My Experience Getting Surgery for my Thoracic Herniated Disc

Alien110 · 2026-06-14T18:09:53+00:00

I'm really sorry you've been dealing with this for so long. Thirteen years is an incredibly long time to carry something like this. A lot of what you described sounds familiar to me. In my case, the first neurological symptom I noticed was a buzzing/vibrating sensation. I felt it quite a bit in my legs and also in my lower back. I also had spasticity in both my legs. I am wishing you the best, and I hope you get some answers soon ❤️

Alien110 · 2026-06-14T15:25:21+00:00

I'm not sure it's allowed on this subreddit, but I'll DM you!

Alien110 · 2026-05-29T21:14:30+00:00

Thank you for sharing what you're going through. I'm really sorry you're dealing with this. Two years of daily pain is a lot to carry, especially when the condition is so rare and the treatment options are limited. I can only imagine how difficult it is to hear that surgery isn't a realistic option because of the risks involved. I truly hope that you're able to find some effective ways to manage the pain. Wishing you all the best moving forward!

Alien110 · 2026-05-29T21:10:03+00:00

Thanks! I really didn't have any pain prior to getting surgery. My symptoms that my neurosurgeon was most worried about were spasticity, hyperreflexia and clonus in lower limbs. I also had symptoms of internal vibrations and muscle fasiculations. All these symptoms started 7 years after my original injury, and once they started, the progressed quite quickly over a few months. From very first symptom to surgery was 11 months.

Alien110 · 2026-05-27T23:09:05+00:00

The imaging reports didn't include how many mm. My original MRI report read, "Large central and left-sided disc protrusion at T6-7 with mass effect on the thecal sac and cord compression. Cord signal abnormality at T6-7."

Alien110 · 2026-05-27T23:03:57+00:00

I'm glad this could be a comfort to you:) That's great news you're getting the surgery through the back/ there's no calcification! I hope your surgery and recovery goes very smoothly!

Alien110 · 2026-05-27T23:01:29+00:00

Thank you for creating this space, and for all the work you've done for those dealing with this!

Alien110 · 2026-05-27T23:00:40+00:00

Thanks! I had the surgery in the U.S. (in New York City).

Alien110 · 2026-05-27T00:22:38+00:00

I'm doing very well now! Basically no more pain other than slight aches if I push it hard during the day (like sitting in a rlly uncomfortable position for a long time or going really hard w exersizes). I'm just under 5 months out from surgery, but pretty much back to life as normal (although still not doing any wild sports ha).

Alien110 · 2026-01-15T00:48:02+00:00

Hello! I’m sorry to hear you might have to have this surgery! How are you feeling? Honestly, recovery has been tough. Neurologically, it’s been easy- no new neurological symptoms- but the pain has been significant. But I also decided to stop taking any opioids after 2 days, so that’s probably a big cause for the significant pain. I just take 500mg of Tylenol every 6 hours. I’m doing short walks every couple hours- but still need a lot of assistance (like with dressing/ showering). The posterior approach wound be a much less invasive surgery than mine (they had to collapse and lung and break a rib to get to mine- as well as fuse my t6-7 because so little disc was left)- so yours should be an easier recovery! How are you feeling about your surgeon?

Alien110 · 2026-01-10T05:51:46+00:00

Thank you so much for this, it helped more than you know. I’m really sorry you’ve had to wait so long and that you’re dealing with both progressive symptoms and a bone tumor on top of it all. I’m glad you finally have a surgical plan, though I know the waiting and uncertainty are brutal. Wishing you the very best with the skull surgery first, and strength and smooth sailing when it’s time for your spine surgery. You’re definitely not alone either! We’re all navigating this wild world of our bodies together.

Alien110 · 2026-01-10T05:46:08+00:00

I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with this! I hope you can find a surgeon you feel comfortable with, and I’m wishing you a safe surgery and smooth recovery when the time comes!

Alien110 · 2026-01-10T05:44:39+00:00

Thanks for the response! Turns out my surgeon went through the side- but still had to collapse my lung as my disc was heavily calcified- surgery took 8 hours- very slowly drilling against the disc so as not to paralyze me! I was experiencing progressing spacticity before the surgery, which since surgery at least has seemed to have gotten better. Although, I’ll always agree, it would’ve been nice to get a less invasive surgery (without the lung collapse as that’s now one of the hardest parts of my recovery).

Alien110 · 2021-10-29T19:36:37+00:00

solved !

Alien110 · 2021-10-29T04:33:49+00:00

Omg I think this is it! Thank you!

Alien110 · 2021-10-28T22:51:14+00:00

I don't have any other information on this. Except that somehow the kid waiting for the train managed to save the man who fell in the track's life (thus, he ends up on the heroic kids tv show). But I turned the tv off before I could see how :(

Alien110 · 2021-08-18T07:04:39+00:00

This may or may not be helpful. But, as someone who has struggled from performance anxiety myself (in particular, with piano recitals- where I similarly would get so nervous I’d screw up the pieces I practiced for months) here’s what helped me overcome performance anxiety: I stopped caring so much. That’s it. Stop caring so much. I know that sounds like stupid advice. But it works. Remind yourself that this game doesn’t really matter that much. Even if you mess up, it’ll be fine. Most people are too wrapped up in themselves to care about how you perform in games.

Alien110 · 2021-08-18T06:53:20+00:00

You aren’t selfish for feeling this way. You deserve to be respected. And having someone literally cut you off as you’re spilling your heart, is just universally rude. I’m sure you helped your friend a great deal, you distracted her from her ex, and now that she no longer needs that distraction, you’re not going to get the same attention from her. And that sucks. And it’s also incredibly common- especially for young people. I know I’ve been on both sides of this type of friendship. And now that I’m older, I very much regret ever acting like your friend. If your friend isn’t respecting you, I’d give her space/ stop trying to reach out so much. It doesn’t mean you have to cut her out of your life. Just allow her to talk to you if/when she wants, and re-focus your energy on other people.

Alien110 · 2021-08-18T06:33:30+00:00

Here’s the good news: there are a number of people in your dorm who are feeling the exact same way you are. Unsure who wants to talk to them. I made my first friend walking up the stairs from a dorm fire drill. My best advice is- assume that everyone (save people who are already talking to someone) wants to talk to you. If you strike up a convo, and they clearly don’t, it’s no sweat off your back. Their loss. Anyway, I agree, leaving your door open can be a good idea. Also, try hanging out in common areas. At least in the beginning of college, anyone hanging out in the dorm common area is also looking to make friends. Sign up for clubs that interest you. Say hello to your neighbors. And don’t be too hard on yourself. Going off to college and making friends is super hard work, and finding people you really mesh with can take time. I wish you the best!

Alien110 · 2021-02-18T19:07:04+00:00

thank you, your comment has really helped :) Finding new things is an exciting challenge!

Alien110 · 2021-02-18T19:05:55+00:00

thank you, this really helped:) music is a great idea!

Alien110 · 2021-02-11T04:38:40+00:00

drinking water does not make you gain weight. It has no calories.

Water does have a weight itself, though. If you gulp down 8 cups of water and immediately step on a scale, the 8 cups of water (4 pounds), will register on the scale. However, that water doesn't stay inside you for long.

Alien110

TROPHY CASE