just sit and wait?

[imanbabesmom]

I am 36, with two little people under 10yrs.

I've been now to my local Ortho & now to a Scolio specialist. My ortho (confessed upfront, I don't do backs....I just wanted a local idea of where I was) was more concerned with my top curve, increased 5 degrees in 10 years and the specialist was more concerned with the bottom curve, now 45 degrees with bottom half rotation.

Both said the same thing, walk, live healthy and we'll see you in one year. Once the pain gets worse we'll consider surgery.

I'm not happy with sitting, waiting and curving more.

I'm looking into Chiros....my insurance will help out with it...I'm going to excersize, try the chiro and see if I can get some excersizes to do that would help.

Has anyone else been through this? Any help from the chiro?

I've heard from one that says that he can decrease the curve, there's another that says, he can't reduce it but can help hold it where it is.

The pain I am experiencing now is limited to premenstral...probably related to the increased rotation and increase in curve.

Thanks for any input.

[green m&m]

My major curve is 49 degrees and I'm in the wait and watch mode. I've been to a chiropractor when I was first dx'ed with scoliosis at 12 and that did nothing (and a growing child's spine is much more flexible than an adult's). My curve progressed regardless.

5 degree progression in 10 years isn't too bad, and remember that there is a +/- 5 degree discrepency for each measurement, even when measured by the same doctor.

[drumgod]

Being a working drummer with scoliosis I see a chiro sometimes. My curve hasn't changed but he helps me move better. He also keeps me loose.




Hope this helps!!

[Cakedec]

My parents started sending me to chiropractors from the time I was diagnosed as a girl of 13, through bracing, and I have gone to them all throughout adulthood to now, at 47. It did absolutely nothing for the curve progression; the curve continues at 1 degree worse per year. However, it does help with with the spasms, compression, and locking up that happens with this disease in your back and muscles.

If the chiropractor is saying that he can reduce the curve or hold it where it is, he is misleading you. If you do want to give it a try, get a written guarantee before you spend your money.

There are people on this board who get surgery when the curve is in the 40's, (50 or more is surgical), but it is usually because the pain is severe and/or it is affecting their functioning. Since your children are young, I would recommend that you enjoy them during this "watch and wait" period with your back. Surgery at this point would pretty much disable you for 6-12 months and you would need someone to help care for you and the children for several months. This is because of the bending, twisting, lifting more than 5-10 pounds, housework restrictions. Plus you would have no energy for them because all of your energy would be going into healing. If you can wait several years until they are older and more independent, it would be much easier.

When those feelings of fear and anxiety over your back seem overwhelming, this forum board is a good place to come.

Deb

[imanbabesmom]

Thank you

Thank you all for your input.

It's scarey dealing with this again, after so many years of thinking it was all over. And it's even more terrifying not knowing what to do or where to start, this forum has been a great help in the last 3-4 weeks, since this has come back to haunt me again.