Re: Contemplating Surgery for my Scoliosis

[Guest guest]

My first shocking discovery after surgery at age 45- T1 to L5- was that I had a

really hard time reaching my rear. Wiping was a struggle. When I mentioned it to

the dr he said it was a frequent complaint. Your idea about getting part of the

curve fused would have to be investigated by a really really good scoliosis dr.

The stress on the spine above and below the rods is a big problem for me. A lot

of neck pain and deterioration at L5. I was older than I know they like to

ideally do initial surgery. As far as other problems- I can't be nearly as

frisky when my hubby and I are having sex, but we have adjusted. It is difficult

for me to get in some of the positions we used to use. My husband is so caring

and patient- the best. The meds I am on- methadone, morphine, Paxil and Lyrica,

with a Flexeril thrown in from time to time, make it harder for me to have an

orgasm. Again, we have adjusted. I don't put pressure on myself. Until I broke

my rod and the fusion and had so much

pain from that and the deterioration, I had limited myself from things like

knee boarding and slaloming, just because things like that weren't that

important to me. Now I can't sit or stand for any long period of time, run,

jump, climb, etc, without being in bed for anywhere from a day to months at a

time. More surgery could possibly help, but possibly not.I would be much less

flexible and no one can say what new problems could occur in the years to

come. Everyone has to decide what would be best, weighing all the facts. I will

not have more surgery unless I can't get out of bed at all. Good luck in working

it all out. Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@...> wrote:

After some complication in a cleft palette surgery gone awry -trouble

establishing an airway since they couldn't see down there with the

curve for intubation- I got a push to more look into getting my

scoliosis corrected. Originally it was thought it would correct this

problem, but the orthopedist thinks that may have been exaggerated.

Still though in finding out I would gain 6-7 inches height (I am only

5' 4 " male), which agrees with my true height calculated via femur

measurement, and that my lung capacity was only 44% of normal because

of the curves...I'm to get it done anyway.

Strictly speaking since there are no major concern caused by the

scoliosis yet, and that's it's not really degenerating much

further...then anyone else in the world, it is pretty elective surgery.

Well I shouldn't get ahead of myself...for this we're considering

getting the correction done surgically the old rods-in-the-back thing.

In hearing about the movement restrictions with this I'm considering

just getting the major curve in the middle upper back corrected (75

degrees I believe) leaving the lower back still flexible. But anyway

what I want to know is:

What are peoples experiences with this type of treatment, and what

other things have people done? Has anyone had complications from this

surgery or most generally does it seem to turn out fine? What else

possibly have I not heard of? And do people have any stats for thing

going wrong down the line?

I also have concerns regarding the decreased flexibility, how much

have people seen it to effect their daily lives, housework, swimming,

sex...?

Lets not be shy here.

-Daws

[Guest guest]

What is Lyrica? I've never heard of it. I'm so sad to hear that you have so much

pain. I was in so little pain after my surgery-T4-L5 compared to before, I was

only taking a Tramadol everyday for the minor aches and pains. I've been in so

much pain for so many years it all becomes relative I guess. But like you, I too

broke my rods and have an unfused area from L2-L4. I'm going in for revision on

the 30th, and this time it'll be done anterior-ly. My first 2 were done only

thru my back. Since I was doing so well before I have to believe this is going

to get me back.

Do you know why you are in so much pain still? Is your health good otherwise?

I'm not married so I've opted to give up sex altogether. The difficulty moving

is so annoying I hate doing anything that brings my attention to what I can't

do. I think that having the surgery in later years makes it much more difficult

because my nephew had his whole spine fused at 17 and he hardly notices. I had

mine at 48.

Re: Contemplating Surgery for my Scoliosis

My first shocking discovery after surgery at age 45- T1 to L5- was that I had a

really hard time reaching my rear. Wiping was a struggle. When I mentioned it to

the dr he said it was a frequent complaint. Your idea about getting part of the

curve fused would have to be investigated by a really really good scoliosis dr.

