Chronic Pain - Thoracic Spine

[denisej]

i have chronic pain at T8 area which never moves and wraps around to the end of the rib on the right side. i have had MRI/CT scans, which shows a disc bulge at T2 and a hemangioma at T8. I have had 2 injections, one in the fascia around the vertebrae at T8 and another one at T5 in the nerve itself to deaden the nerve, neither one has worked. i have another followup appointment and have a feeling we are going to be doing a guessing game in which we just inject each nerve in the area until we get the right one. i would like to know the chances of the hemangioma causing the pain. i am 41, female and this started after giving birth 3 years ago. the only way the pain goes away is if i am lying flat or narcotics to function daily. if i bend over as in an L shape the pain subsides, it seems prolonged standing, lifting or too much activity aggravates it and it just intensifies throughout the day, or just daily living.

[Dr. Joshua]

Hi Denise, thanks for your question. Here's the link to the answer:
http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2006/11/25/chronic-pain-in-thoracic-region/

[Kerri]

I could not find for the life of me where to ask the doctor?

Anyway.. I read that one of you ladies, had THORACIC spine pain.. that wrapped around like a barrel.

That is me. I have to get an MRI which will probably take me until I'm dead to get one.

For 3 years I have had chronic pain in my chest all the way around.. sometimes it boils on the inside..sometimes it's hot
sometimes I have pain in my armpits and out of my breasts...
and it aches all the time. I used to hold myself all the time..and I can't wear a bra.
If I did extra activities it wore me out.

They put me on neurontin. It helps. I don't hold myself and I don't feel like my chest is going to
explode..but I don't feel like running a marathon either.

I feel squeezed all the time..and stress makes it "squeeze" harder. I do hurt.. and I am tired..

ALL THE TIME I require alot of rest. I have a friend that I live with and she is sick of me...and thinks I am just depressed.

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS..

but dear lady, that I read on here with thoracic pain.. I understand.. boy do I. It is horrible..and painful..and don't
you wish you could just breathe without it..
It would be nice to have my life back too.

[Dr. Joshua]

Hello Kerri, thanks for your post. I've merged it to this topic. Please browse the previous answers in the category "chronic pain". There are many informative answers that may provide you with helpful information. You can find them by following this link:

http://askdoctorjoshua.com/category/neurosurgery/chronic-pain/


Specifically, the following answers may apply to your situation:

http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2006/11/25/chronic-pain-in-thoracic-region/

http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2006/06/28/pain-in-right-side/

http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2006/03/01/burning-chronic-pain/


Feel free to post again, and do keep us posted on any developments!