Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Is This True

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Is This True

    OK,

    Since my discovery of my curve progressing and the talk of surgery my family has gotten involved......this was noted in other postings...but as of today my sister in law spoke to her PT(physcial therapist) and she told her that scoliosis can be stopped by therapy....also the pain can be reduced..

    .I took the advice of my surgeon and the advice of physcians who are not surgeons and all said i need the surgery...

    so I understand this, but i can see my sisterinlaw blabbing to everyone that i didn't try everything ; meaning her doctor; and that i'm rushing into unnessary surgery....blah blah blah...i wish everyone would lay off....it's hard enough without all this...
    CONNIE


    Surgery June 28th 2004
    fused T4 -L3
    Hip graft
    Grown 1 1/2 inches
    25/o upper T 15/o
    53/o T 15/o
    37/o L 6/o
    Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
    New York City

    August 6, 2004
    Pulmonary Embolism
    complication from surgery

    January 2007 currently
    increasing pain at the T4/5
    point irratation heardwear

  • #2
    Can PT stop scoliosis?

    Connie,
    I am an occupational therapist and I know a fair amount about spine health from both personal and professional experience. I have to disagree with your sister-in-law. PT can certainly reduce scoliosis-related pain but, to my knowledge, it cannot stop curve progression in a 45 year-old. Also, I've read your other posts where you've described your level of pain. It sounds like this pain has literally taken over your life. This is your personal decision, of course - but I believe you are making a good one. Best of luck.
    Nora

    Comment


    • #3
      An adult who spends a great deal of time in muscle conditioning can sometimes train their muscles to reduce their curve a small amount. In structural scoliosis (which is almost certainly what most of us have), the vertebrae and discs become wedge shaped. No amount of exercise will change that. Check out my website here:

      http://www.scoliosislinks.com/AlternativesDontWork.htm

      for more detail.
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        spincon,
        That would get very anoying, especially if you don't mind surgery.

        I hope you get a speedy recovery from ur surgery!

        Comment


        • #5
          LINDA .,
          THAT WAS A GREAT ARTICLE . MY HUSBAND READ IT AND SO HE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THE SHAPE OF THE VERTBRAS. I WILL HAVE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS READ IT IF THEY HAVE ANY DOUBTS.....IT WAS ALSO NEW INFORMATION FOR ME.
          THANKS AGAIN FOR THE VERY VALUABLE INFO.
          CONNIE


          Surgery June 28th 2004
          fused T4 -L3
          Hip graft
          Grown 1 1/2 inches
          25/o upper T 15/o
          53/o T 15/o
          37/o L 6/o
          Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
          New York City

          August 6, 2004
          Pulmonary Embolism
          complication from surgery

          January 2007 currently
          increasing pain at the T4/5
          point irratation heardwear

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi again Connie:
            I am sure you are getting sick of my comments but boy would I love to get your family together in a room and talk to them. If you are anything like me and it sounds as if you are - this pain didn't start yesterday - we have been living wiht it for a long long time and it is getting worse as time goes by. I would also imagine that like the rest of us you have tried most of the alternatives including therapy. Good lord who wouldn't try non invasive stuff before surgery. But it comes to a time where we have tried everything and you have even gotten 3 opinions and they are still on your case. I suggest that you get them all together and tell them it is your bosy and your pain and YOUR DECISION and to butt out cause all they are doing is making your life harder. This surgery is not an easy decision to make but when you suffer 24/7 and you are still relatively young then there has to come a time when the options get smaller and you have to bite the bullet so to speak. My boys(18 and 19) have already told me that they will support any thing I decide on and my sister who is an OR nurse goes with me to all my appointments and my Mom who has spinal stsnosis is with me too so tell your family that you have made up your mind and that intead of trying to second guess the specialists that it would be a big big help if they would just support your decison and be there for you when you need them. Sorry I kind of got going there but I really know where you are coming from and I wish you the best of success and I do hope that your family gets with the program for your sake. Keep in touch as I am right behind you for surgery - I hope

            Nancy
            Nancy

            Comment


            • #7
              Connie,
              I'm going to put on my "Dear Abby Hat" and suggest that you thank them for their efforts but you have decided on the surgery. You could add in that their efforts to help is touching. That way those suggesting other therapies know you appreiciate thier thoughts, but your mind is made up. They really are just afraid of surgery. Not to mention they don't understand scoliosis. Try not to take it all to heart. Sometimes well meaning family members don't realize they are just causing more pain. (Dear Abby hat's been taken off )

              Comment


              • #8
                family support

                Hi Connie,

                Ask your family the following question:

                If you were diagnosed with coronary artery blockage and were advised to have major bypass surgery - surgery which will prevent cardiac events which could cause severe pain, disability and decreased quality of life - would you do it?

