Winter weather and a fused spine

[Guest guest]

I moved back to the Cleveland, Ohio area from the Washington, D.C. area in October 2008. The winters in Cleveland are significantly worse than in Washington. We have already had a great deal of snow/ice, etc (mainly "lake effect" in nature).

I am fused from T 9 to the sacrum. I have a great deal of difficulty getting up from a kneeling position, and need some type of "aid" to help me up. Be it another person, table, chair, counter, door knob, etc. I therefore have a fear of falling on the ice and snow. Much more so on the side walk (concrete) than on grassy surfaces. I just got a Cockapoo puppy, and taking him outside via the back door of my apartment building (I had taken my 15 year old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier who died on Sept. 14th outside via my patio; but, that resulted in some complaints from neighbors). I am therefore having to deal with the weather conditions much more so. I've purchased "Neos Voyager Overshoes with Stabilicer Outsole" (Cleated Boots) from LLBean: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43356?from=SR & feat=sr, which help somewhat (although with a significant increase in back pain).

Does anyone else have such concerns when it comes to adverse winter weather? Additionally, does anyone know if do to the fact that a spinal fusion/bone graph results in a solid mass rather than a normal spine with discs increase ones chances to a spinal fracture should they fall (About two years after my 1996 spinal fusion I developed three broken ribs with no known trauma. A DEXA scan showed Osteopenia (very close to Osteoporosis). I was put on Fosamax. The next scan, a year later showed only a mild Osteopenia (I am now only on vitamin D and calcium). I have not been retested since early 2007)?

S.

[Guest guest]

,

 

Okay, falling sounds really awful when revised, but I've done it 4 times since, twice on ice, and I'm just fine. Aches and pains for awhile, but it resolved. I think given all the hardware, in some ways we come through a fall better than some of our unfused friends. I do know that being fused from T1 to the sacrum, there is little compensation when you start to fall, no way to correct yourself with your torso, so over you go. I lve in the Denver area, and yeah, we get our fair share of ice and snow

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I know what you mean about the Cleveland winters. I am a native of the area and

currently live in a condo in Aurora, Oh. In 2007, I had my spine fused from

T10-L5 and this past October I had a knee replacement done. My husband and I own

two cairn terriers who need to be taken out several times a day and we have

found Yaktrax to be very helpful when walking on the ice and snow. In this area

they can be purchased at most Dick's sporting goods stores. They are a rubber

based frame that is coated with metal to slip over any pair of shoes or boots.

Good luck with your new puppy and enjoy your new friend.

Beverly O

Aurora, Oh

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I moved back to the Cleveland, Ohio area from the Washington, D.C. area in

October 2008. The winters in Cleveland are significantly worse than in

Washington. We have already had a great deal of snow/ice, etc (mainly " lake

effect " in nature).

>

> I am fused from T 9 to the sacrum. I have a great deal of difficulty getting

up from a kneeling position, and need some type of " aid " to help me up. Be it

another person, table, chair, counter, door knob, etc. I therefore have a fear

of falling on the ice and snow. Much more so on the side walk (concrete) than on

grassy surfaces. I just got a Cockapoo puppy, and taking him outside via the

back door of my apartment building (I had taken my 15 year old Soft Coated

Wheaten Terrier who died on Sept. 14th outside via my patio; but, that resulted

in some complaints from neighbors). I am therefore having to deal with the

weather conditions much more so. I've purchased " Neos Voyager Overshoes with

Stabilicer Outsole " (Cleated Boots) from LLBean:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43356?from=SR & feat=sr, which help somewhat

(although with a significant increase in back pain).

>

> Does anyone else have such concerns when it comes to adverse winter weather?

Additionally, does anyone know if do to the fact that a spinal fusion/bone graph

results in a solid mass rather than a normal spine with discs increase ones

chances to a spinal fracture should they fall (About two years after my 1996

spinal fusion I developed three broken ribs with no known trauma. A DEXA scan

showed Osteopenia (very close to Osteoporosis). I was put on Fosamax. The next

scan, a year later showed only a mild Osteopenia (I am now only on vitamin D and

calcium). I have not been retested since early 2007)?

>

> S.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm & I had what Transverse Myelitis, a spine neuro. disorder/disease

(I've heard both terms used) left in burning feet pain, sometimes electric

shocking, & feeling of million of needles in my feet along w/ knife stabs &

spasms in my legs & paralyzed from T12 down but left w/ severe 24 hr. pain; even

during night I awake often w/ instant excruiating pain screaming as I awake. 

