Question:
Please describe your experience with scoliosis. Submit Your Comment
About nine months ago people said my shoulders were uneven. I finally went to the doctor due to pain and spasms. I got x-rays and the doctor said I have scoliosis. I'm at 85 and I don't understand why it happened so rapidly, I'm so scared. I'm only 37, and no insurance. I wonder how much it's going to increase and I did gain bunch of weight in short period.
I just noticed my 17 year old son’s right shoulder blade was bigger than the other and he has just been diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis. He has a funnel chest which I believe has caused the spine to bend at that area as there may not have been the room to stay straight. We are yet to see an orthopedic surgeon but he is adamant no operation, as it does not affect him and he can run and play sports with no limitations. It was x-rayed and found to be 37 percent. I wish I had noticed earlier as we might have been able to halt it somewhat.
I was found to have scoliosis at age 15 but nothing was ever done. It stopped getting worse in my mid-20s and started again in my mid-40s and now it is so bad I cannot breathe well and am in constant horrible pain. I have 3 curves one being about a 90 degree one, yes, I said 90 degrees. I doubt I will live much longer because it continues to get worse and my breathing is going fast. I only get Medicare and state Medicaid so I have not seen a doctor in years. I just want the pain to go away.
When I was 12, I was diagnosed with scoliosis and elected the surgery. I am now 46, have 3 grown children (2 of which were all natural child birth), I ride a motorcycle, swim, run, jump and play and hold a management financial position for the last 28 years. I have been able to accept the pains and limitations (Yoga is almost hilarious) and live a great life. I have a Harrington Rod and was in a body cast during puberty for over six months. It has been 34 years and I am so thankful that I had the surgery done by such amazing doctors. It seems the procedures are so much less invasive now, so just be assured that a diagnosis today is far from a life of disability.
I am 53 years old and had chronic lower back pain for years and have gone to doctors trying to find out what is causing this pain. I have taken x-rays, but I still didn't know. Finally, I went to a new doctor, he had x-rays done on my back and told me that I had scoliosis. I am new and reading up of all these stories. I have numbness in 2 fingers on my left h4and, wonder if this is due to scoliosis.
I was operated on for scoliosis back in 1973, one week before Christmas - great. I then started secondary school approximately 18 months after, and they hadn't got a clue! Whilst the operation was a partial success, there was no feedback to me and very little it would seem, to my mother. As a result my whole life has been left a mess, with major depression, anxiety and other self-esteem issues to deal with.
I was diagnosed with mild dextroscoliosis, 7.4. My agency and my employer don’t want me to give waiver even after I was cleared by specialist. They unfit me to work. Is it a fine judgement for me who is wanting to work abroad!
I have had scoliosis since the age of 11. It was treated with Milwaukee brace for about 4 years. I still have 2 big curves in my back, I don’t know the degrees. Now I am 64 years old, I have 5 children I have worked as a nurse my whole life. I also play bass guitar since the age of 14 and I still play in 2 bands. Most of the time I have no pain at all. I have struggled in a psychological way being ashamed of my awful back. The last 15 years I have practiced Hatha Yoga (almost every day) and it helps me to keep my back in a wonderful shape. My daughter and one of my grandchildren also have scoliosis. It’s possible to live a good life with scoliosis.
My daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was between 4-6 years old. She was quite slender and having issues with chronic bronchitis and poor weight gain. Every time she almost reached 40 lb. she would have a bout of bronchitis. The doctor took a chest x-ray and found the scoliosis. She was treated with physical therapy, exercises and eventually a plastic brace. I would advise anyone with a family history of scoliosis to have their children be evaluated by an orthopedic doctor familiar with diagnosing it. Don"t wait for the school screening. On a side note, most doctors, nurses and screeners would not have noted my daughters curve.

SLIDESHOW
Childhood Diseases: Measles, Mumps, & More See SlideshowIf scoliosis does not hurt or cause pain then why are most all older scoliosis patients in pain! I am in constant awful pain, but my doctor said scoliosis did not cause it. Other doctors told me to expect pain the rest of my life. I was 33 at my diagnosis, I am 50 now and totally disabled with sciatica, bursitis, arthritis, bulging discs, bone spurs and a stress fracture of my vertebrae. I was told by one doctor my scoliosis caused this, another said it didn’t.
I am 59 years old and was diagnosed with scoliosis 7 years ago. I had no problems as a child, I have a severe S curve in my spine, cannot walk normally without the assistance of a cane, have bladder incontinence, and am in pain constantly.
I was diagnosed with severe S curve scoliosis when I was 11 years old. I wore a Milwaukee brace for six months and then had spinal fusion surgery with nine chips and two metal clips. I was bedridden for six months and had to relearn how to walk. I am happy to see that there are other methods of correction requiring less down time. I also am happy to report that I have lived and am living a very productive life. I'm a retired teacher and currently own a bar. I have six children and have no back pain.
I have Cerebral Palsy and have 90 degree curve. I have no pain and there is absolutely no danger of my heart lungs being affected.
