Scoliosis Support Group

Scoliosis affects all ages. Unlike the naturally occurring curves in the spine, scoliosis causes the spine to curve abnormally to the left or right.

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curvedliz 04/01/2009

Ok, I've tried a variety of OTC painkillers and none of them work. I hate painkillers anyway and would rather get to the root of the problem, but lately I haven't been able to sleep and I've been sick to my stomach with pain.

I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow, and I was wondering what kind of prescription pain killers some of you are on, say, to help you sleep or something?

I had a pinched nerve in my neck when I was 15 and had T2s for that because I thought it was the most intolerable pain, ha! I hate feeling so high but at least it took my mind off the pain so I would sleep. The pain I'm having right now is way worse than that, but I'm not so keen on codeine, so if y'all have some other ideas, I'd love to hear 'em!

deleted_user 04/01/2009

My d.r. always kept me on Ultram 500mg and Zanaflex non of them hlped in sleeping but the zanaflex did relax all my muscles... but he wanted to try me on loratab or oxy I didnt want anything addictive... My mom has told me a friend of hers got put on meclaman(sp) but my d.r. told me it can cause problems with the gastro area... but the friend of my moms who tried it said his back felt great after he took it.. so I dunno

curvedliz 04/01/2009

That's really interesting that he tried to put you on lortab. I looked up the drugs you mentioned, and for lortab, says you shouldn't take it if you have a curvature of the spine! Here's the site I saw it on:

http://www.drugs.com/lortab.html

Did Ultram help in managing the pain at least? It peaked my interest because it's supposed to help with pain that shouldn't be there (AKA when your nerves tell you you're in pain). My doctor is certain my problem is neurological but he just can't figure out which one.

deleted_user 04/02/2009

it helped mildly made me have tht fuzzy feeling... but he started me on the lowest mg and I asked for higher for I reckon in time I developed immunity.. a perk was it was the ER ones for extended release.

deleted_user 04/02/2009

I just went to the site u linked ty :) Well I guess my dr didnt hear me when I told him i had scoliosis.. I did find out tho he was a sports/med dr..why they sent me to him..who knows... the clinic was called Southern Orthpaedics and Sports Medicine and Surgery of West Florida.. and i totally agree on tht other mentionable how when you try to talk to your dr or recommend something they disregard it because they have a ph.D. Thnx again for the link was very helpful.. and wow talking about meds and pain.. my shoulder is bothering me and my lower back t the bend is all twisted and knotted feeling.. better go make my jacuzzi hug

curvedliz 04/02/2009

What's with sports medicine docs? That was who diagnosed my scoliosis 6 months after I started getting my pain checked out. He guestimated the degree and sent me on my way. No recommendations for how to deal with it. I guess I was just happy to know what it was haha!

I'm definitely having that pseudo-jacuzzi tonight since I walked out of my doc's office with an x-ray form, not a pain-killer prescription :P Well I took care of today's excitement-induced pain with an herbal remedy.

A roommate bought a yoga magazine and read me the article on svaroopa yoga, and how it can even fix scoliosis pain! Ever heard of it?

deleted_user 04/03/2009

Can't say I have,I should look into it... it's always worth a try imo.I lmost think new age medicine and meditation works better than what the drs wld do for me anyway.... lol I remember when I went to get a letter from his office stating my health problems... they asked me if i was gonna do the operation tht needed to be done I was like "Not till i hear from a few more dr's its a valid idea..otherwise no srry" I'd love to see these drs walk a day in our shoes with scoliosis and try to do the things they love and have passion for :) When I took ballet it helped me mildly... but that was near 10yrs ago... oh wow.. it was cause I was 18 then and Ill be 28 in September.... this bites.

curvedliz 04/03/2009

Alternative therapies rock! Woooo! I'm not sure I'll be able to find that specific yoga but like you said, everything's worth a try! Got nothing to lose right?

Now how on Earth does scoliosis help you with ballet? I'm very flexible to one side but the other is like it's blocked. And when did you have your rods put in? I've heard they really decrease flexibility.

deleted_user 04/03/2009

HAd mine in 96' when I was 15.. the ballet helped the scoli when we did yoga and mild stretches.. I never really had to bend too much..but I use to hate leaping... but some of the stretches did help..but I was limited to wht i could do still..and my instructor was cool with it.I need to do research on tht one too.. Im about to give up on going to the dr and just go my route.

curvedliz 04/04/2009

All signs point back to yoga and stretching! Guess I need to show pain to the door and have more yoga in my life. Whenever I would get a big burst of pain today, I just focussed on my breathing. So really, I haven't thought about much other than "in" and "out" today but I'm definitely happier for it.

deleted_user 04/05/2009

my best form of medicine is lying down on my back. I havent had any pain killers prescribed by doctor other than ibuprofen. I don't find it works very well. I partied too hard last night :-/ now my side's telling me you over did it. All i did was dance!

deleted_user 04/05/2009

Agreed Liz I think drs are wackos anyways... here take some loratab even though your spine is curved lmao.. i think i may print tht article out and show my dr what a moron he is.. i mean mechanic... maybe he'll give me new spark plugs too Ha

deleted_user 05/03/2009

lortab - with hydrocodone- is not contraindicated with curvature of the spine but your doctor does need to know if a patient has this condition as I do. I took percocet (similar to lortab) with no problems at all and I have kyphoscoliosis. Still, your doctor needs to be aware of it mainly because some people with scoliosis are affected in terms of their respiratory ability!

There are so many medications - it is best to start with a weaker one before anything potent!

deleted_user 05/07/2009

i have oxycontin and percocet for pain. basically, i take as little as i possibly can. some days nothing, some 10mg oxy, up to 20mg oxy with percocet for breakthrough pain on worse days.

my tolerance to pankillers is really high due to lots of surgeries from a very early age. unfortunately, no over the counter drugs work for me. chiropractic adjustments help immensely, though it's hard to find a good one willing to touch anyone with a fusion!

deleted_user 05/07/2009

Liz: Talk to your doctor about the pain patches(duragesic pain patches) I was put on them 75mg, you wear them 72 hrs and change them out. I was shocked, I was pain free, after 7 years of chronic pain. But I had a reaction to them. Everyone is different. I swelled up like a beach whale. You might do good on them. For a while I was great, no pills, no pain. Linda

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