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what should i do?

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  • what should i do?

    hi clare, i'm from england, i'm 16 and have a double curve i think the degrees are 70degrees and 60-70degrees. I have a pending appointment with my doctor very soon. The thing is, I thought that having degrees as high as mine would require surgery and i thought it was quite severe. But my doctor doesn't sound as though he's too concerned about my curves being so high unlike me.
    Also if surhery is an option for me, how do you make the decision? I think i would want the surgery mainly for cosmetic reasons, because i have a bad body image because of scoliosis, and i know that cosmetic reasons aren't the primary thing to be concerned with in the docotors eyes, but im concerned about it. Also i would just want to stop any more progression, and also even if it's only progressing a bit each year, what will it be lik when i'm 30 years old? so i figure it would just be best to get it out the way, especially because i'm young and so there would be less complications if i had it now. On the other hand, i don't know if i would want the surgery because it's so major and frightening to think about going through with such a major thing.
    Another problem is, I haven't spoken to my parents at all about any of these feelings/concerns i have about scoliosis and any possiblity of surgery. The only person i ever speak to, and not in this much detail, is my best friend. An dof course she won't entirely understnd as only ppl with scoliosis would, but she listens. I just can't bring mself to talk about this to my parents because i think i'll probably just break down and cry about it and i really don't want that. And not a day goes by that i don't think about scoliosis and how i hate the way it makes me look. I'm happy with aspects of my figure but mostly i look in the mirror and i always just see scoliosis.

    wow i wrote a lot there. Sorry about that, but as i said i can't talk to anyone else about this so i guess all my feelings have just come out now.

    can anyone offer any advice or comments about anything i've said? i would really apreciate it,
    thanks , Clare -x-

  • #2
    you should have surgery, because most likely your curves will progress and you will have back problems as an adult. my curve is 38 and i have surgery scheduled for this june.
    ~Wanda~
    Age: 18
    40TL curve pre op
    Posterior Spinal Fusion with Dr. Pablo Marrero
    San Jorge Children's Hospital in Puerto Rico
    June 7, 2006
    post op curve: 16

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    • #3
      thanks for the reply It sounds s scary though, it sounds easy hen you just say 'have surgery'. How are you feeling about your surgery Scoliogal?

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      • #4
        actually, im kind of excited because even though my curve is not as severe as yours, im in pain every day. and i just want to get this over with.
        ~Wanda~
        Age: 18
        40TL curve pre op
        Posterior Spinal Fusion with Dr. Pablo Marrero
        San Jorge Children's Hospital in Puerto Rico
        June 7, 2006
        post op curve: 16

        Comment


        • #5
          I would get a second opinion on your back. I had a curve of 47 when I had the surgery. Most of the literature I've read recommends it for curves in the high 40s and up. It is possible that it can compress your lungs and maybe even your heart if it gets really severe. If you're done growing and the curve is done progressing and you don't have these problems, though, you may be fine without it. Surgery is a big deal, and it's a tough recovery. Mine did not take away the back pain, either, but I know it does for most people. I would try to read up on your options with scoliosis as much as possible and get a second opinion.
          ScoliMed is Katie
          22 years old

          Diagnosed at 13, thoracic 38, lumbar 49
          Posterior fusion 1999
          Failed, lumbar curve to 70
          Posterior removal 2000
          Anterior fusion 2000, thoracic 26, lumbar 37
          Still in pain, tried almost everything!
          Currently in medical school

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          • #6
            Hi, Im from the uk also and Ive been told that I dont need surgery.Im 42 and my curve is 60 degrees-with a lot of pain !
            I would get another opinion as my curve has been progressing for the past 20 years.Im now awaiting an app to see my specialist again and want some answers as they said I wouldnt get any worse and I am!
            I dont want to worry you but you are still young and would recover well if you did have surgery.
            Fused T2-L4 with costoplasty on 3/11/10

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            • #7
              Wow Everybody.

              I'm not from the UK but I've visited ! I also have been through surgery. I am now 26 as of yesterday ( ) but had surgery when I was 12. I had an "S" curve. The highest degree of curve was about 58. I have fusion with rods and hooks from about 5 vertebrae down from the top to L4 near the base of my spine.

              It is critical to take scoliosis seriously. It could mean potential breathing difficulties as well as other health issues. Not to mention the physical disformities. It was not fun by any means to have the surgery in fact it is quite an ordeal.

              The best advice I can give is much like that of another reply: Get a second opinion. If you truly have a 70 degree curve that is nothing to shrug off. If you are that young as well, the other person is right- your curves could easily progress.

              I wish you well and hope this was of some help.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by bluestone
                Hi, Im from the uk also and Ive been told that I dont need surgery.Im 42 and my curve is 60 degrees-with a lot of pain !
                I would get another opinion as my curve has been progressing for the past 20 years.Im now awaiting an app to see my specialist again and want some answers as they said I wouldnt get any worse and I am!
                I dont want to worry you but you are still young and would recover well if you did have surgery.
                I have a left 85º 3LP ( three curve scoliosis with pelvis out ) used to have a lot of pain and disability. Has been treated by the Schroth Health Care professionals. I am able to eliminate the "pains " and I have learn to control my scoliosis . I invite you to visit www:scoliosistreatment-schroth.com

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