Hello

[josh83]

Hello everyone, my name is Josh and currently living in the cold state of Ohio. I found this forum while researching scoliosis. I was diagnost with scoliosis when i was 19 and the doctor told me my spine was at a 23 degree. When i found out it really kinda helped me with the fact that i was always having back pains but never really knew why, thought maybe it was a apart of life and everyone had these pains. So after the doc told me my spine curvature he said that i was done growing and that it shouldnt get any worse. so over the next few years i seen a chiropractor quite frequently and dealt with it the best i could. Well im 24 now and the back pain is getting worse and worse. I have an appointment this thursday for a check-up and do more x-rays to see if (in my mind how much) its gotten worse. With the type of work i do im always bending, lifting heavy parts, and standing on a cement floor all day. Im a painter at a local plant and thats all i do for 8-10 hrs a day is paint on a line. Now i know my curvature isnt as bad as most on this forum but im experiencing some really bad pains. My lower back is basically junk after i get home from work and its real frustrating because my son who just turned 3 is gettin more and more active and when i get home all i want to do is get rubbed with some icy/hot and lay in bed. It wasnt always this bad but over the last year its gotten to the point where i cant take this anymore and i need something done but im REALLY scared of surgery. I also am not doin as well at work because of whats goin on and because of that im not recieving the promotion i was promised a year ago. Im sure i left some things out that should be in there but i really just wanted to come one and say HELLO, and explain my situation and possibly get some helpfull ideas on how to make this better. Does anyone here go through physical therapy and its working for them?? How about the pain killers/antidepresants that i have read usually get prescribed to scoliosis patients? Like i said before i go back to the doctors in a couple days so i will come back on and update everyone.

[green82]

I can relate to you.I'm 25,my curve is only 20 degrees but I work for an a/c company so I do alot of heavy lifting.My doctor gave me a few lortab which work great but I guess like all doctors they seem reluctant to prescribing them.I don't think yours is bad enough to need surgery but i'd talk to your doctor about painkillers and go from there.Keep us updated.

[Susie*Bee]

How was your appt.?

Josh--been wondering what happened at your appointment... it sounds like you've been having quite a time with your work and all. Are there any other less physically demanding jobs that might be a possibility for you? Keep us posted on how you're doing... I don't know about pt before surgery because I didn't try that, but there are others that have. You might search for old posts if you don't get a response here. (Go to "search" and type in physical therapy or something...) Hopefully your appt. went well and you'll be able to get pointed in some direction that will help with your pain eventually. Take care.

[Carmell]

Hi Josh,

My daughter is 21 and has a 33 degree lumbar curve. She has had chronic pain for about 7 years. Recently she decided to see someone about this. She's chosen a non-surgical orthopedic doc (kind of like a sports medicine person) to help her try to reduce her pain. She had xrays and an MRI and found a bulging disk in the L5 area that is pressing on the nerve bundle. This makes sense because when stressed, her right leg goes numb or tingles - very much nerve related issues.

She's started PT. The first appointment was PAINFUL. They twisted, prodded and basically ran over her to see how far they could push her. The next appointment was much better, and she is already seeing benefits from the PT (3 visits so far). She's trying PT before deciding on steroid injections to reduce the bulging disk. Hopefully PT will help her. They are also helping her know how to position her body when she's sitting or standing. Being conscious of your body's position is important.

I'm almost certain any doc will tell you to find other employment - something that is not so physically stressing to your back. Maybe that's an issue - maybe not. I would rule out things like disk problems and other soft tissue issues that are likely the source of your pain. Good luck.

[josh83]

update

Well i went to my doctor and he told me that the scoliosis wasnt causing me to have pain it was something else, maybe something i did at work. He put me on Ultruim (tremadole) to help with the pain and its working a little bit. He wanted me to go on bending and lifting restrictions but i kinda had to talk him out of the bending restrictions cuz that is my job and i was worried they would tryn hassle me and end up fireing me. He also said he wanted me to do physical therapy and i told him that i would like to visit with one first, explain the situation and see what they could offer. I also got new x-rays done to see if the curve has gotten worse. So the next day which was friday the doctor took me out of work and i went and got my x-rays done then headed over to the pt place to have a chit chat with them to see what they could do. I talked to the one and only pt there and he said scoliosis never causes people pain. he said that people with the curvature have the same type of backs as everyone else and the pain I or scoliosis people have is caused by everyday symptoms from work or other strenious activities. He told me my curvature wasnt fixable by them but the could def get rid off all the pain. so i shook my head in disbalief and by that time he told me call for my first app and then gave me a paper with this "special" creme he is selling and told me that this stuff will help me out greatly as well. After being ticked off at both the doctor and the pt guy i just waited for my x-ray results. when i called to get them the doctor said that the curvature has stayed at 23 degrees and that everything looked good. So as of right this minute im still in pain and am having the same problems with work, im taking pain meds, and i go back to the doctor next week for an update on my work restrictions but ill prolly tell him im gonna go see a spine specialist for a second opinion. whats everyone think of that idea?

