Back making me depressed :(

[summer]

I've dealt with the same thing all of my life too. I can tell you what I did that helped me, but remember what works for one person may not work for others.
Taking yoga or stretching classes, swimming and low impact exercising helped me tremendously! I also used a heating pad. I HAD to stop certain things that would always make it worse. It sucked but here are some activities to stay away from : horseback riding, golf, step aerobics and all high impact aerobics. Hope this helps somewhat.

[Jadey]

Thanks for that advice Jenn. I started to do exercises like weights to strengthen my muscles to support my back, only light weights though. I am going to run in Race For Life on the 9th July, that'll probably kill my back and hips, lol, but it's for a good cause.

I want to start swimming again soon, I'll have to brag someone along with me or do lengths with the old nans, lol.

Thanks again.

[Sherie]

Hi Jadey,
Please think twice before running. Our chiro definitely did not want my daughter running track (she was very disappointed). I don't think all that jarring is going to be good for you, especially if you're still in pain. If you can just walk, do that, no cause is worth you hurting yourself. I've known 2 adults who had back surgery from running/jogging and they didn't even have scoliosis. My daughter's curves are T34/L45, she was having pain before but now is in the Spinecor brace and is pain free. Personally, I don't think pain-killers are a long term solution, you probably need to try alternatives, such as the things Summer suggested. Good luck, I hope you get some help.

[Jadey]

I've always wanted to run in Race For Life for years, my Nan died of cancer and I almost had breast cancer at one point (turned out that my breast lump was not cancerous) and it means alot to me. It's only 5km (3.5 miles) and I probably won't be able to run it all. I want to take part.

About the pain. I don't have family support, they just think pain killers are the simple solution to my pain. They will not take me to the doctors and at one point I had to take myself to the doctors with a friend without them knowing, I was in so much pain it was horrible.

There is nothing I can do anymore, I have no one to turn to, where I live, and the only option is to move to the states, in my opinion anyway.

[LATigner]

I am so sorry you are unable to get help where you live but moving here to America is pretty drastic. Others your age have gotten some curve reduction and help with the pain by using the SpineCor brace. The head of SpineCor, Andrew Mills is in England. Perhaps you can e-mail him regarding your scoliosis and he might be able to help you get connected with a doctor who can prescribe SpineCor if it would benefit you. I think Andrew Mill's e-mail address has been posted on the thread about Spinecor on the forum. If not, you can contact him on the SpineCor website. Best wishes.

[Jadey]

I really wish that I could have a brace but my doctors and specialist said that I don't need one. That sucks.

[adnama]

I understand.

Hi Jadey
My name is Amanda and I have a thoracic curve of 28 degrees and a lumbar curve of 20 degrees. When you described yourself I pictured me. I also have uneven hips. The right side of my rib cage is closer to my hip than the left side. I feel as though my life is consumed with pain. It's strange how much our personalities can change because of pain. I find myself being short and annoyed with people all the time. I wanted to let you know that your not alone out there even though you say your parents ignore you sometimes. I think about other people like us with spine deformities all the time. I hope that you find a doctor that can help. I haven't been able to yet. I started taking warm baths at the end of the day and it helps me sleep better at night. I also use these menthol patches called Salonpas that seem to help. I try to use these to prevent taking medicine all the time. Try not to get angry with your family. Mine was the same way growing up. I don't think they understand because they're not going through it. They don't feel the pain. Good Luck!

[amae28]

dear jadey,

my name is abbie, and i am almost 19 years old... i don't know how old you are but if your curves are in the twenties and you are not done growing, you should have an orthopaedic dr watching over your curves. I was done growing by the time i found out i had scoliosis, so i haven't had a brace or surgery, but the pain that i have, like you, has been going on for more than four years now.

first of all, when you go see your doctor, make sure he understands how much the pain is hindering your lifestyle, if it is... you could try going to a pain dr., and getting injections, but make sure if they are doing that that they are doing it under floroscopy because your body is unlike most patients they treat and some pain specialists are not used to scoliosis patients.

Also, your dr. will prolly want to make sure there aren't any underlying causes... a few years ago i was having excessive lumbar pain and i found out i had a bulging disk, which was treated with physical therapy.

I also have a TENs unit, which is like electrical stimulation, which helps sometimes but isn't something that can be worn all the time.

anyways, i hope that you get the answers you are looking for at your doctor's appointment,

good luck,

abbie

[Jadey]

Hiya Amanda

Yeah warm baths really do help, and swimming too. I went to Egypt last months for two weeks and the walking in the first week and swimming in the second helped my back alot! Now that I am back at home with nothing to do until I start college my back has stiffened up so much again. This Friday I am seeing my Physiotherapist for the first time so I will be given help with exercising.

It's great to know that others out there do have the same problem as me, I felt isolated when I found out I had scoliosis.


Hiya Abbie

I am 16 years old so I have at least another 2 years of growing left. I have a Scoliosis Speciallist watching me at the moment, my next and posibally last appointment is at the end of November. I am scared because he said he may discharge me but what if my back gets worse, I'll have to start this all over again (going to doctors then seeing him again, took a year!)

I saw the doctors and she has refered me to a Physiotherapist. My appointment with her is this Friday, I am looking forward to it because I can finally get something done for the pain after 5 years of having to cope with it! When I done Child Development at school I remember hearing about TEN's, my teacher knew I had back problems and she suggested TENs would help, but my Mum being a Orphapaedic Matron disagreed which upset me. But I will tell my Physiotherapist about the option unless I am given anything else.


Thanks for the messages you two ^_^

[Gailee]

I feel quiet depressed today.I am having lower pain on my left hip area.Im in tears with pain.This sucks.

[lorrie]

Hi Jadey
I don't know where abouts in England you are but, in a lot of areas, there are specialist pain management clinincs available. If the physio doesn't help, it might be an idea to see if your GP can refer you to one.
Lorrie