                Most people would respond "yes". Your situation is no different.

                There's so much ignorance on this topic. Most people have heard of this procedure only in adolescents. I asked a GP for a spine surgeon referral a few years back and he actually told me I was crazy to consider this "at my age". Needless to say, I never went back to him.

                Again, I wish you luck and look forward to hearing about your new straight spine. In a strange way, I envy you. Your decision is made and you will have all this crap over with soon. I know that sounds crazy but those of us who've been struggling with the "big decision" for years will understand.
                Nora

                Comment


                • #9
                  LOVE YOU GUYS

                  Nancy,Nora,Mary and Linda..

                  Thank you for all the support on handling family issues.....I know they all want to help, but all it does is question my decision, and that makes it harder on me...

                  Today is Sunday and the family went for a ride...and automaticly when I sit in a car I lift my leg up and support it on the seat...this acually pushes the lower spine into the seat and releases strain on the back....my husbands kept telling me put your foot down off the leather(expensive car) and I don't even relize that I do this automaticly b/c of pain...how we compensate..

                  another moment...we went to check out the waves..we live a couple blocks from the beach...and we found a handicap spot and
                  next to that spot there was a very elderly man sitting in his car...as I opened up the door I found it hard to lift myself up and stand....I did than I couldn't continue to stand so I got back in the car and the senior said why are U in the car U should go for a walk on the boardwalk its such a nice day......I said I can't I have back pain..

                  OK I know I'm rabbling on but the point is that we live with so much pain that we compensate everyday activies that are so normal...like sitting straight in a car or walking on a beautiful day....so many things I had to stop doing, the most hurtful was a weekend we took the kids skiing...I never had such an urge in my heart to do something...I wanted to ski with the kids and watch them as they went down the slops ...but i couldn't....or shopping in a store Anni Sez and after 15 min I found myself in the corner of the store sitting down by the window ledge......

                  We all have pain...it's nice to get my feelings out and tell people who care and have the same pain...
                  I wish we all find the strengh to make the right descisioand get thru everyday activies with as little pain as possible...I'm grateful to have found so many wonderful caring people on this forum...I'll be here for anybody who needs me...And I'll be able to step by step tell everyone the accounts leading up to and after surgery (if everyone wants to know)...

                  All smiles now
                  CONNIE


                  Surgery June 28th 2004
                  fused T4 -L3
                  Hip graft
                  Grown 1 1/2 inches
                  25/o upper T 15/o
                  53/o T 15/o
                  37/o L 6/o
                  Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
                  New York City

                  August 6, 2004
                  Pulmonary Embolism
                  complication from surgery

                  January 2007 currently
                  increasing pain at the T4/5
                  point irratation heardwear

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I wish you the best. I am 7 weeks post-op and doing well. I am 54 years old with a 78 degree lumbar and 54 thorasic which has been corrected to less than 28 degrees. Although I wasn't in a great deal of pain before surgery, I had other health issues. I have osteoporosis which hasn't responded well to drug therapy. I now inject forteo once a day to stop the bone loss. Every woman over 45 should have a bone density test which is just a specialized xray. Next I was diagnosed with pulmonary hyptertension, a progressive diseased with no cure. My cardiologist was at a loss to explain why this had developed. Most cases are found in women in the 20-30 age range. When I went for my 3rd opinion regarding surgery, the surgeon stated that the plumonary hyptertension was caused by the scoliosis. Although this is rare, he had seen it before. It was this surgeon who did my surgery. Although it would be great if the surgery cured this problem, I will be happy if the prgression slows down or stops. I can already breathe better and my rib cage now looks normal. Finally, I would have rather had this surgery 10 years ago. The younger, the better.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      For Connie

                      Dear Connie,

                      ("Connie"... I love that name. That's my Mother's name...)
                      I just wanted to thank you for sharing so much of what you've been going through. I know you have helped many people already. You made me remember all the "squatting" I've done throughout my life! (...especially all those LONG lines in Disneyworld!) ~ I also want you to know that my calendar is marked for June 28, 2004... You will be on my mind all day and I will be praying.
                      God Bless You.
                      Irene
                      Age 58
                      ~ Irene ~
                      Lumbosacral Scoliosis: Corrective surgery (12 hours anterior and posterior) on June 19, 2002 at age 56; Surgeon: Lawrence G. Lenke; Hospital: Barnes in St. Louis, Missouri; Pre-Op 58/56 degrees "S" curve; Post-Op: 40/33 degrees; Fusion: T-11 to S1

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        love ya

                        Irene and Cheryl,

                        We need to stay together and share our happy and sad moments.I lived with scolosis my entire life..I lived with the pain in silence because thats what I was doing my entire life...we all did the same..but now everyday I look forward opening up my PC and checking out this forum...making new friends that are going thru the same bunch of problems as me.....

