Guest guest Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 Hi Robin... My personal belief is that the people with bad outcomes from scoliosis surgery are a small minority. You read about them so much online, simply because they're the ones who need additional help. Most people who have good outcomes have no need to hang around in internet scoliosis forums. There's no way to prove that, but I can tell you that most of the people that I meet in conjunction with my local scoliosis support group have had good outcomes (both short and long-term). In regard to your request for the website, I think you may be referring to my web page: http://home.comcast.net/~lsracine/PreparingforSurgery.htm Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2003 Report Share Posted September 10, 2003 There is a site about preparing for surgery that you might be thinking of. Racine has put this list together, with input from others, at http://home.comcast.net/~lsracine/PreparingforSurgery.htm . Hope this helps. Llweyn in BC post surgical pain Hi, I'm pretty concerned about facing scoliosis surgery, much of what I've been reading is from people who are suffering from chronic pain after surgery. Are these all scoliosis patients? Were the surgeries done by so called " experts " in the field? I'm sory to find out that so many of you are suffering. I used to work at the Cleveland Spine and Arthritis Center and saw many patients come through with chronic pain. Were these surgeries done many years ago and have failed, or are they from more recent surgeries? I definately do not want to get addicted to any sort of pain medication. I know that I'm to expect pain after a major surgery like this, however I would like to hear some success stories. Many of the scoliosis surgeries I've been reading about are from the lumbar region, what about thoracic/lumbar scoliosis surgery. My curve is a huge " S " . There is so much for me to learn, that is why am starting doing research now. I remember reading in an e-mail recently that there was a link to a web site on how to prepare your house following surgery. Any suggestions as to where I can find that site? Thanks again, Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 , Thanks for the link, I'm at work now and will take a closer look at the list later on. Unfortuantely I have not been able to find a local support group. Like I mentioned earlier I live in Cleveland and the closest support group I'm aware of is in Cincinnati. It's hard to believe that there is not one closer with having the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals here. I'll contact those hospitals and find out if there are any support groups in the area. Thanks again, Robin >On Wed, 10 Sep 2003 14:37:07 -0700 Racine High Speed Quebec <lindaracine@...> wrote. ><html><body> > > ><tt> >Hi Robin...<BR> ><BR> >My personal belief is that the people with bad outcomes from scoliosis<BR> >surgery are a small minority. You read about them so much online, simply<BR> >because they're the ones who need additional help. Most people who have<BR> >good outcomes have no need to hang around in internet scoliosis forums.<BR> >There's no way to prove that, but I can tell you that most of the people<BR> >that I meet in conjunction with my local scoliosis support group have had<BR> >good outcomes (both short and long-term).<BR> ><BR> >In regard to your request for the website, I think you may be referring to<BR> >my web page:<BR> ><BR> ><a href= " http://home.comcast.net/~lsracine/PreparingforSurgery.htm " >http://home.com\ cast.net/~lsracine/PreparingforSurgery.htm</a><BR> ><BR> >Regards,<BR> ><BR> ><BR> ><BR> ></tt> > ><br> > ><!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> > ><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2> ><tr bgcolor=#FFFFCC> ><td align=center><font size= " -1 " color=#003399><b> Sponsor</b></font></td> ></tr> ><tr bgcolor=#FFFFFF> ><td align=center width=470><table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0> <tr> <td align=center><font face=arial size=-2>ADVERTISEMENT</font><br><a href= " http://rd./M=236028.2405633.4083964.1638629/D=egroupweb/S=1705094\ 709:HM/A=1340855/R=0/SIG=11fhju0uq/*http://www.sofamordanek.com?lrec3=GROUP\ S " ><img src= " http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/me/medtronicsofamor/lrec3.gif " alt= " " width= " 300 " height= " 250 " border= " 0 " ></a></td></tr></table></td> ></tr> ><tr><td><img alt= " " width=1 height=1 src= " http://us.adserver./l?M=236028.2405633.4083964.1638629/D=egroupmai\ l/S=:HM/A=1340855/rand=214323550 " ></td></tr> ></table> > ><!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> > > ><br> ><tt> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 Hi Robin, I had surgery for scoliosis in 77 for an " S " curve and oddly enough I knew 2 other people who had surgery for scoliosis within about a year or two. I am the only one who has had problems because of it. I'm not an expert on the subject but I know that my pain, and probably most of the people who's posts you have been reading, is due to lower lumbar problems that were caused by Harrington rods that are no longer used. While at my doctors office a few years ago, I was speaking to a mother had just found out that her daughter needed scoliosis surgery. I was amazed to find out how advanced the proceedure and the recovery process had become. Of course there is pain after surgery and it can be pretty intense at times but there are also drugs for that. Trust me when I say that the nurses and doctors do not want you to suffer and will take every precaution to help you avoid it. You are very luck that there are support groups to help you prepare and the internet to help you understand. I wish you the best of luck and will keep you in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 Hi, I had surgery in 1982 in San Francisco. My Doctor was Dr. Gray. I was 33 years old at the time . I had the Harrington Rod and nine disks fused in my upper back. The first week after surgery is a blur. I was on heavy meds for pain. I don " t remember much of that time except that every time people would come to visit it was an effort to stay awake. The second week I was bored and wanted to go home. My recuperation was slow. I don't remember feeling well for about a year. I didn't have pain before the surgery and really haven't had any problems since. I think I have less pain in my back than all my straight back friends! I do exercise atleast 4 times a week and I keep my weight at the normal range. I'm also careful not to do foolish things that might hurt my back. I was very surprised when I began reading all the sad stories of those not as fortunate as I have been. I naively thought the surgery was the end of all my problems. My concerns have been what about loss of bone density as we age? Surely this couldn't be good for an already compromised spine. I haven't read many good stories but is probably right. I just accidentally found this sight . Trying to research the questions above. I live in a small northern California town and know no one