The stress on the spine above and below the rods is a big problem for me. A lot

of neck pain and deterioration at L5. I was older than I know they like to

ideally do initial surgery. As far as other problems- I can't be nearly as

frisky when my hubby and I are having sex, but we have adjusted. It is difficult

for me to get in some of the positions we used to use. My husband is so caring

and patient- the best. The meds I am on- methadone, morphine, Paxil and Lyrica,

with a Flexeril thrown in from time to time, make it harder for me to have an

orgasm. Again, we have adjusted. I don't put pressure on myself. Until I broke

my rod and the

fusion and had so much

pain from that and the deterioration, I had limited myself from things like knee

boarding and slaloming, just because things like that weren't that important to

me. Now I can't sit or stand for any long period of time, run, jump, climb, etc,

without being in bed for anywhere from a day to months at a time. More surgery

could possibly help, but possibly not.I would be much less flexible and no one

can say what new problems could occur in the years to come. Everyone has to

decide what would be best, weighing all the facts. I will not have more surgery

unless I can't get out of bed at all. Good luck in working it all out. Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@ hotmail.com> wrote: After some complication in a

cleft palette surgery gone awry -trouble

establishing an airway since they couldn't see down there with the

curve for intubation- I got a push to more look into getting my

scoliosis corrected. Originally it was thought it would correct this

problem, but the orthopedist thinks that may have been exaggerated.

Still though in finding out I would gain 6-7 inches height (I am only

5' 4 " male), which agrees with my true height calculated via femur

measurement, and that my lung capacity was only 44% of normal because

of the curves...I'm to get it done anyway.

Strictly speaking since there are no major concern caused by the

scoliosis yet, and that's it's not really degenerating much

further...then anyone else in the world, it is pretty elective surgery.

Well I shouldn't get ahead of myself...for this we're considering

getting the correction done surgically the old rods-in-the- back thing.

In hearing about the movement restrictions with this I'm considering

just getting the major curve in the middle upper back corrected (75

degrees I believe) leaving the lower back still flexible. But anyway

what I want to know is:

What are peoples experiences with this type of treatment, and what

other things have people done? Has anyone had complications from this

surgery or most generally does it seem to turn out fine? What else

possibly have I not heard of? And do people have any stats for thing

going wrong down the line?

I also have concerns regarding the decreased flexibility, how much

have people seen it to effect their daily lives, housework, swimming,

sex...?

Lets not be shy here.

-Daws

[Guest guest]

Daws,

I thought I would just add to what Bev said. My curve

is a right thoracic C & I have a rib hump. I cannot

reach my rear with my right hand, but have no problem

with the left. LOL, I didn't think to mention that to

you. The last time I was in the hospital they put the

IV in my left hand & when I went to the bathroom I

thought " OH SH..! " When it was time for the IV to be

moved I had them switch it to the right side, so it

wouldn't be so difficult in the bathroom. Other than

that episode with the IV, I've never had a problem

only being able to use the left hand to reach behind

myself. Most ppl use only one hand for that purpose

anyway.

As far as orgasms go. I had no difficulty whatsoever

after my surgery.So surgery itself didn't change

anything in that realm. It was only 20+ years later

when I went on certain meds that that became an issue.

There are many meds that affect orgasms from pain

meds, to antidepressants, muscle relaxants, even blood

pressure meds. If you ever go on a medication that

might affect your sex life you can discuss it with the

pharmacist who will be able to suggest alternative

meds. ~Moonbeam

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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http://www./r/hs

[Guest guest]

Did you have that butt wiping problem before the surgery though?

