Hello

[Guest guest]

, I am interested too in hearing from anyone that has had any

experience (good or bad). I'm 52 and have a very similar diagnosis to

yours, and have been living with chronic pain at least five years.

>I have been a member for awhile and read the posts just havent posted. I

>am a 41 year old female with DDD, L-4/5 and L5-S1 are totaly dehydrated and

>T10-11 are messed up too, cant remember exactly what they called it. I

>have done the injections, PT and meds. No relief to speak of.

I have an appt with a Lasor (sp) Spinal Hospital dr the 5th of May. I hope

they can do something for me. They said they had an alternative to spinal

fusion. Has anyone else had any experience with lasor surgery? Thank you

all for your time!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Mz ViOlet,

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope you can now focus on your own

health and healing as I have read many of your posts over the last year and I

know it was a struggle for you.

Hugs and best wishes,

>

> My husband passed on to Glory on Father's Day.

> I am doing well. I am exhausted but doing well.

> Thank you for your support.

>

> Mz ViOlet

>

[Guest guest]

>

> My husband passed on to Glory on Father's Day.

> I am doing well. I am exhausted but doing well.

> Thank you for your support.

>

> Mz ViOlet

>

Dear Mz Violet

You are in my thoughts & prayers. Love, Susie

[Guest guest]

Mz Violet,

My condolences to you and your family for the loss of you husband. Glad to hear

you are doing well, however, I can only imagine the hard road you had to face

and deal with.

May God Bless and Guide you always,

Maddalena

My husband passed on to Glory on Father's Day.

I am doing well. I am exhausted but doing well.

Thank you for your support.

Mz ViOlet

.

[Guest guest]

> My husband passed on to Glory on Father's Day.

> I am doing well. I am exhausted but doing well.

> Thank you for your support.

>

____________

Dear Ms Violet,

I am so sorry to hear about your husband's passing. But I'm glad you reached

out here on Bee's forum to share this news with us. I've come to be very

thankful for this little group of supporters. In that light, I'd like to share

this little story with the hope that it might encourage and comfort you. Please

be extra kind to yourself.

You are in my prayers,

W

In the bottom of the old pond lived some grubs who could not understand why none

of their group ever came back after crawling up the stems of the lilies to the

top of the water. They promised each other that the next one who was called to

make the upward climb would return and tell what happened to him. Soon one of

them felt an urgent impulse to seek the surface; he rested himself on the top of

a lily pad and went through a glorious transformation which made him a dragonfly

with beautiful wings. In vain, he tried to keep his promise. Flying back and

forth over the pond, he peered down at his friends below. Then he realized that

even if they could see him, they would not recognize such a radiant creature as

one of their number.

The fact that we cannot see our loved ones or communicate with them, after the

transformation which we call death, is no proof that they cease to exist.

Walter Dudley Cavert, Remember Now, 1944, 1971

[Guest guest]

Hello Mz ViOlet,

I am new to the group since you had to take time off. I have appreciated your

recipes and comments, though, when I ran across them.

I had seen your last two posts and was wondering how things were going with your

husband.

You have been down a long, difficult road. But it sounds like you are confident

your husband is in a better place, and I rejoice with you in that. I know from

personal experience that that means a lot after suffering loss.

I hope you will be able to rejoin us after you've had some time to rest.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your loss.

H.

>

> My husband passed on to Glory on Father's Day.

> I am doing well. I am exhausted but doing well.

> Thank you for your support.

>

> Mz ViOlet

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome

There is a lot to learn here, but there are also a lot of people to help! My

son is high functioning as well. Chelation maybe a good option for your son.

Have you done any biomedical with him? Have you done a hair analysis or any

other testing? It can give you a good idea with what you are working with

and how to approach it.

AC chelation (which is what most people on this board do) involves using

chelators (mainly DMSA and/or ALA) in a lose dose, frequent dosing schedule

on and off. (usually 3 on 11 off I would say is the most common) You would

give your child the chelator every 3 hours day and night when you are

chelating. There are many success stories on this board by using this

method.

My son is a stimmer too. You might find stimming coming and going as you go

through the process. The end result, we all hope and pray, is a cured

person. This can mean that stimming has the potential to decrease to a point

where he doesn't need it anymore. I find with my son, that he stims more on

round than off, and off round it is getting less (we have done 5 rounds).

Hope that helps

Teraza

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of hums34

Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:33 PM

Subject: [ ] Hello

I have just joined this group.I have an 11 year old son who is high

functioning Autistic.He is in a mainstream school but has occasional

behaviour issues including stimming which is a daily occurence.A friend

recommended Mercury detox.etc.I am not too familiar with this path.How do i

begin The process and exactly what does it involve?Also has anyone

experienced reduced stimming behaviour after the detox in kids?