That was 2006.  Then last year (2009) I was found w/ bad scoliosis.  I debated

9

mths. on it, the surgery, finally Oct. 16th I had it; a 10 1/2 surgery, I ended

up 4 mths. in the hospital (I aspirated in lungs, put in ICU for several weeks,

also kidneys shut down, (neph tubes put in for 3 mths, white count scored

extemely),  double pneumonia, almost died twice they told my husband, then 3

1/2

wks. later had to have a urostomy redone and an anscess was found; they drained

3 liters off my abdomen; also went thru all this from Oct. 17th on a

respirator.  Two weeks before coming home, my bottom hurt some for the 1st

time,

&  it grew worse & worse (nerve pain they said); apparently damaged nerve

occurred and has left me bedridden 14 months.  I go to hospitals and dr. appts.

(when I can make them).  I am now under care of another bigger

University Med.

Center, to get a trial spinal cord stimulator, if it helps & they can get it

thru my epidural space.  There is so much bone now put in (which I wasn't

told) w/ the pins to hold them I don't know if they can feed the wires & leads

-

fused also w/ 2 rods holding it all.  It is tight in my epidural space now. 

Have you ever heard of Cleveland Clinic; it is so far & is it outpatient care. 

I can't go there unless travelling that far there is great hope.  Do you know

of

anyone I can talk w/ to get in & if it is hospital care too?  If not, thanks

for

listening & sorry I typed so long.   p.s. I have lost from steroid weight 7

pant

sizes & 2 shirts in 10 months being bedridden.  My husband & I are at our wits

end.  They are so slow at the Univ. hospital (I'm calling next week).  Merry

Christmas, M.

________________________________

From: BeverlyO <obev@...>

Scoliosis Treatment

Sent: Thu, December 23, 2010 8:18:56 PM

Subject: Re: Winter weather and a fused spine

 

Hi ,

I know what you mean about the Cleveland winters. I am a native of the area and

currently live in a condo in Aurora, Oh. In 2007, I had my spine fused from

T10-L5 and this past October I had a knee replacement done. My husband and I own

two cairn terriers who need to be taken out several times a day and we have

found Yaktrax to be very helpful when walking on the ice and snow. In this area

they can be purchased at most Dick's sporting goods stores. They are a rubber

based frame that is coated with metal to slip over any pair of shoes or boots.

Good luck with your new puppy and enjoy your new friend.

Beverly O

Aurora, Oh

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I moved back to the Cleveland, Ohio area from the Washington, D.C. area in

>October 2008. The winters in Cleveland are significantly worse than in

>Washington. We have already had a great deal of snow/ice, etc (mainly " lake

>effect " in nature).

>

> I am fused from T 9 to the sacrum. I have a great deal of difficulty getting

up

>from a kneeling position, and need some type of " aid " to help me up. Be it

>another person, table, chair, counter, door knob, etc. I therefore have a fear

>of falling on the ice and snow. Much more so on the side walk (concrete) than

on

>grassy surfaces. I just got a Cockapoo puppy, and taking him outside via the

>back door of my apartment building (I had taken my 15 year old Soft Coated

>Wheaten Terrier who died on Sept. 14th outside via my patio; but, that resulted

>in some complaints from neighbors). I am therefore having to deal with the

>weather conditions much more so. I've purchased " Neos Voyager Overshoes with

>Stabilicer Outsole " (Cleated Boots) from LLBean:

>http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43356?from=SR & feat=sr, which help somewhat

>(although with a significant increase in back pain).

>

> Does anyone else have such concerns when it comes to adverse winter weather?

>Additionally, does anyone know if do to the fact that a spinal fusion/bone

graph

>results in a solid mass rather than a normal spine with discs increase ones

>chances to a spinal fracture should they fall (About two years after my 1996

>spinal fusion I developed three broken ribs with no known trauma. A DEXA scan

>showed Osteopenia (very close to Osteoporosis). I was put on Fosamax. The next

>scan, a year later showed only a mild Osteopenia (I am now only on vitamin D

and

>calcium). I have not been retested since early 2007)?

>

> S.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ....

The Cleveland Clinic is one of the top hospitals in the United States, if not

the world. It is the largest employer in the Cleveland area. Most of the doctors

I see are at the Cleveland Clinic (my only doctors not at the Clinic was my

spine surgeon (who is/was at MetroHealth Medical Center (the Level 1 Trauma

Center in Northeast Ohio), and my Ophthalmologist (who is at University

Hospitals of Cleveland).