>

> Daws,

> I thought I would just add to what Bev said. My curve

> is a right thoracic C & I have a rib hump. I cannot

> reach my rear with my right hand, but have no problem

> with the left. LOL, I didn't think to mention that to

> you. The last time I was in the hospital they put the

> IV in my left hand & when I went to the bathroom I

> thought " OH SH..! " When it was time for the IV to be

> moved I had them switch it to the right side, so it

> wouldn't be so difficult in the bathroom. Other than

> that episode with the IV, I've never had a problem

> only being able to use the left hand to reach behind

> myself. Most ppl use only one hand for that purpose

> anyway.

>

> As far as orgasms go. I had no difficulty whatsoever

> after my surgery.So surgery itself didn't change

> anything in that realm. It was only 20+ years later

> when I went on certain meds that that became an issue.

> There are many meds that affect orgasms from pain

> meds, to antidepressants, muscle relaxants, even blood

> pressure meds. If you ever go on a medication that

> might affect your sex life you can discuss it with the

> pharmacist who will be able to suggest alternative

> meds. ~Moonbeam

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

Daws,

Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

brace was off, but I still approached from the left

side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

http://www./r/hs

[Guest guest]

Okay, sorry to be so frank about it lol I just wanted to know if the

condition worsened after surgery vs before. This thought comes up a

lot especially when I hear of rods breaking and causing pain. i wonder

if that itself causes pain or that fact that since it broke things

revert to how they where before, and in THAT state there was always

pain.To clarify, without the brace you still had problems with this? I

guess to gauge the severity of mine there's no problems like that at

all, pain or otherwise.

>

> Daws,

> Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, again, Dawson, if the rods break, the spine doesn't revert back to it's

former position unless the fusion didn't completely heal. The reason for the

rods is to hold the spine in place with the new bone sets and heals. After

that, the rods aren't doing anything! that's why some people have them removed,

but, what the heck. They are in there, aren't causing any harm, so most of us

leave them in. I don't know if broken rods cause pain of and by themselves.

Lana

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@...> wrote:

Okay, sorry to be so frank about it lol I just wanted to know if the

condition worsened after surgery vs before. This thought comes up a

lot especially when I hear of rods breaking and causing pain. i wonder

if that itself causes pain or that fact that since it broke things

revert to how they where before, and in THAT state there was always

pain.To clarify, without the brace you still had problems with this? I

guess to gauge the severity of mine there's no problems like that at

all, pain or otherwise.

>

> Daws,

> Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

>

>

>

__________________________________________________________

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Daws,

In all my years postop I've never discussed my

posterior. Never even thought about it, actually. Now

it's in the archives forevermore, lol...~Moonbeam

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[Guest guest]

This is the last time I'll talk about wiping my butt-lol- I had NO problem with

it before surgery. My curve was- and still is- a " C " curve. It was progressing

pretty fast after my 40th birthday. The curve is to the right and my left rib

cage was sitting down on my hips by the time I had surgery. I guess perhaps

reaching around to my rear had probably gotten easier as my arms gradually got

closer and closer to it- what a mental picture! The pre-op curve was mid 60's

and the dr had hoped to get it down in the 20's. Thank goodness he didn't get

below high 30's! He had told me he thought I would get 2 inches of height back!

That would've had me a good inch taller than I had ever been! It was just such a

shock to finally have a BM after surgery- and believe me that was reason for

celebration after all the morphine- and to suddenly realize I, at first, could

not reach to take care of myself. I wiggled around as much as I could and was

able to get things taken care of. When I told

my husband about the problem he offered to help me. Now, we had been married

for over 20 years at the time, but (no pun intended ) there are just a few

things I don't want to share with him. It would've been a significant problem

for me if the dr had been able to correct my curve more than he did. Like I

said, he said it was a frequent complaint from his patients. It was just one

more little detail I was not told about before my surgery. To give you an idea

of how informed I was- I was on the stretcher, separated from my husband,

waiting to be wheeled into surgery when a physician's asst told me I needed to

sign something. When I questioned her, she said part of my procedure was

experimental. I again questioned her- she was very impatient and said " if you

want to have your surgery today you're going to have to sign it. Just sign it " I

was scared as it was, but I signed it. To this day I don't know what was

experimental! I know not being able to reach your rear to wipe is

a teeny detail (or de-tale...tee hee) but (...? butt LOL) it does look like it

could be mentioned so it wouldn't be such a shock. OK- enuff already. Not

another word form me on this subject. Sorry about the 'crappy' jokes !! Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@...> wrote:

