It's me again

[Guest guest]

Hi Jill,

I'm glad the injections helped you some. Be sure to tell your doctor

what you told us about how it helped your symptoms, as it may be

needed information for him to make a proper diagnosis and treatment

recommendation. Most of us with flatback have it because part or all

of our lumbar (lower part of the spine) lordosis (the normal front to

back curve) was purposefully (but unnaturally) straightened during a

previous spinal fusion surgery. This results in the spine not being

balanced the way it should be over the pelvis. To some extent, we may

be able to compensate for the imbalance by bending our knees to try to

keep our trunks from leaning forward. But eventually our bodies

protest at having to compensate so much and it becomes more and more

difficult to stand upright. When you say you can stand upright, are

you doing so with your knees bent or your knees locked back? If your

knees have to bend to make your upper body appear to be upright, I

would bet you have a sagittal imbalance (flatback). If I stand with

my heels against the wall, and straighten my knees, I lean forward

quite badly and just about topple over forward.

As much as we can answer your questions from our own experience and

from having heard a lot of others' experience, your doc has to be the

one to answer specific questions about you. I find that my medical

questions kind of evolve as I learn more about a topic. If you keep a

running list of yours, right before you go to the doc, you can pare

them down and prioritize them so you make sure he answers the critical

ones. If all else fails, you can hand him the sheet of questions if

he is in a rush, and tell him that you'd appreciate him answering them

at his next earliest convenience. Have you ever tried taking someone

with you into the exam room (close friend or family member)?

Sometimes that works to make a doc answer questions more thoroughly.

For Florida docs, I assume you've checked the list of docs in the

Files section of our site. If you haven't done so already, you might

also check the list (it might be a search-type thing, not a list) of

docs on the Scoliosis Research Society on their website.

Good luck, Jill,

loriann

>

> I know I'm asking a whole lot of questions, but I've got no where

else to go...I DO have an

> appointment with a surgeon in October but I know I won't remember

every question and even

> if I write them down, he won't give me that much time. Too bad he's

the only game in town...

> Anyway, I am finding that after this last facet joint procedure, I

am feeling better in the

> morning, at night and basically any time I'm not vertical. After

being on my feet for more

> than a half hour, I am stooped over and in pain. Is this typical or

do classic Flat Back

> sufferers find themselves completely unable to stand up straight at

any time?

>

> I took note of someone's doctor in Tampa, but is anyone familiar

with anyone else in the

> South Florida area? How about Shands Hospital at UF?

>

> Thanks AGAIN,

> Jill

>

[Guest guest]

it sounds like things are going okay. i hope that your grandma is doing better soon. i know how hard it is to get rest when you are taking care of someone ill but try to get some rest for yourself. keep us posted on how both of you are doing. evelyn <lenette32@...> wrote: Hello all,I haven't posted in a while, but I have been busy. First of all I'd like to say "Hello" to all the new people out there. Glad you chose to join us...and sorry for the situation that brings you

here. As for me, I'm hanging in there. My grandma's conditions haven't gotten any worse, or any better...they just seem to vary in intensity from day to day. The last three or four days have been a bit better, but before that it had been a while since she had a "good" day. However, a little piece of information came my way about a week or so ago that may turn out to be the key to a lot of her problems. I was reading on one of her medicines and ran across the term "general anxiety disorder" and got curious about what it is. I did some reading on Webmd and was surprised at how well the symptoms match hers. That condition can cause nausea, nervousness, and a number of other symptoms that she has. So, I mentioned it to her general physician who referred her to a psychiatrist and put her on Lexapro and Xanax in the meantime. So far, the Xanax helps when she gets nervous, the Lexapro she's only been taking for about

3 days, so it hasn't had time yet. Her psychiatrist appointment is in about 3 weeks, and I'm hoping that we will see some improvement from the meds, and further improvement from him...if nothing else maybe he can confirm that this is what's wrong, and give us some other ideas on helping her relax. I usually help her take a warm shower with some lavender scented body wash and when she's done, I'll put on a cd of some slow, soothing music. This helps sometimes. Now that she's got the Xanax, she uses it too when needed. Aside from that, we've had some trouble with her blood pressure, but she sees her general physician in a couple of weeks too, and I figure she will adjust her medicine then. As far as me, I'm doing okay- I got pretty tired there for a few days because I was staying in her house late at night and having trouble sleeping when I did come home, or I'd spend the night with her and not be able to

sleep on the spare bed she has. It had gotten bad enough that I was having to stop myself from speaking too harshly to her...but I've had a few good days and the opportunity to "recharge" some, so I feel better. I have been able to sleep at home the last several nights and I got to go shopping with my aunt a few days ago. A little "retail therapy" always helps I guess that's it for now. cure cystic fibrosis

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos more.

