scoliolosis

[night2day]

Yeah I know what you mean about there may be something else with my back. It gets really annoying for me, when I have a lot of problems such as my severe back pain instead of only trying to contact my Orthropedic (know thats probably not spelled right but bare with me) doctor, I have to notify my Neurologist...

It's hard when the doctors don't coordinate. And many times they don't. Especially hard when there's various conditions that simply...overlap. Gets to the point when it feels like the docs are playing "hot potato" with the patient.

Most of my doctors don't agree with alot of things with each other. Well, not totally true. Whenever I have an x-ray taken and and had previously told them I have scoliosis and it's right there in my medical records... they'll note: "By the way....did you realize you had a curve in your spine?" Ttttttttttttttttthbts! (Gotta wonder how much time some of these guys spent in medical school. Duh.)

...I have a disease called Hydrosphaleous (water on the brain) and when I have back pain that is a major red flag, esp. with me with my past history in the past 2 yrs.

Someone who attended the same university I did have that I think. The way he commented, some of the water would occasionally have to be drained. And he needed to be careful of infection. I can see how back pain would be included....especially considering where the water would be collecting. Ugh. You have my prayers.

But nothing is wrong in that area that has sparked all this back pain. I am presently awaiting word from my doctor (orthropedic) and they know that if I don't get something done or called back I will go to another doctor.

Well, sometimes the area of the back that's hurting and how it's hurting can be a tip off too. Depending where it is...may not even be your actual back but something else. And then there's when it hurts and what provokes it.

I have scoliosis, FM, CFIDS, GERDS, mild asthma, "moderately severe" weakness within the respiratory muscles, arthritis, yadda, yadda. And each reacts with my back in a different way. (Well, save the scoliosis and the arthritis since they're in the same location.)

No person is the same. Since this is something new as you indicated, here's praying that they find the cause and are able to treat. Unfortunately, depending on the problem, doctors can sometimes only treat the symptoms.

 

[night2day]

Incidentally, I was wondering if anyone was among the few in the 1980's who tested what was known as a "Scolitron" for scoliosis. It was to be used in place of a back brace. Anyway, it was used 8 hrs. a night when sleeping. Two electrodes were attached to specific points on the back to stimulate the muscles so they could slow the curve growth. When that person had reached a certain stage of growth, the Scolitron was no longer needed.

I ask since I read recently on the net somewhere the testing ended up being 60%-40% or something like that so the testing on the device ended up being scrapped. But I couldn't find any more info on it.

 

[gizmo03]

It's hard when the doctors don't coordinate. And many times they don't. Especially hard when there's various conditions that simply...overlap. Gets to the point when it feels like the docs are playing "hot potato" with the patient.

Most of my doctors don't agree with alot of things with each other. Well, not totally true. Whenever I have an x-ray taken and and had previously told them I have scoliosis and it's right there in my medical records... they'll note: "By the way....did you realize you had a curve in your spine?" Ttttttttttttttttthbts! (Gotta wonder how much time some of these guys spent in medical school. Duh.)



Someone who attended the same university I did have that I think. The way he commented, some of the water would occasionally have to be drained. And he needed to be careful of infection. I can see how back pain would be included....especially considering where the water would be collecting. Ugh. You have my prayers.



Well, sometimes the area of the back that's hurting and how it's hurting can be a tip off too. Depending where it is...may not even be your actual back but something else. And then there's when it hurts and what provokes it.

I have scoliosis, FM, CFIDS, GERDS, mild asthma, "moderately severe" weakness within the respiratory muscles, arthritis, yadda, yadda. And each reacts with my back in a different way. (Well, save the scoliosis and the arthritis since they're in the same location.)

No person is the same. Since this is something new as you indicated, here's praying that they find the cause and are able to treat. Unfortunately, depending on the problem, doctors can sometimes only treat the symptoms.

Yeah the water does have to be drained... I have a VP shunt in my head and than a tube that goes down through my chest to my stomach where the water is drained to. And you always have to be very careful, I wasn't allowed to do a lot of activity, sports and such in school, because of how serious it would of been if something would of happened.

Wow.. sorry to hear about all your health problems, geesh and at times people think they have it pretty bad and no one has it worse.. I haven't been that bad, but there are times when other people have sore backs and they tell me they know how I feel. ANd maybe I am wrong for getting mad, but if they don't have any medical reason for their back pain and nothing can be done( doctors fault there) I don't think they have room to talk.. Maybe I am wrong, just my thoughts.

 

[night2day]

Yeah the water does have to be drained... I have a VP shunt in my head and than a tube that goes down through my chest to my stomach where the water is drained to. And you always have to be very careful, I wasn't allowed to do a lot of activity, sports and such in school, because of how serious it would of been if something would of happened.

I would think so. I always hated gym class. Trust me...you didn't miss anything.

