Hello, I am a 25 year old woman.
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 9 years old. Until I was 19, I was a Dancer (Ballet), in classes for about 2-3 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, which is why I was not braced.
When I was 19, I went to Art School and spent the next 5 years bent over a table, designing or sewing, or doing equally detrimental things to my spine. My symptoms started but I chose to ignore them-this was my coping method! When my pain got too "distracting" I used quick fixes- an Osteopath, Loracet, or a few weeks of physical therapy.
I moved to New York, got a physical therapist and freelanced in my field. Then I landed a really exciting "real job" as an assistant designer, and somehow lost anytime for things like excersize or health!
Well, needless to say, 2 months after quitting, I am on my way to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion about surgery. I am not really scared- once, my body was an awsome machine for me, now I'm told by doctors that I "have the spine of an 80 year-old"!
But it is not what doctors have to say that made me consider surgery. I have tried Alternatives, I was raised in a nearly homeopathic lifestyle. I have watched my father (with a similar condition) "avoid surgery" pretty much his whole life, and increasingly as he ages. Well, I don't want to be "avoiding surgery" my whole life! With the way my life has panned out for me recently I can consider the option of surgery an opportunity to fix what is wrong, while I am young and resiliant.
I am going into it all with a "heal and rebuild" mindframe, and considering all my options along the way. I would really appreciate any feedback on my situation, especially from any older women who can tell me if they think surgery at my age, given my situation is the right idea! I am way open to advice!
Thankyou!
Piper
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 9 years old. Until I was 19, I was a Dancer (Ballet), in classes for about 2-3 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, which is why I was not braced.
When I was 19, I went to Art School and spent the next 5 years bent over a table, designing or sewing, or doing equally detrimental things to my spine. My symptoms started but I chose to ignore them-this was my coping method! When my pain got too "distracting" I used quick fixes- an Osteopath, Loracet, or a few weeks of physical therapy.
I moved to New York, got a physical therapist and freelanced in my field. Then I landed a really exciting "real job" as an assistant designer, and somehow lost anytime for things like excersize or health!
Well, needless to say, 2 months after quitting, I am on my way to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion about surgery. I am not really scared- once, my body was an awsome machine for me, now I'm told by doctors that I "have the spine of an 80 year-old"!
But it is not what doctors have to say that made me consider surgery. I have tried Alternatives, I was raised in a nearly homeopathic lifestyle. I have watched my father (with a similar condition) "avoid surgery" pretty much his whole life, and increasingly as he ages. Well, I don't want to be "avoiding surgery" my whole life! With the way my life has panned out for me recently I can consider the option of surgery an opportunity to fix what is wrong, while I am young and resiliant.
I am going into it all with a "heal and rebuild" mindframe, and considering all my options along the way. I would really appreciate any feedback on my situation, especially from any older women who can tell me if they think surgery at my age, given my situation is the right idea! I am way open to advice!
Thankyou!
Piper
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