surgery

[Guest guest]

I was just curious, what were your early symptoms, and did you ever have the problem that many people with Achalasia, of not even being able to keep food down( essentially, regurgitation of food) if you don't mind me asking.

Also, how long from onset of symptoms to surgery, and did you have only one manometry test done?

Thanks,

Jan

[Guest guest]

Hi J ...

If you look hard enough, I'm sure you can find a surgeon who will perform

scoliosis surgery on you. I don't, however, think that would be very wise.

Scoliosis surgery is painful, and often life changing. It's not something

that anyone should undertake without a significant reason to do so. If your

curves are too small to be considered surgical, you should try to find out

why you have constant pain. It's unlikely that it's caused by your curves.

Perhaps a neurosurgeon can help you.

In general, good scoliosis surgeons won't perform surgery unless the

patient's curve(s) are at least 45-50 degrees, progression has been

documented and/or pain is significant.

Good luck finding a solution.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

/All,

My curvature is only in the mid 30's, but yes I have constant and

sometimes severe pain in the worst part of the curve. I also have had

pain in my hips and debilitating muscle cramps in my hands off and on

for years. I assumed this was all scoliosis related, maybe not?

If it is unusual to have pain caused by scoliosis, is it likely that

I may have some injury around the same area or something?

Would a neurosurgeon be able to pinpoint the source of the pain?

What about chiropractors? I have been told horrible stories about

them in scoliosis patients...?

Thanks for your help!!!

J

> Hi J ...

>

> If you look hard enough, I'm sure you can find a surgeon who will

perform

> scoliosis surgery on you. I don't, however, think that would be

very wise.

> Scoliosis surgery is painful, and often life changing. It's not

something

> that anyone should undertake without a significant reason to do

so. If your

> curves are too small to be considered surgical, you should try to

find out

> why you have constant pain. It's unlikely that it's caused by your

curves.

> Perhaps a neurosurgeon can help you.

>

> In general, good scoliosis surgeons won't perform surgery unless the

> patient's curve(s) are at least 45-50 degrees, progression has been

> documented and/or pain is significant.

>

> Good luck finding a solution.

>

> Regards,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi J...

Most people with moderate curves do not have pain, so it's believed that

scoliosis itself doesn't cause pain. As curves get more severe, things like

bone rubbing against bone and nerve impingement often cause pain. It's

unlikely that your hip pain and muscle cramps in your hands have anything to

do with your scoliosis, but you won't know until you find a professional to

diagnose it. I would definitely recommend seeing a neurosurgeon. They have

tests that can pinpoint the problem. Start thinking about when your

different pains occur. Telling the doctor things like whether it's constant

pain, or if it comes and goes during the day, or if it comes and goes with

activity, or if you can make it go away by changing position, can be really

helpful.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the info sooo much, !

J

[Guest guest]

> I was just curious, what were your early symptoms, and did you ever

have the

> problem that many people with Achalasia, of not even being able to

keep food

> down( essentially, regurgitation of food) if you don't mind me

asking.

> Also, how long from onset of symptoms to surgery, and did you have

only one

> manometry test done?

> Thanks,

> Jan

Jan,

My first symptom was pain when I swallowed. Soon after I

started getting painful spasms. I managed it well in the

beginning but towards the end I was regurgitating my food.

Had to sometimes re-swallow when it would come up or spit

it out. I had the white foamy stuff sometimes. The scariest

was when I choked a couple of times while sleeping. Towards the

end I was also loosing lots of weight and becoming very

sickly and depressed. My surgery was approximately 18 months

after my first symptom.

I had two manometry's. The first at the Cleveland Clinic and

the second at OSU Hospital. I wanted two separate doctors to

perform the test to make sure they agreed. Even though the

test is horrible!

I have now put my weight back on. Exercise every day and am

thinking of having another child. Have two already. I feel

great now and just want to enjoy it.

Jenifer

[Guest guest]

Hi, I use to live in Mansfield but call Texas home now. Are you still in Mansfield?

