I use Tramadol and Cyclobenzaprine (keeping a log showing the earliest I can take my next med) and if it is too early - I hang on the bathroom door to stretch the spine down some. I may then lay down with knees up for a few min also. I have purchased $5000 braces etc. and all they did was make me hurt more because you cannot force the spine without it hurting more. My case is S curve with spine rotation upper and lower. My best thing is stretching on the bathroom door because it is not forcing - just stretching. Wishing you the best -
I use Tramadol and Cyclobenzaprine (keeping a log showing the earliest I can take my next med) and if it is too early - I hang on the bathroom door to stretch the spine down some. I may then lay down with knees up for a few min also. I have purchased $5000 braces etc. and all they did was make me hurt more because you cannot force the spine without it hurting more. My case is S curve with spine rotation upper and lower. My best thing is stretching on the bathroom door because it is not forcing - just stretching. Wishing you the best -
I use Tramadol and Cyclobenzaprine (keeping a log showing the earliest I can take my next med) and if it is too early - I hang on the bathroom door to stretch the spine down some. I may then lay down with knees up for a few min also. I have purchased $5000 braces etc. and all they did was make me hurt more because you cannot force the spine without it hurting more. My case is S curve with spine rotation upper and lower. My best thing is stretching on the bathroom door because it is not forcing - just stretching. Wishing you the best -
@skyride - I suggest before anyone decides on a long fusion and scoliosis correction- research ALL options before jumping into the most traumatic surgery you can imagine. I’m 1.5 months out from an ultra long pelvis to T8 fusion, pelvis build, and SI fusion. It was a living hell. For two weeks I didn’t eat or talk. I lost 25 lbs. I laid in bed with my eyes closed. I have had 5 back fusions, shoulder surgeries, abdominal surgeries, but this one is in a league of its own. It’s a dark and painful experience. You age ten years, hair falls out, muscle atrophy leaves you looking like a skeleton and you might just lose use of your leg (s) as I did. I also had nerve damage to my left arm from being in a bad position for nine hours. I’m still in considerable pain. My pelvis and glutes are numb, and my entire life physically and financially (I have to pay out of pocket for daily assistance) has been turned upside down. I was totally independent prior to surgery although I had 30° scoliosis bend. I would have researched other options if I knew what post surgery would be like. Take your time, ask for multiple opinions and ask about alternatives to surgery. BTW- may I ask your age? It makes a huge difference.
@skyride - I suggest before anyone decides on a long fusion and scoliosis correction- research ALL options before jumping into the most traumatic surgery you can imagine. I’m 1.5 months out from an ultra long pelvis to T8 fusion, pelvis build, and SI fusion. It was a living hell. For two weeks I didn’t eat or talk. I lost 25 lbs. I laid in bed with my eyes closed. I have had 5 back fusions, shoulder surgeries, abdominal surgeries, but this one is in a league of its own. It’s a dark and painful experience. You age ten years, hair falls out, muscle atrophy leaves you looking like a skeleton and you might just lose use of your leg (s) as I did. I also had nerve damage to my left arm from being in a bad position for nine hours. I’m still in considerable pain. My pelvis and glutes are numb, and my entire life physically and financially (I have to pay out of pocket for daily assistance) has been turned upside down. I was totally independent prior to surgery although I had 30° scoliosis bend. I would have researched other options if I knew what post surgery would be like. Take your time, ask for multiple opinions and ask about alternatives to surgery. BTW- may I ask your age? It makes a huge difference.
@jksawyers Thank you for your information! So sorry you had to go through all that! No I don't want surgery! I am 82 years old! I decided to try the Aspen Peak scoliosis brace and will get a referral to a Hanger brace place for that. I'm in pain if I do too much. But if I'm careful I can live with it. I am much shorter than I used to be, but at my age I have to just live with that too. I have been following Scoliosis warriors over 50 on Facebook and got some ideas. Hope you recover and feel much better soon- Love and hugs!
@jksawyers Thank you for your information! So sorry you had to go through all that! No I don't want surgery! I am 82 years old! I decided to try the Aspen Peak scoliosis brace and will get a referral to a Hanger brace place for that. I'm in pain if I do too much. But if I'm careful I can live with it. I am much shorter than I used to be, but at my age I have to just live with that too. I have been following Scoliosis warriors over 50 on Facebook and got some ideas. Hope you recover and feel much better soon- Love and hugs!
