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  • Anxiety about surgery

    So I’m going through the motions of researching surgeons and making appointments and trying to make some sort of game plan...

    And I am experiencing some of the most debilitating, crushing anxiety and panic attacks I’ve ever had. And the crying jags! Oh my lord, it’s a hot mess in my head right now. Trying to find a doc. Surgery. Pain. What the f*** am I gonna be able to do, and not do, with a fused spine.

    I could on. It’s like and endless stream of consciousness of blind raging fear. With a dash of pissed off on top.

    Thoughts? Comments? Anyone wanna slap some sense into me? I’m a disaster!
    40 y/o full-time working mom and fiancee
    Former ornery teenager that refused to see a doc - so no bracing
    Formerly 5'9" now 5'6" (but I still "think tall")
    Lumbar curve of 70+ degrees
    No surgery... yet

  • #2
    Originally posted by ErinMK View Post
    So I’m going through the motions of researching surgeons and making appointments and trying to make some sort of game plan...

    And I am experiencing some of the most debilitating, crushing anxiety and panic attacks I’ve ever had. And the crying jags! Oh my lord, it’s a hot mess in my head right now. Trying to find a doc. Surgery. Pain. What the f*** am I gonna be able to do, and not do, with a fused spine.

    I could on. It’s like and endless stream of consciousness of blind raging fear. With a dash of pissed off on top.

    Thoughts? Comments? Anyone wanna slap some sense into me? I’m a disaster!
    Hi....

    You might want to talk to a psychologist. They can help with the anxiety. I think it's best to get a handle on it before you undergo surgery.

    As far as finding a doctor, you might want to check out Dr. Anuj Prasher. He did a fellowship at UCSF when I worked there, so I know his training is solid. https://www.anujprashermd.com/

    --Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment


    • #3
      Erin, Your a diver.....Here is a video....watch it over and over.....

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTQo...ditionDrenched

      Relax....Breathe for anxiety, In hard, hold for a sec, release slowly.....repeat

      Nothing you are saying hasn't happened to all of us....We are all scared to death, however, it all passes....

      I also thought I would never be able to ski. That was all wrong. Here is a video of me about 3 years post surgery
      I'm in the red jacket.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tEy...annel=arvin332

      Ed
      Last edited by titaniumed; 04-12-2021, 09:21 PM.
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by ErinMK View Post
        So I’m going through the motions of researching surgeons and making appointments and trying to make some sort of game plan...

        And I am experiencing some of the most debilitating, crushing anxiety and panic attacks I’ve ever had. And the crying jags! Oh my lord, it’s a hot mess in my head right now. Trying to find a doc. Surgery. Pain. What the f*** am I gonna be able to do, and not do, with a fused spine.

        I could on. It’s like and endless stream of consciousness of blind raging fear. With a dash of pissed off on top.

        Thoughts? Comments? Anyone wanna slap some sense into me? I’m a disaster!
        One thing at a time maybe? Don't think about everything. Find the doctor first. You'll probably feel better once that's settled.

        Comment


        • #5
          By the day before my surgery my anxiety stopped and I was at peace with it. You just realize it's out of your hands. The only thing I worried about was being late to the hospital since it was a very early morning start, as you'd expect from all the hours it was to take. I met the operating room staff and they made me feel calm in their friendliness and professionalism. They gave me drugs and I was asleep even before the real anesthesia.

          It'll turn out OK. Even with COVID - in another few weeks there will be a dramatic increase in the proportion of people who are vaccinated. Things should be safer.

          Comment


          • #6
            So did you have your surgery? How did it go?
            Male, 15 year old manly man of manliness diagnosed with scoliosis . I have had over 30 surgeries and have 70 degree scoliosis and a twisted spine that gave me a chest point and and a rib cage back hump. I am very open about my scoliosis and started a blog about it. If you can, please take a look. The link is https://scoliaticblog.blogspot.com/

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by ErinMK View Post
              So I’m going through the motions of researching surgeons and making appointments and trying to make some sort of game plan...

              And I am experiencing some of the most debilitating, crushing anxiety and panic attacks I’ve ever had. And the crying jags! Oh my lord, it’s a hot mess in my head right now. Trying to find a doc. Surgery. Pain. What the f*** am I gonna be able to do, and not do, with a fused spine.

              I could on. It’s like and endless stream of consciousness of blind raging fear. With a dash of pissed off on top.

              Thoughts? Comments? Anyone wanna slap some sense into me? I’m a disaster!
              I agree with Tina - once you find a doctor and meet with him/her, they will make you feel like "there's a plan" and you won't feel so lost and anxious.

              I have what (I guess) is considered a "short fusion" - 7-level, T11-Sacrum and my ability to do most things hasn't changed much at all. I don't do anything high impact any more as an effort to save my other joints (primarily my hips & knees). From a lifestyle aspect - not much has changed. It's changed for sure, but not all that much. For me, it was all worth it because my pain was so bad I couldn't stand up for more than 5 minutes and I couldn't walk a block without having to bend over.... I couldn't go to a shopping mall unless I knew one of the stores would have a cart I could use..... I HAD to do something and surgery was my only option...

              I was 55 at the time - you are younger. I was at an age where I had raised my kids and could focus on myself. Maybe that's not the case for you.....

              I took lots of deep breaths and put my situation in the hands of the surgeons. Knowing I didn't have much of a choice calmed my fears and anxiety....

              Kathy
              Decompression surgery L4/L5
              April 3, 2015
              Twin Cities Spine Center - Dr. Joseph Perra
              Fused from T11 - Sacrum anterior/posterior
              June 24, 2016 - 55 years old at surgery
              Twin Cities Spine Center - Dr. Joseph Perra
              Before Surgery: 42 degrees lumbar, 28 degrees thoracic
              After Surgery: 10 degrees lumbar, ?? Thoracic
              2 inches taller

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