[NatalieJastrow]

I have had scoliosis since I was a kid. My thoracic curve was worse than my lumbar. But I was told it would never move after I reached adulthood. That was wrong. Ok so when I was 30 I found that out. I got it reevaluated and it didn't seem like it moved. I was told then I shouldn’t do anything unless I had pain... and I didn't ,so I did nothing.

When I was 50 I got a DEXA scan and, to me... it looked like it got worse.. but I never had it evaluated. I didn't have pain.

I just got another DEXA scan (I couldn't visualize my back) and it said I was slightly osteopenic (-1.1) in my spine but that because of the scoliosis they couldn't really evaluate it. The curve can make it seem more dense.

Annoyingly enough... days after this... my back started bothering me. Usually these things clear up within a few days but it has been going on for 4 weeks and isn't getting better.

Once when I was a kid I fractured a vertebrae and this pain is feeling like that. The vertebrae fracture took about 6 to 8 weeks to heal. And at that time I had a back brace so I am sure that helped me heal. Now every night I toss and turn and I wonder if it is going to keep it damaged.

I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. I will ask for an xray. I am bummed because first, there isn't a week I haven't had a doctors appointment of some kind in the last 6 months. And if it is a fracture I am cooked. They don't do braces for adults. It it gets serious enough you may need to have surgery but there is no time in my life that would be worse to have such a terrible surgery.

I am catstrophaizing

[CANDC]

Oh no @NatalieJastrow - that sounds really painful.

I hear you. My friend has had two back surgeries but the second one made things worse. There is no easy way but I hope the pain subsides.

[If you want me to see your reply to this post please tag me by including @CANDC in your message - not in requoting my message and not the first word of your message]

[NatalieJastrow]

Thank you @CANDC

The surgery is the absolutely last option. It is a major surgery... so bad you have to go weeks ahead of time to donate blood for yourself. There is no minimally invasive option.

It was recommended as a child but my mom in her infinite wisdom didn't do it. Probably because it would have been difficult on her.

Princess Euginie had it. (I like to claim I have royal blood because King Richard III also had Scoliosis)

But I know I am getting ahead of myself. Anticipating.

[CANDC]

Are there any physical therapy or gentle yoga options you are considerong @NatalieJastrow ?

What is the next step?

[NatalieJastrow]

Originally Posted by CANDC

Are there any physical therapy or gentle yoga options you are considerong @NatalieJastrow ?

What is the next step?

@CANDC sadly there is almost zero treatment for this. You are essentially abandoned as an adult.

Get an xray on Wednesday with the primary care to make sure I don't have a fracture. If not...

Then I am going to start with a chiropractor that says he specializes in Scoliosis and make an appointment for a surgeon at Mass General. That will probably take a while.

If so I will ask my doctor my next step.

[Ruftin]

@NatalieJastrow I have to say NO surgery is always the best option when it comes to the spine. Hopefully there is no fracture and if there is then take it from there. If there is no fracture, there are always exercises that can be done to strengthen back muscles which serve to support the spine. Please let us know how it goes with the x-ray results. No catastrophizing, ok?

[NatalieJastrow]

Originally Posted by Ruftin

@NatalieJastrow I have to say NO surgery is always the best option when it comes to the spine. Hopefully there is no fracture and if there is then take it from there. If there is no fracture, there are always exercises that can be done to strengthen back muscles which serve to support the spine. Please let us know how it goes with the x-ray results. No catastrophizing, ok?

Thank you. Some chiropractors do provide braces but we will have to see. It might be worth it to get the surgery (or a modified version) before I retire from work.

Someone responded on reddit who just had the surgery at 74!

ETA today was better on the pain. My theory is possibly it is being caused by my bra. Every morning I wake up thinking I am doing great with the pain.

I have lost 20 lbs and my guess i that before... my bra was kind of tight. So most days around the house I didn't keep it on tight. If I did keep it tight... because of the weight... it slid around and didn't hit this one area. Now, because of the lost weight.. it is fitting tight and I wear it tight all day. I am hopeful that if I just release the bra for a few days... it will go back to normal.

[NatalieJastrow]

Now I know why I probably gave up last time.
1. I cannot get into see the surgeon unless and until I have done a course of Physical therapy and had a full spine MRI. All of which have to be ordered by my primary care.

