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  • #16
    I remember that shoulder blade pains well! As I remember they were the worst for me to deal with. I had a should injury just weeks prior to surgery.

    Cheryllee, my dad also had health problem prior to surgery. He, and I, had scoliosis with kyphosis as well. His heart and lungs were being kept from working properly. Hs problems did disappear after surgery! Though smoking has kept problems with his lungs present. So the possiblity to get better is very, very real! Just hang in there!

    Connie, you'll be amazed by the changes in your life once you recover from surgery!

    Comment


    • #17
      PT or surgery

      Connie: Isn't it funny how everyone "knows" what you should do. They don't stop to think that no one in their right mind would sign up for surgery...if they had a choice. It sounds to me like you have progressed far beyond having PT solve your problem. Between your age and the degree of your curves, therapy isn't going to change your curve. It may strengthen your muscles and improve your circulation, but I can't believe it will improve your curve. What PT might do is assist in making you stronger for your surgery and recovery. I know in that respect, it helped me. Check with your doctor and see what he says. I have always found aquatic stretching/exercise to be helpful. Not as painful while you are doing it as land exercise. I was diagnosed at 7, had first surgery at 13, second at 34, and now at 57...I am probably looking at another within the next year. After the two surgeries I have been reduced to 80 degrees lumbar and 47 thorasic. July 03 had both hips replaced. Now have fibromyalgia. Anyone else with fibro? I've wondered it there is a connection to the scoli. I don't remember ever being without pain. It is, and always has been, a constant in my life...just like many of you. The only thing that varies is the location and intensity. My best advice...Find a GREAT doctor. You can't do much about your condition, but you can work...and I mean work hard...on finding an outstanding doctor. Research, research, research. Educate yourself about your condition. Ask questions. Then...get a second opinion from another GREAT doctor. Pick the doctor you feel is most qualified and that you feel comfortable with. THEN...ignore the naysayers. Tell them your doctor's qualifications...and tell them you have researched and have decided you have no choice but to have the surgery. Tell them what your life will be like if you do not have the surgery. Ask for their prayers and support. Tell them how having the FULL support of family and friends is documented to make a difference for the patient. I hope some of this has helped you, Connie. I wish the best for you, and will look forward to following your progress.

      To All: This is only my second day on the forum. So many of you out there sound just like me. It is good to be able to connect with people who know what it means to be going through these types of problems...the physical...the emotional...the family. Kathi

      Comment


      • #18
        wow - what an awesome post Kathi - my hats off to you. I am seriously looking for a surgeon and being in the Toronto area the choices are limited and the wait is long but I am not giving up. If I don't do sosmething soon I know that in 10 yrs I will be in a whell cahir or close to it. It is so hard to have friends and family understand just what we go thru when pain is 24/7 and really the driving force in our lives. I am always being told I shouldn't take drugs - well all they do at this point in time is make my life a little more bearable - it isn't that I take them for kicks lol. As you said why would anyone choose to have a huge operation like this unless it was going to improve our quality of life. Qudos to you girl I salute you and please keep posting or email me as I would love to keep in touch as I persue this surgery. I am susre that your words of wisdom have helped Connie with her preparation as well.

        Nancy
        Nancy

        Comment


        • #19
          Hi,

          Welcome aboard !!!!Kathi, we love to hear anything you have to say...yes your words were comforting....to help my self get thru the next couple of weeks is keeping as busy as possible so i don't have to stop and worry......I know i shouldn't but i really want to horseback ride...because i know i never will again...i tried to swim last night(only because I was tired of hearing my doctor tell me to swim) anyway I was so sore the next day....yikes....

          I'm cleaning house...throwing every toy imaginable...i kept everything...now bye bye to all...i'm having a huge yard sale....and taking all the kids to the doctors....

          time will go bye quick..and soon enough..
          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


          • #20
            Hi,

            Welcome aboard !!!!Kathi, we love to hear anything you have to say...yes your words were comforting....to help my self get thru the next couple of weeks is keeping as busy as possible so i don't have to stop and worry......I know i shouldn't but i really want to horseback ride...because i know i never will again...i tried to swim last night(only because I was tired of hearing my doctor tell me to swim) anyway I was so sore the next day....yikes....

