[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.