[Guest guest]

>

> My husband passed on to Glory on Father's Day.

> I am doing well. I am exhausted but doing well.

> Thank you for your support.

Dearest Mz ViOlet. My heart goes out to you with the loss of your dear husband.

God bless him and you.

Love & Prayers, Bee

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry for your loss. Know that you're in our thoughts & prayers.

God bless,

andra

> My husband passed on to Glory on Father's Day.

> I am doing well. I am exhausted but doing well.

> Thank you for your support.

>

> Mz ViOlet

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

If you can send me the other email address, I can find out what the status on it

is. I just checked this email address and it is set to accepting individual

emails of all the messages, so you should be getting a number of emails every

day.

Have you checked your " junk mail " box? Sometimes the filter is too good.

>

>

> There was a problem with my email,  so if you see 2   Dalley accounts

with the Candida Group,  please just delete the 1st one and use this one  

thankyou

>

> I have not been getting any updates and thought this may be the reason

>

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group, so sorry you are experiencing pain. Are you still in Florida? Many of the pains you describe are very familiar. Do you feel like you are either leaning forward or to one side, thus the ribs on the hip feeling? What hardware system do you have? I too got symptomatic after the birth of my first child( she was nearly 10lbs). Do you have any leg pain, or is it just in your hip?

Have you seen a ortho recently for this pain? If you send us your location we could suggest docs for an opinion, we don;t recommend doc's for surgery, just opinions. Also the " Scoliosis Research Society" has a great doc locator by state and city, these docs belong to this group and keep up to date on research, and attend conferences concerning scoli. Look for docs that say "aging" and or "adult" in their descriptions. Just Google them, easy way to find the site.

I also suggest reading from our site, tons of great info there in the files section. I know all this is tough to have to revisit after all these years, but unfortunately you are not alone. We aren't doc's and can't diagnosis what is going on in your case, but many see themselves in the descriptions on the site.

So I'd say get to a good doc, see whats going on, and plan from there. What are you doing for the pain? Please know we are here to help, and are so sorry scoli has raised it's ugly head again in your life..

Colorado Springs

[ ] Hello

I am new to this and I was encouraged to look here for some support and maybe advice. I had scoliosis surgery in 1990 by Dr. Guidera at the Shriners Children Hospital in Tampa Florida, to correct a backwards S shape with a 36 degree top curve and 58 degree bottom curve. I have been relatively pain free, till 2007, I had a ten pound baby boy, and the pain seems to have began escalating since the birth of my son. My tail bone kills me. My left hip doesn't want to allow me to walk some days. My ribs feel like they are on my hips on my right side. The pin, or end of the rod in my spine between my shoulders stabs into my left shoulder muscle. And it seems like its all getting worse. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?

[Guest guest]

,

I read your post to and I was wondering exactly what you meant by your lumbar collapsing. I have not had revision surgery, but am experiencing pain in my lower back and right hip. I had a ct myelogram done this past April and it showed that I only had mild bulging discs and mild arthritis in my lower, unfused, lumbar area. I'm just wondering what happened to your lower spine as I am chronically worried about what may be happening to mine.

Thanks,

Jeanne

[ ] Re: Hello

Hi ,I was just scanning through these posts on a very busy day but I had to stop and respond to this. I too was plotting along dealing with some pain and not so bad either when I got pregnant. My son was only 6.5 lbs. and my lumbar collapsed. Yes, it would have eventually on it's own but the pregnancy expedited the process. I would definetely see an ortho and get some xrays done....also bring your last set and give them something to compare too. Good luck C>> I am new to this and I was encouraged to look here for some support and maybe advice. I had scoliosis surgery in 1990 by Dr. Guidera at the Shriners Children Hospital in Tampa Florida, to correct a backwards S shape with a 36 degree top curve and 58 degree bottom curve. I have been relatively pain free, till 2007, I had a ten pound baby boy, and the pain seems to have began escalating since the birth of my son. My tail bone kills me. My left hip doesn't want to allow me to walk some days. My ribs feel like they are on my hips on my right side. The pin, or end of the rod in my spine between my shoulders stabs into my left shoulder muscle. And it seems like its all getting worse. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?>

[Guest guest]

Thanks. I am still in Florida. And yes I feel like Im leaning foreword and to

the right. I actually feel like I want to be that way. when I sit down I sit

indian style, and put a pillow in my lap and lean foreword on it. And Im

comfortable till my hips and lower back start aching, and the pin in my spine

between my shoulders. I have 2 Harrington rods with CV hooks and pins. Mostly my

hip and tailbone, and the pin hurt the worst but sometimes it hurts in my left

leg, and if I lay flat, which I rarely do, it seems my left knee trying to turn

inward to the right It hurts very bad, and feels like my hip is turning. I don't

know if its in my pelvic bone, hip bone, or just stretching out and all over

from my lower back. And When I try to concentrate to target it, it makes it

hurts too much. I would rather ignore it.

