Breathing and sleeping problems?

[Tinkerbell]

Due to pressure from my rib cage on the left side, I find myself sleeping with my left arm over my head to relieve the pressure, and to take in deep breaths. I often do this while sitting at my desk at work. This can be a problem sometimes, such as when I am on an airplane and the flight attendants think I am trying to attract their attention by raising my hand But airplane seats are very constricting, as they force me to keep my arms pressed against my sides. Because of the contraction of the right shoulder upward towards my neck and chest, I also cannot raise my right arm up and over my head completely. In the past few years I have been unable to roll onto my left side to sleep. Again, due to pressure from the rib cage, I cannot breathe properly, and will have palpitations. And as far as sleeping is concerned, the older I get, the softer my bed has to be. Not exactly good for my back I know, but there is far less pressure. I'm spending more nights on the living room couch because it is so soft, at least I can move when I get up in the morning! Does anyone have any suggestions, comments, experiences etc. that might help? I have tried mattress pads, "egg crate" foam pads etc. There is so much padding on my bed, that most fitted sheets won't stretch over the ends of the bed. I am starting to think about sleeping in a recliner, but that wouldn't leave me rested for the next workday. Thank you for any suggestions ahead of time!

[ddr]

I've been sleeping in a waterbed (with some kind of foam padding inside of it) for about 30 years. I haven't had pain at night, except when I cracked my ribs and when I had muscle spasm w/pinched nerve, since I started sleeping on it. I have recently started having breathing problems at night (a shortness of breath).

Coincidently, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and I now sleep with a mask on connected to a C-pac machine. I'm not quite sure how it works but it is just air. It also keeps me from coughing at night (from my acid reflux). So this machine fixes 3 things in one shot. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I sleep by myself, so it works for me.

ddr

[Tinkerbell]

I've been sleeping in a waterbed (with some kind of foam padding inside of it) for about 30 years. I haven't had pain at night, except when I cracked my ribs and when I had muscle spasm w/pinched nerve, since I started sleeping on it. I have recently started having breathing problems at night (a shortness of breath).

Coincidently, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and I now sleep with a mask on connected to a C-pac machine. I'm not quite sure how it works but it is just air. It also keeps me from coughing at night (from my acid reflux). So this machine fixes 3 things in one shot. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I sleep by myself, so it works for me.

ddr

Thanks for the suggestion DD about the waterbed. Truth is, I get nauseous with the rocking motion. Seasick? Waterbed sick? Who knows. I don't want to have to wear a dramamine patch to bed at night

Regarding your suggestion to brainstorm about the need for more awareness, and to get influential people involved, I am all for it. I love public service announcements. Kids watch them. Parents watch them. Education. Oh, my head is spinning with ideas. I will start a new thread in a few days. My mind is mush right now from a much too long day.

[ddr]

Tinkerbell,

Just to let you know, you can get a motionless waterbed. There is no rocking. It's just soft and conforms to your body.

ddr

Can't wait for the new thread! Hopefully the kids will jump on this one.

[just_me72]

how do u do it?

Please let me know how u can get around and go to work. I was diagnosed with scoliosis last month. I am a 36 year old mom that can't even play with her son anymore. I feel so home bounded. I also have high blood pressure. I'm just so depressed all the time. Why isn't more done and said about this epidemic. I never heard of scoliosis until I was dianosed . I want so badly to go back and feel the way I use to feel
I have since found a chiropractor who said I could wear a brace to try and help and correct it with out surgery. So I wear it but I feel light headed and numbness. I really want to be able to move around again. How do u do it ? do you wear a brace?

[Karen Ocker]

For just_me72

I

have since found a chiropractor who said I could wear a brace to try and help and correct it with out surgery. So I wear it but I feel light headed and numbness. I really want to be able to move around again. How do u do it ? do you wear a brace?

The treatments offered by your chiropractor have been shown not to work in adults. He should be reported for malpractice. You are wasting your time, money and delaying proper scoliosis management. I doubt if an insurance company would pay for an adult brace to help scoliosis because it doesn't. It will not stop it and will make your muscles weaker. Chiro has NEVER stopped anyone's scoliosis on this forum.
I suggest you visit a scoliosis specialist. He can prescribe appropriate physical therapy to help pain and monitor curves to see if they progress. Maybe that's all that you need.

[Tinkerbell]

[QUOTE=just_me72;74178]Please let me know how u can get around and go to work.

Thank you for asking about work. It is what saves me. Literally. It keeps me moving. I start in the morning, and don't slow down until the end of the day. Once I stop however, my muscles start tightening and contracting, and I develop spasms. Often, I have trouble getting up off of the couch after having rested. I wind up in a bent over position, a knot of spasms, holding on to the furniture to move around. At home, I have problems picking up a lloaded laundry basket. I won't even try to hold it on my hip, (the position you must use when holding your children), which throws my already crooked spine into an even more unnatural curve. Having had scoliosis for....well, at my age, it seems like forever, I have learned to adapt to each situation. Last summer I went to Disneyland, where many of the rides were off limits to me, due to the violent twists and turns, stops and starts, jerking motions etc. There was no way I was going to be denied the pleasure of experiencing the attractions at the park. I found rides, (like Pirates of the Carribbean etc) that weren't too dynamic and physically challenging. I had a blast! If I can just find one or two tiny little victories in each day, it is a day well spent. I am very fortunate to work with individuals who use wheelchairs in their daily lives. Many of them have children, and demanding jobs. It is exciting to see how each person adapts their lives to work around their physical challenges. I am constantly learning from, and am inspired by them. I encourge you to find a doctor, or health care professional who will work with you in finding ways to manage your scoliosis on a daily basis. And I agree with others on this forum, chiropractic does not "cure" scoliosis. I found more benefit from massage therapy, since it helped relax the strained muscles in my body. One of the most important things I did for myself was attend a pain management class, (11 weeks). The stress management portion was right up my alley. I learned not to say "I can't" do this, and I can't do that, and instead learned how to do the things I thought I could no longer do in different and unique ways. Yes, you have scoliosis. And yes it is can be life changing. But who said that those changes can't be for the better? Your children may know that there are certain things that mom can't do physically, but they will also know that there are special things that mom can do better than anyone on the world! My work is what keeps me moving, and motivated, and inspired. I encourage you to seek out that place of balance between your physical limitations, and your incredible strengths. Life is good.

[rainbow2010]

I had similar breathing problems. I had so much pain in the rib cage area, that I could not take a deep breath and ended up with pneumonia. I had nerve ablations done to relieve the pain and I can breathe again! I felt like I was having a constant heart attack - minus arm pain - and the doctor did ablations on a second section and that pain went away.