Large T7 vertebral hemangioma

[C_M_]

Hi, I am a 31 year old female who has been diagnosed as having a large vertebral hemangioma at the T7 vert. body. The hemangioma completely encompasses the vertebra. The neurol surgeons I've seen say the bone cannot be saved and to treat the pain. (Which has been ongoing for two years) But everyone tells me to take ibuprofen, which is no longer possible as I have developed gastris from taking it. So it seems my question is two fold- Do I consider the pickst surgery to find relief? And not all of my doctor's agree that the hemangioma is the source of my pain even though they have all said its the largest one they seen. What else could it be? My MRI showed no other abnormalities.

[pezza57]

G'Day all I too have a Vertebral Haemangioma in the T6 vertebra, which i think causes me to only have 5 to 6 hours of sleep, if i try to sleep any-longer then i get out of bed with severe pain in that part of my back, it usually goes after an hour or so but is still noticeable through out the day. when i sleep in my recliner then i'm OK Just wondering if any one else is experiencing the same?

[DrRaniKnight]

While hemangiomas can be pain free, they can also cause pain as well as bladder incontinence.  I just got an MRI back myself with 2 hemangiomas in the referral pain area, so I am investigating this for myself also.

Pain management techniques all come from Hatha Yoga & Yoga Therapy.  I would consider a movement and breath related solution if if could save you a potential surgery that you are not 100% convinced will bring relief.  

If you know the muscles involved in tension, knowing how to stretch them to bring relief and how to strengthen those that are weak could be your answer!

You must determine what the cause of the pain is before considering surgery, especially to the spine.  get a few opinions, do not just take the word of one doctor.

Blessings

[Kalvin]

I feel for you, I really do. Don't give up. What kind of surgical options are they offering you? I know 2 real good Neurosurgeons here in Wisconsin. Wouldn't hurt to get more opinions.

[C_M_]

I'm sorry, I meant risky surgery. The surgical options all have a  high risk of paralyzation. Pain managment is being considered but the over all consensus is that i'm too young. The pain is so bad I almost dropped out of school last semester.I fell trapped and any advice would be helpful!

[Kalvin]

That was my first question, if hemangioma's not causing your pain, what is? What do the Doctors that think its not causing your pain, think the problem is? This has to be clarified before you even think about surgery.

I have a lot of problems in the C-spine myself, but I really don't know what type of pain you're experiencing from this, except that its probably pretty bad, and  I doubt if ibuprofen would put a dent in it. How bad is it?

Do some of your Doctors just want to manage the pain and others are offering surgical options? There's a lot of different of options for this, what type of procedure have they recommended? What is pickst surgery, do you mean quickest? Forget quickest, the safest, with the best success rate. You real need to weight the safety of procedure and how much of a reduction in pain it will it give you vs pain management.

Personally, I have never been a fan of Pain Management, although I know in a lot of instances it's appropriate, but to me it's always been the last option, particularly in someone as young as you. But by no means should you undertake a dangerous procedure or one that might not even help. I've probably confused you enough.


Take Care

First the thing is to verify that this thing is your causing pain, get surgical options, look at success rates and safety of the procedures and then weigh than against possible long term pain management, its a lot to do.