I am very frustrated as far as finding an ortho. The surgeon that did my surgery

was amazing, Dr. Guidera at the Shriners hospital for Children in Tampa

Fl. I was released from the Shriners care when I turned 18, and he continued to

see me during my first pregnancy, after my daughter was born, after several car

accidents. He was truly wonderful, and truly cared about his patients. But he is

in Missouri now, still with the Shriners.

It took months to get an Orthopedic surgeon to accept me. Most in my area said

they didn't do the surgery and didn't want to mess with someone else's work.

Finally I find one that accepts me as a patient and I have been there 2 times

and haven't met the doctor. I told them when I made the appointment that I was

particular about who treated my back and I wanted to meet the doctor first. I

still haven't met him, and all he has done is taken some x-rays, and scheduled

a MRI and CT scan for two weeks from now. I saw his assistant who responded to

most of my questions with, " we have to ask the Doctor about that. " I wanted to

scream!

So Im eating my expired backup supply of narcotics while Im still waiting to

meet the only Orthopedic in town who will see me but wont meet me. And my family

is very worried and frightened.

Was the revision surgery healing time longer than the first one? Did you have

hardware taken out or replaced? Do you think from what I have described that it

is flat back?

I have to say Im glad I came here. I saw the responses and it made me feel a

little better. I am really not alone. Thank-you so much.

>

> ,

>

> Welcome to the group, so sorry you are experiencing pain. Are you still in

Florida? Many of the pains you describe are very familiar. Do you feel like you

are either leaning forward or to one side, thus the ribs on the hip feeling?

What hardware system do you have? I too got symptomatic after the birth of my

first child( she was nearly 10lbs). Do you have any leg pain, or is it just in

your hip?

>

> Have you seen a ortho recently for this pain? If you send us your location we

could suggest docs for an opinion, we don;t recommend doc's for surgery, just

opinions. Also the " Scoliosis Research Society " has a great doc locator by

state and city, these docs belong to this group and keep up to date on research,

and attend conferences concerning scoli. Look for docs that say " aging " and or

" adult " in their descriptions. Just Google them, easy way to find the site.

>

> I also suggest reading from our site, tons of great info there in the files

section. I know all this is tough to have to revisit after all these years, but

unfortunately you are not alone. We aren't doc's and can't diagnosis what is

going on in your case, but many see themselves in the descriptions on the site.

>

> So I'd say get to a good doc, see whats going on, and plan from there. What

are you doing for the pain? Please know we are here to help, and are so sorry

scoli has raised it's ugly head again in your life..

>

>

> Colorado Springs

> [ ] Hello

>

>

>

> I am new to this and I was encouraged to look here for some support and

maybe advice. I had scoliosis surgery in 1990 by Dr. Guidera at the

Shriners Children Hospital in Tampa Florida, to correct a backwards S shape with

a 36 degree top curve and 58 degree bottom curve. I have been relatively pain

free, till 2007, I had a ten pound baby boy, and the pain seems to have began

escalating since the birth of my son. My tail bone kills me. My left hip doesn't

want to allow me to walk some days. My ribs feel like they are on my hips on my

right side. The pin, or end of the rod in my spine between my shoulders stabs

into my left shoulder muscle. And it seems like its all getting worse. Does any

of this sound familiar to anyone?

>

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group! Sorry you find yourself needing support, but we are glad to be of help.

Members aren't always active, Carol does chime in conce and awhile since her surgery, but hasn't been here for awhile. She has other medical issues and isn't with us much. The post you responded to was in the past, quite awhile back.

Who are you seeing now, and where are you located? What is happening with you currently?

Do fill us in as to what brought you to us, and we will be happy to help.

Once again welcome!

