Re: 11 years post original fusion, why am I having problems so young

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can certainly relate to what you said. Although I am a bit older

than you (first fusion at age 39, DDD symptoms starting 2 1/2 years

later, second fusion at age 44. 2 1/2 pain-free years is not a lot of

time.) Additionally, I am a male with a problem that mostly affects

women. (There's gotta be a one-liner somewhere in there... :-)

Compared to the women, the guys don't do a lot of bonding. (I just

took a quick tour though the members list and found the number of

members identifying themselves as male is in the low 30s. This is

about the same ratio that I was given for female-male scoli patients

(around 8-1). Who knows if our male member count is accurate.)

But I do count my blessings.

o I have no problems with most daily activities.

o Although I was fused at a time when I was athletically active,

I have lived enough to not " need " a lot of physical activity.

o While I'm not cured, my condition is somewhat stable.

o I have a wife who has helped me through the tough times.

o I am able to provide for my family.

o I have many friends that know what I went through, even if they

don't *really* know.

o I control my own fate. If I exercise, I do ok. Otherwise, its back

on pain meds for a day or two.

o Although its sometimes difficult, I have a pretty good attitude

about life. This is probably what got me through the bad times.

>

> I've been thinking......not like I've never thought about this

before but I'd like to get some insight on this and know if any of you

have heard of anyone else who is going through this only 11 years

after the original fusion.

>

> Most of you on these flatback forums are like, 30 years post op or

atleast 20. I feel like I have been cheated. Not to mention my rods

only go to about L1 and everyone elses went even lower. Like I was

saying, I don't think I really actually have flatback, I could be

wrong but most of my problem is the degeneration below my fusion and

the facet joints that are so painful with movement that being what

causes my liminted mobility. Why can't I find anyone with a similar

situation. I am only 29 and feel like I didn't even get my 20-30 years

of a good fusion before I started having problems. Does anyone know

what causes facets to go so bad. And, before your revisions, did you

have terrible facet pain that just killed with every move so you

pretty much avoided much movement? It just seems my joints in my back

are banging together and grinding because they are so enlarged. I

feel so by myself in this. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

You're not alone.

I am 35 and have been a definite surgerical candidate since 5 years ago.

My original surgery was in 1980 at the age of 11.

8 years after my original surgery, I went in to s Hopkins due to some pain.

This is where a Swedish doc diagnosed me with flatback. I had no idea what that

meant, but I just held on to his other words " It's a good solid fusion. "

For the next 6 years, I was struggling, but maintained my physical training.

Weights, aerobics, etc...

14 years after my surgery, I had my second child and it all went downhill from

there.

19 years after original surgery I was told by a good surgeon (with busy

secretaries LOL) I was a definite surgical candidate. However, this past time I

saw him, 24 years post op, he left it all up to me.

So...now I'm ready.

I went to PT today and we were talking about all this stuff. My PT has a 25

degree curve, BTW. Anyhow, being fused all the way down truly limits your

mobility compared to now, but that does not mean you cannot carry a baby. While

my fusion is only down to L-3, rod wasn't down that far, I carried 4 babies to

term without having a C-section. I also made sure, no matter where we were

stationed, I found a good OB/GYN who knew I'd have to be prescribed pain meds to

get through it all. My kids are 14, 10, 5, and 6 months. They're all smart,

gifted classes/principal's honor roll, etc... They're very involved in sports

and busy. My point...pain meds during pregnancy are OK...if you're monitored.

The babies come out with just as high APGARS...if not higher since the mother

isn't stressing about pain in her pregnancy.

You're not alone. I know how freaked out you are, as I have been avoiding

surgery like the plague for 5 years but diagnosed well before that.

Being so young and feeling so lousy is a devastation since at your age you

don't feel like you've even chipped away at fullfilling all of your goals. But

us scoliosis gals are tougher than nails. We learn how to survive and readjust

ourselves reaching new heights, new goals, and strengthening our courage to just

go at it all.

You're stronger than you realize and wiser beyond your years.

My oldest girl is 10 and she has scoliosis. She cries at times because she

doesn't know why GOD gave her this curved spine. In trying to console her, I've

learned even more than I already knew.

Hang in there ! It isn't easy, but you're tough enough.

xoxo's

[Guest guest]

Hi, ! I'm 28, 15 years post-op. I also have lots of

problems. You're not alone - although I'm glad to find out that I'm

not alone being so young :-)

I have learned so much from all the women and men who are many more

years post op. After spending a couple months reading up and seeing

some dr.'s, I've decided not to pursue anything invasive for now,

since no real diagnosis has happened. (only slight evidence of

flatback at this point, despite all the chronic pain and limited

mobility, etc.)

I guess we have to hang in there! We are 2nd generation, but still

having to forge ground on what happens to fused backs with

Harringtons, I guess.

Deb M.

1989 Harrington, T3-L4

[Guest guest]

Elissa...

If I understood you correctly, I believe you were right about why

discs go bad. Between an increased and uneven load, I'm amazed that

anyone manages to save the discs above and below a long fusion.

Regards,