[Susie*Bee]

Josh--I think your idea to see a spine specialist is a very good idea. I take it the doctor you've been seeing is not a specialist??? It would be best if you could see a specialist who has a lot of experience with scoliosis... You want someone who really knows what they're doing -- and talking about.

I know it's tough to think about, but you also really should consider what other jobs you might be able to do. Something that is as physically demanding as yours won't be something you can continue with on a long-term basis if your scoliosis and/or pain is getting worse. Just food for thought. Keep us posted on how you do. Hang in there!

[josh83]

well i had a recheck with the doctor last thursday and he took me off work fri and mon to do some test and to get my physical therapy started up. long story short, i just got fired today at 9:45 for slipping performance and my "time off work" Man i cant believe this

[Susie*Bee]

Unfair!

Josh-- that is so unfair. And I think there may be legal recourse you can take--maybe someone else knows more about that. I'm thinking of you and praying that the outcome for your job situation will improve. Regardless, your health needs take priority, although it sure helps to have the money to live on in the meantime! Keep us posted.

[josh83]

well thanks for the prayers. im sure everything will be ok i mean at least this way im not in such a demanding job and who knows this might actual end up helping my back situation out, i can do therapy and no having to worry about screwing myself up at work. as far as gettin fired and taking action, i would really like to but i really doubt it will go anywhere because a buddy of mine that used to work their has a lawsuit against them and its been goin on for over 2 yrs now. I dont know, lifes weird and everything happens for a reason, not sure what this one is but the man upstairs has different plans for me so we'll just see where the road takes me.

[Susie*Bee]

Josh--I'm so glad you have this attitude! Things will work out--and maybe this was just "the guy upstairs" --your words-- at work so you would HAVE to look for a less physically demanding job.

I was disappointed in many ways that I wasn't able to return to work this year--but it has opened up the opportunity for me to concentrate on physical therapy too. Best wishes on traveling that new road you're going down...

[cameol998]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and I am so glad I found it.

Josh, I just want to say I am sorry for what you are going through. You sound like you are accepting it with grace. Losing your job really could be a blessing in disguise.

I had to quit my job because of my back. I was a waitress at a small restaurant and I just couldn't do it anymore. I haven't worked for about 3 months now. I now have another problem,(I have no money) LOL, but I am not aggravating my condition and I spend alot of time doing yoga.

I hope everything goes well for you.

Cameo

[mariaf]

[QUOTE=josh83] as far as gettin fired and taking action, i would really like to but i really doubt it will go anywhere because a buddy of mine that used to work their has a lawsuit against them and its been goin on for over 2 yrs now. [QUOTE]

Hi Josh,

I agree that getting fired could be a blessing in disguise and for someone only 24, you are very wise to undertand that, yes, often things do happen for a reason.

That being said, if your friend was also fired (I assume since he brought a lawsuit that he feels he was fired without cause) and if your company is engaging in unfair labor practices, maybe there is some legal recourse. In other words, there is strength in numbers and if enough people file suit against the company maybe something will come of it. Just food for thought.

I know it's easier said than done, but I'd love to see you and anyone else who's been treated unfairly get what is justly due them.

In any event, I wish you all the best!

[josh83]

I unerstand what your saying but his deal with my prior company wasnt related to being fired unfairly, it was something else. I just dont know if i want that stress ontop of everything else. Ive met up with a couple people and have decided to do the travel business and hope that i can be able to do it full-time. The only fall back is that i will be out without insurance and thats a bummer. I have a little less than a month before my insurance runs out so im doing all i can now while i have it. I have a great opportunity to make some really good money it the travel business im in but i need to work really hard and make sure the goals i put up for myself are met. If i can achieve those everything will be fine and my life will be so much better. I realize that me getting fired was probably one of the best things to happen, but im still not cool with the way it happened. Would have been better if it was my choice or they gave me a better explanation. Thanks for everyones replies, it means alot. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

[mariaf]

Hi Josh,

I understand what you're saying and it makes perfect sense.

Another thought - depending on where you live, low cost healthcare is offered through many of the states (NY has something called Healthplus - for folks without insurance). It's much cheaper than private medical insurance. Again, just a thought.

It will all work out in the end. Best of luck to you!!

[josh83]

Thanks mariaf, i will have to check into that