Okay, sorry to be so frank about it lol I just wanted to know if the

condition worsened after surgery vs before. This thought comes up a

lot especially when I hear of rods breaking and causing pain. i wonder

if that itself causes pain or that fact that since it broke things

revert to how they where before, and in THAT state there was always

pain.To clarify, without the brace you still had problems with this? I

guess to gauge the severity of mine there's no problems like that at

all, pain or otherwise.

>

> Daws,

> Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

>

>

>

__________________________________________________________

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www./r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

Bea,

I'm intrigued about what you signed prior to going

into surgery. That's a slimy way to do a

procedure...have you medicated & going into OR &

saying 'sign it or you're not getting operated on.'

Have you requested all the records regarding your

hospital stay? Even though it was some 'experimental

procedure,' since you had to sign it, they have to

have the paperwork since they needed it to begin with.

You can find out what the procedure was with that

paperwork. You'll have to wade thru all the notes, but

knowing medical terminology it should be easy enough.

~Moonbeam

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

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[Guest guest]

Also, Daws,

A couple years after my surgery the doctor was

discussing surgery to remove the rod. We'd never heard

of such and were not told in the beginning that

removal was ever an option. So, the next appointment a

few months later my father gets off work. He only

missed work the days of my surgeries (2 open-heart &

one back), so him getting off work was a major

important occasion. Well, we go to the hospital 80

minutes away & the doctor said something like 'the

bone has grown around the rod; it can't be removed

now.' I don't know if that's actually what he said; I

don't remember it verbatim. He said it in a manner

that was almost insulting. My mother & I had both

heard the same thing during the previous doctor visit.

Now here he was saying that he was not, no never gonna

remove it. He never brought it up again. I saw him

annually for another 10 years. Then one year I called

& made an appointment to see him. Got off work myself

because I was now grown & in my mid-to-late

20s...drove all the way to the hospital only to be

told that he'd retired/quit-I can't remember which. I

was po'd that I'd taken all day off work & wasted

nearly 3 hours in traffic going to & from and no-one

had bothered to call me & tell me my appt was

cancelled. As I talked with the office staff I asked

if there was another doctor seeing his patients since

I had an appointment, and they simply said 'no.' This

is a major medical facility in our state. A hospital

where ppl are usually life-flighted or transported

when local hospitals can't help. A university

hospital. For them not to have an orthopedist on staff

& not to call & inform me of the cancellation/change

whatever it happened to be...was rude, improper, and

so many other things.

I don't know anyone personally who has had their rod

removed. I don't know anyone whose rod has broken. All

the girls I know have harrington rods. We're all in

our late 30s early 40s now. They all got better

corrections than I did because their curves were not

as large. Also, the other girls had their surgeries

done around ages 14-16 and mine was done at age 11.

They wore the milwaukee brace fewer number of years

due to being diagnosed in their teens whereas I was

diagnosed at age 7. ~Moonbeam

________________________________________________________________________________\

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[Guest guest]

I have had the same problem since my surgery. I have trouble shaving my legs

too. Just can't reach in that direction. On a new subject, I just got the

results of my blood work, 9 days before my scheduled revision surgery, only to

find out I have contracted Hepititis C. I can only think it was from my

transfusions back in 2005. It was done at a reputable hospital. I tried to

donate my own blood but my veins were too skinny and blood wouldn't come out. I

ended up getting 3 pints. I'm so upset. Anyone else have this happen?

