Suggestions?

[OneGoneMom]

I am 46 years old. It has been 2 years ago now that I was told by my chiropractor that I had scoliosis. I can help he said. Which he helped with the pain in my back, but the pain in my left hip and down my leg never left me. Eventually, he told me this is all I can do for you. I had dealt with at first numbness in my left leg for 4 years, which eventually turned into pain. Feeling I can deal with this, I let it go without seeking medical attention. A year ago last June, I did go to my primary care physician. Have to start somewhere right? Taking no xrays, he prescribed pain pills. While I'm no health nut, I do not like taking drugs, the long term effect it has on your body cannot be good. I also felt like I wasn't worth his time to try to discover what was causing the pain. I let another year go by before switching Dr's. This Dr, ordered an x-ray which confirmed the scoliosis. He assumed there was closing of the canals causing my discomfort, thus prescribing anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers. He said 2 weeks of this should fix it. Well of course it didn't. While it may have helped somewhat with the pain, it didn't help enough to make it worth my concern to continue prescription treatment. I returned to him, he ordered an MRI resulting in my referral to a Neuro-Surgeon. 4 Weeks went by before I could even get an appointment, then finally got in to see him, anxious for his words, Yes I can fix you....I hear differently. Nothing I can do, you have scoliosis. He mentioned referring me to a pain management specialist, with the words included, possibly he can help you, but...........not sure. Sometimes the pain is more severe than others. Sometimes I have a great day with very little pain. It's just getting very frustrating. I'm tired, so tired of hurting. Not able to do the things I used to. In reading some of these strings on this message board, I read where people have severe pain for many years....I'm feeling very discouraged. I'm only at a 30 degree curve right now, from what I read that should not be so bad......I don't understand.

[berta@aloha.net]

Your story sounds like mine. I have Kaiser and was put off too until I became the "sqeaky wheel". I did lots of reseach, ended up on this forum, told my primary physician that I wanted a referral to an orthapedics surgeon. But that was after lots of other referrals, like you. I saw a neuro....dr. and PT, etc. too. Kaiser has to pay for 2 opinions, so now I'm waiting for my 2nd one. You have to yell and scream and tell your DR. that you KNOW there is surgery possible for your situation. I'm 57 and going to go for it since I too am in pain most all of the time and want to have quality of life instead of ending up worse, which is the only way it can go. My 1st opinion was yes, surgery, since your curvature is only getting worse. My curves are way worse than yours though. Good luck and keep pushing.
Berta

[Cakedec]

Recommend physical therapy

Dear One Gone Mom,

Since your curve is only 30 degrees, I would recommend that you get a referral to a good physical therapist. Ask your dr. for one that is experienced with scoliosis. Your curve causes uneven pull on the muscles and ligaments in your back, shoulders, etc. which causes the knots and pain. A good therapist can evaluate your back to see exactly which places are tight and need stretches and which are weak and need strengthening and put you on a good program.

I went for many years with moderate to severe curves and the therapists were what kept my pain level down to where I could keep going. Be sure that the drs. do keep watching your curve though over the next few years; especially after menopause my understanding is that the curves can really begin getting worse quite quickly.

Deb
age 47
8 weeks post op from posterior surgery
Was 70T,76L
30 degree correction