                        We are all around the same age I'm 45..and I have developed osteoprosis in the lumbar area....my surgeon doesn't seem to be bothered by this...i sure am...but he knows better...what kind of shots are given.?..Fosomax is not good for my ulcers and the nose spray i hate....are the shots better?

                        Irene thanks for liking my name...I didn't like it growing up b/c it was not so popular ...now no one is being named that....i feel special anyway!!PS...Get a special handicap pass and you can cut all the lines by going thru the exit...it saved my life the last time i went to disney with the kids...

                        Cheryl, Keep us on your progress especially your plumonary problems , it would be great if that got cured...tell us what U could and cannot do at each stage of recovery...it's important to all of us....running to the hemotogist as i must get infused with iron before surgery....bye.
                        CONNIE


                        Surgery June 28th 2004
                        fused T4 -L3
                        Hip graft
                        Grown 1 1/2 inches
                        25/o upper T 15/o
                        53/o T 15/o
                        37/o L 6/o
                        Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
                        New York City

                        August 6, 2004
                        Pulmonary Embolism
                        complication from surgery

                        January 2007 currently
                        increasing pain at the T4/5
                        point irratation heardwear

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Connie,

                          I am following your case with enthusiasm and I am learning a lot from you and the others that responded to you. You see, I am already 56 years old and it's just now that I am actively pursuing treatment even though I had scoliosis since adolescence. I have an appointment with the spine specialist on May 24 and go from there. Please continue to post your experience and know that you are helping people like me.

                          Lily

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Lily,

                            Thank you...I guess my message to all of us is....Keep posting everything ...your feeling ....your worries....your process..before surgery or after...your doctor appoinment...everything....

                            OK...who ever is having surgery ...take a blood test for your iron count and your stored iron in your bone marrow which is called FERRETIN level...

                            my is low...so now I will have an iron infused in my blood stream before surgery to help in my recovery with surgery. If your ferretin
                            levels are low see a hemotogist....

                            Also my surgeon said I do not need a neurogogist exam....OK what if my scoliosis is compressing vertbra nerves that the doctor is not fusing...i will continue to have pain even after surgery...so big deal get a clearence from them....

                            go to a dermatogist and check your back for moles or any other skin condition...

                            Go to the dentist...stress always promotes root canel LOL

                            Also get opinions from doctors who are not surgeons...it will ease your decisions

                            My medical insurence has a copay of 15 so I use it up.....
                            CONNIE


                            Surgery June 28th 2004
                            fused T4 -L3
                            Hip graft
                            Grown 1 1/2 inches
                            25/o upper T 15/o
                            53/o T 15/o
                            37/o L 6/o
                            Dr. Micheal Nuewirth
                            New York City

                            August 6, 2004
                            Pulmonary Embolism
                            complication from surgery

                            January 2007 currently
                            increasing pain at the T4/5
                            point irratation heardwear

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              It was the osteoporis that really concerned my primary doctor and she insisted that I see a specialist. She had a patient with a mild case of scoliosis that fractured her back from the osteoporis. I was totally shocked to learn that my curve had progressed so radically. It was at 33 degrees when I was a teenager and lead to believe that it wouldn't get worse. I nearly fell off the table when the dr. started measuring and heard 78 degrees. I took fosamax for 3 years and developed bleeding ulcers. Took actenol for another 3 years but continued to lose bone density. My dr. started me on forteo in Sept. I only need to take it for 18 months. I guess it is a mega dose of calcium. Anyway, my surgeon was thrilled that I was on this medication and stressed that I continue to take it while in the hospital. Today marks the 7th week post-op. Broke out in hives over the weekend, so I'm off all pain meds except tylenol and tylenol with codiene at night. The pain isn't great but never seems to stay in one place very long. Right now I'm experiencing a pulling sensation between my shoulder blades. I think this is like having a facelift on your back. Suddenly things are being forced to move in a direction where they haven't gone in a long time. I am doing so much better than I was 4 weeks ago. It just takes a long time. Books on tape help pass the time (reading is impossible) and I do a little embroidery work that doesn't require much thought. If you just sit, the pain will get worse. Good luck to all facing surgery.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X