Ann

-- Re: surgery

> hi...i'm from mansfield ohio...where are you?I'm originally from Columbus, Ohio. Have lived in Westerville(suburb of Columbus) for 3 years now.Where are you?Jenifer

[Guest guest]

,

I would agree with s idea of a neurosurgeon. Also a visit to a good pain

management specialist or PT clinic that has lots of " modalities " (things that

feel good) to treat pain may be in order. Chiropractors did assist me greatly

while awaiting my surgery date, but each case is different.

[Guest guest]

I had surgery at age 47 for scoliosis that was severe enough for surgery -

fusion is recommended at 46 degrees curvature. I have an S curve and was fused

from T6 to S1. I would be glad to share my story w/you. My surgery was in 94

w/CD rods which were removed w/revision surgery in 99 by Dr. LaGrone in

Amarillo. Please feel free to e-mail me at rrock65@... and I'll give you a

more

complete history which I think I've already given the group about my first

surgery - and include specific questions if you have them and a bit about your

current situation. There are also many others on this list who will be able to

share their experiences w/you, too. You are not alone. Jennie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/13/04 9:08:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

unweary@... writes:

> Has anybody had surgery at the age of 46 for severe scoliosis?

>

My " flatback " after fusion failure and spine instability now includes severe

" s " curve sciolosis, though I don't know degress yet. I'm almost 60 and will

have reconstructive surgery this Feb. 23rd.. I'll be seeing the surgeon this

Friday and will let you know any info I get. I thought my age was critical to

healing etc but evidently while the risk may be higher it won't prevent the

surgery.

June

[Guest guest]

Age, in and of itself, should not be any kind of worry. Some of us have had

uneventful procedures in our 50s or later. (I had my last 16-hour procedure, in

two installments, at age 53.) If this is a FIRST correction for scoliosis, you

may be especially lucky, since these are, overall, much easier than they were

" in my day " and since you have no outdated hardware for the surgeon to work

around or remove.

Some surgeons used to have a rough cut-off age somewhere around 70 for all but

essential operations, but I am not sure this is even the case anymore. I know my

own neurosurgeon has done a laminectomy, at least, on at least one patient in

her 90s.

Much more important is your overall health and fitness, especially your

cardiovascular status. As always, the major concern with any kind of surgery is

the anesthesia.

Re: surgery

In a message dated 1/13/04 9:08:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

unweary@... writes:

> Has anybody had surgery at the age of 46 for severe scoliosis?

>

My " flatback " after fusion failure and spine instability now includes severe

" s " curve sciolosis, though I don't know degress yet. I'm almost 60 and will

have reconstructive surgery this Feb. 23rd.. I'll be seeing the surgeon this

Friday and will let you know any info I get. I thought my age was critical to

healing etc but evidently while the risk may be higher it won't prevent the

surgery.

June

[Guest guest]

My first surgeries were at 41. The next few were at 49. What we have next

month , I will be 52. Jan

From: unweary [mailto: unweary@...]To:

@...: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 04:52:48

-0000Subject: surgeryHas anybody had surgery at the age of 46

for severe scoliosis?Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse

any advertised products.

[Guest guest]

> Has anybody had surgery at the age of 46 for severe scoliosis?

Is this your first time having surgery? I had my first revision at

age 39 with CD rods. I had my second revision at age 53 where the CD

rods were removed and Isola rods inserted. Barbara in Missouri

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm so glad to hear that the surgery is behind you. That means the best is yet

to be. It sounds like your son is a real trooper. Keep us updated with how

he's doing and his surgery date. We'll be anxious to hear.

Alice

From: Montgomery

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that my son's surgery went good and he is also

doing good. He is such a trooper. I'm relieved that the surgery part is over

with. Thanks for all your support.

[Guest guest]

Congratulations to Vinni for his implant surgery! Looking forward to hearing

about the hook-up.

[Guest guest]

DITTO! Took the words right out of my mouth, Jen!Deb, also praying for 's surgery -- let us know how it goes!!!

