Hello everyone...now that I figured out how to post my own thread Im ready to rock -n- roll!
1st of all, Im very happy that I ran into the web site. Ive been desparatly searching the web for any info I can on spinal fusion for Scoliosis & more so, for patient stories and back grounds. Here is a little on me: I was diagnosed at an early age....3rd or 4th grade I think...with a "minor" curve. I was sent home from school & was told to see a doctor. My mother took me and my doc confirmed that I did have a 10 degree curve, but it was nothing to woory about & sent me home w/some daily excersises to help prevent it from getting worse. I think i did them for ohhh, I dont know...maybe a week or 2 tops, and that was it.(I was 8 what did I care!?) It was forgotten about until my early 20's when I was pregant w/my son. After I had him, I started having lower back pain and at times, I would get stuck in a postion & would also have the pain shoot down my leg. I dealt with it for a few years til I remembered one day that I had a curve in my spine & wondered if maybe it got worse. I made a trip to a "bone cracker"...which was NOT a good experiance for me by the way....and received the news that I had progressed to 40 in my upper spine & 46 in my lower. I saw the Xray & freaked out! I didnt know a spine could do that! Yikes! Either way, he "treated" my symptoms, which become worse after this, and after a few months, I stopped going & saw a real back doctor. I was referred to an Orthopedic Doc who took more Xrays & bascially said I needed to watch it & that I should manage my pain w/exercise & meds. Tried Phys therapy and meds, no help or relief from either. I decided I didnt care for this Doc & saw another. We are in 2007 now.....I have more Xrays and now a MRI! Oh boy....now we are at 48 and 53..not good. I progressed 8 dergree in 7 years, which I was told is about the norm.(1 degree per year-ish) Doc says I should have spinal fusion surgery & says it may need to be fused into my sacrum. OUCH! That didnt sound to pleasant! He sends me to MN to see a specialist. I make the fun 9 hr trip to only be disappointed w/the surgeon. He was rude, had no bedside manners & said I shoud wait. I was upset & confused by this & cryed on the way home. Sooooo, get another opinion & end up w/My now Doc....Dr Clifford Tribus of Mad-town-aka Madison Wi. He was woonnnnnnderful & said I should not be wasting time & that if we act sooner, rather than later, he can salvage my L4/L5 for a litte more mobiltiy...knowing that later in life, that too would need to be fused. SIGN ME UP I said! That was a blessing to hear...that I didnt need to have rods, bolts & screws into my scacrum or whatever the heck they said. I pondered it over w/my husband & finally decided its now or never, so Im scheduled for the 14th of Jan 2009. Im already scared & anxious. Lots of questions.......
Does anyone have the same curve as me and/or have level of fusion I will have? L4 to T2 I believe is what he said?! Does that sound right...ughh I should know this, huh? Any pics to share? Advice? restrictions? Rollarcoasters? Bowling? Doing everyday things..Umm how did the surgery effect your "relationship" w/your significant other? ANything anyone can share would be appreciated!!
1st of all, Im very happy that I ran into the web site. Ive been desparatly searching the web for any info I can on spinal fusion for Scoliosis & more so, for patient stories and back grounds. Here is a little on me: I was diagnosed at an early age....3rd or 4th grade I think...with a "minor" curve. I was sent home from school & was told to see a doctor. My mother took me and my doc confirmed that I did have a 10 degree curve, but it was nothing to woory about & sent me home w/some daily excersises to help prevent it from getting worse. I think i did them for ohhh, I dont know...maybe a week or 2 tops, and that was it.(I was 8 what did I care!?) It was forgotten about until my early 20's when I was pregant w/my son. After I had him, I started having lower back pain and at times, I would get stuck in a postion & would also have the pain shoot down my leg. I dealt with it for a few years til I remembered one day that I had a curve in my spine & wondered if maybe it got worse. I made a trip to a "bone cracker"...which was NOT a good experiance for me by the way....and received the news that I had progressed to 40 in my upper spine & 46 in my lower. I saw the Xray & freaked out! I didnt know a spine could do that! Yikes! Either way, he "treated" my symptoms, which become worse after this, and after a few months, I stopped going & saw a real back doctor. I was referred to an Orthopedic Doc who took more Xrays & bascially said I needed to watch it & that I should manage my pain w/exercise & meds. Tried Phys therapy and meds, no help or relief from either. I decided I didnt care for this Doc & saw another. We are in 2007 now.....I have more Xrays and now a MRI! Oh boy....now we are at 48 and 53..not good. I progressed 8 dergree in 7 years, which I was told is about the norm.(1 degree per year-ish) Doc says I should have spinal fusion surgery & says it may need to be fused into my sacrum. OUCH! That didnt sound to pleasant! He sends me to MN to see a specialist. I make the fun 9 hr trip to only be disappointed w/the surgeon. He was rude, had no bedside manners & said I shoud wait. I was upset & confused by this & cryed on the way home. Sooooo, get another opinion & end up w/My now Doc....Dr Clifford Tribus of Mad-town-aka Madison Wi. He was woonnnnnnderful & said I should not be wasting time & that if we act sooner, rather than later, he can salvage my L4/L5 for a litte more mobiltiy...knowing that later in life, that too would need to be fused. SIGN ME UP I said! That was a blessing to hear...that I didnt need to have rods, bolts & screws into my scacrum or whatever the heck they said. I pondered it over w/my husband & finally decided its now or never, so Im scheduled for the 14th of Jan 2009. Im already scared & anxious. Lots of questions.......
Does anyone have the same curve as me and/or have level of fusion I will have? L4 to T2 I believe is what he said?! Does that sound right...ughh I should know this, huh? Any pics to share? Advice? restrictions? Rollarcoasters? Bowling? Doing everyday things..Umm how did the surgery effect your "relationship" w/your significant other? ANything anyone can share would be appreciated!!
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