[Guest guest]

Good stuff Sharon....Bowling is so much fun...and it's always fun to have a laughing kind of day with our kids...What fun!!!!

e

From: "kmusikmom2@..." <kmusikmom2@...>autism Sent: Friday, July 3, 2009 6:24:27 AMSubject: It's Me Again

Danny and I bowled on league yesterday - other than a few minor meltdowns and one huge one he ended up doing quite well - he skunked his mom in the first game I got him in the second and I didn't stick around to see what we got on the 3rd game I was tired it was 9:30 at night by the time we got out of there and 10:15 or so by the time we got home.Got lucky saw two deer near the side of the road but they stayed put don't need Danny seeing me splatter a deer all over the place.I think PT is working for Danny he seems to be getting much stronger and I have noticed in bowling he has better control over the ball. Practice has helped but it is nice to see a form coming out of him.We have 6 more weeks to go so I am hoping he breaks a 100 one of these days he is staying in the ally more than the gutter now so that is an accomoplishment. Now if his mother could get her act together and keep her ball out of the gutter I would be

happy.Oh well novel written again - just wanted to let you know how Dan was doing and that I am now out of pain (well I wore a pain patch) and I didn't throw myself down the ally like I did two weeks ago.Hugs and Prayers for everyoneSharon

[Guest guest]

Sharon,that sounds great. I wish I could go bowling with you. I haven't bowled in years. love and blessings, Pat K

It's Me Again

Danny and I bowled on league yesterday - other than a few minor meltdowns and one huge one he ended up doing quite well - he skunked his mom in the first game I got him in the second and I didn't stick around to see what we got on the 3rd game I was tired it was 9:30 at night by the time we got out of there and 10:15 or so by the time we got home.

Got lucky saw two deer near the side of the road but they stayed put don't need Danny seeing me splatter a deer all over the place.

I think PT is working for Danny he seems to be getting much stronger and I have noticed in bowling he has better control over the ball. Practice has helped but it is nice to see a form coming out of him.

We have 6 more weeks to go so I am hoping he breaks a 100 one of these days he is staying in the ally more than the gutter now so that is an accomoplishment. Now if his mother could get her act together and keep her ball out of the gutter I would be happy.

Oh well novel written again - just wanted to let you know how Dan was doing and that I am now out of pain (well I wore a pain patch) and I didn't throw myself down the ally like I did two weeks ago.

Hugs and Prayers for everyone

Sharon

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[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I'm back at the helm. I'm sorry to be taking over again under these circumstances, but I was one of the very first members of this group, so I would hate to see it dissolve. Anyhow, I just want you all to know that first: I do wish Sue all the best; and that second: for at least a while, I'll be Mom once again.

My personal email address is pamhorne@..., in case anybody ever needs to send me a private message.

I hope everyone is OK with this change--it was kind of forced upon all of us.

XOXO, Pam

[Guest guest]

peace and love baby! karen/la/1

From: Pam <pamhorne@...>Subject: It's me again Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 5:51 PM

Hi All,

I'm back at the helm. I'm sorry to be taking over again under these circumstances, but I was one of the very first members of this group, so I would hate to see it dissolve. Anyhow, I just want you all to know that first: I do wish Sue all the best; and that second: for at least a while, I'll be Mom once again.

My personal email address is pamhornecarolina (DOT) rr.com, in case anybody ever needs to send me a private message.

I hope everyone is OK with this change--it was kind of forced upon all of us.

XOXO, Pam

[Guest guest]

As I said in an earlier email, I haven't been on so trying to catch up on emails and I'm reading that you're on as owner, than another email says, you're not and Carlene is. Talk about confusing when trying to catch up. To think I was going to dump the emails only because I have so many, so I'm just reading the newer emails of today and yesterday and was going to dump the rest.

Whatever happens with owner happens; I just wish the new owner well and good luck. I've know both of you for years now, I know you're both very capable of running the group, my concern is that you left last time because of your health, with reason, so would it have been possible now? Time would tell probably.