@lindalind For scoliosis pain and issues, there is specialized physical therapy which uses the Schroth method to help scoliosis. It was first developed in Germany by Katharina Schroth who had severe scoliosis in early 1900. The German medical community poo-pooed it. It took quite some time to reach the US. It involves breathing techniques along with hands-on PT. It is still not well known in the US but there are PTs trained in it. Google it. It helped me. See also the book "Breath" by James Nestor which discusses this Schroth PT method.
I have L4-L5 Stenosis and also scoliosis. Ten years ago the injections worked for my stenosis. After several stints of short lasting pain relief the last set of injections kept me pain free for 8 years. Then the pain returned with a vengeance. During that time I developed scoliosis. I thought my new pain was related to the scoliosis. I tried the Schroth method but it did not help. I tried PT, a chiropractor and dry needling with no change in the pain. After that I went and had an MRI which told me the scoliosis was not the problem, it was the spinal stenosis. Since then I have tried the injections again, the MILD procedure and the neuro-stimulator with no reduction in my pain. I have tried so hard to avoid surgery but it''s looking like my only option.
Only you can determine just how bad your pain is. But if you can still be independent, drive, grocery shop, etc. please read how surgery can sometimes destroy the little physical ability you have left. Please read what "skyride" has gone through. If you still determine surgery is your only hope for less pain and a more normal life, seek out the best surgeon in the country, regardless of the traveling incurred.
Yes, thank you, you are so right!! From what I read on FB and on this site here, I am never ready for an operation!! I'm going to try an Aspen Peak brace if I qualify for that. I will get a prescription at a Hanger clinic, they represent Aspen. And at age 83 my life is not long enough to go through such a serious operation and heal up after that. Medicare and my additional insurance pay for the cost. Hopefully it will work! - Maybe this last message was not for me, but I think my reply would be something to think about for everybody with back pain! Thank you all!
@skyride - I suggest before anyone decides on a long fusion and scoliosis correction- research ALL options before jumping into the most traumatic surgery you can imagine. I’m 1.5 months out from an ultra long pelvis to T8 fusion, pelvis build, and SI fusion. It was a living hell. For two weeks I didn’t eat or talk. I lost 25 lbs. I laid in bed with my eyes closed. I have had 5 back fusions, shoulder surgeries, abdominal surgeries, but this one is in a league of its own. It’s a dark and painful experience. You age ten years, hair falls out, muscle atrophy leaves you looking like a skeleton and you might just lose use of your leg (s) as I did. I also had nerve damage to my left arm from being in a bad position for nine hours. I’m still in considerable pain. My pelvis and glutes are numb, and my entire life physically and financially (I have to pay out of pocket for daily assistance) has been turned upside down. I was totally independent prior to surgery although I had 30° scoliosis bend. I would have researched other options if I knew what post surgery would be like. Take your time, ask for multiple opinions and ask about alternatives to surgery. BTW- may I ask your age? It makes a huge difference.
@jksawyers thanks for your remarks! This is very helpful to hear from folks who have been there. I did mention on one of these spine blogs that I had good success with a PT trained in the Schroth method for my scoliosis. This is a method developed by a woman in German in the early 1900 who had scoliosis. It involves stretching and breathing in certain ways and the physical therapist does help with hands on, well, not adjustments but sort of. I guess it helps some and not others. Google Schroth PT for scoliosis or there's a few pages about it in the Best Selling Book, "Breath" by James Nestor. Your comments certainly explain why my other doctors said they wouldn't have surgery if they were me.
@jksawyers thanks for your remarks! This is very helpful to hear from folks who have been there. I did mention on one of these spine blogs that I had good success with a PT trained in the Schroth method for my scoliosis. This is a method developed by a woman in German in the early 1900 who had scoliosis. It involves stretching and breathing in certain ways and the physical therapist does help with hands on, well, not adjustments but sort of. I guess it helps some and not others. Google Schroth PT for scoliosis or there's a few pages about it in the Best Selling Book, "Breath" by James Nestor. Your comments certainly explain why my other doctors said they wouldn't have surgery if they were me.
@bassetmom Every person is different. Unfortunately, no one can tell you what results you will have from any treatment. Finding out what will and will not work is individual trial and error.
