Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease

[rascalbuddy]

I have been diagnosed with TDDD at the level of T9-T10.  My regular xrays show degeneration and a schmorl's node.  I am in severe contstant pain 24/7 and am large doses of narcotic pain killers.  They don't work well any longer and the pain is getting worse every month.  I am still trying to work a full time job but that is getting harder by the day.  Other tests have been done for everything under the sun and nothing of any significance shows up.  They are basically treating the pain and telling me I have to live with it.  Because it is rare and not many people have it, they will not consider any kind of surgery.  The only option they are giving me is a spinal stimulator (not a cure but a way to relieve some of the pain).  I live in Maine and my docs do not do surgery or anything on the thoracic spine level.  What can I do?  I feel I am at the end of my rope and some docs are not listening to me.  If I have to live the rest of my life like this, I am not sure it is worth living.  My entire being has been changed by this condition (about 4 years now).  I am only 49 - still too young to be living this way.  Is there any help out there?  What are my options?  Is anyone else suffering?  Please help me - I am desperate.  Thanks for anything you can offer - even kind words would feel good at this point.  I AM TRULY DESPERATE

[rascalbuddy]

I live in Maine and there is nobody here that will even do surgery on the thoracic area (that have been able to locate).  I have been to a doctor in Texas while visiting my brother and they would be able to do something but my insurance will not cover it.  It is very frustrating.  I have had some docs say live with it and tell me they have pain too so get over it.  I know my body better than they do.  It seems if you don't fit into a nice neat little box with the symptoms and test results, they push you off and say they can't do anything.  It took almost 4 years to even get a dx.  I don't know what to do or where to turn.

[terri1234]

I know what you mean, when it hits us, it is a shock and it feels like we will never be the same again.  I'm feeling it in my thoracic area too and doctors are ignoring me about it basically.  Have you thought about laser surgery?  It may be worth a try if you are in that much pain and no one will help you.