Thoracic Spine Pain

[ames2120]

I am a flight attendant and was working during severe turbulence when the plane hit an air pocket and I flew up and hit my head on top of the plane. I had an MRI and it showed that I have a herniated disc in my upper back T1 and T2. I have had months of chiropractic and physical therapy treament, and they are both not helping. I do not want to get surgery, I am only 23 years old and this has been going on for over 2 years now, I dont know what to do.

[Kalvin]

No, my pain hasn't gone away, I couldn't possibly be that lucky. I've had it so long, I don't what is like to feel normal anymore.I wish I could tell you something that would help. Your too young to have to deal with this.

I'm going to try some injections for this and if that doesn't help I might try RFA were they try to burn the nerve out. What are your doctors telling you? Have they offered you any advice or treatment options?

[ames2120]

I was wondering if your pain has went away? And what you did? And my pain at the end of a day is about an 8. Any daily activities irritate it, sitting, reading, driving, doing laundry, cooking, anything with my head down or my arms up is the worse. Walking seems to help.

[ames2120]

I don't have any numbness just aching and burning. And I did get trigger point injections three times but they didn't help at all. A new doctor that I just went to is saying that he thinks it is my ligaments and wants to give me a shot with cortisone and glucosamine in it. I am not sure what to do because my aunt got a shot of cortisone in her hip and now has a large indent in her body.

[Kalvin]

T1 - 2 is a painful area, I sympathize. I have thoracic pain too, but mine's  from a tear where the rib attaches to the vertebra. Its horrible pain  it feels like somebody's driving a stake through my back into my chest, and it also wraps all the way around, shoulder blade area hurts too. So I have some idea of what you're going through. How bad is your pain?

Your smart not to want surgery, take it from someone that knows. The next step after P.T. is generally injections. And like the person above me said, a Surgeon might be helpful in offering alternative treatments. Good Luck!

[copycat77]

Hi! I have degenerative disc disease, which is so much different than what you are going through, but I am mentioning it because that condition is why I had to have 3 cervical discs surgically repaired because they were pressing on my spinal cord and causing numbness and alot of pain in my neck, shoulders, arms, etc. You are very young to have surgery, but I was wondering if you are having any numbness along with your pain? You know, you can see a neorosurgeon WITHOUT having to have surgery. But, he/her could look at your MRI and explain why you don't need to have surgery. That would be good news. Have you had any injections for the pain? That may be another idea. I wish you the very best!