Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Hi Jeri, Have you seen this website? http://www.orthospine.com/medical_conditions/flat_back.html#flatback It explains flatback and has additional links about the terminology. I can't remember if you have degenerated disks - Is your pain more in your neck or your lower back? I think my back/neck pain is primarily muscular, and I get some relief from inactivity and NSAIDS. I'd sure prefer to be active, though. Good luck with your appt. next month and hope you will tell us how it goes. loriann > I need to read " Flatback Terms for Dummies " ... > Sagital Imbalance? > > Osteotomy? (I know it has to do with cutting into the bone...) > > I have a VERY high curve into my neck. Surgeon originally (1980)put > HRods too high and I had to have outpatient surgery TWICE, each time > to have a piece cut off for comfort. The first was within a few > months, the second within a year post op. Now, 23 yrs post-op, my > neck is still uneven -- wanting to curve to the right and muscle > build up at the neck/shoulder junction on the left. I constantly > work at unkinking it, and wonder if there's some way to even up the > muscle appearance at the base.... Does anyone have this same deal? > > 4th week of pain abated only in the last week by Tylenol #3. For > those of you with chronic pain... what do you take? I'm thinking of > calling the internist (who prescribed the T#3) to ask for a refill, > but know that may not be the best. I have an appointment with a > surgeon specializing in adult spine deformities on March 23. > > Thanks to all of you. > Jeri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Hi Loriann, I was feeling in a hurry to finish my post this morning because, even after having a good breakfast, my Tylenol#3 was fast making me feel loopy. After a two hour rest, I feel better and would like to elaborate. I left out info that anyone would need to answer my questions... Thank you for the website. I'll go look at it now. My pain is unrelenting sciatica for the last 4 weeks. T#3 is the only thing that's helping. I've been taking that, experimenting with how much/little since Friday Feb 20. The question about my neck is really peripheral to that. It was the first part of my appearance and the only pain/cramping that bothered me within a couple years post-op. The last 10 yrs I've been aware of not being able to stand straight without bending my knees... and now the sciatica is really making the appearance issues seem unimportant. But, I still would like to know if others have had any success with relaxing the neck.. and might that be part of revision surgery? I know I'll have many more questions. Thanks so much to all of you. Jeri > > I need to read " Flatback Terms for Dummies " ... > > Sagital Imbalance? > > > > Osteotomy? (I know it has to do with cutting into the bone...) > > > > I have a VERY high curve into my neck. Surgeon originally (1980) put > > HRods too high and I had to have outpatient surgery TWICE, each > time > > to have a piece cut off for comfort. The first was within a few > > months, the second within a year post op. Now, 23 yrs post-op, my > > neck is still uneven -- wanting to curve to the right and muscle > > build up at the neck/shoulder junction on the left. I constantly > > work at unkinking it, and wonder if there's some way to even up the > > muscle appearance at the base.... Does anyone have this same deal? > > > > 4th week of pain abated only in the last week by Tylenol #3. For > > those of you with chronic pain... what do you take? I'm thinking > of > > calling the internist (who prescribed the T#3) to ask for a refill, > > but know that may not be the best. I have an appointment with a > > surgeon specializing in adult spine deformities on March 23. > > > > Thanks to all of you. > > Jeri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 I'm glad to hear you're going to see a specialist, Jeri. I don't believe my neck is as bad as yours, but for chronic pain I take Elavil and Celebrex. Elavil is an anti-depressant which is often used at lower doses for its surprising effectiveness against chronic pain. I feel it relaxes my overly-tight muscles, as well as helping me sleep. Celebrex is an anti-inflammatory. There are other less expensive ones, but my stomach was affected by years of reliance on ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), so my internist has me on this. Terms for Dummies? I need to read " Flatback Terms for Dummies " ... Sagital Imbalance? Osteotomy? (I know it has to do with cutting into the bone...) I have a VERY high curve into my neck. Surgeon originally (1980)put HRods too high and I had to have outpatient surgery TWICE, each time to have a piece cut off for comfort. The first was within a few months, the second within a year post op. Now, 23 yrs post-op, my neck is still uneven -- wanting to curve to the right and muscle build up at the neck/shoulder junction on the left. I constantly work at unkinking it, and wonder if there's some way to even up the muscle appearance at the base.... Does anyone have this same deal? 4th week of pain abated only in the last week by Tylenol #3. For those of you with chronic pain... what do you take? I'm thinking of calling the internist (who prescribed the T#3) to ask for a refill, but know that may not be the best. I have an appointment with a surgeon specializing in adult spine deformities on March 23. Thanks to all of you. Jeri Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Jeri, I forgot to answer your earlier questions in this message. Sagittal imbalance refers to misalignment of the spine as viewed from the side (sagittal view). In the case of flatback, this essentially sets our heads out in front of our hips, instead of balanced over them. ( " Fixed sagittal imbalance " is the technical name for flatback.) Osteotomy does refer to cutting bone. There are differing types of osteotomies, and for details you'd have to ask the surgeon involved. Terms for Dummies? I need to read " Flatback Terms for Dummies " ... Sagital Imbalance? Osteotomy? (I know it has to do with cutting into the bone...) I have a VERY high curve into my neck. Surgeon originally (1980)put HRods too high and I had to have outpatient surgery TWICE, each time to have a piece cut off for comfort. The first was within a few months, the second within a year post op. Now, 23 yrs post-op, my neck is still uneven -- wanting to curve to the right and muscle build up at the neck/shoulder junction on the left. I constantly work at unkinking it, and wonder if there's some way to even up the muscle appearance at the base.... Does anyone have this same deal? 4th week of pain abated only in the last week by Tylenol #3. For those of you with chronic pain... what do you take? I'm thinking of calling the internist (who prescribed the T#3) to ask for a refill, but know that may not be the best. I have an appointment with a surgeon specializing in adult spine deformities on March 23. Thanks to all of you. Jeri Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any advertised products. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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