with scoliosis. Hope this note helps you realize there are good results out there. Alison post surgical pain > Hi, > > I'm pretty concerned about facing scoliosis surgery, much of what > I've been reading is from people who are suffering from chronic pain > after surgery. Are these all scoliosis patients? Were the surgeries > done by so called " experts " in the field? > I'm sory to find out that so many of you are suffering. I used to > work at the Cleveland Spine and Arthritis Center and saw many > patients come through with chronic pain. > Were these surgeries done many years ago and have failed, or are they > from more recent surgeries? > I definately do not want to get addicted to any sort of pain > medication. > I know that I'm to expect pain after a major surgery like this, > however I would like to hear some success stories. > Many of the scoliosis surgeries I've been reading about are from the > lumbar region, what about thoracic/lumbar scoliosis surgery. My curve > is a huge " S " . > There is so much for me to learn, that is why am starting doing > research now. > I remember reading in an e-mail recently that there was a link to a > web site on how to prepare your house following surgery. Any > suggestions as to where I can find that site? > > Thanks again, > > Robin > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2003 Report Share Posted September 12, 2003 Alison, Wow you had your surgery over 20 years ago, so glad to hear a success story! What kind of exercising do you do? What sort of limitiations do you have? Which 9 discs are fused. What degree of curvature did you have, how much correction were you able to get? How's your mobility/flexibility? Do you take any specific vitamin supplements? I like to Spin, ride on the Precor (elliptical trainer) - I do that 3x a week for 45 min. (5 miles), also I take a weight conditioning class, as well as a Ball Conditioning class, and a little Yoga and/or Pilates. I try and go 4x's a week total usually for two hours at a time. It can get pretty tough trying to fit the workouts in, but I manage pretty well. I have almost an hour commute on way to work, so that really cuts into my day, and I'm not exactly a morning person. Even if I was I'm pretty stiff in the morning, once the Vioxx starts working them I'm good to go. Keep in touch, I'd love to hear more about your experience. Thanks, Robin post surgical pain > Hi, > > I'm pretty concerned about facing scoliosis surgery, much of what > I've been reading is from people who are suffering from chronic pain > after surgery. Are these all scoliosis patients? Were the surgeries > done by so called " experts " in the field? > I'm sory to find out that so many of you are suffering. I used to > work at the Cleveland Spine and Arthritis Center and saw many > patients come through with chronic pain. > Were these surgeries done many years ago and have failed, or are they > from more recent surgeries? > I definately do not want to get addicted to any sort of pain > medication. > I know that I'm to expect pain after a major surgery like this, > however I would like to hear some success stories. > Many of the scoliosis surgeries I've been reading about are from the > lumbar region, what about thoracic/lumbar scoliosis surgery. My curve > is a huge " S " . > There is so much for me to learn, that is why am starting doing > research now. > I remember reading in an e-mail recently that there was a link to a > web site on how to prepare your house following surgery. Any > suggestions as to where I can find that site? > > Thanks again, > > Robin > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2003 Report Share Posted September 14, 2003 Hi Robin, I have some stiffness in the morning but have never associated it with my back. There is allot of ostioarthritisis in my family. I exercise atleast a half hour almost every morning and it makes all the difference in the world . I go from a stiff old lady to a person that functions normally. You actually workout more than I do . I like the precor and the treadmill. I've done Yoga and love it. I take Glucosamine and chondroitin and think it really helps. I spend two days aweek lifting weights in hopes to keep my back muscles strong. My belief about exercise is that it has to be done for the rest of my life so I don't over do it . Any time I challenge myself it has to be in small increments. I was diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager but was told that since I had stopped growing the curve would no long get worse. After my third child was born. Dr. Benson in Sacramento recommended being watched because he thought my curve was getting worse. Three years later I had an 87degree curve. This is when surgery was done. I was corrected to 48 degrees. My shoulders are even and most people don't know I have scoliosis or they are to polite to say anything! I'm not sure what disks are fused but I was resently told that my rod ended at L3 . post surgical pain > > > > Hi, > > > > I'm pretty concerned about facing scoliosis surgery, much of what > > I've been reading is from people who are suffering from chronic pain > > after surgery. Are these all scoliosis patients? Were the surgeries > > done by so called " experts " in the field? > > I'm sory to find out that so many of you are suffering. I used to > > work at the Cleveland Spine and Arthritis Center and saw many > > patients come through with chronic pain. > > Were these surgeries done many years ago and have failed, or are they > > from more recent surgeries? > > I definately do not want to get addicted to any sort of pain > > medication. > > I know that I'm to expect pain after a major surgery like this, > > however I would like to hear some success stories. > > Many of the scoliosis surgeries I've been reading about are from the > > lumbar region, what about thoracic/lumbar scoliosis surgery. My curve > > is a huge " S " . > > There is so much for me to learn, that is why am starting doing > > research now. > > I remember reading in an e-mail recently that there was a link to a > > web site on how to prepare your house following surgery. Any > > suggestions as to where I can find that site? > > > > Thanks again, > > > > Robin > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 Hi All, The hospital where I had my surgery had the coolest beds I've ever seen. Any time you changed position, you'd feel what was like rollers going under your body adjusting the BED to your position. Incredible. Bet it cuts way down on the bed sores. Even the table in the OR was like that. So you didn't have any uncomfortable places, it just contoured to your body. Sorry for the folks who are going through all this. ____________________________________________________________ Medical Insurance Quotes Compare medical insurance companies and save money now. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=YImhvy2qowEbZmqjw_oGWQAAJ1CAYQG2fn\ ZWBLacCwlpBoaTAAQAAAAFAAAAAK0RGj8AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAiWIAAAAAA= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.