does anyone know what to do about a thoric disc that is compromising the spinal cord. alittle back ground i have c3-7 herniated with c5-6 fused front and back,t6-7 herniated t7=8 herniated w/compression, all lumber are buldging w/l4-5 stenonic does anyone know what all this means,oh ya also t1-2 is hypoplastic with probable congenital blocked vertabrae

You need a serious postural analisis and a physical rehibilation program.

,Mike

they do know that there is a big difference in that at the thoric area t7-8 is compromising the cord.t7-8 is a right paracentrally herniation causing cord compression, also t6-7 is on the right but not compressing as of yet c6-7 is a central disc herniation which has slight mass affect along the ventral thecal sac? anyone care to interep this for me, sorry about spelling lack of sleep will do it all the time. Couold someone also tell me if i could possible also have depression as we had a death in the family two weeks ago and i can not stop thinking about him every day,could this also have affect on the amount of pain i have been feeling and maybe one of the reasons that i just don't want to go out or even get out of bed, thought it all was the pain now don't know. well gotta go as i am now getting a bad pain rapping around my chest.. thanks deb

The cord compression can also lead to nerve impingement or compression affecting the levels of your C-spine and T-spine (or thoracic). What it means? It also depends on symptoms you may be feeling.

I don't know what is meant by the "slight mass" affect; that's something you will need to ask the doc(s) you're seeing. Mass? What type?

Of course you might be feeling depressed following the death of a family member. That would not be out of the "norm." If you have a chance, look up info. (in Google or another search engine) about the pain cycle or cycle of pain.

If feeling depressed, it's definitely something I'd discuss with a doctor you're seeing, and make sure the doc knows about your recent loss.

you asked what are mt symptoms well i have painon the left side rib cage it feels like my ribs are broken and at times i getpain around my whole chest almost like a heart attact, my neck has been hurting once again and i have been getting alot of earpain like an ear infection whats that all about? my eyes are hurting mostly the right one and at times i feel like i can feel the plate at c-56 in my throat never had that before also both arms are hurting or feeling numb mostly the right one feels like there is lose of strenth but there isn't, been getting those terrible headaches again but not as long and not totally as painful but still bad, at times i tend to drag my right leg it almost feels like i cann't bend it, all these pains are so strange to me. I did talk to the doc about depression but he thinks and so do i that i may be depressed but don't have depression if you know what i mean, anyone who has lost a brother will be depressed and the pain makes me depressed too, he thinks that if i fix the pain the depression will go away. some will i told him but some will take a life time, it's still the early stages so i do understand but don't have to like it, my son has depression so i know what it is like and i told him i don't want to start on antidepressants. so we are doing a wait and seee. thank you all for replying back to me,,, boy i am glad i found this board it may be the life saver i needed thanks again deb

Deb, I'm by no stretch of the imagination a doc or anything remotely close. Just another patient - like you .

Some of what your describing sounds, to me, as if it could be evolving from nerve compression, which can lead to numbness, pins and needles/tingling sensations or electrical feelings and/or burning at times.

Possibly paresthesia along with radiculopathy.

Because you have both C and T spine level probs., I don't know what's causing what without looking at a dermatome chart. But, even, at that, I'd only be making my best estimation.

The headaches sound like neuralgia.

I'd suggest also visiting and possibly posting to the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) Forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

I don't know if you do have TOS, and folks there also cannot give a diagnosis; they do have a great deal of knowledge and experience and will likely offer you some really sound info. and suggestions.

I'm glad that you talked with your doc. about how you're feeling and that he is listening about your depression.

I do know what you mean. At times, people (probably everyone at, at least, one point or more) feel depressed. When depression is situational, it's still good to have that talk with the doc., as you have.

If you or your son find that you're feeling down persistently (more than several weeks and it's a constant feeling), if either of you have sleep loss that's leaving you also fatigued or just plain ol' foggy minded for days at a time, you're unable to concentrate, experience lack of appetite or loss or gain weight (more than 10 pounds), I'd seriously re-think taking the wait-and-see approach, okay?

I understand your depression, and, too, it's something to keep in mind if you go through some/all of the above.

Feeling lousy from pain? Yep, that happens. That's also why it's important to be sure you stay on top of what may be leading to what (feelings and symptoms). Chronic pain is already a lot to deal with, so depression from that is totally understandable. Depression from the loss you've also experienced can compound it.

Just be careful, 'k? and make sure your doc also remains aware, as well.

I sure hope i didn't come off bad and make you mad at me, sometimes i don't say exactly what i mean if you can understand what i mean. please take no offense i sooooo appreciate you taking the time to write to me you have know idea how i value your input i have gotten from you is more than i have gotten from even the doctors. ok that said i will look up tos and search the web for anything i can to learn more which i have been doing for a very long time now, but nothing comes close to hearing it from another person, priceless thank you. and i will let you all know how it goes next thurs. this site is a godsend and yes i do have sleepless nights but then again i always have since alittle kid, so cann't pinpoint that to depression. my son is on effextor and ziprexor (not sure of that speling as i am in a brain fog) so i quess the insomnia does cause stupitidiy haha. well anyway i do have a lot of spinal issues, but at the moment i cann't think as my oldet child for has atouch of autism has just been keeping me up to discus among other things the death of his father 20 yrs ago so now i have a regular headache and acctually could be sleeping , so am going to bed sorry for not finishing but am in a tissy you had to be there thank you and PLEASE write again as will i deb

Deb, by no means have you offended me . It would take a lot for someone to do that. So... as the saying goes: Don't sweat the small stuff, okay?

I've been in the same situation as you're in and facing the first Epidural. I think that you're handling yours quite well - asking questions and being honest about how you feel. Ain't nothing wrong with that, that's for sure.

Maybe... just a thought... and because you also mentioned in a post about wanting to help your Mom and thinking of others can do that... She wouldn't mind being with you and your son a couple days before and after your procedure. It might give you a chance to sleep when you're able and your son would still have someone to talk with while you get some sleep.

I hate for people to be in pain, and I really hope that you get much pain relief after your ESI.

I definitely want to know how it turns out for you.