Time to stop ignoring my condition

[Leyla]

Hello everyone,

I was in seventh grade when I was told I had scoliosis. Though my mom blamed me for for not sitting or standing properly. I went to the doctor and got x-rays but then that was the end of it. It was 33 degrees then. I went to chiroprators for treatments later on but it didn't seem to help.

I'm now 33, waking up this morning I guess woke me up. I had pain in my ribs like they were pressing together. Nor could I take a deep breath. It wasn't mearly me sleeping wrong it was my scoliosis acting up. I live in Tennessee and I really don't know of any Doctors that will treat this. I did email a hospital for a recomentation and I hope to hear from them soon.

Cost wise how much is a surgery for scoliosis?

[LindaRacine]

Hi Leyla...

Here are some specialists in Tennessee:

Paul A. Broadstone, MD Chattanooga, TN
Hugh P. Brown, MD Chattanooga, TN
Barney L. Freeman III, MD Collierville, TN
Neil E. Green, MD Nashville, TN
Scott D. Hodges, DO Chattanooga, TN
John W. Klekamp, MD Franklin, TN
Douglas A. Linville, MD Memphis, TN
Robert R. Madigan, MD Knoxville, TN
James K. Maguire Jr., MD Knoxville, TN
Gregory A. Mencio, MD Nashville, TN
James M. Osborn, MD Chattanooga, TN
William C. Warner Jr., MD Germantown, TN

The cost of scoliosis surgery depends on the individual and the geographic area. I think it averages about $200,000.

Best of luck.

Regards,
Linda

[Leyla]

$200,000!! :eek: Oh...owe.. Perhaps I'd better find a good insurance then. Thanks for your help Linda. :)

[SandyC]

Leyla,
If you don't have insurance now, you need to get it prior to seeing a doc that deals with adult scoli. The reason being that if you recieve a diagnosis first, it would be considered a "pre-exitsting" problem and the insurance may not cover you. Just a thought :confused: :rolleyes:

[Leyla]

I've been shopping for insurance all day. Bah Heck with the surgery surely there a easier way. Too much money.. Being 33 would it be too late for those new kind of braces?

[LindaRacine]

Leyla...

Yes, it's too late for a brace to reduce your curves.

Sandy's advice is excellent. My recommendation would be to find a job where you're covered by insurance so that if your scoliosis worsens you have some options.

Regards,
Linda

[Leyla]

Hmm
I am a at home nanny which I've been doing for several years now. Getting a job now could jepardise my friends job. I have a friend who works for a insurance company I'll just give her a call tomorrow. Thanks Linda.