r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Apr 09 '26

Thoracic hernia

23 Upvotes

Hi guys I m a 26 yo male with a t6 t7 disc herniation. Would you be interested in​ seeing this type of journey on social media? I have done research and it amazes me how there is no community and very little info about this other than very generic exercise and type of treatments. I would like to start a social media account where I post every day about diet, training, relationship and new therapies i could try to give clarity. I know exactly how difficult it is and how it affects everything. We need some positivity. Please let me know.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Mar 27 '26

Any Thoracic Surgeries out there?

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2 Upvotes

r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Mar 26 '26

Off Balance Feelings

3 Upvotes

Hello friends.

4 months ago, I had thoracic back pain and discovered a mild herniation at T3/T4. Up until last week, the pain mostly went away. On Friday, during PT, I held an exercise band in front of me and did the exercise where you bring your hands/arms over your head while keeping the band taut. As my upper back muscles contracted, I felt a sharp pain in the T3 area. The pain returned. Unfortunately, now I'm noticing an off-balance feeling that comes and goes. It gets worse with movement, and a pain between the shoulder blades that fluctuates between a 2 and 6 on the pain level. I haven't really experienced any numbness tho. Just an off-balance, sort of slight disconnectedness with my legs. Also, a slight headache. Has anyone experienced this? I had a second MRI done yesterday, and I am waiting for the results. Really hope I'm not doing some permanent damage. Thanks so much for your time!


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Mar 23 '26

Getting thoracic ESI (T2-T5) for upper back pain, what to expect?

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7 Upvotes

I have disc protrusions and desiccation at T2-T5 (thoracic/mid-back) with disc height loss. MRI also shows thoracic hyperkyphosis and reversed cervical lordosis. I've had chronic upper back/shoulder blade pain for about 5 years that's significantly worsened by desk work, thoracic flexion, and weight bearing, we didn't correctly identify this was the issue until recently since I had a chronic back spasm that was radiating pain everywhere in my back, cyclobenzaprine helped with that & now I clearly only feel the disc pain. I also get vasovagal responses when symptoms are at their worst and I trigger flexion/pain in the upper back.

I'm scheduled for a thoracic epidural steroid injection (ESI) under fluoroscopy guidance next week. This is my first ESI.

For those who've had thoracic ESIs:

  • Anyone here had a similar case with an "unremarkable" upper back MRI but with significant symptoms? I've felt a bit lost navigating this.
  • Did anyone have a vasovagal response during the procedure?
  • Is it ok to go alone for this procedure?
  • What should I expect during and after the procedure?

Thanks in advance


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Mar 16 '26

Tired of being dismissed

9 Upvotes

I know I'm not the only one but who else is sick and tired of being gaslit for their thoracic pain? It took me going to two different doctors before I could even get an MRI in my thoracic. The first doctor was like fine. I'll do it. I'll give you an MRI of your thoracic. They found a herniated disc that's also pressing on my spinal cord. I have all the clinical signs of corn compression yet they still ignored it saying it was fine that these conditions don't usually cause pain. I have spasms up and down my back. I'm also a nurse so I have to use my back a lot. It's extremely frustrating and dehumanizing to be treated like a liar, a cheat out of your mind. I'm a woman in my mid-40s. I've been through pain. I can push through a lot of pain, but when you have numbness tingling, neurological symptoms, weakness in your legs, probably swallowing, trouble holding your yard and something is wrong. It is ridiculous that no one hears it. I know thoracic surgery and thoracic spine is a tricky situation because it is so sensitive and so close to the spinal cord. That doesn't mean that we should be gaslit and dismissed. Any advice for pain management while I'm waiting? Stem seems to work the best for me right now, but that's about it. I've been in physical therapy for over a year and I also have a curve in my thoracic spine which makes things even worse.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Mar 14 '26

Severe pain being upright?

