What to do?

[wendy in Iowa]

This is my first posting. I am 45 yrs. old and have had scoliosis since I was 12. I wore a Millwaukee brace for 3 yrs. That was terrible and it took a long time to recover from that emotionally afterwards. After all that I just tried to forget that I had a problem and that worked pretty well for the next 25 yrs. Over the last few years though the pain in one side of my back has gotten progressivly worse and then I discovered that I had shrunk an inch. I went to my old doctor ( who is still there after all this time ) and had a new x-ray. It showed that I now have a 57 degree lower and a 30 Degree upper curve. I can't say for sure but it seems that most of the changes have happened in the last 4 or 5 years. They don't want to do fusion surgery at this time but they want to wait and check it again in one year. I was wondering if this is the best idea. Won't the surgery be even harder if the curve is worse and do I really want to get any older before they do anything. Should I seek a second oppinion or just wait a year. Any advice would be welcome.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Wendy...

A year should not make any real difference, and I personally think it's a good idea to wait.

By the way, you've posted this thread in the Parents & Family Members section. You may want to move it to the Adult Patients area:

http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Regards,
Linda

[lelc2002@yahoo]

Hi Wendy- I agree with Linda. Waiting a year does'nt seem to be a bad idea. You are now aware of having it checked yearly which is good. I was about 39-40 when I noticed my scoliosis was getting way worse. By the birth of my second son at 39, I had lost some height. I believe I was about5'7 or 5'8" in my teens-20's & by 43 I was about 5'4". My hump got bigger & I felt scrunched in the middle of my body. I was checked at age 43 by a specialist in NJ. He said he could'nt help me, it was way too risky to go thru the back & front & I so he said I would have to live with my 'deformity'. I was so scared to death to see another surgeon after that episode! Then I was checked in NYcity by a specialist at age 46, who said he could help me & was so nice. I had a 95 degree curve & had surgery 7 mths later. ...it all worked out & I was so lucky to be guided to not just a good surgeon but a great one...!
http://lynnebackaatack.blogspot.com
fused T-11 to L-5/Aug 2006-Dr. Boachie/Dr. Kim

[wendy in Iowa]

You've helped

Thanks; I live in a rural area in eastern Iowa. We do have some excelent medical facilities around this area and I feel if I need to I can find good treatment, but I have never had anyone to talk to about this condition and it has left me feeling very alone. I'm really glad I found this web site. I have been surprised by the degree of curves that some of you have had to live with and knowing that has made me feel better. When I saw my own x-ray I was very shocked and frightened. I didnt think it would look so bad. I still have alot more questions than answers at this piont but I am learning what I can on this web site and others. Thanks for the oppinions.