,I am so excited about your surgery tomorrow. My thoughts are with you and I can't wait to here fromyou after your surgery.Best of luck!Jenifer

[Guest guest]

-- Re: Surgery

DITTO! Took the words right out of my mouth, Jen!Deb, also praying for 's surgery -- let us know how it goes!!!

,I

[Guest guest]

Your brother is lucky to have you get involved in his situation and

have your support. You will find that every experience is a little

different, but at the same time we can all benefit from eachothers

feedback and support. Cholesteatoma isn't that common, but the

internet has a way of making it seem like we aren't alone (I have yet

to meet anyone in my area with this problem, yet I know they have to

be out there somewhere!)

I hope your brother's surgery goes well and don't be shy to post any

questions or concerns you (or your brother) might have --- it really

helps. I am also 26 and this ear problem seemed to come out of

nowhere......I am so thankful for the responses and continuing

support I get from this group.

> Hello, first let me say what a blessing this group is. I just

found

> it and am so thankful. I have been devouring the posts. My

brother

> (26) has this cholesteatoma thing and he is having surgery (his

> first) next Friday. I am a little concerned but it seems like this

> is not rare at all.

[Guest guest]

I haven't had a myotomy at all yet, so I can't give you any first-hand

info, but I do know that there are SEVERAL people here on the group who

had the surgery done " open " instead of laparoscopic. If you go back in

the archives and read through the months of January and February last

year, you'll see several different accounts of myotomy surgery (I know

's husband Chet had his " open " surgery in mid-January 2003.)

The surgery itself is the same as far as what they do to the LES -- the

difference is the size and location of the scars, whether or not they pump

you with gas (they don't for an open surgery), and the time in the

hospital and off work (lap is usually 2-3 days in hospital and 2-4 weeks

off work, open is usually 4-6 days in hospital and 4-6 weeks off work.)

Everything is relative, though, and what one person goes through isn't at

all what the next person will experience. If you've had major abdominal

surgery before (which it sounds like you have) you'll have a pretty good

idea of how you'll handle that end of it. I know that I'm one of those

fortunate people that can heal rather quickly from surgery -- three weeks

after an appendectomy I was waterskiing, and two weeks after a c-section I

was toting my newborn son to my office (carseat carrier and all) three

afternoons a week.

Your surgeon should be able to give you an idea of how many days you will

likely be hospitalized, how many weeks off work, and what type of diet

he'll have you follow for the first few months -- again, this can vary

greatly based on who your surgeon is.... some docs keep you on

liquids-only for two weeks, some only for one, some have you eating a full

diet after a month, some not for a couple of months. If your doctor isn't

answering your questions, I would be VERY skeptical about letting him cut

you open.

Debbi in Michigan

> Yes, I am scared, and new to this disease. I cannot have the surgery

> any other way but to open my stomach.I have had many surgery's due

> from a medical screw up..I have read this group but i want to know

> if anyone had it the way i am having to? What to expect? Please if

> have any help please write back,, i am scared and scheduled for

> March 9th..

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy! Sorry to her about your daughter's scoliosis surgery, but

the good news is the procedure is so much more advanced than when I

had mine in 1983. Scoliosis runs in my family and my daughter (12

years old at the time of surgery) had to have surgery in July 2003.

She had the same procedure that your daughter is going to have and

has not had any problems with the lumbar curve whatsoever. In fact

her thoracic curve was at 46 degrees before surgery and measured 14

degrees after surgery. Her doctor/surgeon has xrayed her at every

visit and has been monitoring her every 2-3 months since the surgery.

The lumbar curve appears to have been stabilized with only the fusion

and instrumentation performed at thoracic curve. I hope this helps.I

know it isn't easy going thru this - for you or your daugther.

I don't know how old your daughter is, but you need to know that

about the 2nd or 3rd day/night after surgery she may start " freaking

out " with the pain. The nurses assured me that it usually happens,

but it would have been nice to know in advance. My best advice is to

try to comfort her the best you can and see if the nurses can give

her an extra boost of morphine.

I wish her the best of luck. If she's anything like my daughter,

she's probably scared to death. But please assure her that she should

be back to her " normal self " within a few weeks. My daughter was

shopping at mall 2 weeks after her surgery!! And started 7th grade on

the first day school with all her friends.