2. I called the chiropractor and though he lists an office in my area he doesn't live here. He lives in Florida. I can have him do xrays but if I do that, insurance won"t pay for them. I can see him when HE is back in town -- 3 days next month. I think I am done with him. IMHO it is fraud to claim he has an office but he really has a closet that he visits a few days every three months.

3. I called another legit spine place (Beth Isreal) and they set me up with an anesthesiologist. Um.. no.

[NatalieJastrow]

So I am off to work today.

Sometimes these pain rounds tend to go away due to having to move around substantially. Hopefully that is the case.

[Pfrog]

I don't have scoliosis, but I do have arthritis in my spine, sacroiliac joint, and hips, and sometimes it impacts the sciatic nerve. Not sure if that's a possibility with your condition, but it does cause the pain to be much worse as in crying one moment and cursing the next (for me). Sometimes it takes weeks to resolve and it's just plain dang excruciating during that time. I hope you find some relief soon, it's no fun living in that kind of pain!

[NatalieJastrow]

Originally Posted by Pfrog

Sometimes it takes weeks to resolve and it's just plain dang excruciating during that time. I hope you find some relief soon, it's no fun living in that kind of pain!

I had a previous bout of this during the pandemic. It did allow me time to rest and it recovered. One reason I hate to mention it to the doctor. But it didn't get any better yesterday. I have to go back today and I am really wondering if It is going to hold up.

[NatalieJastrow]

So I went to work for two days... it did not go well. I went to the doctor and she was not helpful. She only had PT for me and frankly that stuff never works. Also it will probably take weeks to get it set up.

I haven't taken any Motrin or anything but I think I am going to have to start.

This was my first visit with this doctor and I already don't like her. She is a new primary care and all of *seemingly* 24. I can just tell the wiff of lack of wisdom. She had a couple of passive aggressive things I don't like.

- She asked about the flu vaccine. My god what is with that. But when I said no... she wouldn't just take that. I told her the truth... I rarely get sick... I don't think I have ever had the flu and I have never had covid. Still looking at me like I am a liar... I felt like I had to say something... I told her I read someplace that O blood type makes you less likely to get these things. She goes... oh I would like to see that study. Whatever lady I don't know why but I don't get the flu and I rarely get any sort of cold. So those vaccines just don't make sense for me.

- I went because I had to get a re up for Ativan. Which I take very sparingly. Like 1 x per week, minimum dose. She goes would you consider another drug. I told her no, and she just kept pushing. I told her I had done the research on that drug and it didn't seem helpful and that in general I am just working on getting off it. Still tried all these other drugs that I have looked into but imho are useless and FULL of side effects -- and expensive.

- She was freaking out about my blood pressure which was just midly high. Um... one.. I am in a lot of pain due to the back and that raises BP but two your "assistant" took the BP OVER MY CLOTHING. Which is a big no no. She told me point blank it didn't really make a difference.

I really worry for the future

[NatalieJastrow]

So I called the physical therapy place their first available appointment is October 22. I mean really? 22 days?

Every time I call any medical provider lately it is the same story. They don't have anything for weeks.

And I have my "duty" period at work the first two weeks of November so likely won't be able to do much after the first visit. Disgusting.

[unaluna]

Geez, if she wants to see the study, it took me ONE google inquiry! And im old!! Altho i did work on computers for my career. Still, miss dr should be able to look it up her dang self!! And i would expect her to just note down what you said about never getting the flu. My new dr doesnt always totally agree with me, but he will dialog with me. He looks about 36, so yeah half my age? Its disconcerting. My last PCP was exactly my age so he "aged out" before i did! Im sorry she is such a nag.

[Ruftin]

Would seeing a pain management Dr. be of any help Natalie? I don't mean explicitly for pain medication. They can offer epidurals and ablations to kill the nerves causing back pain. I've had both procedures done and they did help. My pain medication usually lasts me a year. I only have it for an emergency should I hurt my back causing new/acute pain.

[NatalieJastrow]

Originally Posted by Ruftin

Would seeing a pain management Dr. be of any help Natalie? I don't mean explicitly for pain medication. They can offer epidurals and ablations to kill the nerves causing back pain. I've had both procedures done and they did help. My pain medication usually lasts me a year. I only have it for an emergency should I hurt my back causing new/acute pain.

I might be wrong but I got the feeling I was required to try physical therapy first. And that very well could work.

But I just can't believe i have to wait 3 weeks to even get started. I bet if I pulled up You tube and started now I could be in good shape.