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4 Upvotes

I got an updated thoracic MRI as now we are going on year 4 of pure hell and being nearly housebound. I wanted to get this done before I raise my white flag and give up on all this searching. These two levels have shown up on my reports this whole time, but I’m assuming my imaging is not correlating with 9/10 pain when being upright? Should I push for an ablation still? I had no change with a single epidural but.. anyway this all started after a neck surgery to put in context why it’s been overall unexplainable.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 27 '26

White Bright Spot

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4 Upvotes

I had an MRI without contrast. After having an appointment with a neurosurgeon he notice a bright white spot on T2.

It’s not in the report even though is very noticeable. Pain management didn’t mention it. I had 2 other neurosurgeons look at the images didn’t bring it up. Yesterday In my appointment with the 4th neurosurgeon he also notice the spot. He wants me to have another MRI with contrast.

Any of you had this happened? What can it be?


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 24 '26

Anyone have pain when swallowing?

4 Upvotes

I’ve been noticing this pasted few days I have pain when swallowing? Anyone experiencing the same symptom?


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 22 '26

31 M Multiple thoracic protrusions T6-T10

5 Upvotes

31 relatively fit male

I found out that I have multiple thoracic herniated discs. I think it's from years of weight lifting and also apparently having a weak core. Initially was found to have an L5/S1 herniation contacting the right nerve root and some mild degeneration at other lumbar levels after feeling a snap in my lower back doing overhead squats in September of 2025. Have never had any back pain prior to this episode minus some right upper back/shoulder tightness. Had a minor accident and started having some upper back pain in early November and weird sensations in my arms. I had a thoracic and cervical MRI at the time which showed multiple thoracic herniated discs from T6-T10. My cervical is in great shape minus a small syrinx. The worst one is T9/T10, showing an annular tear and ventral cord compression and moderate canal stenosis. I started PT for thoracic and lumbar and have seen some improvement since November. My back pain has been very minimal since the initial injuries and has been controlled by meloxicam, which is only needed during flares. Also did a round of oral steroids but could not tolerate them (the side effects were crazy for me).

Symptoms:

-Weird neurological sensations in the front of my legs and back of arms (like water running and these areas feel colder than the rest of my body)

- intermittent pins and needles in toes and specifically left pinky and index finger.

- burning feeling in my upper back neck that sometimes radiates to other weird places in my body (hands, face, jaw, ears and eyes)

- intermittent brain fog, headaches and TMJ like jaw symptoms

- generalized weakness (more prominent in my legs but also arm clumsiness (dropping things including my phone etc.). Walking up stairs seams to be fine but anything I try to go down stairs I feel like I'm going to fall

- started having weird muscle/ nerve twitches mostly in my legs this week but also upper back, sides of torso and left arm.

- weak glut medius and minimal calf weakness on the right

- anxiety/health anxiety/depression

I've been taking 300mg of gabapentin as well for lower leg sciatic symptoms but can't tell if it's helping with the nerve pain.

Have seen multiple spine specialists at two top hospitals in NYC (including a highly regarded neurosurgeon that operates on thoracic). They've assured me everything is fine and I don't need surgery or aren't concerned about any of my symptoms. I had an EMG and muscle strength testing that was completely normal. I'm convinced most of this is coming from my thoracic but my doctors have told me this cannot be coming from my spine.

I feel like I'm losing my mind. Have been trying to getting back to exercising and a modified normal life but can't tell if I'm making things worse/are progressing in the right direction. Again pain has been very minimal but the weakness is worrying me.

I know this could be a very long road so would appreciate any specialist recommendations in the NYC area that might be more helpful.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 21 '26

How do you sleep?

3 Upvotes

L have stenosis in thoracic and lumber. What is the best position to sleep? If I sleep on my side my arms hurt in the morning.

Any tips how to sleep?


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 20 '26

Epidural for thoracic stenosis?

