Newbie - distressed about new xrays

[Guest guest]

Howdy! My name is and I have scoliosis. I am 30 years old,

and was first daignosed around age 12. During my teenage years I

wore a Boston brace and had lots of physical therapy. My curve never

progressed to more than 40 degrees. I last saw a Dr. for my back in

the mid 90's (my early college years).

Well, my back has been bothering me, I have more pain, and just feel

more crooked. I decided I should go to see a Dr. for an update on my

back. My internal medicine MD sent me to a local DO who specializes

in OMM (osteopathic Manipulative Medicine?) I have never seen one of

these before, and she ordered new xrays so we could see if my curve

has progressed. Got that done today and saw the films. HOLY CRAP!!

It has worsened significantly. (I guess that would explain my

reduced lung capacity and cardio-pulmonary issues!) Now there is

talk of surgery, and I am also scared because my husband and I were

starting to talk about having children.

I guess I am just really scared, needed to vent, and looking for

answers, or at least start gathering info. Has anybody had the

surgery and then had issues with pregnancy? How did people weigh

having surgery v. not? What are my surgery options? What kind of

doctors do you see? I just did what my parents told me when I was

younger, and saw our local Dr for my issues, but now that they have

progressed so much, I don't know where to start.

Thanks for any insight!

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

I have a short quiz on my website that might help you think about the

various elements of making the surgery decision:

http://www.scoliosislinks.com/ShouldYouHaveSurgery.htm

Regards,

> I guess I am just really scared, needed to vent, and looking for

> answers, or at least start gathering info. Has anybody had the

> surgery and then had issues with pregnancy? How did people weigh

> having surgery v. not? What are my surgery options? What kind of

> doctors do you see? I just did what my parents told me when I was

> younger, and saw our local Dr for my issues, but now that they have

> progressed so much, I don't know where to start.

>

> Thanks for any insight!

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks ! That was helpful. Also, I like your cats " Bill and

Hillary " - What a stitch! The black and white one looks like my new

kittie " Ohio " . (She's a problem child/trouble maker I adopted from

the humane society.)

Anyway, quick questions:

Where was your curve, and how active are you after your surgery? Can

you partake in athletic activities, or was that not an interest of

yours to begin with? While my cardio-pulmonary function is affected

by my thoracic curve, I am still pretty active, I play tennis, go to

pilates classes, go skiing, etc. I would hate to give that up!

> > I guess I am just really scared, needed to vent, and looking for

> > answers, or at least start gathering info. Has anybody had the

> > surgery and then had issues with pregnancy? How did people weigh

> > having surgery v. not? What are my surgery options? What kind

of

> > doctors do you see? I just did what my parents told me when I

was

> > younger, and saw our local Dr for my issues, but now that they

have

> > progressed so much, I don't know where to start.

> >

> > Thanks for any insight!

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

Bill (the B/W kitty) is also a troublemaker. If he wasn't blind, he

would probably have burned down my house by now.

My curves are thoracolumbar, and I'm fused from T4 to L3. While I was

a real jock when I was younger, pain had kept me from any sports since

I was about 35. However, I am fairly active for an old lady. I walk

on a treadmill almost every day. And, I volunteer in a spay/neuter

clinic once a week. It involves a lot of bending, stooping, carrying,

etc.

I do know quite a few older adults who have had scoliosis surgery and

who are active in sports like tennis and golf. I think it's good to

stay active if you can. You need to know, however, that people with

long spinal fusions are more at risk for disc degeneration above and

below the fusion than people with normal spines. So, sports like

tennis (which involves running) and golf (which involves twisting) may

increase your chances that you'll need additional surgery at a later date.

Regards,

>

>

> Thanks ! That was helpful. Also, I like your cats " Bill and

> Hillary " - What a stitch! The black and white one looks like my new

> kittie " Ohio " . (She's a problem child/trouble maker I adopted from

> the humane society.)

>

> Anyway, quick questions:

> Where was your curve, and how active are you after your surgery? Can

> you partake in athletic activities, or was that not an interest of

> yours to begin with? While my cardio-pulmonary function is affected

> by my thoracic curve, I am still pretty active, I play tennis, go to

> pilates classes, go skiing, etc. I would hate to give that up!

[Guest guest]

Wow, I am very impressed with this quiz. May I share it with others

on other message boards? Also, may I print it out for a mother I

know that goes to the same school as my daughter?

Thank you!

> > I guess I am just really scared, needed to vent, and looking for

> > answers, or at least start gathering info. Has anybody had the

> > surgery and then had issues with pregnancy? How did people

weigh

> > having surgery v. not? What are my surgery options? What kind

of

> > doctors do you see? I just did what my parents told me when I

was

> > younger, and saw our local Dr for my issues, but now that they

have

> > progressed so much, I don't know where to start.

> >

> > Thanks for any insight!

> >

[Guest guest]

I had my fifth scoliosis related surgery at the end of November. By

mid January I was taking a Tae Kwon Do class. Since my spine is

fused from T3 to S1 I am a bit limited in all of the moves that I

can make, but I will be testing for my yellow belt on April 12th and

I am loving every minute of being a part of Tae Kwon Do.

What I am trying to say is once you are far enough along in your

recovery and feel comfortable with doing those things that you love,

talk with your doctor and if he/she OK's it, go out and give it a

try.

> > > I guess I am just really scared, needed to vent, and looking

for

> > > answers, or at least start gathering info. Has anybody had

the

> > > surgery and then had issues with pregnancy? How did people

weigh

> > > having surgery v. not? What are my surgery options? What

kind

> of

> > > doctors do you see? I just did what my parents told me when I

> was

> > > younger, and saw our local Dr for my issues, but now that they

> have

> > > progressed so much, I don't know where to start.

> > >

> > > Thanks for any insight!

> > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks ! I hate that you had to have five surgeries, but glad

that you are able to remain healthy and active afterward. It gives

me hope!!!

> > > > I guess I am just really scared, needed to vent, and looking

> for

> > > > answers, or at least start gathering info. Has anybody had

> the

> > > > surgery and then had issues with pregnancy? How did people

> weigh

> > > > having surgery v. not? What are my surgery options? What

> kind

> > of

> > > > doctors do you see? I just did what my parents told me when

I

> > was

> > > > younger, and saw our local Dr for my issues, but now that

they

> > have

> > > > progressed so much, I don't know where to start.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks for any insight!

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Of course. Anything that is accessible on the internet is free for all.

--

>

>

> Wow, I am very impressed with this quiz. May I share it with others

> on other message boards? Also, may I print it out for a mother I

> know that goes to the same school as my daughter?

>

> Thank you!

>

>

\

[Guest guest]

Thank you very much, I will make sure that you get full credit for

this wonderful work each time I use it.

> >

> >

> > Wow, I am very impressed with this quiz. May I share it with

others

> > on other message boards? Also, may I print it out for a mother

I

> > know that goes to the same school as my daughter?

> >

> > Thank you!

> >

> >

> \