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re:Hello

HI Carol,Just wondering what is the degree of tyour curve?I have a 60 degree ( post fusion 1990). I felt it was moving a bit but xrays have shown it is ok. I was told by the surgeon that if they did need to operate say it went to 70+ then they could get it back to about 50 degrees.Thanks> > >> > > ,> > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body, > crooked > > and all> > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am > adjusting.> > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You > start > > to feel> > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you > > realize that> > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour, > you > > are going> > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal, > > > emotionally, mentally> > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to > > relate. > > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I live in London. It was just a general question as I said I thought the curve

was progressing after the fusion but xrays have shown it is ok. I still dont

feel as straight as I did after the fusion but I guess that could be in my head.

I do suffer from some back pain( mainly muscle spasms where curve is and pain

when lying flat relieved by hot water bottle or lying on something hard)but it

doesnt stop me doing anything.I am currently doing pilates to stenghthen my

muscles, wish I had started it years ago.

I just hope that everything stays as it is as I am 14 years post op. I am seeing

a surgeon now every year to keep an eye on it so am happy with that because he

will get to know me and I will have proof of any progression.

> > > >

> > > > ,

> > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body,

> > crooked

> > > and all

> > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am

> > adjusting.

> > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You

> > start

> > > to feel

> > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you

> > > realize that

> > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour,

> > you

> > > are going

> > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal,

> > > > emotionally, mentally

> > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to

> > > relate.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

It's so nice to get to know people from other corners of the world, I'd love to see London someday. My little granddaughter has the name, it's a popular name here for girls.

I'm guessing that your doc is measuring your curve yearly, and hopefully has your past records, so it's confirmed you aren't progressing alot.

Are you leaning in any direction?

our guru on research I believe showed us an article in the past that said even fused spines will have some increase in curve over the years, but I forget how much. Might be what you are feeling.

Any dramatic changes, a real noticable lean any direction should be checked out. I myself developed a crack in my Harrington Rod fusion mass, and it was only detectable on x-ray by having a doc pulling my shoulders and one pulling my legs. I was listing to the right so hard my ribs on that side were abutting my hip.

Keeping in shape, especially ones core, is always a help. Many of our gals swear by doing water work, and swimming, might give that a go and see if it helps. A warm pool sounds good to me, we are in the single digits today here in Colorado, with minus 22 degrees tomorrow morning, the joys of Colorado in December! I'll just close my eyes when I open the heating bill, HaHa!

Off to get about my day, no school for the kids too icy and cold!

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re:Hello

Hi,I live in London. It was just a general question as I said I thought the curve was progressing after the fusion but xrays have shown it is ok. I still dont feel as straight as I did after the fusion but I guess that could be in my head. I do suffer from some back pain( mainly muscle spasms where curve is and pain when lying flat relieved by hot water bottle or lying on something hard)but it doesnt stop me doing anything.I am currently doing pilates to stenghthen my muscles, wish I had started it years ago.I just hope that everything stays as it is as I am 14 years post op. I am seeing a surgeon now every year to keep an eye on it so am happy with that because he will get to know me and I will have proof of any progression.> > > >> > > > ,> > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body, > > crooked > > > and all> > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am > > adjusting.> > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You > > start > > > to feel> > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you > > > realize that> > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour, > > you > > > are going> > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal, > > > > emotionally, mentally> > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to > > > relate. > > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group! I am curious as to what is it that makes you feel your curve might be progressing?

Deronda

From: <amandad40@...>Subject: [ ] Re:Hello Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 11:16 AM

Hi,I live in London. It was just a general question as I said I thought the curve was progressing after the fusion but xrays have shown it is ok. I still dont feel as straight as I did after the fusion but I guess that could be in my head. I do suffer from some back pain( mainly muscle spasms where curve is and pain when lying flat relieved by hot water bottle or lying on something hard)but it doesnt stop me doing anything.I am currently doing pilates to stenghthen my muscles, wish I had started it years ago.I just hope that everything stays as it is as I am 14 years post op. I am seeing a surgeon now every year to keep an eye on it so am happy with that because he will get to know me and I will have proof of any progression.> > > >> > > > ,> > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body, > > crooked > > > and all> > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am > > adjusting.> > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better.

You > > start > > > to feel> > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you > > > realize that> > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour, > > you > > > are going> > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal, > > > > emotionally, mentally> > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to > > > relate. > > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I just don't feel as straight as I was after surgery. Also I dont have any

instrumentation in as I had it out 4 years after surgery because I pulled the

bar out of the clip.In some ways am glad its not in there cause if I do need

another operation then at least they dont have to try and get it all out.

I guess i worry about it alot aswell cause it is still a large curve any

movement would be very noticeable.

I am 34 and am thinking of having kids in the next 2 years I just hope that this

doesnt effect it as I can see a number of posts saying that pregnacy was very

hard and made there backs worse.

