Guest guest Posted January 6, 2002 Report Share Posted January 6, 2002 I was 12 years old when I had my first surgery in 1970. Since then I have been bothered by chronic pain. I have had two revision surgeries since with no effect on the pain other than to increase it. I am not sure if one caused the other though. The condition that most of us have, who have had harrington rod procedures, is flat back syndrome. This is because the harrington procedure did not establish a front to back curvature but rather a straight up and down one. The pressure on the top and bottom of the fusion leads to chronic pain and of a leaning forward. My current regime is physiotherapy (swimming), pain management through use of TENS and EMS, and MS Contin. I am permanently disabled so I no longer work and use a wheelchair frequently. Walking is painful for most than a few minutes, standing is extremely painful after a few minutes, sitting is better in that I can stand it for a while, and laying down hurts a lot but is better than standing. I try to cycle through things as pain develops changing my position and activities frequently. You have come to the right place. There are lots of us here that have similar problems. Some of the members have had successful revision surgeries. However there are also lots of us who have either the same or worse chronic pain. Leger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2002 Report Share Posted January 7, 2002 Welcome, Tina! I had scoliosis surgery in 1975 when I was 12 years old. I have severe degenerative disc disease above and below the fusion. My chronic pain started about 15 years after surgery. I think going through two pregnancies had the biggest impact on my spine. It was just too much for the few vertebrae left unfused. I suffer from low back pain after several minutes of standing or walking, which has been improved by wearing a lumbar support girdle/brace. I have been diagnosed with flatback syndrome and was told that I did not need surgery. However, the spine specialist that diagnosed it knows nothing of flatback or revision surgery. I will seek a second opinion from my daughter's scoliosis specialist at some point as he has some experience with revision surgery. I started wearing the support girdle/brace over a year ago and used to wear it all the time (except for sleeping). Now I only wear when I know that I will be on my feet for over an hour or so. I find that the girdle decreased my pain more than anything else. I do medical transcription for a chiropractor, and he told me that if the lumbar support girdle has decreased my pain, then I can develop my own girdle through exercise and eliminate the need for the brace. I hope to start working with him soon. The few abdominal exercises that I do on my own have helped me to eliminate the constant need for the brace. It would be great to eliminate it entirely! I spent a couple of years in physical therapy and also have a TENS unit. I haven't used the TENS unit in years. I used to take NSAIDs for the degenerative disc disease but stopped taking them years ago. If I don't have inflammation, why take an anti-inflammatory? It just destroys the stomach lining. I have Naproxen now but seldom take it. I have to be in severe pain to take it. I also have fibromyalgia and that causes more pain than my scoliosis-related problems do. Peggy Greene Osteoporosis dx @ 33- Fosamax for 5 years Fibromyalgia - Zyprexa for sleep, massage for pain Scoliosis - Harrington rod fusion T3-L3 in 1985 9-year-old Daughter with scoliosis in Boston brace Severe Degenerative Disc Disease - support brace Hypothyroidism Restricted Lung Disease Allergies GERD Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2002 13:59:10 -0000 From: " fluff71 " <fluff71@...> Subject: I'm a new member Hi everyone, my name is Tina. I had scoliosis surgery in 1972 when I was 13 yrs. old. I would like to know what type of complications anyone may be suffering from who had surgery for scoliosis. I suffer from chronic back pain for over 13 yrs., actually have always had some sort of pain forever it seems like, but I am so curious to talk to everyone. This is not a well known disorder and there are not many people you meet who have actually been through this. I am a mother of two and happily married. I also suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis. My family is great and very supportive. I facilitate a Chronic Pain Support Group bi-monthly, which helps me a lot. I also love cars, reading, crafting, dogs and being with my family. I look forward to " talking " to all of you. Have a great day! Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Hello Group, I'm a new member and looking forward to participating in the group. Thank you, Kim --------------------------------- goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Hey, Kim! I'm a new member too, I'm sorry we had to meet under these conditions though. I actually went, just this morning to have another blood test, to confirm whether I have hep c or not. After the research I did though I'm pretty sure I do. I was pretty ignorant to hep c and am so surprised at all I've read, and realized I already knew. Or the stuff I didn't know. Anyway, where do you stand as far as treatment? Have you started? Your new friend & supporter, Jeri Jeri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 I take it regularly and I've had Hep C for more than 30 yrs and have no liver damage. I don't drink and think the combination of milk thistle and no alcohol is keeping the virus calm I've been taking it since 93 and no harm done. Anyway, I did have a gastro tell me to continue taking milk thistle - It is good for the liver - that's my 2 cents - Kerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 There is no proof that is does anything for Hepatitis C no documentation. Why not just stay healthy, eat right, plenty of rest , exercise, etc. you know the routine Jeri. Depending how you were exposed the chances of getting the virus is slim in some way of exposeure. Yet some people on their own can eradicate the disease and not even know they had it ,as our bodies produce the same interferon that is given as treatment. Hopefully you we not be infected with this wrenching virus with little help for many. Rhonda hepcnf@... Re: I'm a new member I've got a question I hope someone can answer. I found out last week I was exposed to Hep C. I started taking milkthistle. Someone said I shouldn't till after the tests. I had my blood test yesterday, should I start on the milkthistle now or wait till I see the specialist? Thanks all. Jeri Jeri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 But, should I take the milkthistle before I ever see the specialist? Some one told me it could alter my test numbers. I don't want false positive or vice versa till we know for sure whether I actually have hep c or not. Jeri Jeri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 Here's my $0.02. http://www.geocities.com/1Leighann/MTWarning.html Glenn > > But, should I take the milkthistle before I ever see the specialist? Some one told me it could alter my test numbers. I don't want false positive or vice versa till we know for sure whether I actually have hep c or not. Jeri > > Jeri > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 How long have you been apart of the group? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Not sure who you're asking, but I've been a member since spring of last year. *~*~*~*"You can deprive the body, but the soul needs chocolate" -Sapphyre*~*~*~*"Giving Up Is Not An Option ...." - Sapphyre Re: I'm a new member How long have you been apart of the group? Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2007 Report Share Posted November 17, 2007 In a message dated 11/14/2007 12:08:20 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, sungirll35@... writes: How long have you been a part of the group? I can't remember. I think I've been here between 2-3 years, myself. People come, people go. Some just read the posts and gain motivation and support that way without ever checking in. See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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