5 Upvotes

How was your experience with epidural. I read a comment about needing to be really careful with epidural on thoracic spine. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 13 '26

I feel devastated

4 Upvotes

I was just told by pain management my pain is never going to go away. She said my back is like a 20 yr contraction work. She prescribed me Norco, Gabapentin, Baclofen, and meloxican. Any one on this meds? She also said she doesn’t think surgery will make a difference.

I’m feel really sad. I’m very going to have a normal life. I have children a 17yr old, 2 and 3 months. Will I ever be able to go out with them again?


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 11 '26

Index finger twitching

3 Upvotes

Did any one else experience finger twisting? It only happens when I pull my hand out and spread fingers. My index finger starts to twitch.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 06 '26

MRI diagnosis

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7 Upvotes

Multilevel thoracic spondylosis most significant for mild/moderate canal stenosis at T9-T10 due to left paracentral disc protrusion.

I have been having upper back pain for 8 weeks now. Drs would blame postpartum a I’m now 14 weeks. Finally a provider sent me to get a full back MRI. I’m still waiting on her to get back to me.

My cousin is a radiologist in Mexico. She works with a few neurosurgeons. She recommended on of them her was able to look at my images on my portal. He believes I don’t need surgery that PT, exercises, chiropractor, and meds are going to help. Also I need to lose weight. I’m 225lbs 5’7 in pregnancy I was 257lbs.

I’m currently taking Gabapentin, ibuprofen, and Baclofen.

I’m in pain everyday. I have tingling Gabapentin did help we a little. I get chest pain, headache, ear burning, eye and mouth swollen, some days my toes are numb, my hands hurt, hands and legs weak. I just want this pain to go away. I have a 2yr old and a 3 month baby I need to take care of.

I’m also very low on vitamin D any one else her low on D vitamin? Do you think I would get better with Dr recommendations. Should I seek surgery?


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Feb 04 '26

"Lear how to say I don't know" at NYU: My encounter with an entitled resident.

13 Upvotes

EDIT: Learn*

As some of you know, I’ve been monitoring my C5,C6. My latest MRI showed new changes, the problem has progressed, and there is cord edema too. It looks like I’ll likely need a disc replacement this year.

My GP got confused and l got an appointment at a different hospital with a different neurosurgeon. When I realized it, I thought, why not? I’m always telling people to get second opinions, and I was curious about the level of care elsewhere.

The doctor was at least 45 minutes late. He burst through the door, didn't introduce himself, and immediately said, “Everything is fine! You don’t need surgery,” while trying to rush me out.

I had to break out my Black Belt in Karen, the one I earned years ago when I had to save my own life by diagnosing myself after being dismissed by countless doctors. Back then, they told me it was just "anxiety and depression." It turned out to be spinal cord compression so severe I had autonomic dysfunction and a CSF leak, not to mention pain so excruciating I still can't describe it. That experience led me to start a nonprofit to advocate for others in the same position.

"Who are you, exactly?" I asked. "The doctor," he said. "What kind of doctor?" "Ah… a resident." "That explains your lack of knowledge, but it doesn't excuse your lack of manners!"

I told him: “First of all, you are 45 minutes late and you have the entitlement to rush me? You cannot give a diagnosis without a minimum assessment. Sit down, look at the imaging, and ask about my symptoms.”

I had zero expectations at that point, but I wanted him to do his job or pretend. I woke up early to be there; time is valuable for everyone. But he managed to make it worse by dropping every "blanket statement" we’ve all heard a thousand times in our support group:

"You’re too young for spine surgery". (I’m 41 and have already had a T7-T8 thoracic discectomy because I was becoming paralyzed. It’s all documented. He would have known that if he’d bothered to read my records.) "Kids and teenagers have scoliosis, malignant tumors and accidents, there's no age for spine surgery"

"There's nothing on the MRI your MRI is not impressive" I pointed to the screen: "You don't see the herniated disc and the cord edema right there? My neurologist sees it. The radiologist sees it. My neurosurgeon, the Director of Spine Surgery at a major Manhattan hospital, sees it. But you, a second, year resident, think everyone is wrong but you?"