> > > > >

> > > > > ,

> > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body,

> > > crooked

> > > > and all

> > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am

> > > adjusting.

> > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You

> > > start

> > > > to feel

> > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you

> > > > realize that

> > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour,

> > > you

> > > > are going

> > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal,

> > > > > emotionally, mentally

> > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to

> > > > relate.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I don't think anyone can say for sure that you will hasten flaback due to a

pregnancy. I know that many here have felt that was the case for them, however,

you must remember that everyone is different.

I had my two children before I was ever diagnosed with Flatback and I must

say that although I would have the occasional " gosh, my back is killing me "

days, they were not constant. My children wre no 17 and 21 and I wasn't

diagnosed officially until 5 years ago - many, many years after the pregnancies

AND my first born was a average 7.5 lb., my second child was a whopping 10

pounds, 22 " long and with a 14.5 " head. He was a large baby! (and yes he was a

C-section but my daughter was a vaginal birth). And, on top of it....as is with

most flatback folks, I am extraordinarily short-waisted!!! Honestly, I can pull

up pantyhose to my shoulders and I'm not a short person (5' 4.5 " ). Now with all

that being said, after my daughter was born, I started doing step classes and

running. My son was born 4 years later, and I resumed that activity, running up

to 5 miles per day and step class 3x a week. I believe it was THOSE activities

that very quickly created the symtoms of Flatback. Yet, it was still a good 5

years before the discomfort was great enough to seek the diagnosis. So....the

point of my story is that unlike a lot of people on this board, either I have

the highest pain tolerance noted in mankind, OR as I think, I have just

experienced a slower progression of deterioration. I am always intrigued by new

posters who come on realizing that something is wrong, quickly seek out a

qualified and reputable surgeon, get the diagnosis, pick a date and find

themselves revised and " on the other side " in just a matter of months! I was

diagnosed 5 1/2 years ago and am just making plans now for my revision surgery

next March. So I just wanted you to know that although it makes sense, and this

board does seem to show it, YES one can assume that pregnancy could be

problematic, but that is not always the case because it certainly wasn't for me.

I hope this helps you.

D (RI)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ,

> > > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body,

> > > > crooked

> > > > > and all

> > > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am

> > > > adjusting.

> > > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You

> > > > start

> > > > > to feel

> > > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you

> > > > > realize that

> > > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour,

> > > > you

> > > > > are going

> > > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal,

> > > > > > emotionally, mentally

> > > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to

> > > > > relate.

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

My first surgery was in '78. I had my first child at 35 and my second at 42

(God's timetable not mine). I'm pretty sure my back issues were progressive over

years, although I didn't have any pain until last year. 

I mention this because the first Doctor had a little trouble with the epidural,

but was able to make it work. By the second child, the epidural failed. I didn't

realize my bone was deteriorating and closing gaps traditionally used for

epidurals. 

If you want to have kids, get updated x-rays just to make sure you have enough

space (before you get pregnant). Plus it helps the anaesthesiologist with

placement. 

Also talk to your anaesthesiologist before you are due. Some will refuse to work

on people like us... I found out the hard way. During my first pregnancy the

Doctor on call didn't want to try and left me screaming for 3 hours. Then his

replacement came in and made it work.

People like us have babies all the time. Just plan it ahead of time.

Best wishes,

-Dyann

From: valerie_delaney <vad61@...>

Subject: [ ] Re:Hello

Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 11:43 AM

Hi ,

    I don't think anyone can say for sure that you will hasten flaback due to a

pregnancy. I know that many here have felt that was the case for them, however,

you must remember that everyone is different.

    I had my two children before I was ever diagnosed with Flatback and I must

say that although I would have the occasional " gosh, my back is killing me "

days, they were not constant. My children wre no 17 and 21 and I wasn't

diagnosed officially until 5 years ago - many, many years after the pregnancies

AND my first born was a average 7.5 lb., my second child was a whopping 10

pounds, 22 " long and with a 14.5 " head. He was a large baby! (and yes he was a

C-section but my daughter was a vaginal birth). And, on top of it....as is with

most flatback folks, I am extraordinarily short-waisted!!! Honestly, I can pull

up pantyhose to my shoulders and I'm not a short person (5' 4.5 " ). Now with all

