manipulated my back. I have had mild pain for 5 years but got in a car accident in March and got whiplash which caused pins and needles and pain all over. I also had a band of pain around my chest. I am better now but and was told my bulge is very mild and things will settle. I am also dealing with a bulge in L5/6 causing double sided sciatica. I also had open spine surgery last February. Not fun at all. The only advice I can give you is to be certain your disc is herniated AND causing spinal compression AND causing your symptoms before they operate. Numbness can be caused by many things. Do you have any numbness in face or head? Or is it all below T5? I also wish you the very best of luck with this.
.

Also how many years have you had numbness and tingling?

I believe (as I construe it, and mommyof2grls will have to verify/correct my interpretation) that this is a spinal herniation - a herniation of the cord itself - rather than a herniated disc impinging on the cord.

Folks here know how conservative I am about surgey. I think this may be one that is warranted; damage has already been done with a very poor prognosis if not corrected.

mommyof2grls, if you're the 4th patient to have this procedure (does that mean 4th currently in line, 4th by this surgeon, at this hospital, in this country, or ever?), there may not be very much available online to non-professionals. You may be able to get a pointer from the surgeon or ask your PCP to find something for you (they have access to sources we, as patients, don't).

I do find some articles by searching: spinal herniation surgery -disc -disk
(the "-disc -disk" eliminates results for disc herniation)

HTH,

Doc

hello mommy
 

Hello, and a warm welcome to Neuro Talk. It is OK to feel scared. We all do when we face surgery. You found the right place for support. I found it the same way you did, and in the same state of fear and anxiety. Please know that this surgery can turn out OK. Just do your homework. Make sure you have a second opinion. Write all questions down, and understand your MRI. You want to ask your doctor about the condition of the vertrebre above and below the site, and make sure they are in good shape. Even if you are in pain, don't rush this, but get that second opinion with a good Neuro Surgeon. We will be here for you. I have had two cervial fusions, and have been on this site for almost two years. I received lots of help while I went through my last fusion. It will be OK, and you can talk about any issue you have concerning your surgery. Welcome again to Neruo Talk, ginnie

thanks
 

Yes this is VERY stressful! I have had numbing and tingling for years i was atleast in my 20's but they could NEVER find anything! i have had so many tests blood work mri ctscans...i have had a heart at attack and a stroke..all before my 30's....i also have degenerative disk diease in my back l4..l5..s1...n1
I really dont think a 2nd opinin will really h elp bc i see the damage and have talked to many of my doctors and if i dont get it done then i will wake up one day and not be able to walk and really dont want to risk that either...honestly all this has opened my eyes! I really havent LIVED i mean really LIVED... i have let stress....work..etc run my life well i am done and READY to LIVE and be HAPPY i mean really HAPPY!!!! I will def keep everyone posted...i now feel like i am NOT ALONE thanks....

Ok, regardless of what I said above (and I'm not flip-flopping), I believe that where surgery is concerned, multiple opinions are ALWAYS in order, and here's why....

First and foremost, we're not doctors here; we're peer patients like you, with all the same concerns, doubts, fears, questions, emotions.... SOME of us have acquired some experience and wisdom with the desire to impart/share, and support others through this process. It's not easy for anyone, and no-one knows that better than the folks here who've been through it and/or are going through it. Also, some of us have some experience dealing with doctors, and with what they sometimes - don't/forget to - tell us.

If a second/third opinion comes in agreeing with the first, you have some peace of mind that this is the right course to take. There are never any guarantees with surgery, and there are situations/possibilities where you could/might conceivably doubt/question yourself afterward for NOT getting a second opinion - coulda/shoulda.

If, OTOH, a second opinion disagrees with the first, there may be some hope/solution without undertaking the risks of surgery (which are many) OR there may be a difference of opinion on the particular procedure (or particulars OF the procedure) in which case a third opinion might be in order to assure some agreement and that all bases have been covered. (Again, we're not doctors, so we don't know.) This goes toward your peace of mind as well.

You want as much information as possible about your condition and ALL available options in order to make the best informed decision possible for your and your family's futures.

We'll all support you whatever your decision is, but we do hear all too often, "If I had only known then what I know now" or "I wish someone had told me...", etc.

The time is now to ask all the (right) questions.
Google: questions ask spinal surgery (and play around with the search criteria to find out exactly what you want/need to know).

Doc

Hi mommy
 

You stated that you had many doctors telling you that you need the surgery. Even though you said, you don't think you need a second opinnion. As long
as others have looked over your records, you can feel assurred that what they are telling you to do is correct. I was in danger of being paralized, and had to have surgery to prevent this. I was in the same kind of situation. I was a success for the proceedure I had. I do want you to know that all this can turn out OK, and that you can go back to being a full time mommy again.
I wish you all the best. Please let us know how you are when you are recovering. ginnie