I was diagnosed with scoliois at about 13 yrs & worked with a physical therapist for about 2 wks. Growing up I learned how to stand to compensate for uneven shoulders & to dress to hide the beginning of a back hump. I was fortunate that I sewed many of my own clothes & was able to adjust patterns so clothes fit ok. I didn't think much about scoliosis since I had been told that once I was full grown it would not worsen. After the birth of my 1st child I felt the curve had gotten worse but was unable to locate xrays from adolescence. The dr I consulted at that time felt it was a result of me being tiny & having a very large baby & the extra weight. My 2nd pregnancy didn't seem to affect the curve. After menopause I felt the curve was worsening & went to an orthopedic surgeon. The xrays showed an 80 degree thoracic curve & a 48 lumbar. I was not experiencing any pain & was physically active & was told the risks of surgery were not worth undertaking it. I accepted it & went on.
I retired from education & we retired to FL from PA 3 yrs ago. Since moving I have become more aware of the scoliosis & have became increasingly self-conscious of my appearance. My sister who lives in Atlanta had seen advertisements for a Spinecor brace so decided to give it s try. After paying $4500 for the brace, the chiropractor mentioned as an aside that I would need to wear it 24 hrs/day & would probably eventually still need surgery!! Not what I was expecting. Only positive result was new x-rays that showed curve now at 90 & 64 which confirmed my thoughts that the scoliosis was worsening.
Followed this with an appt at Duke. The doctor there said he would not do the surgery since the pain was not that great & if I insisted on it he would recommended I see Dr Lenke. I had previously scheduled an appt at Emory so went there after Duke. That dr there said she would do a fusion to stabilize the curve but would not attempt any correction.
I then discovered this forum & researched & read everything I could. To make a long story short I finally obtained an appt with Dr. Lenke for 12/18. I am praying that he will do the surgery. My main concern is the most recent result from a Dexascan that showed my osteoporosis had worsened. My family dr has placed me on a regiment of Prolia & Forteo. I hate the thought of having to wait 2 yrs to complete this drug course before surgery would be done since I just turned 65.
I can't begin to express my appreciation for all of you who post on the forum!! You have truly been an inspiration & a wealth of information for me. A special thanks to "golfnut" who quickly responded to an email I sent her when one of her posts revealed Bradenton, FL(where I live & she was visiting-thinking she lived in the area). I often think I don't know what I would be doing without this forum - probably just resigning myself that I would have to live with scoliosis the rest of my life.
Shari
I retired from education & we retired to FL from PA 3 yrs ago. Since moving I have become more aware of the scoliosis & have became increasingly self-conscious of my appearance. My sister who lives in Atlanta had seen advertisements for a Spinecor brace so decided to give it s try. After paying $4500 for the brace, the chiropractor mentioned as an aside that I would need to wear it 24 hrs/day & would probably eventually still need surgery!! Not what I was expecting. Only positive result was new x-rays that showed curve now at 90 & 64 which confirmed my thoughts that the scoliosis was worsening.
Followed this with an appt at Duke. The doctor there said he would not do the surgery since the pain was not that great & if I insisted on it he would recommended I see Dr Lenke. I had previously scheduled an appt at Emory so went there after Duke. That dr there said she would do a fusion to stabilize the curve but would not attempt any correction.
I then discovered this forum & researched & read everything I could. To make a long story short I finally obtained an appt with Dr. Lenke for 12/18. I am praying that he will do the surgery. My main concern is the most recent result from a Dexascan that showed my osteoporosis had worsened. My family dr has placed me on a regiment of Prolia & Forteo. I hate the thought of having to wait 2 yrs to complete this drug course before surgery would be done since I just turned 65.
I can't begin to express my appreciation for all of you who post on the forum!! You have truly been an inspiration & a wealth of information for me. A special thanks to "golfnut" who quickly responded to an email I sent her when one of her posts revealed Bradenton, FL(where I live & she was visiting-thinking she lived in the area). I often think I don't know what I would be doing without this forum - probably just resigning myself that I would have to live with scoliosis the rest of my life.
Shari
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