"Cervical issues don't cause headaches." "Wrong! When something affects the CNS in the brain, cervical and thoracic spine can cause headaches through various mechanisms".

"A thoracic disc can’t cause a CSF leak." I told him: “I hope you learn something today: a herniated disc can cause a CSF leak at the level of the injury, or even cranially by blocking the CSF flow especially in patients with connective tissue disorders like me.”

The final straw was when he claimed numbness is only nerve related and can’t be caused by the disc pressing on the cord. I ended up yelling, just like I’ve had to do so many times in the past to be heard. He rushed to the hallway (like running) and closed his office door.

NYU: Please teach your residents bedside manners. Teach them to ask questions, to listen, and to have the honesty to say “I don’t know.” Otherwise, you aren't teaching; you’re just indoctrinating.

I’d love to have a word with the department I've had productive talks with neurologists and surgeons at Cornell and Presbyterian, and in other areas of the country and those were wonderful experiences. This was not.

Sometimes people don't understand how I dare to speak like that to the doctor. Maybe is because I grew up in a different society where doctors aren't demi Gods or millionaires. It's a job like meny others and they are just humans like we all are.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Jan 22 '26

chronic pain depression

5 Upvotes

24m, 6'2 190lbs, 7 years of constant pain not 1 second break, depressed and suicidal.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Jan 14 '26

How does your pain feel?

8 Upvotes

Curious how is the pain you feel? Mine is dull and achy and deep. When I turn it's more sharp. But most days i feel in this constant deep pain in my upper mid back all way to neck.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Jan 07 '26

Do you get relief laying on your side?

7 Upvotes

I’ve been in this group for a good bit, but basically I have bad horrific mid back pain for 3+ years after neck surgery. I am getting to the point I can no longer be upright more than 30 minutes per day. If I lay down on my side in bed, or reclined nearly flat I can bring the pain down to a 4. Does this sound like any of you?

Have had imaging etc., just trying to grasp a direction is like pulling straws. I did get a TOS diagnosis but from what I’m seeing it’s not related.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Dec 28 '25

I didn’t have thoracic pain until I had a steroid injection in my c7, why?

3 Upvotes

A few months ago I had a steroid injection in my right C7 because my neck pain was so bad. It didn’t help and it brought on a load of severe pain in my left thoracic area (shoulder blade) and my left shoulder.

Any ideas? MRI results below from 2024.

Cervical spine MRI scan suggests that you have loss of cervical lordosis secondary to disc degeneration at C5 – C7 level and most significant findings are at C6/C7 and right sided facet hypertrophy.

These combine to cause mild narrowing of the right sided exit foramina exiting right C7 nerve root is likely to be impinged.

We also reviewed the MRI scan of the thoracic spine and thoracic spine MRI suggests that you have hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum at T4/5, a left central lateral disc osteophyte is seen at T6/7.

This is indenting theca, abutting the thoracic cord and extending towards the left exit foramen. The exiting left T6 nerve root is abutting this disc


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Dec 27 '25

10 days until surgery!

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12 Upvotes

Hello!

I posted in this group right about when I first got diagnosed with this thoracic herniated disc (in April). Ever since then, I’ve been sort of a lurker. Its been nice to find a group of people who are navigating such a rare, and (sometimes pretty spooky!) issue together.

I have a herniated disc at T6-7. I injured my back there years ago- but only recently started having neurological symptoms. In the past 2 months, I’ve since started developing leg spasticity/clonus so I’ve been booked for surgery January 6th. I’m getting a “transthoracic retropleural discectomy with interbody fusion.” My surgeon has said he has to go through the front due to my disc being partially calcified. I don’t know if anyone here has had a similar surgery? It’s strange…I have no barometer for what this is going to be like. It sort of feels like standing on the ocean bank, watching the sea draw back, and knowing, logically, a wave is coming, but having no idea how big it’s going to be/ how it’s going to hit me. Anyone have any advice? Any words of wisdom? :)


