Scoliosis 80+ curve

[RitaR]

Hello All,
Still awaiting my appt with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, Aug 19th. It iwll get here someday, I am hoping. It has been a long wait!
I am told by my orthopedic doc that my curve is 80+ degrees and that is all he would tell me pretty much and that I needed to see a surgeon as soon as I could get in.
I'm experiencing a lot of shortness of breath basically whenever I walk anywhere, even to the kitchen from my chair.
I have a lot of pain, sometimes that nearly is unbearable.
I have a lot of numbness and tingling around my mid-section to my from abdomen on the front side and the ribs hurt a lot.
But, recently I have been having problems swallowing. Anyone else experience this? What other surprises do we get - is this not enough? Ha!
I seem to be able to chew and get it to go down partially but it seems to sit in the esophagus and at times I cannot swallow at all.
Boy - I don't like this at all.
thanks for any advice. Just wondered if this was a normal thing that someone else had experienced? Thanks much I appreciate it.

[titaniumed]

Rita

I had the same exact swallowing thing happening to me. Where it goes down and gets stuck.

I mentioned this to my scoli surgeon and he said that it was not due to the scoliosis. I was ready to go to a upper gi guy, but it never happened. My insurance could only take so much abuse. LOL

After my scoli surgery, that problem went away. Go figure.

After my scoli surgery, and after I was off the meds, my heartburn went away.

After my scoli surgery, my breathing improved.

Now that I think about, all sorts of things improved. Except my memory, I'm forgetting everything now.

Eat soft foods, chew thoroughly, drink water first before eating.
Ed

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

It seems to me that it could be a problem with a lack of thoracic kyphosis, or even just the rotation of the thoracic spine. You should definitely mention it to Dr. Lenke.

Regards,
Linda

[JenniferG]

Aside from any possible scoli causes, have you thought it may simply be stress? Anyone facing this surgery is under considerable stress.

Good luck Rita.

[lelc2002@yahoo]

I had a 95 curve which was corrected to about 60. I have never had any digestive problems since surgery. Prior, I had horrible coughing while eating & swallowing problems...I lived on Tums & now have not needed one in 3 yrs..!!
Lynne;)

fused T11-L5 Aug 1, 2006
Dr. Boachie/Kim

[RitaR]

Does Tums really help with that? I'm doig the coughing and choking bit and having problems with swallowing. 80 deg +

[valleygirl]

Rita,

Just want to wish you all the best on your appointment with Dr. Lenke next week. I'm praying that you get some encouraging news and that the wait to be rid of your pain and discomfort is very short!

Keep us posted.

[RitaR]

Thanks guys. You are the absolute ! I have to say, though, I am nervous quite a bit about my appt coming up on Wed. Don't relish the idea of someone sitting there telling me how bad it is - I know it's bad - lord knows I can tell that. But, I know Dr. Lenke will take good care of me and I'm told he's worth the wait - so I will go with that. And, at least after Wed I will know exactly what I am facing... Is that a good thing here??? ha!

Thanks for all the encouragement. I'll be sure to let you know what I find out.

Thanks agian.

[RitaR]

That last post was supposed to be " absolute BEST!" Apologies

[JenniferG]

Good luck Rita. I hope you get some hopeful news on Wednesday. I known you've suffered badly for a long time. My 5.5 month appt. is also Wednesday. I will look for your news Thursday our time.

[titaniumed]

Rita

Here is a list from Medtronic. Print it out, and ask Dr Lenke about Infuse and see what he says.

https://www.infusebonegraft.com/questions_for_your_surgeon.html

It fuses very quickly, and doesn't require any bone harvesting.(autograft from hip) which alleviates any pain from that area. Dr Menmuir used it on me and Ive had great sucess.

Good luck
Ed