Re: Re: Contemplating Surgery for my Scoliosis

This is the last time I'll talk about wiping my butt-lol- I had NO problem with

it before surgery. My curve was- and still is- a " C " curve. It was progressing

pretty fast after my 40th birthday. The curve is to the right and my left rib

cage was sitting down on my hips by the time I had surgery. I guess perhaps

reaching around to my rear had probably gotten easier as my arms gradually got

closer and closer to it- what a mental picture! The pre-op curve was mid 60's

and the dr had hoped to get it down in the 20's. Thank goodness he didn't get

below high 30's! He had told me he thought I would get 2 inches of height back!

That would've had me a good inch taller than I had ever been! It was just such a

shock to finally have a BM after surgery- and believe me that was reason for

celebration after all the morphine- and to suddenly realize I, at first, could

not reach to take care of myself. I wiggled around as much as I could and was

able to get things taken

care of. When I told

my husband about the problem he offered to help me. Now, we had been married for

over 20 years at the time, but (no pun intended ) there are just a few things I

don't want to share with him. It would've been a significant problem for me if

the dr had been able to correct my curve more than he did. Like I said, he said

it was a frequent complaint from his patients. It was just one more little

detail I was not told about before my surgery. To give you an idea of how

informed I was- I was on the stretcher, separated from my husband, waiting to be

wheeled into surgery when a physician's asst told me I needed to sign something.

When I questioned her, she said part of my procedure was experimental. I again

questioned her- she was very impatient and said " if you want to have your

surgery today you're going to have to sign it. Just sign it " I was scared as it

was, but I signed it. To this day I don't know what was experimental! I know not

being able to reach

your rear to wipe is

a teeny detail (or de-tale...tee hee) but (...? butt LOL) it does look like it

could be mentioned so it wouldn't be such a shock. OK- enuff already. Not

another word form me on this subject. Sorry about the 'crappy' jokes !! Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@ hotmail.com> wrote: Okay, sorry to be so frank

about it lol I just wanted to know if the

condition worsened after surgery vs before. This thought comes up a

lot especially when I hear of rods breaking and causing pain. i wonder

if that itself causes pain or that fact that since it broke things

revert to how they where before, and in THAT state there was always

pain.To clarify, without the brace you still had problems with this? I

guess to gauge the severity of mine there's no problems like that at

all, pain or otherwise.

>

> Daws,

> Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

>

>

>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www.. com/r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

I have had the same problem since my surgery. I have trouble shaving my legs

too. Just can't reach in that direction. On a new subject, I just got the

results of my blood work, 9 days before my scheduled revision surgery, only to

find out I have contracted Hepititis C. I can only think it was from my

transfusions back in 2005. It was done at a reputable hospital. I tried to

donate my own blood but my veins were too skinny and blood wouldn't come out. I

ended up getting 3 pints. I'm so upset. Anyone else have this happen?

Re: Re: Contemplating Surgery for my Scoliosis

This is the last time I'll talk about wiping my butt-lol- I had NO problem with

it before surgery. My curve was- and still is- a " C " curve. It was progressing

pretty fast after my 40th birthday. The curve is to the right and my left rib

cage was sitting down on my hips by the time I had surgery. I guess perhaps

reaching around to my rear had probably gotten easier as my arms gradually got

closer and closer to it- what a mental picture! The pre-op curve was mid 60's

and the dr had hoped to get it down in the 20's. Thank goodness he didn't get

below high 30's! He had told me he thought I would get 2 inches of height back!

That would've had me a good inch taller than I had ever been! It was just such a

shock to finally have a BM after surgery- and believe me that was reason for

celebration after all the morphine- and to suddenly realize I, at first, could

not reach to take care of myself. I wiggled around as much as I could and was

able to get things taken

care of. When I told

my husband about the problem he offered to help me. Now, we had been married for

over 20 years at the time, but (no pun intended ) there are just a few things I

don't want to share with him. It would've been a significant problem for me if

the dr had been able to correct my curve more than he did. Like I said, he said

it was a frequent complaint from his patients. It was just one more little

detail I was not told about before my surgery. To give you an idea of how

informed I was- I was on the stretcher, separated from my husband, waiting to be

wheeled into surgery when a physician's asst told me I needed to sign something.

