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