            I'm cleaning house...throwing every toy imaginable...i kept everything...now bye bye to all...i'm having a huge yard sale....and taking all the kids to the doctors....

            time will go bye quick..and soon enough..
            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


            • #21
              Taking drugs

              Nancy: I had to giggle when you mentioned your family not wanting you to take drugs. What a hoot! How do you not take them? Like you said, even with the "heavy duty" ones, it is not always enough to make things bearable. When I was 23, my doc was telling me to take pain meds. I didn't. I am glad I didn't...because I did manage to function pretty well and the pain was managable for the most part with over the counter stuff. When things flared up from time to time, I would take some Tylenol with Codeine 3. I was concerned about taking them at that stage because I knew my back was likely to get worse over time. Then, at 54 (3 years ago) my situation changed again. My back pain started getting worse again and my hips were getting bad too. And I said "You know those pain meds? Bring them on!" I've been on Percocet and Hydrocodone in some combination for about 2 years now. I use the percocet most often, but when I am having a decent afternoon, I'll take the Hydrocodone instead. I also take Neurontin, Trazodone, & Mobic. Was I concerned about addiction? You bet. I did a lot of research. I have talked to all the docs in NY...including the pain management specialists...and several doctors here. All of that reasured me of one thing. YOU DO NOT GET ADDICTED TO PAIN MEDICATION IF YOU ARE TAKING IT FOR PAIN. If you don't have pain or the pain is mild, and you are taking it to "get high" you will become addicted. I think it is safe to assume that those of us on this forum and those like us are not running around laughing and carrying on after we take our pain meds. Oh, that it were so! So...what have I learned over the years? Quality of life is precious. Ours is compromised, sometimes seriously, by our scoli and other problems. If pain meds help improve or restore that quality of life and I have the encouragement and of my Doctor to take them... by golly I am taking them. Shame on those around us who don't have the faith in us to trust our informed judgement. Take care, Nancy and please keep in touch. The search for a great doc is hard work and very time consuming. But keep trying. It can make a huge difference to have the right doctor.

              Comment


              • #22
                The first day of the rest of your life

                Connie: I am so glad that your surgery is soon. I know it can be a little scary, but I always try to look at surgery as a new beginning. A new life that is better than what you know now. A new life with less pain. It is the first day of the rest of your life. You are doing all the right things getting the house, etc. in order. That means less to deal with post-op. Smart thinking! Take care. Would it be ok if I put your name on our prayer chain at church? Kathi

                Comment


                • #23
                  Hi Connie!

                  I went through many years of physical therapy, chiropractic, yoga, etc., trying to do everything possible to avoid surgery. As a teen, I was told by my orthopedist, that my 30 degree thoracic curve was stabilized and would not progress. Guess what? By 51 years of age, it had progressed to 74 degrees, started affecting my lung function and my ribs were painfully rubbing against my hipbone before I finally gave in to surgery last March.

                  Recovery is slower than I have the patience for, as I've always been very active and independent. The surgery was successful and I'm glad I finally did it. However, in retrospect, I wish I'd had it done earlier in life. My 22 year old daughter also has scoliosis -both curves off less than 20 degrees presently - and the best advice I can give her is not to wait as long as I did if it starts progressing towards 40 degrees. I do believe the results and recuperation are much better at a young age.

                  I wish you the best of luck!
                  ~d

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    welcome dorinda,
                    it's great to hear about your recover from surgery..it really helps ...i've never had to make a more serious and difficult decision in my life...when you say that u wish u had it sooner...helps ease my mind...b/c sometimes i'll think maybe i'll wait a couple of years....but my surgery is set and i will follow thru.
                    \thanks for the input and please continue
                    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

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