When I questioned her, she said part of my procedure was experimental. I again

questioned her- she was very impatient and said " if you want to have your

surgery today you're going to have to sign it. Just sign it " I was scared as it

was, but I signed it. To this day I don't know what was experimental! I know not

being able to reach

your rear to wipe is

a teeny detail (or de-tale...tee hee) but (...? butt LOL) it does look like it

could be mentioned so it wouldn't be such a shock. OK- enuff already. Not

another word form me on this subject. Sorry about the 'crappy' jokes !! Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@ hotmail.com> wrote: Okay, sorry to be so frank

about it lol I just wanted to know if the

condition worsened after surgery vs before. This thought comes up a

lot especially when I hear of rods breaking and causing pain. i wonder

if that itself causes pain or that fact that since it broke things

revert to how they where before, and in THAT state there was always

pain.To clarify, without the brace you still had problems with this? I

guess to gauge the severity of mine there's no problems like that at

all, pain or otherwise.

>

> Daws,

> Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

>

>

>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www.. com/r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

lol punny...

To be serious again, what exactly is a C curve? doe sthat mean the

shape is in a C, not just an S?

> >

> > Daws,

> > Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> > reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> > down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> > prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> > could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> > the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> > brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> > side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> > being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> > mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

> >

> >

> >

> __________________________________________________________

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www./r/hs

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wait, new bone? Where'd that come from?

> >

> > Daws,

> > Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> > reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> > down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> > prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> > could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> > the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> > brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> > side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> > being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> > mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

> >

> >

> >

> __________________________________________________________

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www./r/hs

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

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>

>

[Guest guest]

Have any Tattoos, sex, or needle drugs? Them's the biggies. Someone in

my family has it. Hell even acupuncture maybe?

> >

> > Daws,

> > Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> > reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> > down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> > prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> > could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> > the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> > brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> > side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> > being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> > mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

> >

> >

> >

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www.. com/r/hs

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My youger brother had it happen after surgery in the early '70's, but I am

shocked that it happened to you so recently. Blood testing in this country is

supposed to catch things like that. I haven't heard of that in years!

Bea

Randie Meyer <taknitlite@...> wrote: I have

had the same problem since my surgery. I have trouble shaving my legs too. Just

can't reach in that direction. On a new subject, I just got the results of my

blood work, 9 days before my scheduled revision surgery, only to find out I have

contracted Hepititis C. I can only think it was from my transfusions back in

2005. It was done at a reputable hospital. I tried to donate my own blood but my

veins were too skinny and blood wouldn't come out. I ended up getting 3 pints.

I'm so upset. Anyone else have this happen?

Re: Re: Contemplating Surgery for my Scoliosis

This is the last time I'll talk about wiping my butt-lol- I had NO problem with

it before surgery. My curve was- and still is- a " C " curve. It was progressing

pretty fast after my 40th birthday. The curve is to the right and my left rib

cage was sitting down on my hips by the time I had surgery. I guess perhaps

reaching around to my rear had probably gotten easier as my arms gradually got

closer and closer to it- what a mental picture! The pre-op curve was mid 60's

and the dr had hoped to get it down in the 20's. Thank goodness he didn't get

below high 30's! He had told me he thought I would get 2 inches of height back!