Wow.. sorry to hear about all your health problems, geesh and at times people think they have it pretty bad and no one has it worse...

Well, listed a few to give an idea about the overlaps conditions can have. They can cause some confusion. And some can worsen others. (Only gave you mine since I don't experience someone else's.) I read stories over the internet about those who have things much worse. I'm rather grateful my mother is very supportive. She has alot of health issues too so she knows what chronic conditions are like. And her mother did as well. She had alot of health problems. Gratefully, she had a very loving husband who was very protective of her and took care of her for as long as he could.

Although in Mom-mom's case, over half her problems later in life was due to the doctors earlier in life. Example: She had scoliosis too. Curve in the back. And one leg different length than the other. However, instead of a simple solution to help some of the problem by either modifying the shoe or inserting a shoe lift, her leg was broken and a small section of the bone "removed" (ie: sawed off) so it meet the length of the shorter one. There was also a rod in her spine (or something to that effect) and it all fused with the spine itself. There are more horror stories we know of how she was treated. But anyway, Mom and I have learned to be wary of doctors and do our own research. On things.

Doctors are human. And they do make mistakes.

I haven't been that bad, but there are times when other people have sore backs and they tell me they know how I feel. ANd maybe I am wrong for getting mad, but if they don't have any medical reason for their back pain and nothing can be done( doctors fault there) I don't think they have room to talk.. Maybe I am wrong, just my thoughts.

I don't think you're wrong to feel that way. Some people say so to brush it off methinks. Others are probably well meaning, but it's impossible to feel exactly what the other person feels. One can empathize if they face something similar or they can sympathize. But I would think that's about it.

 

[Thithy]

I used to have it a little bit. But then I went to the chiropractor and he gave me all sorts of little exercises to do and my spine straightened out.

 

[Nflite]

My mom, sis and I all have a scoliosis.
Mine seems to be mild, though I do have problems with tingling and numbeness and I have to be careful not to overdo it or I end up hurting real bad.
My sis and mom's are bad, the doc's says it's a miracle my mom is even walking, and my sister's is progressing rapidly - she's starting to get a hump on the right side.

 

[KChrisqo217]

My mom, sis and I all have a scoliosis.
Mine seems to be mild, though I do have problems with tingling and numbeness and I have to be careful not to overdo it or I end up hurting real bad.
My sis and mom's are bad, the doc's says it's a miracle my mom is even walking, and my sister's is progressing rapidly - she's starting to get a hump on the right side.

Well if it is getting that bad, she needs to have something done!

 

[Nflite]

She had some Xrays done recently and her docs are working on it.
But right now there's so much going on.
My mom's been in the hospital since 7/28/04 - after surgery to remove her colostomy and reconnect her, then an abbcess, then another surgery to disconnect and put in a new permanent colostomy, developed fistulas after the 2nd surgery, then sepsis (fungus in her blood) that kept comming back, now she's in Seattle UW hospital (for a little over 2wks now)- good news is her fungual infection is gone but now she has a bacterial infection.
And since all that is going on - my surgeries are on hold for now. I had a trach since I was a month old then about 2 years ago an ENT up here said I could have it taken out (Praise the Lord !! But he wanted to see if the trach stoma would close on it's own before doing any surgery - so I've been running around with tape and bandaids on my neck so no germs get a free ride into my airway.
So right now there's alot going and before mom ended up in the hospital we were trying to get something done - but the docs don't want to do anything to my sis until after my mom gets out of the hospital. The specialist and her GP said to wait 3-6 months till after mom gets home and things settle down. Besides the docs said although her scoliosis looks bad it's not progressing that fast (what I ment by rapidly is that it's just been more in the last 3-5 years than when she was little).

 

[JesusRox]

I recently found out I have to have surgery in Feb or March and that I have arthritis. I don't really ask questions, so I'm not too sure but I've got bone spurs in my back & neck. :\ They say I have the back of an older person.

 

[gizmo03]

I recently found out I have to have surgery in Feb or March and that I have arthritis. I don't really ask questions, so I'm not too sure but I've got bone spurs in my back & neck. :\ They say I have the back of an older person.

I was told the same thing. My back is at a 65% curve and my doctor said he has never seen anyone my age with a curve that bad, he said it's something you would see in someone who is in their 60's.

I haven't had surgery yet, my doctor is hestitant about it because of my curve being involved with so many nerves and muscles, but I am going back for a check-up this coming Friday, so I am hoping something can be done before it gets worse.

 

[JonD]

Used to have it, but I don't think I have it now, technically, though I am prone to it. I still get sudden pains in my chest and stuff, does anybody else have those?

 

[night2day]

I don't think Scoliosis is something something away that can just "go away" or that someone is merely prone too. Scoliosis is defined as an an abnormal lateral curve to the vertebral column. (Webster's) Thus, per my knowledge, it's a specific abnormality pertaining to that curve.