I do not understand the details of your medical issues; however, the following

links may be of help to you:

The multidisciplinary Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/neurological_institute/default.aspx

Spine Injury or Pain Rehabilitation:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/rehab/services/spine.aspx

Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP):

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/rehab/services/chronic_pain_rehab.aspx

Depending on the treatment you are receiving, a referral from your family doctor

may be required.

I was in the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program from May 4, 2009 through June

1, 2009. Should you want additional information about it, please let me know.

Depending on the patient's situation and medical issues some treatment programs

are inpatient and some are outpatient. People come to the Cleveland Clinic from

all over the world, and if the treatment program is outpatient lodging is

available at the Comfort Inn Downtown (1800 Euclid Avenue) at $68 Per Night

(free suite upgrade, free breakfast, free parking, and free shuttle service to

the Clinic), or on the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus at the Cleveland Clinic

Guest House or the InterContinental Hotel. There are also some other near by

lodging options. Although I live in the Cleveland Eastern Suburbs, I stayed at

the Comfort Inn while in the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (I found the

rates to be much better than the other options).

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/patients-visitors/parking-lodging-transportation/l\

odging.aspx

Comfort Inn Downtown Cleveland (to get the $68 Cleveland Clinic Rate You Must

Call the Hotel Directly):

http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-cleveland-ohio-OH167?sid=Vw9wg.NH9UrgVosg.8

Should you want any additional information, please let me know.

S.

Re: Winter weather and a fused spine

Hi ,

I know what you mean about the Cleveland winters. I am a native of the area and

currently live in a condo in Aurora, Oh. In 2007, I had my spine fused from

T10-L5 and this past October I had a knee replacement done. My husband and I own

two cairn terriers who need to be taken out several times a day and we have

found Yaktrax to be very helpful when walking on the ice and snow. In this area

they can be purchased at most Dick's sporting goods stores. They are a rubber

based frame that is coated with metal to slip over any pair of shoes or boots.

Good luck with your new puppy and enjoy your new friend.

Beverly O

Aurora, Oh

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I moved back to the Cleveland, Ohio area from the Washington, D.C. area in

>October 2008. The winters in Cleveland are significantly worse than in

>Washington. We have already had a great deal of snow/ice, etc (mainly " lake

>effect " in nature).

>

> I am fused from T 9 to the sacrum. I have a great deal of difficulty getting

up

>from a kneeling position, and need some type of " aid " to help me up. Be it

>another person, table, chair, counter, door knob, etc. I therefore have a fear

>of falling on the ice and snow. Much more so on the side walk (concrete) than

on

>grassy surfaces. I just got a Cockapoo puppy, and taking him outside via the

>back door of my apartment building (I had taken my 15 year old Soft Coated

>Wheaten Terrier who died on Sept. 14th outside via my patio; but, that resulted

>in some complaints from neighbors). I am therefore having to deal with the

>weather conditions much more so. I've purchased " Neos Voyager Overshoes with

>Stabilicer Outsole " (Cleated Boots) from LLBean:

>http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43356?from=SR & feat=sr, which help somewhat

>(although with a significant increase in back pain).

>

> Does anyone else have such concerns when it comes to adverse winter weather?

>Additionally, does anyone know if do to the fact that a spinal fusion/bone

graph

>results in a solid mass rather than a normal spine with discs increase ones

>chances to a spinal fracture should they fall (About two years after my 1996

>spinal fusion I developed three broken ribs with no known trauma. A DEXA scan

>showed Osteopenia (very close to Osteoporosis). I was put on Fosamax. The next

>scan, a year later showed only a mild Osteopenia (I am now only on vitamin D

and

>calcium). I have not been retested since early 2007)?

>

> S.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I saw you message about having a spine doctor at Metro. I had my fusion done

there in 2007 by Dr. Eppig. He is now working out of Lutheran and

Hillcrest Hospitals in the Cleveland Clinic system.

Beverly Oleksiak

Aurora, OH

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > I moved back to the Cleveland, Ohio area from the Washington, D.C. area in

> >October 2008. The winters in Cleveland are significantly worse than in

> >Washington. We have already had a great deal of snow/ice, etc (mainly " lake

> >effect " in nature).

