Whee. In 2006 and again in 2007, I had a microdiscectomy/laminotomy/foraminotomy on L5/S1 after the disc essentially blew apart during child birth. I’d had problems with it before, but pregnancy and delivery destroyed it. I knew that if it failed again, I’d be looking at a fusion. In the years since then, I’ve been stiff, but that excruciating, immobilizing pain has never returned.
But in the last year, my health has gone to crap. We’re still trying to get a clear picture of what’s going on. Best we can tell after ALL the blood work (mercy, mercy me–believe me, I have been tested for everything from lupus to Lyme’s to heavy metal toxicity to…you get the idea) and MRIs and lumbar puncture is I have 1) Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid disease (that now appears to be controlled); 2) Fibromyalgia, which is decidedly NOT controlled; 3) Chiari malformation type 1, that according to two specialists does not appear to be behind my collection of neurological symptoms; and most recently, 4) herniated thoracic discs at T6-7 and T8-9. Those I find intriguing. While the herniations are small–3-4mm or so–they are clearly impeding the spinal cord.
From what I understand, herniations at the thoracic level are rare, and ones that are symptomatic, more rare. However, mine are pressing into the spinal cord (pretty obviously on the MRI) and bending it a touch to the right. I’m wondering if this is behind some of my neurological symptoms, like the loss of temperature sensation in my lower right leg. While I can feel pain and touch, if you touch that leg with an ice cube, I can tell you’re touching me, but not that it’s cold. Ditto heat. Additionally, that leg also sometimes feels “heavier,” for lack of a better description. While I think I can still walk normally with it when it’s like that, it just feels…odd.
I have multiple other neurological symptoms as well–I have a mild positive Rhomberg’s test (can’t stay balanced with feet together and eyes closed; I start to sway then fall), hand tremors (worse in left side), weakness in the left side, pins and needles shooting up each side of my head (never both at the same time), down the arms (usually right, but sometimes left, never both), and along the outside of the right leg, blah blah blah. It does keep going (boy does it), but I’ll spare you.
The radiologist described my symptoms in the MRI report as simply "myelopathy,"which from what I gather is defined variably as disease of the spinal cord, malfunction of the spinal cord, and the like. Eek. :o I don’t want my spinal cord having ANY issues. At least in the lumbar region, you just have to deal with nerve roots, not the cord itself.
I’m a bit concerned about what may be next. I assume probably physical therapy first–having been down the bad back treatment path before–but microdiscs at this level are much more rare as it’s far more risky and complicated. I also worry a fusion may be in my future with all the problems down in the lumbar region (I also have a herniation at L4/L5 that was about 3-4mm at last measurement, 6 years ago or so).
I also wonder if with all this mess I have any business being on the back of a horse at all. 
But I am getting into driving, mercifully. My little 36" mini may just be my equestrian salvation.
Has anyone been there, done that with this? Or really offer any sorts of experience, advice, insight, encouragement? This has really worn me down, but I’m still pushing through and living life each day best as my body allows me to.
I do have communities I belong to for my spinal issues, but I came here looking for that special equestrian take on my unique situation. Thoracic issues are rare to begin with, so it is a bit of a longshot here.