that being said, after my daughter was born, I started doing step classes and

running. My son was born 4 years later, and I resumed that activity, running up

to 5 miles per day and step class 3x a week. I believe it was THOSE activities

that very quickly created

the symtoms of Flatback. Yet, it was still a good 5 years before the discomfort

was great enough to seek the diagnosis. So....the point of my story is that

unlike a lot of people on this board, either I have the highest pain tolerance

noted in mankind, OR as I think, I have just experienced a slower progression of

deterioration. I am always intrigued by new posters who come on realizing that

something is wrong, quickly seek out a qualified and reputable surgeon, get the

diagnosis, pick a date and find themselves revised and " on the other side " in

just a matter of months! I was diagnosed 5 1/2 years ago and am just making

plans now for my revision surgery next March. So I just wanted you to know that

although it makes sense, and this board does seem to show it, YES one can assume

that pregnancy could be problematic, but that is not always the case because it

certainly wasn't for me. I hope this helps you.

D (RI)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ,

> > > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body,

> > > > crooked

> > > > > and all

> > > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am

> > > > adjusting.

> > > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You

> > > > start

> > > > > to feel

> > > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you

> > > > > realize that

> > > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour,

> > > > you

> > > > > are going

> > > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal,

> > > > > > emotionally, mentally

> > > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to

> > > > > relate.

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

------------------------------------

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

and Val D,

Pregnancy for me was great, I just felt great, and if I could have, I would have stayed pregnant( if it didn't result in children, three is enough for me). I had my first daughter( pregnancy) in 1984, and after delivery, Flatback symptoms set in, pain running down my leg, burning in my foot, and hip pain, but it wasn't constant, and doc's I saw didn't know what to do with me, so I lived with it. I got married, and we decided to expand our family, so I had a son in 91 and a daughter in 92. I felt great pregnant, but afterward the symptoms kicked in again in full force, didn't help I had a baby to carry and all the gear. I lived with the pain, and my younger kids knew and got used to a Mom who couldn't walk much, or pick them up easily. I didn't get to a doc who knew what Flatback was till 2000, though I saw plenty, so I lived in Flatback mode for about 16 years.

Do I think pregnancy egged on the beginning of symptoms for me, yes, could it have happened anyway, maybe , no way to know now.

I wouldn't have changed my path in life though, I wanted my kids, and they are my greatest blessing in life.

One doc I saw, thought I needed more surgery, and didn't diagnosis or even say I had Flatback, suggested that before I had more surgery, that I should if I wanted to , have the kids I wanted. His opinion.

We have had a couple gals have babies after revision, one fused to the sacrum and one not. The gal who was fused to the sacrum I believe never really checked in after the birth, maybe Cam remembers. Titch I believe is fused to L5, and still has problems, but has a gorgeous son.

I would speak to whatever doc you see, about pregnancy, and it's effects. Do know that with many of us epidurals aren't possible. There seems too to be a higher rate of C sections, and if a c section is necessary, you may need a general, instead of an epidural. I had two of my kids that way, all worked out fine. Had my son V back, doc said I only had him vaginally cause he was a smaller baby( i had failure to progress with the other two, and they were large, almost 9 pounds and almost 10), and managed to do it with the chicken pox, I can't do anything easily!

No way to tell how it will go for you, good to know others experiences, and plan, but your body is your body!

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re:Hello

Hi,I just don't feel as straight as I was after surgery. Also I dont have any instrumentation in as I had it out 4 years after surgery because I pulled the bar out of the clip.In some ways am glad its not in there cause if I do need another operation then at least they dont have to try and get it all out.I guess i worry about it alot aswell cause it is still a large curve any movement would be very noticeable.I am 34 and am thinking of having kids in the next 2 years I just hope that this doesnt effect it as I can see a number of posts saying that pregnacy was very hard and made there backs worse.> > > > >> > > > > ,> > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body, > > > crooked > > > > and all> > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am > > > adjusting.> > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You > > > start > > > > to feel> > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you > > > > realize that> > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour, > > > you > > > > are going> > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal, > > > > > emotionally, mentally> > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to > > > > relate. > > > > >> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I was reading this post and just wanted to tell you guys I had six kids with double rods in my back.All the pregnancies were fine and I had them vaginally....I was told I couldn't have an epidoral for all of them...The last one was seven years ago and I got chicken and asked the doctor to see if they would finally try an epidoral..So they had tried about seven times and couldn't get it so they gave me a spinal and I had only three hours to give birth and thank god it worked ...I fell asleep and woke up and had two contractions and the doctor told me to push and the baby was out....My problems started last year with leg pain and the doctor tried an epidoral to push me out of surgery and it did the exact opposite...I was in tremendous pain in my leg only ( no back pain) one hour after it and continued for months so I decide to go and see a surgeon...I knew nothing about flatback....It was the third surgeon that told me about it and he was the one who operated on me...I'm five months out and doing well with a lot of therapy!!!!!.....So as you can see everyone is different and every pregnancy is different!...Forgot to mention two out of six were 9 pounds three ounces and they went well!( pregnancy and all)....That's why I was shocked when this leg pain started last year...I also thought I was taken care of for life after the first operation at sixteen!...Oh well!