Take care, are you still staying on as member or leaving all together? Let us know what's going on with you. Be well, good luck in whatever you choose to do. Hugs

From: Pam <pamhorne@...>Subject: It's me again Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 6:51 PM

Hi All,

I'm back at the helm. I'm sorry to be taking over again under these circumstances, but I was one of the very first members of this group, so I would hate to see it dissolve. Anyhow, I just want you all to know that first: I do wish Sue all the best; and that second: for at least a while, I'll be Mom once again.

My personal email address is pamhornecarolina (DOT) rr.com, in case anybody ever needs to send me a private message.

I hope everyone is OK with this change--it was kind of forced upon all of us.

XOXO, Pam

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry Sharon. It is her loss. I guess she just doesn't

understand. Love and blessings, Pat K

It's me again

Don't know how many of you remember me asking what I should do about my

grandmother who is not doing well, but dislikes my son and his antics

and has told us to stay away. Well I asked all of you wonderful people

what to do and decided that I would call her and feel her out and I did

that on Christmas Day.

Much to my surprise not long into the conversation she asked when I was

going to come up and visit her before she died - yes she is an abrut

person, I said can I bring Dan and she said NO I can't handle him -

then I said, then you will not see me, he is part of me and part of my

family. I will see you in heaven.

The phone clicked - she had hung up.

I guess I was right not to make the trip up there.

Sharon - mom to Danny - PDD/NOS, Aspergers, Global Apraxia, Hypotonia

and generally a good kid.

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry Sharon. It is her loss. I guess she just doesn't

understand. Love and blessings, Pat K

It's me again

Don't know how many of you remember me asking what I should do about my

grandmother who is not doing well, but dislikes my son and his antics

and has told us to stay away. Well I asked all of you wonderful people

what to do and decided that I would call her and feel her out and I did

that on Christmas Day.

Much to my surprise not long into the conversation she asked when I was

going to come up and visit her before she died - yes she is an abrut

person, I said can I bring Dan and she said NO I can't handle him -

then I said, then you will not see me, he is part of me and part of my

family. I will see you in heaven.

The phone clicked - she had hung up.

I guess I was right not to make the trip up there.

Sharon - mom to Danny - PDD/NOS, Aspergers, Global Apraxia, Hypotonia

and generally a good kid.

[Guest guest]

It's so sad when our loved ones don't even try to understand our kids and their

issues. I mean, yeah she's an older woman and probably has bad nerves and gets

shaken up easily, but this is her great-grandson, not some random dude off the

street. Wow...I'm sorry she feels that way. She's really missing out on getting

to know him and when she's gone it'll be too late.

>

> Don't know how many of you remember me asking what I should do about my

grandmother who is not doing well, but dislikes my son and his antics and has

told us to stay away. Well I asked all of you wonderful people what to do and

decided that I would call her and feel her out and I did that on Christmas Day.

>

> Much to my surprise not long into the conversation she asked when I was going

to come up and visit her before she died - yes she is an abrut person, I said

can I bring Dan and she said NO I can't handle him - then I said, then you will

not see me, he is part of me and part of my family. I will see you in heaven.

>

> The phone clicked - she had hung up.

>

> I guess I was right not to make the trip up there.

>

> Sharon - mom to Danny - PDD/NOS, Aspergers, Global Apraxia, Hypotonia and

generally a good kid.

>

[Guest guest]

It's so sad when our loved ones don't even try to understand our kids and their

issues. I mean, yeah she's an older woman and probably has bad nerves and gets

shaken up easily, but this is her great-grandson, not some random dude off the

street. Wow...I'm sorry she feels that way. She's really missing out on getting

to know him and when she's gone it'll be too late.

>

> Don't know how many of you remember me asking what I should do about my

grandmother who is not doing well, but dislikes my son and his antics and has

told us to stay away. Well I asked all of you wonderful people what to do and

decided that I would call her and feel her out and I did that on Christmas Day.

>

> Much to my surprise not long into the conversation she asked when I was going

to come up and visit her before she died - yes she is an abrut person, I said

can I bring Dan and she said NO I can't handle him - then I said, then you will

not see me, he is part of me and part of my family. I will see you in heaven.

>

> The phone clicked - she had hung up.

>

> I guess I was right not to make the trip up there.

>

> Sharon - mom to Danny - PDD/NOS, Aspergers, Global Apraxia, Hypotonia and

generally a good kid.

>