I need some help - suggestions
 

Hi Everyone

Well I have another post on here regarding MRI results. I spoke to my Neurologist the other day who said that I have 2 HERNIATED DISCS in the THORACIC SPINE PRESSING ON THE SPINAL CORD! He said this is potentially very dangerous. He didn't see the actual films only the report. He said he can only go by what the radioloigist is saying and he says it's bad! I have the films and you can see that they are completely hernaited and pressing right into the spinal cord. I can barely walk now and my legs feel so heavy along with my arms. I feel so tired and like my body weight 500 pounds...especailly my legs! I can't lift them to get up a step! It's horrible! Also, I am having trouble breathing. I feel like I'm being squeezed to death. I can barely talk at times. I know this is bad and my neurologist called the Neurosurgeon office and told them they needed to see me IMMEDIATELY! They had to cancel appointments to get me in. They called to give me the appt time and day and she was kinda rude about it acting like this isn't "that serious" She said the report "doesn't say you have cord compression, just that they are herniated and touching/pressing on the spinal cord" . My PT and other Dr's said it looks like I will need surgery. That the probability of treating this at this point is VERY LOW!

I am all registered and set to start summer term courses for College. SOmething I always wanted to do. Classes start TOMORROW - now I don't know what to do? If I need surgery, what is the recovery time and should I call the school and cancel for this term? I need help on this ASAP. I have no idea what the surgery is like. I can't find too much info on THoracic spine problems (hernaited discs).

I'm truly a mess and this came at a bad time - guess their is no good time!

ANy input will be helpful - THANKS!

Sorry I can't really help you as my surgery was at C6/7 and done here in Australia. Just wanted to say - Good Luck and go with your gut feeling. You can start your course and probably they will help you study at home or catch up later - though you may not feel like studying for the first couple of weeks. I was resting at home for around 6 weeks in all - but I'm 53 and us oldies don't heal as quickly as you youngies! I'd say I sat at home (with walks around the house every half hour) for the first week or so. Then I ventured out during the daytime to shop (no carrying anything heavy) and for coffee with friends in the next week. My concentration came good in around the 3rd week (I am doing a distance learning course) and I could drive after the 4th week - though reverse was a bit troubling. If I was in a heavy industy I would have been off work for 4 - 6 weeks.
Good Luck with whatever you decide and trust (with your surgeons advice) that it will be right for you. :)