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I have learned so much and felt much less alone since finding this forum. Thank you! I’ve finally joined so that I can post a question about asking my doctor the right questions.
I’ll start with some background info: I’m a relatively active 31 y/o female. I've never been treated, and I don't know the degree of curves. I was diagnosed with an S-curve around age 12 by a small town doctor after hurting my back playing basketball. He referred me to an orthopedic specialist, who dismissed it as a pulled muscle. He sent me away with no recommendation for follow up. We were left thinking that my rib hump and muscle spasms were normal enough. Since my late teens, I have moved frequently and nearly every new doctor has told me that I should have worn a brace as an adolescent.
Over the years I’ve had a few scoliosis-related problems: back pain and spasms, hip and leg pain, TMJ. I am now having new pains in my neck and occasionally in my abdomen and chest. My rib hump is becoming more prominent, and my shoulders are increasingly uneven. I’m worried that my curve is progressing. I would really like to know how this could affect me in the future and know how to manage the pain.
My question is this: When I go to my regular doctor the next time, what questions should I ask? I can already anticipate her response (too late for a brace, not bad enough for surgery, just keep exercising, etc.), so I want to be prepared to push for more info. I assume that I should request x-rays. Should I ask for a referral to a specialist?
Thanks in advance to anyone who has suggestions for me!
I’ll start with some background info: I’m a relatively active 31 y/o female. I've never been treated, and I don't know the degree of curves. I was diagnosed with an S-curve around age 12 by a small town doctor after hurting my back playing basketball. He referred me to an orthopedic specialist, who dismissed it as a pulled muscle. He sent me away with no recommendation for follow up. We were left thinking that my rib hump and muscle spasms were normal enough. Since my late teens, I have moved frequently and nearly every new doctor has told me that I should have worn a brace as an adolescent.
Over the years I’ve had a few scoliosis-related problems: back pain and spasms, hip and leg pain, TMJ. I am now having new pains in my neck and occasionally in my abdomen and chest. My rib hump is becoming more prominent, and my shoulders are increasingly uneven. I’m worried that my curve is progressing. I would really like to know how this could affect me in the future and know how to manage the pain.
My question is this: When I go to my regular doctor the next time, what questions should I ask? I can already anticipate her response (too late for a brace, not bad enough for surgery, just keep exercising, etc.), so I want to be prepared to push for more info. I assume that I should request x-rays. Should I ask for a referral to a specialist?
Thanks in advance to anyone who has suggestions for me!
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