Any of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons involved which may be involved either in being harmed by the curvature or are helping in slowing it down by secondary means wouldn't be part of the scoliosis itself. But something that the scoliosis is directly effecting.

I have a 16% curve due to the difference between the length within both my legs as well as an actual 8% curve, equaling a 25% curve within the L-5 region. (Which, also has "degenerative arthritis." Why don't the doctors come out and just say "Oseto-Arthritis"? Honestly! I had one doctor who wouldn't even do that...just label the two "old people's" and "young people's" arthritis. Strange thing is, the rheumatologist can't do anything for it anyway...I can't tolerate any of the usual pain medication.). Lower back and hip pain on the shorter side is common. And the rib cage on the side where the leg is longer tends to be more prominent.

I also remember when I was younger I was on the dividing line between needing shoe-lifts and exercises or a back brace. Instead I was given an experimental "TENS" type device which worked with the muscles to slow the curves growth. When I was done growing, the "Scolitron" was no longer needed. But I still do have scoliosis. (The "Scolitrons" were deemed unsuccessful back in the early-mid 80s btw).

And for those curious, I was told by several of my doctors that since scoliosis does deal with an abnormality with the bone structure within the body, it is more prone to Osteo-Arthritis...otherwise known as the degenerative arthritis. Many bone abnormalities would

 

[gizmo03]

I have the same response as above about scoliolosis isn't something that just 'goes away' someday, if that was ever true I'd wish that upon myself!! And not sure I understand much about the pains in your chest from it, but I could be wrong.

 

[night2day]

I have the same response as above about scoliolosis isn't something that just 'goes away' someday, if that was ever true I'd wish that upon myself!! And not sure I understand much about the pains in your chest from it, but I could be wrong.

It probably depends on the type of curve and where it is. As well as its severity I think.

Some curves in scoliosis, such as the "S" curves, would "push" the organs more to one side or the other...since that's how the spine is nudging the rib cage.

Other curves, that I think are known as "C" curves (they curve into the back, not side to side), would push all the main organs more forward, this giving them less room and the rib cage not as much space to expand as needed.

 

[Kira Faye]

hhhmmm I remember beign tested for it and they doubled checked me....so if I have it its negliagable. However I have syringomyelia which can give way to scoliosis. Thats where there are sacs of fluid running down ur spine crushing and severing ur spinal chord and mine run from C2-T10. I'm lucky to be alive and walking the neuro tested me and sent me for MRI's when I came back after he looked at them he re tested me cause he thought he had grossly misinterpreted my symptoms and reactions in relation to what was showen...neat huh! So my spien is pretty screwy as well! I had a surgery 2 weeks ago to try and help (decompression surgery cause I have chiari malformation which cause the syringo) and if that doesn;t work I'll need to think of shunting! ick!

 

[night2day]

hhhmmm I remember beign tested for it and they doubled checked me....so if I have it its negliagable. However I have syringomyelia which can give way to scoliosis. Thats where there are sacs of fluid running down ur spine crushing and severing ur spinal chord and mine run from C2-T10. I'm lucky to be alive and walking the neuro tested me and sent me for MRI's when I came back after he looked at them he re tested me cause he thought he had grossly misinterpreted my symptoms and reactions in relation to what was showen...neat huh! So my spien is pretty screwy as well! I had a surgery 2 weeks ago to try and help (decompression surgery cause I have chiari malformation which cause the syringo) and if that doesn;t work I'll need to think of shunting! ick!

I never heard of that condition. However, after visiting Yahoo's definition it made me shudder quite a bit.

 

[Kira Faye]

yeah, I had never heard of it either, not pretty.

 

[night2day]

yeah, I had never heard of it either, not pretty.

Apparently the Chiari Malformation started a domino effect or chain reaction. What I think of those things anyway...where one things leads into another, then leads into another, then...etc. Seems to happen that way in most things doesn't it?

The first time I even heard of the condition, the Chari not the Syringomyelia, was on a prime time news program several years ago. A doctor here in the states was trying surgery for commonly used for Chiari Malformation for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (same family of illnesses as Gulf War Syndrome) patients. Of course, it worked on the patients who actually had the malformation. I haven't heard anything else regarding the matter about his other work.

I'll be praying that your medical treatment aids your condition.

 

[Kira Faye]

thatnks, I am only just over two weeks from surgery and I have a cold so I migth nt be ableto go home from my parents house yet lousy inability to care for myslef.

 

[night2day]

thatnks, I am only just over two weeks from surgery and I have a cold so I migth nt be ableto go home from my parents house yet lousy inability to care for myslef.

All you can do is rest and recuperate. Not...too much else. Recovering from a surgery and seeing how it takes, only to then get being sick is a double whammy. And that takes a little time.

Hope you get over the cold soon.