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Hello everyone,
I'm another lurker to these posts since January, who finally put David Wolpert's book down long enough to sign up here!
My story is that I was diagnosed with scoliosis at 16 or 17 during a sports physical. The doc basically told my mom not to worry about it, to keep an eye on it. I never had an x-ray, and there was no follow up until this December, 2006.
I'd been experiencing sciatic pain, and with the encouragement of my family, went to a family doctor. He did an x-ray, complimented my curves
, and referred me to physical therapy and a specialist. The specialist was at my request, as my doc did not believe surgery was 'necessary'. I believed differently, as I know my thoracic curve has progressed since I was 16 (I'm 30 now), I've lost height, my rib hump is much more pronounced, pain is a pretty everyday thing, although it varies depending on my activities.
The specialist confirmed my belief, and has recommended surgery for my 52* thoracic curve.
So now, I am left with a few questions. I live in Alaska, and while my specialist (Dr. Eule) is in Anchorage, and the surgery would be at a hospital, etc., I do wonder whether I should stay here for the surgery or try to find a doctor out of state. I am waiting for more information on his history with this surgery. I've also contacted Dr. Wagner's office in Seattle to get a second opinion.
I'm wondering how many of you chose to fly somewhere for your surgery, and what your experiences with that were. How soon did you return home? What was the flight like for you? Do you wish your recovery had taken place closer to home? How did you conduct follow up with your surgeon in the months that followed?
Also, does anyone have information on either Dr. Eule or Dr. Wagner?
I know I'll have a lot more questions in the future, and have been so incredibly thankful for this forum and all the first-hand knowledge that is here.
I'm another lurker to these posts since January, who finally put David Wolpert's book down long enough to sign up here!
My story is that I was diagnosed with scoliosis at 16 or 17 during a sports physical. The doc basically told my mom not to worry about it, to keep an eye on it. I never had an x-ray, and there was no follow up until this December, 2006.
I'd been experiencing sciatic pain, and with the encouragement of my family, went to a family doctor. He did an x-ray, complimented my curves
, and referred me to physical therapy and a specialist. The specialist was at my request, as my doc did not believe surgery was 'necessary'. I believed differently, as I know my thoracic curve has progressed since I was 16 (I'm 30 now), I've lost height, my rib hump is much more pronounced, pain is a pretty everyday thing, although it varies depending on my activities.The specialist confirmed my belief, and has recommended surgery for my 52* thoracic curve.
So now, I am left with a few questions. I live in Alaska, and while my specialist (Dr. Eule) is in Anchorage, and the surgery would be at a hospital, etc., I do wonder whether I should stay here for the surgery or try to find a doctor out of state. I am waiting for more information on his history with this surgery. I've also contacted Dr. Wagner's office in Seattle to get a second opinion.
I'm wondering how many of you chose to fly somewhere for your surgery, and what your experiences with that were. How soon did you return home? What was the flight like for you? Do you wish your recovery had taken place closer to home? How did you conduct follow up with your surgeon in the months that followed?
Also, does anyone have information on either Dr. Eule or Dr. Wagner?
I know I'll have a lot more questions in the future, and have been so incredibly thankful for this forum and all the first-hand knowledge that is here.
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