Quality of Life Issues

[Jenny Spencer]

Hi SkiAnn,

I was very interested to read your email as I am in the process of deciding about surgery.I am awaiting 2 further opinions .

Could you tell me more of your history?
When did you stop leading a normal life because of pain etc?

Where are you fused ?

Thanks

Jenny

[SkiAnn]

For Jenny

Hi Jenny,
I don't think the forum would give me enough time to list my back medical problems but I will try to give you a condensed version.
I have had back problems the greater part of my life, I was diagnosed with scoliosis about 1959, the specialists thought it was a slight curve. and did not warrant the drastic measures available at the time. Apparently it was an insideous condition and not until the last 10 to 15 years did it give me real quality of life issues. An aspirin and rest would usually bring relief. 5 years ago I was in an auto accident ~ and guess where I sustained an injury. Lumbar area of my spine. The neuro. surgeon pointed out where the problem was coming from (which I could see on the MRI),and said a laminectomy would relieve the pressure (thus the pain). Because of the scoliosis, he gave me a consult to an ortho. surgeon to see if instrumentation would be warranted and necessary at the same time. The ortho. said he wouldn't recommend it. The laminectomy was done and I had immediate relief. Perhaps, a year later, things turned downhill again. I was having falling accidents for no apparent reason. My PCM suspected Multiple Sclerosis, she ordered a brain MRI, with a history of my life and childhood she and the neurologists found I had severe demyelination in various parts of my brain, and thus, M.S. So over the next few years everything was treated as MS. The pain and falls intensified over the last 2 years. Last spring my neurologist became suspicious of the pain because it didn't coincide with MS pain, he ordered another MRI of the spine, and told me there was severe disc degeneration, the scoliosis was severe compared to the last MRI 5 years ago and because of the laminectomy my spine was in a matter of speaking 'collapsing'. He felt the surgeon 5 years ago should have insisted on instrumentation, he consulted with his chief neurologist and referred me to a spine specialist at the University Medical Center in Tucson. They scheduled my very quickly and Dr. Dzioba concurred with the diagnosis. He was amazed at the condition of the spine, that I could function at all. That was in July and I scheduled surgery for the 4th of November. Here I am, and feel that I am coming along splendidly. IF you have any more questions I would be happy to share my experiences. The forum was a godsend to me and I hope I can in return give someone else the same support I received.
Gayle

[scoliosisguy]

i'm male

I am 38 year old male who has similiar symptoms. Chronic daily pain in lower back.When standing or walking I get numbness down my right leg. I am still searching for pain management solutions,but often become frustrated when they either do not work or work only for the minute.
I do not know your exact condition causing your symptoms ,but you could email me if you like to share knowledge. I am left with either fighting the pain daily or getting fusion surgery from L1 down,which I'm told will gravely change my life quality.
rlta@hotmail.com

[Jenny Spencer]

Dear Gayle,

Please forgive me for not writing before now to thank you for your last post.

It was very interesting reading all you had to say and how you 'arrived' at your decision for surgery.It must be such a relief for you having it all behind you.You have such a positive attitude and I'm sure that makes a big difference.

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Best wishes,

Jenny