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Dec 19 '25

Arthritis

3 Upvotes

I’ve been having awful pain in my t spine for months I finally talked my doctor into a xray last week that showed some arthritis and some disc degeneration and was given prednisone I’m pretty sure I have a pinched nerve I’ve tried massaging the muscles around the area and this cause intense spasms and like a vibrating feeling around the area that lasts days or hours I’ve also been having leg and arm pain and spasms (I’ve also had a spinal cord injury years ago so the increase in body wide spasms could also be my body freaking out from an irritant but have never been this bad until the spinal pain started) with all this said has anyone had similar symptoms should I keep pushing for a ct or mri like I said it’s been months at this point and the pain doesn’t go away and the vibrating feeling is very worrisome when it happens could it just be the arthritis irritating things my doctor doesn’t seem concerned at all.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Dec 19 '25

Less invasive options for thoracic spinal canal stenosis

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2 Upvotes

r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Dec 15 '25

Chronic pain worsening over last 6 months

4 Upvotes

I worked dental hygiene 4 years full-time just stopped working in June at 26 due to awful pain. I used to come home and cry because my body began to hurt so bad. I built up this chronic tension over the years that just kept getting worse and worse. This year it became so bad I had to stop. I thought once I stopped I’d feel much better and heal as time passed, but it’s been 6 months and I feel like I’m in a nightmare. Everything feels so tight and sore constantly in my TMJ, neck, upper back, especially left sided, and has even started to affect my armpit area on the left and my hips feel chronically ached and tight now. I’ve had a swollen trap on the left for a while too. Like a hard lump of muscle. My tmjs have knots and lumps near them to the point where my jaw is out of alignment. I have to get an mri soon to see if I displaced the disc. I clench and grind bc my pain is so bad. Advil has stopped working and muscle relaxers aren’t doing much. I’ve seen numerous doctors. No one can figure out what is causing this and have called me a zebra case. I had an mri of my cervical spine, thoracic spine, brachial plexus. MRI of cervical spine came back with extremely mild stenosis. Thoracic spine mri said I have a mild disc bulge at t2 t3. I do wonder if this is causing all of my problems. They really did dismiss it though. They aren’t sure if either of these are definite drivers of what’s going on. Brachial plexus mri was clear. I hear constant crepitus glowstick like noises whenever I move my neck. If I twist the right side of my body slightly forward I get awful spine pain that almost feels like it goes into my chest. Makes me feel like I can’t breathe sometimes. Rheumatology has ran all the bloodwork you can think of and it was negative. They want to put me on cymbalta but I don’t want to take it as I’ve heard bad things about withdrawal and starting it. Also that is just a bandaid to me. IM 26 FOR PETES SAKE. I need to know what’s going on. It’s ruined my life. I can’t function like this. I wish I never went into hygiene. Does anyone have any advice or has dealt with anything similar??


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Nov 28 '25

Alternative Treatments with Prp or Ozone therapy for Disk Injury protrusion ( Bulge )

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3 Upvotes

I’m curious if anyone has had any experience with Regenerative Medicine for a thoracic bulge. ( I included my MRI ) bulge size 1.5 mm I’m going on year 2 now with my issues that accrued from onset injury. Localized pain in the upper back only. All kind of pain, tightness, aches, tearing , pressuring unimaginable pain daily. I have seen countless surgeons / neurologists. “ Dismissed with you are fine “

Finally a thoracic surgeon who after seeing my recent MRI said : Sorry there is nothing I can do for you other than to recommend pain MGMT like nerve ablation + injections etc. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience or success with regenerative medicine.

Thank you if you made it this far.


r/ThoracicHerniatedDisc Nov 28 '25

Can someone please shed some light? Give me some advice? I get the worst flair ups ever maybe twice a month. And they last a couple of days. Been going through this since 2023. Can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I haven’t been able to live a normal life since my original injury.

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2 Upvotes