I have Kyphosis, and I'm worried.

[BrianG]

Hi, Im new here and I have a few questions. I was diagnosed with Kyphosis when I was 16 and now ten years later I have been dealing with it. I opted out of surgery back then because it was like 10 hours long and the rate of failure was higher than my parents cared to gamble on. Well, I am still having issues with back pain and it feeling tight all the time. I have to crack it several times a day in various ways. I have been thinking about seeing a specialist again because I am experiencing a few scary things. I am having various pains in my chest and back. My feet tingle here and there. Some days its only the left one, and other days it both. I have yet to see any doctor about it because I did not have insurance until recently. I am worried that all these pains and tingling are because of my back. I know I will need surgury, but is it safe now? It didnt seem as safe as you would have hoped 10 years ago. Anyway, I have an appointment to see my doctor for a referral on thursday, but these pains scare the crap out of my like I may be having a heart attack or the tingling is because of bad circulation. I'll bet its because of my back though. Lets hear of others with pretty bad kyphosis that had surgury and all is well now. Thanks in advance.

Brian

[bbest]

Brian -

Sorry to hear you're not doing so well. My advice would be to see an orthopedist. Let him examine you, take x-rays and all that stuff. Take each day as it comes and try not to project too far ahead.

Best of luck,
Brandi

[makaylasmom]

I agree with BBEST.. definitely try to find a specialist who specializes in Kyphosis/Scoliosis. I can say that in the beginning I spent to much time spinning my wheels so to speak with the wrong type of docters... an orthopedic specialist/surgeon is your best bet and definitely ask if they specialize in your condition. Hope this helps!

[macky]

Brian, medicine is going forward all the time. New things being discovered new ways of operating, cures etc etc.
I agree with all the other comments. You need to go and see a orthopaedic/scoliosis specialist and then you will know after a few tests what is going on.
I can be so scarey cant it, to be experiencing different sensations and pain in your body and not knowing what is wrong Our minds never stop thinking "now what can that be, or could it be?" I personally feel it is better to find out then at least you know and can deal with it.
There are so many success stories on this Forum they are truly an inspiration and probably will help you. But first of all you must get your self along to a good doctor.

Macky

[Snoopy]

Hi Brian,

My daughter is younger than you, but I thought I'd share her story anyway. Jamie has Kyphoscoliosis (both Kyphosis and Scoliosis) and will be 2 years post op in December. Before Jamie's surgery, her Kyphosis was about 71* and after surgery, it is about 33* Because of her surgery, she was very restricted for 1 year but after that, she was right back to her old self. This past weekend she was riding our 4-wheeler and shooting her hunting rifle.

Like others have said, things have changed a lot over the past 10 years or so. The usual risk are still there, just like any surgery, but the doctors have come a long way since your original diagnosis. I would suggest getting at least 2 opinions on your back from doctors who specialize in Scoliosis/Kyphosis.

Any other questions that you may have, feel free to ask.

Mary Lou

[BrianG]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I will be starting the process of going to my family doctor for a referral tomorrow. If anyone knows a good Kyphosis specialist in Chicago, I would love to hear about them. I live near the city, and it would be easy for me to see them. Going out of town is not really an option because of work. I do have long term disability insurance, so if this surgery keeps me out of work long term I am ok. Thanks again.

[lljustice2002]

In same boat

Hi Brian,

I also have Kyphosis which i've known about since age 16. I'm 37 now and will be going in for posterior surgery October 9th. The specialist at the University of Michigan that I saw measured my curvature at 85 degrees.
Like you I was having symptoms in other places than just the back area, and that worried me.

I also agree that you need to be referred to someone that specializes in kyphosis/scoliosis. Another great site you should go to is www.scoliosis-support.org . Very nice and helpful people there also, and a few more people who have had surgery for kyphosis. They even have a photo gallery, with before and after pictures. You should be able to find a link there for a orthopedic specialist/surgeon locater for your area.


Bye for now...

Lanny

[macky]

Brian just want yo to know how proud of you I am, and please keep in contact.

Macky