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My name is Debbe, I will be 46 next week. I was diagnosed w/scoliosis at 14yrs old in 1976. I had the Milwalkee brace through highschool, and when I was discharged from my original Dr. in '84 my S curves were 35 and 30. What I never knew and no one told me was that I would progress as I aged. I have had low back pain (not terrible) off and on over the years, and since December have been having thigh ache/tingling/burning, more uncomfortable than pain. The thigh symptoms are what got me to the Dr.
I eventually got to a local NJ orthopedic who tells me that my curves are now 66 and 60. This guy really turned me off; the first appointment he only xrayed the bottom and said no one would touch me, we'd just watch me once per year, and did I want any pain meds? I left hysterical crying that I would end up in a wheel chair like my grandmother did. Then I think he felt guilty over the weekend and called me back, did more X rays and recommended surgery. He couldn't even give me a number of surgeries that he has done. He tells me that I should probably have surgery sooner rather than later because I will get 1 to 1.5 degree worse per year. All I know is this guy isn't touching me.
So then I was referred to Dr. Boachie by a scoliosis study that my kids and I are part of, and I have an appointment on June 5th. I see mention of him all over this board, and I know I'll definitely be in qualified hands. I'm worried about the financial costs since he doesn't take insurance, but I don't want that to be the main factor in my decision of who to go with.
Yesterday I also found out that Dr. Neuwirth whose name I have also seen here, is in my insurance network, so I got an appointment with him next week.
I am excited, nervous, and scared out of my wits. Over the past week, I have gone through periods of crying like a lunatic. Reading your stories has inspired me and made me cry because some of what you are saying is so familiar.
I will definitely be around here much more. Thanks for listening.
Debbe in NJ
I eventually got to a local NJ orthopedic who tells me that my curves are now 66 and 60. This guy really turned me off; the first appointment he only xrayed the bottom and said no one would touch me, we'd just watch me once per year, and did I want any pain meds? I left hysterical crying that I would end up in a wheel chair like my grandmother did. Then I think he felt guilty over the weekend and called me back, did more X rays and recommended surgery. He couldn't even give me a number of surgeries that he has done. He tells me that I should probably have surgery sooner rather than later because I will get 1 to 1.5 degree worse per year. All I know is this guy isn't touching me.
So then I was referred to Dr. Boachie by a scoliosis study that my kids and I are part of, and I have an appointment on June 5th. I see mention of him all over this board, and I know I'll definitely be in qualified hands. I'm worried about the financial costs since he doesn't take insurance, but I don't want that to be the main factor in my decision of who to go with.
Yesterday I also found out that Dr. Neuwirth whose name I have also seen here, is in my insurance network, so I got an appointment with him next week.
I am excited, nervous, and scared out of my wits. Over the past week, I have gone through periods of crying like a lunatic. Reading your stories has inspired me and made me cry because some of what you are saying is so familiar.
I will definitely be around here much more. Thanks for listening.
Debbe in NJ
nerve-racking, and also exciting, as you find out what can be done to help your own situation. You have come to the right place to find people who have also run the whole gamut of emotions too, -- you know that old saying; been there, done that... 
So we understand what you're going through.
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