Scoliosis Support Group

Sorry has taken a whiel to reply, had some other thins to deal with.

Didnt haev a chance to ask the doc if it was kyphoscoliosis on the 17th, he just said the scan was clear, am on teh surgery list, should taek 4 to 5 months before I get the op. Moer waiting, yay. It wastn my usual consultatn and he didnt introduce hinself. He had to see his own paitents as well as my consultants (hes got swine flu) so was no time for questions.

Im confused abuot the degree/lack of breething thing now cos evryones saying differnt things.

Thanks fro that sight, soem useful information there.

Hugs!

Erm also, I appoligise for spelling mistaeks/typos. Normally have an overlay on my screen so I cna see most of my mistaeks and the words dont "move" etc howevr I kinda left it in sctoland when I was visiting , ooops, am wiating for a new one.

Hugs!

I want to reassure you that it is not the degree of your curve that determines your lung capacity or respiratory status. I too have severe degenerative scoliosis and I happen to be an RN and everyone's experience is different. There is no magic number that determines what is going to happen.
Do you have a family member or friend that can go with you to these appointments? You really need to be your own advocate an MAKE them take time to answer your questions. It's your body and you have every right (and need) to know what is happening to you and what they plan to do about it.
Also I hope they have given you some exercises, specific to strengthing your back and core muscles. No matter what your degree of curvature keeping your core as strong as possible is very important.
Good luck and I hope you get some answers!

Thank yuo Kon, Im not worrying as much about the breathing thing, I realise its a wait-and-see game.

Do yuo mind me asking whta RN means?

My mother taeks me to the apointments but we dont get on adn seh says that if I want a question ansered I should ask mysefl (which I do!)

They haevnt mentionde another apointment just askde if I was availabel shotr notice for the op.

Exersizes?? Erm no, didtn know anything abuot that, will look soem up.

Thanks for yuor support - everyoen

Hugs to yuo all

Hi again, RN stands for Registered Nurse. I did find several sites that list exercises for folks with scoliosis, just google scoliosis exercises and you'll get a whole list to check out.
Here's one that looked promising:
http://www.scoliosisnutty.com/exer...

Just remember don't do anything that causes you discomfort, it is your body's way of telling you that's a bad idea.
I'm shocked that no Dr has given you some basic core strengthing exercises to do. You should check with your Dr or at least call his office and ask his Nurse/staff if it's ok for you to do some exercises or even ask if they could send you a brochure (they should have given you one already) with some exercises in it.
I'm sure sorry your not in the US I feel like we could be of even more help to you here, since I'm not familiar with your health care system.
Good luck and just keep being your own advocate, it's your body and you have a right to have your questions/concerns addressed (no matter how busy anyone is)!
Good Luck Hon!

(I have a new overlay! Yay!)

Thank yuo Kon,

I have emailed my doctor and his secratary to ask if its okay to do the excersises but they havnt got back to me yet, trying to decide whether I should just do them anyway. Thank yuo for that site, has some good exercises.

Thank yuo for all of yuor help and support, will keep everyone up to date if/when there is any news on the op...I hate waiting games

HUgs!

Congrats on the overlay...what a difference that's awesome! Glad you found some exercises, just remember don't do anything that causes you increased discomfort, stretching should feel good not hurt, so go slow.
Also wanted to let you know of another great site that I found a couple of years ago but they have really revamped and I like it better now it's:
http://www.scoliosis-support.org/p...

Takes a little time to get registered your first visit but I think you'll find it's worth it. Good Luck to you!

Thank yuo...Id be lost withuot this overlay!

I will be careful with the exercises, if it hurts too much I'll stop. Thye still havnt got back to me but will do it anyway.

Am regestering on that site now, thank yuo, for everything!

Hugs!!

I have had curves over 100 degrees pre surgery and could still breathe (a person's body adjusts) BUT I think at 73 degrees, (where 40 degrees plus your respiratory symptoms), I think you should seriously look at surgery. You may need surgery even before a spinal fusion so they can make it easier to do it- I too have kyphoscoliosis and have been through many many surgeries (and I know some people see spinal fusion as major surgery and it is becoming easier than when I was young - showing my age here, lol - especially with the BC surgery of surgery one day and out the next but that will not happen to anyone with kyphoscoliosis!) but to me, when I finally got around to spinal fusion after halo femoral traction (I jokingly call photos of me in this stryker frame with a halo and pins through my femors in both knees) my "torture pix" if only because had several operations while still in that condition. To avoid all that, please please see your doctor and an orthopedic surgeon who is good and has experience WITH kyphoscoliosis asap!!

Good luck. Send me a msg if you want more info!