Greets! I am a 20 year old female in Phoenix AZ. I was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 10. At that time the curvature was 17 degrees. I was told that since the curve was less than 20 degrees, we would monitor the curve and consider bracing at a later time. I was given two basic stretches to do daily. Shortly after that, my family no longer had health insurance, so it was some years later until I saw a doctor.
The next time I went to see a doctor was when I was 13. My curve was then measured at, I believe, 21 degrees. Still, since there was little monitoring between visits, bracing was not considered as an option. I was told that as long as I remained active, and continued doing the exercises and stretches, that they would simply monitor the curve. I next saw my PCP about 18-24 months later, because I was having spasms in my back. He referred me to an Orthopedic Surgeon who took x-rays and measured the curve at 38 degrees. They prescribed Ultram and ibuprofen for swelling and pain. This doctor was very adamant about surgery, and wanted to schedule something soon. I was young, and scared, so opted for physical therapy and a water aerobics class at my local gym. Two weeks later, I was in school, and stopped breathing. Went to the ER, and was prescribed Soma in place of the Ultram.
I sought a second opinion several months after the first round of physical therapy didn’t seem to do much for pain/progression. I found a doctor at the Mayo Clinic who sent me to a physical therapist who had experience in the area of scoliosis. This doctor also suggested planning on surgery. The curve at this point was measured as 42 degrees. I was given a TENS unit, and went three days a week to the physical therapist. After physical therapy I had a child and discontinued treatment.
Now, two years later, I am again seeking treatment because I am becoming severely symptomatic and it is beginning to significantly interfere with my quality of living.
So far, there was little improvement from physical therapy. The TENS unit did seem to help with the pain while it was on, and just after it turned off. The water aerobics seemed again, only results while doing them. It gets worse when I sit for long periods of time, but notice that if I am active, my left arm goes numb below the elbow, and my feet swell.
Pain, on a consistent day-to-day basis would rest between a 6 or 7 (on a scale fo 1 to 10). I do have bad days that could be called closer to an 8, or sometimes a 9. Medication now commonly used to control the pain is Lortab, and used at least once every two days; mostly once a day. I can’t use it at work because it makes me too tired.
Most symptoms are in the back, between the shoulder blades on the left side, and the right side about 5-6 inches above my hips. It is not uncommon to have breathing difficulties and heaviness in my chest, as well as numbness/tingling in my left arm, and swollen feet.
I saw another physician in March of 2006, who took x-rays, measured the curve as 48 degrees, and said that he wanted me to continue physical therapy, and come back for a re-evaluation in 6 more months. If the curve progressed significantly, surgery may be an option. Again I was prescribed Lortab for symptomatic control.
I met with another physician this afternoon for a second opinion, seeking a provider that would be more aggressive aside from ‘watchful waiting’. As I did not have my x-rays with me, I was made to feel fortunate to have a total of 10 minutes of face-time with the physician. This doctor said that a curve progression of 1 degree per year is normal, and said that he may CONSIDER an MRI or bone scan contingent upon receiving my previous X-rays. In the end, he did not appear empathetic nor responsive to my request for aggressive treatment.
In hindsight, I should have accepted the advice of my PCP in pursuing surgery. Now, it seems, I cannot locate a physician that will consider surgical intervention options, as each time I am met with the response, “wait and see.”
While I’m gathering my medical records and X-rays, I’m seeking feedback, opinions and suggestions from members of this forum as to what I can do in the meantime to minimize pain (non-medicinally), and perhaps see if anyone may have any recommendations for a physician that may use a more aggressive treatment plan (i.e. surgery). Additionally, any feedback regarding chiropractic therapy (and recommendations) or other means of treatment would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
The next time I went to see a doctor was when I was 13. My curve was then measured at, I believe, 21 degrees. Still, since there was little monitoring between visits, bracing was not considered as an option. I was told that as long as I remained active, and continued doing the exercises and stretches, that they would simply monitor the curve. I next saw my PCP about 18-24 months later, because I was having spasms in my back. He referred me to an Orthopedic Surgeon who took x-rays and measured the curve at 38 degrees. They prescribed Ultram and ibuprofen for swelling and pain. This doctor was very adamant about surgery, and wanted to schedule something soon. I was young, and scared, so opted for physical therapy and a water aerobics class at my local gym. Two weeks later, I was in school, and stopped breathing. Went to the ER, and was prescribed Soma in place of the Ultram.
I sought a second opinion several months after the first round of physical therapy didn’t seem to do much for pain/progression. I found a doctor at the Mayo Clinic who sent me to a physical therapist who had experience in the area of scoliosis. This doctor also suggested planning on surgery. The curve at this point was measured as 42 degrees. I was given a TENS unit, and went three days a week to the physical therapist. After physical therapy I had a child and discontinued treatment.
Now, two years later, I am again seeking treatment because I am becoming severely symptomatic and it is beginning to significantly interfere with my quality of living.
So far, there was little improvement from physical therapy. The TENS unit did seem to help with the pain while it was on, and just after it turned off. The water aerobics seemed again, only results while doing them. It gets worse when I sit for long periods of time, but notice that if I am active, my left arm goes numb below the elbow, and my feet swell.
Pain, on a consistent day-to-day basis would rest between a 6 or 7 (on a scale fo 1 to 10). I do have bad days that could be called closer to an 8, or sometimes a 9. Medication now commonly used to control the pain is Lortab, and used at least once every two days; mostly once a day. I can’t use it at work because it makes me too tired.
Most symptoms are in the back, between the shoulder blades on the left side, and the right side about 5-6 inches above my hips. It is not uncommon to have breathing difficulties and heaviness in my chest, as well as numbness/tingling in my left arm, and swollen feet.
I saw another physician in March of 2006, who took x-rays, measured the curve as 48 degrees, and said that he wanted me to continue physical therapy, and come back for a re-evaluation in 6 more months. If the curve progressed significantly, surgery may be an option. Again I was prescribed Lortab for symptomatic control.
I met with another physician this afternoon for a second opinion, seeking a provider that would be more aggressive aside from ‘watchful waiting’. As I did not have my x-rays with me, I was made to feel fortunate to have a total of 10 minutes of face-time with the physician. This doctor said that a curve progression of 1 degree per year is normal, and said that he may CONSIDER an MRI or bone scan contingent upon receiving my previous X-rays. In the end, he did not appear empathetic nor responsive to my request for aggressive treatment.
In hindsight, I should have accepted the advice of my PCP in pursuing surgery. Now, it seems, I cannot locate a physician that will consider surgical intervention options, as each time I am met with the response, “wait and see.”
While I’m gathering my medical records and X-rays, I’m seeking feedback, opinions and suggestions from members of this forum as to what I can do in the meantime to minimize pain (non-medicinally), and perhaps see if anyone may have any recommendations for a physician that may use a more aggressive treatment plan (i.e. surgery). Additionally, any feedback regarding chiropractic therapy (and recommendations) or other means of treatment would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
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