That would've had me a good inch taller than I had ever been! It was just such a

shock to finally have a BM after surgery- and believe me that was reason for

celebration after all the morphine- and to suddenly realize I, at first, could

not reach to take care of myself. I wiggled around as much as I could and was

able to get things taken

care of. When I told

my husband about the problem he offered to help me. Now, we had been married

for over 20 years at the time, but (no pun intended ) there are just a few

things I don't want to share with him. It would've been a significant problem

for me if the dr had been able to correct my curve more than he did. Like I

said, he said it was a frequent complaint from his patients. It was just one

more little detail I was not told about before my surgery. To give you an idea

of how informed I was- I was on the stretcher, separated from my husband,

waiting to be wheeled into surgery when a physician's asst told me I needed to

sign something. When I questioned her, she said part of my procedure was

experimental. I again questioned her- she was very impatient and said " if you

want to have your surgery today you're going to have to sign it. Just sign it " I

was scared as it was, but I signed it. To this day I don't know what was

experimental! I know not being able to reach

your rear to wipe is

a teeny detail (or de-tale...tee hee) but (...? butt LOL) it does look like it

could be mentioned so it wouldn't be such a shock. OK- enuff already. Not

another word form me on this subject. Sorry about the 'crappy' jokes !! Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@ hotmail.com> wrote: Okay, sorry to be so frank

about it lol I just wanted to know if the

condition worsened after surgery vs before. This thought comes up a

lot especially when I hear of rods breaking and causing pain. i wonder

if that itself causes pain or that fact that since it broke things

revert to how they where before, and in THAT state there was always

pain.To clarify, without the brace you still had problems with this? I

guess to gauge the severity of mine there's no problems like that at

all, pain or otherwise.

>

> Daws,

> Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

>

>

>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> http://www.. com/r/hs

>

[Guest guest]

Not for many years. Tattoos I mean. Like 20. I've had sex, but according to

everything I've read, sex isn't even considered a risk factor. My liver is fine,

so I'm figuring i couldn't have had it for the 20-30 years I'd have to go back

to when I had more risky behavior. Maybe I'll never know. Could've been dental

work I had in Mexico. Could've been the transfusion.

Re: Contemplating Surgery for my Scoliosis

Have any Tattoos, sex, or needle drugs? Them's the biggies. Someone in

my family has it. Hell even acupuncture maybe?

> >

> > Daws,

> > Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> > reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> > down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> > prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> > could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> > the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> > brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> > side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> > being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> > mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

> >

> >

> >

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www.. com/r/hs

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My pain came because where my rods broke I didn't fuse and my curves have

started to worsen. In addition, my upper spine where the fusion took doesn't

compensate so my body is a mess. Can't wait to have the surgery. I hate going

through it again, leaving my dogs, recovery and all that. But I'm so sick of the

pain and being in limbo. One week to go.

Re: Contemplating Surgery for my Scoliosis

Wait, new bone? Where'd that come from?

> >

> > Daws,

> > Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> > reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> > down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> > prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> > could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> > the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> > brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> > side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> > being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> > mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

> >

> >

> >

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www.. com/r/hs

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------ --------- --------- ---

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>

[Guest guest]

Yeah, new bone grows. They scrape the bone when they

fuse you & it causes bone to grow. Just like you've

heard of little ppl having their bones broken & then

braces put on them with adjustments made to stretch

them-the bone grows. ~Moonbeam

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[Guest guest]

Yes, a C curve is exactly that - the shape of a C

either in the thoracic or lumbar region...more

commonly the thoracic. S curves look like the letter &

typically involve 2 C curves in opposite directions

thus forming the S. These curves usually consist of a

thoracic & lumbar curve. ~Moonbeam

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[Guest guest]

Yes- my curve just came over to the right side. One theory about the possible

cause, when I was diagnosed at around age 14, was that I might have had polio

that just involved the muscles on the left, allowing the muscles on the right to

pull my spine to the right. Just a theory. I didn't have the compensatory curve

below it that gives it the 'S' shape. I didn't look like I had scoliosis in my

clothes, for the most part. As I got shorter and my ribs on the left got down on

my hip I developed a slight back hump but it was diminished a lot after surgery.

I have no idea how the types of curves compare where problems are involved. I've

never given any thought to it- I guess, since everyone talks about their degrees

of curvature in upper and lower curves that the " S' curves must outnumber the

" C " curves. Anyone out there like me? Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@...> wrote:

lol punny...

