I am 64 and have scoliosis. I have had it since I was ten but thought it just involved two discs. I have had pretty bad arthritis throughout my spine for years, now severe, with foraminal stenosis on multiple levels.
In 2019, I slipped on water at school. While I fell all the time, this time changed everything. I had all the shots, epidurals, etc. Awful!

Finally, my doc sent me to one of the best, a well-respected neurosurgeon. The report said the right's upper lumbar scoliosis convex is compensatory lower thoracic convex to the left—lumbar scoliosis convex the right maximal at L1-L2 measures 40 degrees. I had three smashed discs; two inside the curve and one outside. He would not touch the ones inside the curve and said if he fused the one out of the curve, my back would collapse "in the near future." He said I needed a rod. The second opinion: said he can fuse the one outside the curve. I thought that they were two extreme opinions, so I went back to the first doc and asked him to send me to someone who would not be scared to disagree with him. The third surgeon, of course, said they were both right. He could fuse the one outside the curve, but he also believes I will need the rod "in the near future." The surgery to fuse L5, I think, and a laminectomy stopped the burning going down my leg. Small victory!

I consistently take pain meds and fear when/if my back will collapse. I sometimes have lousy neuropathy down my bottom and upper thighs and feet. I am unsure if my feet are from a failed bunionectomy that broke/dislocated six joints in the rest of my toes. I worked with them for two years before I retired. Now my big toe is fused, and a fantastic surgeon did her best to fix my foot. It still hurts, but nothing like it did.

I have had six shoulder surgeries ending with a Reverse on both shoulders. I won't even go through what the last one feels like now.

The arch and jaw have collapsed, among many other "unique" issues in my mouth. Every dentist and surgeon has a different solution, not to mention charging a fortune.

My head is swirling. I realize Orencia infusions are not good, so I am considering stopping them. The thought of my hands getting worse, though, makes me nauseous. Anxiety and depression make everything worse.