Guest guest Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 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 > --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 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 ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 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 ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 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 ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 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 > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 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 > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 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 > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 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 > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 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 > > > > > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 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 ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 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 ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search. http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 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 > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 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 > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 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 __________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 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 ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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