> >

> > I am fused from T 9 to the sacrum. I have a great deal of difficulty getting

up

> >from a kneeling position, and need some type of " aid " to help me up. Be it

> >another person, table, chair, counter, door knob, etc. I therefore have a

fear

> >of falling on the ice and snow. Much more so on the side walk (concrete) than

on

> >grassy surfaces. I just got a Cockapoo puppy, and taking him outside via the

> >back door of my apartment building (I had taken my 15 year old Soft Coated

> >Wheaten Terrier who died on Sept. 14th outside via my patio; but, that

resulted

> >in some complaints from neighbors). I am therefore having to deal with the

> >weather conditions much more so. I've purchased " Neos Voyager Overshoes with

> >Stabilicer Outsole " (Cleated Boots) from LLBean:

> >http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43356?from=SR & feat=sr, which help somewhat

> >(although with a significant increase in back pain).

> >

> > Does anyone else have such concerns when it comes to adverse winter weather?

> >Additionally, does anyone know if do to the fact that a spinal fusion/bone

graph

> >results in a solid mass rather than a normal spine with discs increase ones

> >chances to a spinal fracture should they fall (About two years after my 1996

> >spinal fusion I developed three broken ribs with no known trauma. A DEXA scan

> >showed Osteopenia (very close to Osteoporosis). I was put on Fosamax. The

next

> >scan, a year later showed only a mild Osteopenia (I am now only on vitamin D

and

> >calcium). I have not been retested since early 2007)?

> >

> > S.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Beverly,

My spine surgeon at Metro was Dr. Clyde L. Nash. Dr. Nash is now retired from

surgery. I believe he still sees patients in the Metro Spine Clinic during the

Summer, Spring, and Fall months; but, is in Florida during most of the Winter.

My last appointment with him was in January 2007. Since Dr. Eppig is no longer

at Metro I have no idea who does spine surgeries there now.

S.

Re: Winter weather and a fused spine

Hi ,

I saw you message about having a spine doctor at Metro. I had my fusion done

there in 2007 by Dr. Eppig. He is now working out of Lutheran and

Hillcrest Hospitals in the Cleveland Clinic system.

Beverly Oleksiak

Aurora, OH

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > I moved back to the Cleveland, Ohio area from the Washington, D.C. area in

> >October 2008. The winters in Cleveland are significantly worse than in

> >Washington. We have already had a great deal of snow/ice, etc (mainly " lake

> >effect " in nature).

> >

> > I am fused from T 9 to the sacrum. I have a great deal of difficulty getting

up

> >from a kneeling position, and need some type of " aid " to help me up. Be it

> >another person, table, chair, counter, door knob, etc. I therefore have a

fear

> >of falling on the ice and snow. Much more so on the side walk (concrete) than

on

> >grassy surfaces. I just got a Cockapoo puppy, and taking him outside via the

> >back door of my apartment building (I had taken my 15 year old Soft Coated

> >Wheaten Terrier who died on Sept. 14th outside via my patio; but, that

resulted

> >in some complaints from neighbors). I am therefore having to deal with the

> >weather conditions much more so. I've purchased " Neos Voyager Overshoes with

> >Stabilicer Outsole " (Cleated Boots) from LLBean:

> >http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43356?from=SR & feat=sr, which help somewhat

> >(although with a significant increase in back pain).

> >

> > Does anyone else have such concerns when it comes to adverse winter weather?

> >Additionally, does anyone know if do to the fact that a spinal fusion/bone

graph

> >results in a solid mass rather than a normal spine with discs increase ones

> >chances to a spinal fracture should they fall (About two years after my 1996

> >spinal fusion I developed three broken ribs with no known trauma. A DEXA scan

> >showed Osteopenia (very close to Osteoporosis). I was put on Fosamax. The

next

> >scan, a year later showed only a mild Osteopenia (I am now only on vitamin D

and

> >calcium). I have not been retested since early 2007)?

> >

> > S.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

,

Beware of the accuracy of DEXA scans. Mine showed osteopenia for 10 years

before my surgery letting my surgeon and I think I had time to wait. Once

inside my surgeon was in shock that my bones were like butter. He

explained that the bone density scan was standardize with " normal " spines.

With

scoliosis the laser beam may bounce around because of our curves and it

gives a higher density reading because it was not going straight through.

Weeks before my surgery a 40 year old female had the same false reading. (I

was 59). (and the wrist/ankle one showed perfect bones-so don't ever settle

of that test) I had been on Fosamax a year prior to surgery. That

surgery was aborted btw 4 years ago because he wanted me on Fosamax longer.

Jolene Morell

Shop online at _www.InheritedButtons.com_

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