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I use Tramadol and Cyclobenzaprine (keeping a log showing the earliest I can take my next med) and if it is too early - I hang on the bathroom door to stretch the spine down some. I may then lay down with knees up for a few min also. I have purchased $5000 braces etc. and all they did was make me hurt more because you cannot force the spine without it hurting more. My case is S curve with spine rotation upper and lower. My best thing is stretching on the bathroom door because it is not forcing - just stretching. Wishing you the best -
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3 Reactions@skyride thanks for your suggestion. I agree there’s not much we can do about it unfortunately. We just have to live with it.
@skyride - I suggest before anyone decides on a long fusion and scoliosis correction- research ALL options before jumping into the most traumatic surgery you can imagine. I’m 1.5 months out from an ultra long pelvis to T8 fusion, pelvis build, and SI fusion. It was a living hell. For two weeks I didn’t eat or talk. I lost 25 lbs. I laid in bed with my eyes closed. I have had 5 back fusions, shoulder surgeries, abdominal surgeries, but this one is in a league of its own. It’s a dark and painful experience. You age ten years, hair falls out, muscle atrophy leaves you looking like a skeleton and you might just lose use of your leg (s) as I did. I also had nerve damage to my left arm from being in a bad position for nine hours. I’m still in considerable pain. My pelvis and glutes are numb, and my entire life physically and financially (I have to pay out of pocket for daily assistance) has been turned upside down. I was totally independent prior to surgery although I had 30° scoliosis bend. I would have researched other options if I knew what post surgery would be like. Take your time, ask for multiple opinions and ask about alternatives to surgery. BTW- may I ask your age? It makes a huge difference.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@jksawyers Thank you for your information! So sorry you had to go through all that! No I don't want surgery! I am 82 years old! I decided to try the Aspen Peak scoliosis brace and will get a referral to a Hanger brace place for that. I'm in pain if I do too much. But if I'm careful I can live with it. I am much shorter than I used to be, but at my age I have to just live with that too. I have been following Scoliosis warriors over 50 on Facebook and got some ideas. Hope you recover and feel much better soon- Love and hugs!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@lindalind For scoliosis pain and issues, there is specialized physical therapy which uses the Schroth method to help scoliosis. It was first developed in Germany by Katharina Schroth who had severe scoliosis in early 1900. The German medical community poo-pooed it. It took quite some time to reach the US. It involves breathing techniques along with hands-on PT. It is still not well known in the US but there are PTs trained in it. Google it. It helped me. See also the book "Breath" by James Nestor which discusses this Schroth PT method.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI have L4-L5 Stenosis and also scoliosis. Ten years ago the injections worked for my stenosis. After several stints of short lasting pain relief the last set of injections kept me pain free for 8 years. Then the pain returned with a vengeance. During that time I developed scoliosis. I thought my new pain was related to the scoliosis. I tried the Schroth method but it did not help. I tried PT, a chiropractor and dry needling with no change in the pain. After that I went and had an MRI which told me the scoliosis was not the problem, it was the spinal stenosis. Since then I have tried the injections again, the MILD procedure and the neuro-stimulator with no reduction in my pain. I have tried so hard to avoid surgery but it''s looking like my only option.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsOnly you can determine just how bad your pain is. But if you can still be independent, drive, grocery shop, etc. please read how surgery can sometimes destroy the little physical ability you have left. Please read what "skyride" has gone through. If you still determine surgery is your only hope for less pain and a more normal life, seek out the best surgeon in the country, regardless of the traveling incurred.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsYes, thank you, you are so right!! From what I read on FB and on this site here, I am never ready for an operation!! I'm going to try an Aspen Peak brace if I qualify for that. I will get a prescription at a Hanger clinic, they represent Aspen. And at age 83 my life is not long enough to go through such a serious operation and heal up after that. Medicare and my additional insurance pay for the cost. Hopefully it will work! - Maybe this last message was not for me, but I think my reply would be something to think about for everybody with back pain! Thank you all!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@jksawyers thanks for your remarks! This is very helpful to hear from folks who have been there. I did mention on one of these spine blogs that I had good success with a PT trained in the Schroth method for my scoliosis. This is a method developed by a woman in German in the early 1900 who had scoliosis. It involves stretching and breathing in certain ways and the physical therapist does help with hands on, well, not adjustments but sort of. I guess it helps some and not others. Google Schroth PT for scoliosis or there's a few pages about it in the Best Selling Book, "Breath" by James Nestor. Your comments certainly explain why my other doctors said they wouldn't have surgery if they were me.
@bassetmom Every person is different. Unfortunately, no one can tell you what results you will have from any treatment. Finding out what will and will not work is individual trial and error.
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Helpful -
Hug
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