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I noticed that Linda has asked us to create fewer threads due to problems with hackers, so I'm going to put all my concerns and my story into this one thread, starting today.
I just returned from a re-consult with my surgeon in Dallas yesterday. I hadn't seen him in a year, hadn't had x-rays in a year, had a tentative surgery date scheduled for April 4th. I expected the x-rays to show noticeable progression, and to continue to move forward with the surgical plan.
Instead, the x-rays showed no noticeable progression in the last 13 months, and this after two years of progression that was worrying my local spine surgeon and which got me referred to Dr. O'Brien in the first place. Dr. O'Brien also said my curves appear well balanced and that he sees no immediate need for an instrumented fusion unless my back pain/related discomfort and dissatisfaction with my appearance are such that my quality of life is not acceptable.
My pain is mostly from pinched nerves on the left side in the lumbar, two specific locations as identified by my CT myelogram last year. Decompression at those two levels without fusion would have a very good chance of relieving the pain that really limits me. My back pain, per se, is no more than typical aches and pains most of the time.
So what Dr. O'Brien recommended, and what I think I will do, is get the decompressions done and see where it leaves me, then wait and watch on the scoli curves. Some of you know I had some personal issues I was afraid would affect my readiness for the big surgery, so I am relieved to have the urgency taken away from my situation. I feel fairly sure I will eventually need the fusion, but I'm 53 and fit, and I don't think another year or two will hurt me any. I am also working on a supplementation program with my chiropractor/naturopath to build my bones, which have been deterioriating. I'm hoping my DEXA scores will be better by the time I need the fusion.
Of course, it may turn out that the decompression fixes the leg and hip pain, but leaves me with more back pain than I realized. But it makes sense to me as a first step. I know I will be able to exercise more if the leg and hip pain are relieved.
I'm not really thrilled with the way I look, with tremendous rotation and a huge hump on my left lumbar side, and I hate the lost waist and the abdominal crease, but no one does this for looks. I accept the way I look, and the devil you know is easier to risk than the devil you don't. Maybe I'd look much better but hate the rest...until I know I HAVE to be fused.
I know Dr. O'Brien is not a big name on this board, but he trained alongside Dr. Lenke and has credentials out the wazoo, and I like him very much and have confidence in him. So now I have a different plan, and we will see where it gets me. I'll get the decompression done in April, almost a month after the birth of my second grandchild, and then wait and watch. Who knows if this is the right decision?
All of you have helped me so much as I come to terms with my scoliosis, there is no way to thank you enough, every day it helps. When I have new questions, I'll put them on here, and when new things happen I'll add them here.
I just returned from a re-consult with my surgeon in Dallas yesterday. I hadn't seen him in a year, hadn't had x-rays in a year, had a tentative surgery date scheduled for April 4th. I expected the x-rays to show noticeable progression, and to continue to move forward with the surgical plan.
Instead, the x-rays showed no noticeable progression in the last 13 months, and this after two years of progression that was worrying my local spine surgeon and which got me referred to Dr. O'Brien in the first place. Dr. O'Brien also said my curves appear well balanced and that he sees no immediate need for an instrumented fusion unless my back pain/related discomfort and dissatisfaction with my appearance are such that my quality of life is not acceptable.
My pain is mostly from pinched nerves on the left side in the lumbar, two specific locations as identified by my CT myelogram last year. Decompression at those two levels without fusion would have a very good chance of relieving the pain that really limits me. My back pain, per se, is no more than typical aches and pains most of the time.
So what Dr. O'Brien recommended, and what I think I will do, is get the decompressions done and see where it leaves me, then wait and watch on the scoli curves. Some of you know I had some personal issues I was afraid would affect my readiness for the big surgery, so I am relieved to have the urgency taken away from my situation. I feel fairly sure I will eventually need the fusion, but I'm 53 and fit, and I don't think another year or two will hurt me any. I am also working on a supplementation program with my chiropractor/naturopath to build my bones, which have been deterioriating. I'm hoping my DEXA scores will be better by the time I need the fusion.
Of course, it may turn out that the decompression fixes the leg and hip pain, but leaves me with more back pain than I realized. But it makes sense to me as a first step. I know I will be able to exercise more if the leg and hip pain are relieved.
I'm not really thrilled with the way I look, with tremendous rotation and a huge hump on my left lumbar side, and I hate the lost waist and the abdominal crease, but no one does this for looks. I accept the way I look, and the devil you know is easier to risk than the devil you don't. Maybe I'd look much better but hate the rest...until I know I HAVE to be fused.
I know Dr. O'Brien is not a big name on this board, but he trained alongside Dr. Lenke and has credentials out the wazoo, and I like him very much and have confidence in him. So now I have a different plan, and we will see where it gets me. I'll get the decompression done in April, almost a month after the birth of my second grandchild, and then wait and watch. Who knows if this is the right decision?
All of you have helped me so much as I come to terms with my scoliosis, there is no way to thank you enough, every day it helps. When I have new questions, I'll put them on here, and when new things happen I'll add them here.
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