Herniated disc T6-7 anyone else out there???
 

Hi, I am new to this site and stumbled across it looking for answers.
Here is my history so far.....

9/15/2011 Thoracic laminectomy and discectomy T6_7
this was following 9 months of chasing doctors telling them something was wrong. They only looked at my lumbar and never looked at my thoracic until I showed up at the ER losing sensation from my pelvic to my feet. MRI done showed a large fragment (13x9x8mm) with significant flattening and displacement of cord. Was told I was going paralyzed and took me right to surgery.

4/13/2012 Lumbar fusion at L4-5

So here I am now with the same symptoms from 2 years ago, saddle numbness, bowel issues, thoracic pain and discomfort, leg numbness, tightness around right ribs. Went back to same Neuro that I got in ER in 2011 (supposed to be one of the best in our area) MRI's were ordered.....results are...

1. There is a large right T6-7 (yes same location) lateral recess recurrent or residual hard disc herniation moderate right cord flattening.


The neuro says I now need fusion at that level, I know that is an awful surgery and wonder if any new procedures are out there to fix this. This has the potential to paralyze me from the chest down if it is not stablized. My other issue is for some reason my white blood count is low (2.9) so they can't do anything surgically at this point. So while I chase down answers for the blood, I am going to try to find the best way to fix the T6-7 issue....

Any thoughts would be appreciated. :)

Hi Rosy
 

I am sorry you have the back issues. Yes I can relate to what you are experiencing. I had C6-7 done to prevent me from being paralyzed. Well that part worked, but he didn't address the other vertebra that were damaged. He didn't tell me and I didn't get my surgical notes. So I had another fusion C3-7, and his fusion had to be redone. NO is is not fun so I do understand your concern. It is a very hard surgery to go through.
One thing that stuck me, is the fact you are herniated in the spot of the original surgery. I am surprised that the disk was Not replaced at the time of the surgery.I think if it were me, I would get more opinions before I engaged in surgery again. We both know it is a hard operation. You have quite a few symptoms, but I would want several doctors to agree, before I had it done.
I hope many others here will respond to you. Leesa is the best, at reading MRI's and the reports that go along with it. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I am here to listen anytime. Also our moderator Jo*Mar may have some knowledge of this too. ginnie

Thank you Ginnie, I appreciate your response. Rose

Nice to meet you!!