Hello All
I'm a new member and frankly feel very foolish having never researched the pain I've been in for many, many years.
My scoliosis was detected by "accident" (family doctor was on vaction and I wasn't well). My surgeon decided to operate when I was 12 (1974) and by all accounts the procedure was a "success". Spinal fusion, harrington rods (1 either side) and bone graphs. After 3-months in a body cast in hospital I was sent home, significantly taller and with a brace. I healed quickly and my 9-12 months of brace wearing was reduced to less than 3 months. My only restriction was gymnastics (Dr equated to rolling a "flat tire"). Lots of pain during puberty but I still tried most things, skiing, hockey, baseball, parasailing and lots of dancing!!. I guess my family's motto "suck it up princess" helped me enjoy my teen years.
Once I hit 18 the pain lessened - at least for a while, but never completely disappeard. At 28 I had my son. No new issues during my pregnancy, just what I'd always been dealing with. Within a year I was told I would need more surgery, but because of the danger at that time it would be best to delay it as long as possible so technology could improve. That was 1991.
In 1995 I was transferred to another Province (yes I'm Canadian), the pain continued with increasing intensity, however I could never get a referral to see a surgeon - they just kept pushing "drugs". My have been to be stoned, or to be in pain. None acknowledged that my issues might be beyond their payscale - until this week.
I went to a new clinic, they took xrays (first since '91) and I was shocked. We've all seen our xrays over the years. My last set showed 2 rods with the spine in-between (and the rods were parallel) - NOT ANYMORE. First of all the shorter rod is now on an angle, but what's the most frightening is that the spine is curved. I didn't think that was possible. I know I'm not a doctor but straight is straight, and curved isn't.
My question is have any of you had this happen, and if so, what (if anything) did they do to help eleviate the pain and progression. I now finally have a referral to "the best guy in the Province" - the waiting list is at least 12 months, however the clinic were going to request it to be expedited.
I'm a new member and frankly feel very foolish having never researched the pain I've been in for many, many years.
My scoliosis was detected by "accident" (family doctor was on vaction and I wasn't well). My surgeon decided to operate when I was 12 (1974) and by all accounts the procedure was a "success". Spinal fusion, harrington rods (1 either side) and bone graphs. After 3-months in a body cast in hospital I was sent home, significantly taller and with a brace. I healed quickly and my 9-12 months of brace wearing was reduced to less than 3 months. My only restriction was gymnastics (Dr equated to rolling a "flat tire"). Lots of pain during puberty but I still tried most things, skiing, hockey, baseball, parasailing and lots of dancing!!. I guess my family's motto "suck it up princess" helped me enjoy my teen years.
Once I hit 18 the pain lessened - at least for a while, but never completely disappeard. At 28 I had my son. No new issues during my pregnancy, just what I'd always been dealing with. Within a year I was told I would need more surgery, but because of the danger at that time it would be best to delay it as long as possible so technology could improve. That was 1991.
In 1995 I was transferred to another Province (yes I'm Canadian), the pain continued with increasing intensity, however I could never get a referral to see a surgeon - they just kept pushing "drugs". My have been to be stoned, or to be in pain. None acknowledged that my issues might be beyond their payscale - until this week.
I went to a new clinic, they took xrays (first since '91) and I was shocked. We've all seen our xrays over the years. My last set showed 2 rods with the spine in-between (and the rods were parallel) - NOT ANYMORE. First of all the shorter rod is now on an angle, but what's the most frightening is that the spine is curved. I didn't think that was possible. I know I'm not a doctor but straight is straight, and curved isn't.
My question is have any of you had this happen, and if so, what (if anything) did they do to help eleviate the pain and progression. I now finally have a referral to "the best guy in the Province" - the waiting list is at least 12 months, however the clinic were going to request it to be expedited.
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