Hope this helped!

In a message dated 12/9/2009 12:52:36 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, .Kirkaldie@... writes:

and Val D,

Pregnancy for me was great, I just felt great, and if I could have, I would have stayed pregnant( if it didn't result in children, three is enough for me). I had my first daughter( pregnancy) in 1984, and after delivery, Flatback symptoms set in, pain running down my leg, burning in my foot, and hip pain, but it wasn't constant, and doc's I saw didn't know what to do with me, so I lived with it. I got married, and we decided to expand our family, so I had a son in 91 and a daughter in 92. I felt great pregnant, but afterward the symptoms kicked in again in full force, didn't help I had a baby to carry and all the gear. I lived with the pain, and my younger kids knew and got used to a Mom who couldn't walk much, or pick them up easily. I didn't get to a doc who knew what Flatback was till 2000, though I saw plenty, so I lived in Flatback mode for about 16 years.

Do I think pregnancy egged on the beginning of symptoms for me, yes, could it have happened anyway, maybe , no way to know now.

I wouldn't have changed my path in life though, I wanted my kids, and they are my greatest blessing in life.

One doc I saw, thought I needed more surgery, and didn't diagnosis or even say I had Flatback, suggested that before I had more surgery, that I should if I wanted to , have the kids I wanted. His opinion.

We have had a couple gals have babies after revision, one fused to the sacrum and one not. The gal who was fused to the sacrum I believe never really checked in after the birth, maybe Cam remembers. Titch I believe is fused to L5, and still has problems, but has a gorgeous son.

I would speak to whatever doc you see, about pregnancy, and it's effects. Do know that with many of us epidurals aren't possible. There seems too to be a higher rate of C sections, and if a c section is necessary, you may need a general, instead of an epidural. I had two of my kids that way, all worked out fine. Had my son V back, doc said I only had him vaginally cause he was a smaller baby( i had failure to progress with the other two, and they were large, almost 9 pounds and almost 10), and managed to do it with the chicken pox, I can't do anything easily!

No way to tell how it will go for you, good to know others experiences, and plan, but your body is your body!

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re:Hello

Hi,I just don't feel as straight as I was after surgery. Also I dont have any instrumentation in as I had it out 4 years after surgery because I pulled the bar out of the clip.In some ways am glad its not in there cause if I do need another operation then at least they dont have to try and get it all out.I guess i worry about it alot aswell cause it is still a large curve any movement would be very noticeable.I am 34 and am thinking of having kids in the next 2 years I just hope that this doesnt effect it as I can see a number of posts saying that pregnacy was very hard and made there backs worse.> > > > >> > > > > ,> > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body, > > > crooked > > > > and all> > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am > > > adjusting.> > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You > > > start > > > > to feel> > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you > > > > realize that> > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour, > > > you > > > > are going> > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal, > > > > > emotionally, mentally> > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to > > > > relate. > > > > >> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

,

I did forget to add that with the C-sect of my second 10 lb baby, once I

told the anesthesiologist how very fused I was, he wasn't even interested in

attempting. I recall that he felt it was safer to just put me under general than

to take the time to " fool around " , particularly because the cord was wrapped

around the baby's neck so time was of the essence. Therefore, I was put

completely under and the downfall was that I didn't get to see my big bundle of

joy for a few hours. Keep in mind that things have changed so dramtically, this

was in 1992.

D (RI)

> > > > > >

> > > > > > ,

> > > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body,

> > > > crooked

> > > > > and all

> > > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am

> > > > adjusting.

> > > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You

> > > > start

> > > > > to feel

> > > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you

> > > > > realize that

> > > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour,

> > > > you

> > > > > are going

> > > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal,

> > > > > > emotionally, mentally

> > > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to

> > > > > relate.

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies. As you have all said it seems to differ from person

to person. My worse fear is that it will cause the curve to increase because of

the extra weight of carrying a baby. Hopefully this will not happen if I keep

healthy and keep up my exercises.

The surgeons have said it is solid but u never know and anyone on this group

left with a large curve after surgery will know how I feel that even a couple of

degrees more makes a big difference to how u look physically.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > ,

> > > > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body,

> > > > > crooked

> > > > > > and all

> > > > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am

> > > > > adjusting.

> > > > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You

> > > > > start

> > > > > > to feel

> > > > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you

> > > > > > realize that

> > > > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour,

> > > > > you

> > > > > > are going

> > > > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal,

> > > > > > > emotionally, mentally

> > > > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to

> > > > > > relate.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,Pregnancy for me was great.  My back pain actually got better!  This was against all doctor's opinions!  So, I guess you just never know.  I had to have a c-section and they did a spinal.  They did have a hard time getting the needle in but it did finally get in and it worked.  I brought x-rays and such and was a mess because it wasn't until I was supposed to have my baby they finally looked at the films.  I had called the hospital and doctors many times previous to this.  This, and the spinal were what scared me most.  Wound up fine though.  Baby was born fine, I was fine. 

Now it's two years out.  Back is worse. I am sure it's from all the bending and lifting.  You learn how to cope, with exercise, meds, and making your child do.  My son knows I can't carry him a lot, he learned early how to do stairs.  He's learning now that he can't climb on me the way he does with my husband.  I know I scared him the other day when he climbed behind me and my back got pushed forward.  Yikes, thunderbolts of pain through my back! 

You'll do just fine, good luck.DebbieOn Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 12:51 PM, Kirkaldie <.Kirkaldie@...> wrote:

 

and Val D,

 

Pregnancy for me was great, I just felt great, and if I could have, I would have stayed pregnant( if it didn't result in children, three is enough for me). I had my first daughter( pregnancy) in 1984, and after delivery, Flatback symptoms set in, pain running down my leg, burning in my foot, and hip pain, but it wasn't constant, and doc's I saw didn't know what to do with me, so I lived with it. I got married, and we decided to expand our family, so I had a son in 91 and a daughter in 92. I felt great pregnant, but afterward the symptoms kicked in again in full force, didn't help I had a baby to carry and all the gear. I lived with the pain, and my younger kids knew and got used to a Mom who couldn't walk much, or pick them up easily. I didn't get to a doc who knew what Flatback was till 2000, though I saw plenty, so I lived in Flatback mode for about 16 years.

 

Do I think pregnancy egged on the  beginning of symptoms for me, yes, could it have happened anyway, maybe , no way to know now.

 

I wouldn't have changed my path in life though, I wanted my kids, and they are my greatest blessing in life.

 

One doc I saw, thought I needed more surgery, and didn't diagnosis or even say I had Flatback, suggested that before I had more surgery, that I should if I wanted to , have the kids I wanted. His opinion.

 

We have had a couple gals have babies after revision, one fused to the sacrum and one not. The gal who was fused to the sacrum I believe never really checked in after the birth, maybe Cam remembers. Titch I believe is fused to L5, and still has problems, but has a gorgeous son.

 

I would speak to whatever doc you see, about pregnancy, and it's effects. Do know that with many of us epidurals aren't possible. There seems too to be a higher rate of C sections, and if a c section is necessary, you may need a general, instead of an epidural. I had two of my kids that way, all worked out fine. Had my son V back, doc said I only had him vaginally cause he was a smaller baby( i had failure to progress with the other two, and they were large, almost 9 pounds and almost 10), and managed to do it with the chicken pox, I can't do anything easily!

 

No way to tell how it will go for you, good to know others experiences, and plan, but your body is your body!

 

 

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re:Hello

 

Hi,I just don't feel as straight as I was after surgery. Also I dont have any instrumentation in as I had it out 4 years after surgery because I pulled the bar out of the clip.In some ways am glad its not in there cause if I do need another operation then at least they dont have to try and get it all out.I guess i worry about it alot aswell cause it is still a large curve any movement would be very noticeable.I am 34 and am thinking of having kids in the next 2 years I just hope that this doesnt effect it as I can see a number of posts saying that pregnacy was very hard and made there backs worse.> > > > >> > > > > ,> > > > > I too suffered very severe depression. I loved my old body, > > > crooked > > > > and all> > > > > and have a very tough time adjusting to my new one but I am > > > adjusting.> > > > > I am 17 months out and I can tell you, it does get better. You > > > start > > > > to feel> > > > > a bit better on a daily basis. You start doing more. One day you > > > > realize that> > > > > it was a long haul but you are no longer going 10 miles an hour, > > > you > > > > are going> > > > > 50. One day you will do the speed limit. IT TAKES TIME to heal, > > > > > emotionally, mentally> > > > > and physically. If it helps, read my story, you will be able to > > > > relate. > > > > >> > > >> > >> >>