To be serious again, what exactly is a C curve? doe sthat mean the

shape is in a C, not just an S?

> >

> > Daws,

> > Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> > reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> > down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> > prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> > could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> > the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> > brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> > side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> > being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> > mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

> >

> >

> >

> __________________________________________________________

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www./r/hs

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Bea: I remember that was what they told me, my mother and grandmother when my

scoli was diagnosed at 12-13, i.e.: possible polio on the left. I am 57; how old

are you? I'm seeing more and more how lucky I am that we resisted the whole

Harrington rod surgery at that age. Probably about 1964. Scoli surgery then was

archaic. But I have the S curve. I would think that a C curve is somewhat rare?

I thought most scolis had a compensatory curve.

Debbie

Beverlee <bea_simmons@...> wrote:

Yes- my curve just came over to the right side. One theory about the

possible cause, when I was diagnosed at around age 14, was that I might have had

polio that just involved the muscles on the left, allowing the muscles on the

right to pull my spine to the right. Just a theory. I didn't have the

compensatory curve below it that gives it the 'S' shape. I didn't look like I

had scoliosis in my clothes, for the most part. As I got shorter and my ribs on

the left got down on my hip I developed a slight back hump but it was diminished

a lot after surgery. I have no idea how the types of curves compare where

problems are involved. I've never given any thought to it- I guess, since

everyone talks about their degrees of curvature in upper and lower curves that

the " S' curves must outnumber the " C " curves. Anyone out there like me? Bea

Dawson Darling <tweaker_bms@...> wrote: lol punny...

To be serious again, what exactly is a C curve? doe sthat mean the

shape is in a C, not just an S?

> >

> > Daws,

> > Before the surgery I spent 5 years in a brace that

> > reached completely up under my chin & went all the way

> > down to my hips, so yes I had the butt wiping issue

> > prior to the surgery. The only difference was that I

> > could take the brace off for 1 hour a day and for all

> > the exercise I wanted. Butt access was easier when the

> > brace was off, but I still approached from the left

> > side because my rib hump was larger due to the curve

> > being larger. It's not a big issue because I forgot to

> > mention it until I read someone else's post. ~Moonbeam

> >

> >

> >

> __________________________________________________________

> > Never miss a thing. Make your home page.

> > http://www./r/hs

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

And illegal to make you sign something when you were medicated without a chance

to think it through.

Debbie

L Howell <moonbeamblessings@...> wrote:

Bea,

I'm intrigued about what you signed prior to going

into surgery. That's a slimy way to do a

procedure...have you medicated & going into OR &

saying 'sign it or you're not getting operated on.'

Have you requested all the records regarding your

hospital stay? Even though it was some 'experimental

procedure,' since you had to sign it, they have to

have the paperwork since they needed it to begin with.

You can find out what the procedure was with that

paperwork. You'll have to wade thru all the notes, but

knowing medical terminology it should be easy enough.

~Moonbeam

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[Guest guest]

Bea,

I have a C curve, right thoracic. Ideopathic-but the

theory was that since I had 2 open heart surgeries

(age 17 mos & 6 yrs) that cracking open the sternum &

the related incisions on the left side of my body

(running from just under the left shoulder blade &

under the arm around the side) & the one straight down

the middle of my chest somehow made the muscles on the

left weaker. Therefore leading to the right upper back

muscles being stronger & pulling the curve in that

direction. It was never more than their theory,

although in my research I have found other girls who

had open heart surgery & scoliosis. I suppose as more

forums develop, more of us will find each other.

So they think possibly polio could've contributed to

yours?

I've only known girls who had C curves. All thoracic.

I'd never even spoken to anyone with an S curve until

I joined this group.

I only know one guy who had scoliosis in school & he

only wore the brace, he never had the surgery. His

curve stopped progressing, but he developed MS. Who

knows? He might've had MS to begin with & was just

diagnosed years later. ~Moonbeam

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