Re: --neck and knees

[Guest guest]

Hi Txbluebelle,

I don't want to frighten you but the description you gave of an electric shock

and pins and needles, could mean pressure on your brain stem. I had the sane

symptoms and was told if I didn't have surgery to relieve the pressure it could

lead to paralysis.

I feel really sad for you and want you to get treatment. Do you not have a

state run hospital for people with no insurance?

Please find the strength to apply for disability. For some people, like myself,

it's not as hard to get as for others. MAKE THE PHONE CALL.

Joyce

--neck and knees

Hi ,

I don't post much because I don't have a lot to contribute. I don't

have medical insurance OR money so can't really afford to go to a

doctor. My husband has been out of work for quite a while and we are

desperately hoping he can find a job with insurance. I'm not in any

shape to work.

I don't know where to start or even if revision surgery would help

me. I have not been diagnoised with flatback, but I do know I have

lost 1 1/2 inches in height and the discs in my lower back have

shrunk some. State rehab paid for an MRI of my lower back, but won't

tell me the results. I too depressed to force the issue.

I have a LOT of problems with my neck. Sometimes when I look down I

feel almost an electric shock that goes to the base of my spine. I

have a good bit of trouble turning my head from side to side and have

been told I acutally make a face when I do so! Sometimes my arm gets

pins and needles in it. Not sure if it is shoulder or neck. I have

considerable problems with both knees. It is a HUGE effort to climb

stairs. I have found I must ice my knees if I try to do so. I also

have to wear " flats " or running shoes. Heels seem to tip me forward.

I start having " cramps " and muscle tightening across my lower back at

the waist level and a bit below whenever I stand for more than 15

minutes, or try to walk very far, or try to carry something--even

something light--when I am walking. I sometimes " throb " from the

waist down when I stand and have hip and what I guess might be

sacroliac (sorry about spelling) pain.

My FEET hurt and sometimes my hands (osteoarthritis).

I take Bextra even though they will probably ban it and regular

Tylenol. That and Prilosec for my poor stomach is the best I can do.

I have trouble driving because it is hard for me to twist or turn.

And I have trouble shopping. Sometimes it is hard to dress. I

sometimes have trouble bending my right knee. I sit down when I cook.

I have just slowly started doing less and less so I won't hurt.

So you are not the only person who feels they are a total mess. I'm

not on any big time pain relievers, but I don't have much of a life

either. I had surgery in 1967 and I'm now in my early 50s.

Txbluebelle

--- In , " valerie_delaney "

>

> --- Hi - I am experiencing major cervical problems. When I

> saw Dr. Glazer a little over a year ago, he said I was going to

need

> my neck fixed soon and even recommended it BEFore my osteotomy.

> Howeve, I have done neither, yet I am suspecting I am going to be

> forced into action in the very near future. I feel like I am

> literally falling apart and not quite sure what to do next. My neck

> is becoming an almost daily problem. Also, my knees are a mess.

> Expecially my left knee, I can barely walk up and down the stairs

on

> any given day and they literally throb at night. I cannot remember

> the last time I had a good nights sleep! Anyway, didn't mean to go

> on and on about my physical woes, but have been lurking and

> wondering if anyone else is bothered by thier neck and/or knees. It

> is amazing to be diagnosed with Flatback and actually suffer from

> pain in my knees and neck and my back is the the least of my

> problems! Go figure! Anyway, yes - I need cervial fusion too!

> from RI

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

--- Hi TxBlueBell! Thanks for your reply. I also experience the

pins and needles in my ars, especially when I lay down. (oops..is

that lay or lie?!?) I did have an MRI which confirmed Dr. Glazer's

diagnosis. I am ten years younger than you, but feel more ten years

older! I too literally feel like I am falling apart. Anyway, you are

not alone, just wanted you to know. I have been a member of this

board for 1 1/2 yrs now, butmostly just lurk around. Thank you so

much for responding. Good luck to you.

from RI

Sharon from NH - Glad to see you post. Haven't noticed you as of

late and was hoping you were ok. Good to hear from you.

[Guest guest]

Dear txbluebelle,

Thanks for writing, and I hope you will share more often.

Have you looked into your possible eligibility for some kind of

disability assistance? Would some kind of government medical

insurance be a possibility for you, at least until your husband can

get back on his feet?

I am so sorry to hear of your plight. I must resist the urge to get

up on my political soapbox here on the subject of our ongoing U.S.

health care crisis.

Best,

>

>

> Hi ,

>

> I don't post much because I don't have a lot to contribute. I don't

> have medical insurance OR money so can't really afford to go to a

> doctor. My husband has been out of work for quite a while and we

are

> desperately hoping he can find a job with insurance. I'm not in any

> shape to work.

>

> I don't know where to start or even if revision surgery would help

> me. I have not been diagnoised with flatback, but I do know I have

> lost 1 1/2 inches in height and the discs in my lower back have

> shrunk some. State rehab paid for an MRI of my lower back, but

won't

> tell me the results. I too depressed to force the issue.

>

> I have a LOT of problems with my neck. Sometimes when I look down I

> feel almost an electric shock that goes to the base of my spine. I

> have a good bit of trouble turning my head from side to side and

have

> been told I acutally make a face when I do so! Sometimes my arm

gets

> pins and needles in it. Not sure if it is shoulder or neck. I

have

> considerable problems with both knees. It is a HUGE effort to climb

> stairs. I have found I must ice my knees if I try to do so. I also

> have to wear " flats " or running shoes. Heels seem to tip me forward.

>

> I start having " cramps " and muscle tightening across my lower back

at

> the waist level and a bit below whenever I stand for more than 15

> minutes, or try to walk very far, or try to carry something--even

> something light--when I am walking. I sometimes " throb " from the

> waist down when I stand and have hip and what I guess might be

> sacroliac (sorry about spelling) pain.

>

> My FEET hurt and sometimes my hands (osteoarthritis).

>

> I take Bextra even though they will probably ban it and regular

> Tylenol. That and Prilosec for my poor stomach is the best I can

do.

>

> I have trouble driving because it is hard for me to twist or turn.

> And I have trouble shopping. Sometimes it is hard to dress. I

> sometimes have trouble bending my right knee. I sit down when I

cook.

> I have just slowly started doing less and less so I won't hurt.

>

> So you are not the only person who feels they are a total mess. I'm

> not on any big time pain relievers, but I don't have much of a life

> either. I had surgery in 1967 and I'm now in my early 50s.

>

>

> Txbluebelle

>

> --- In , " valerie_delaney "

> >

> > --- Hi - I am experiencing major cervical problems. When I

> > saw Dr. Glazer a little over a year ago, he said I was going to

> need

> > my neck fixed soon and even recommended it BEFore my osteotomy.

> > Howeve, I have done neither, yet I am suspecting I am going to be

> > forced into action in the very near future. I feel like I am

> > literally falling apart and not quite sure what to do next. My

neck

> > is becoming an almost daily problem. Also, my knees are a mess.

> > Expecially my left knee, I can barely walk up and down the stairs

> on

> > any given day and they literally throb at night. I cannot

remember

> > the last time I had a good nights sleep! Anyway, didn't mean to

go

> > on and on about my physical woes, but have been lurking and

> > wondering if anyone else is bothered by thier neck and/or knees.

It

> > is amazing to be diagnosed with Flatback and actually suffer from

> > pain in my knees and neck and my back is the the least of my

> > problems! Go figure! Anyway, yes - I need cervial fusion too!

> > from RI