Take care & the best of luck - Lara

P.S. you are more than welcome to contact me thru the message board

or by email.

-- In Scoliosis Treatment , " Peggy Greene "

<jpgunlimited@e...> wrote:

> My daughter's surgery has been scheduled for June 28. Her thoracic

curve is 55 degrees with a compensatory lumbar curve of 38 degrees.

The surgeon (who is a scoliosis specialist) wants to just fuse the

thoracic portion of the curve to approximately 35 degrees just to

balance her out. He is hoping the lumbar curve will stabilize and if

it doesn't, then fuse that portion at a later time. He will do a

posterior approach fusing with two stainless steel rods with hooks,

screws, wires, etc. I am wondering if it might be better to go ahead

and fuse both curves in order to get more correction. I am afraid

just fusing the thoracic curve will not gain enough correction and

certainly won't correct the rib hump and rotation. Any suggestions?

Opinions?

>

> Peggy Greene

>

> Osteoporosis - Dx @ 33, Fosamax for 8 years

> Fibromyalgia - Zyprexa for sleep, massage therapy for pain

> Severe Degenerative Disc Disease - cervical and lumbar spine

> Scoliosis - Harrington rod fusion @ age 12 from T3-L3

> 12-year old daughter with scoliosis wearing Boston brace due to

have surgery June 2004

> Flatback Syndrome

> Restrictive Lung Disease

> Hypothyroidism

> Allergies

> GERD

> MVP

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Has anyone here had a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) years after having

revision surgery?

surgery

> My daughter's surgery has been scheduled for June 28. Her thoracic curve

is 55 degrees with a compensatory lumbar curve of 38 degrees. The surgeon

(who is a scoliosis specialist) wants to just fuse the thoracic portion of

the curve to approximately 35 degrees just to balance her out. He is hoping

the lumbar curve will stabilize and if it doesn't, then fuse that portion at

a later time. He will do a posterior approach fusing with two stainless

steel rods with hooks, screws, wires, etc. I am wondering if it might be

better to go ahead and fuse both curves in order to get more correction. I

am afraid just fusing the thoracic curve will not gain enough correction and

certainly won't correct the rib hump and rotation. Any suggestions?

Opinions?

>

> Peggy Greene

>

> Osteoporosis - Dx @ 33, Fosamax for 8 years

> Fibromyalgia - Zyprexa for sleep, massage therapy for pain

> Severe Degenerative Disc Disease - cervical and lumbar spine

> Scoliosis - Harrington rod fusion @ age 12 from T3-L3

> 12-year old daughter with scoliosis wearing Boston brace due to have

surgery June 2004

> Flatback Syndrome

> Restrictive Lung Disease

> Hypothyroidism

> Allergies

> GERD

> MVP

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy...

Although my surgeon was slightly recommending the larger surgery, he

did give me the option of having just my lumbar curve fused. I chose

to have the longer fusion, so that I wouldn't have to go through an

additional procedure. Knowing what I know now, I think I would have

opted to have the smaller surgery and hope that the other curve either

straightened on its own, or wasn't ever bad enough to require surgery.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

I had my surgery in 1976 and lots have changed since then. My thoracic curve

was 60 something-not sure what lumbar was. I am fused from T4-L1. My

thoracic actually pulled out some of the lumbar curve. Was glad I was not

fused any further down so I can still bend over. I have a compensatory

cervical curve now, but all these years later, not having too many problems.

Hope that all goes well with your daughter.

Janet

South Carolina-USA

----Original Message Follows----

From: " Peggy Greene " <jpgunlimited@...>

Reply-Scoliosis Treatment

<Scoliosis Treatment >

Subject: surgery

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 18:28:02 -0400

My daughter's surgery has been scheduled for June 28. Her thoracic curve is

55 degrees with a compensatory lumbar curve of 38 degrees. The surgeon (who

is a scoliosis specialist) wants to just fuse the thoracic portion of the

curve to approximately 35 degrees just to balance her out. He is hoping the

lumbar curve will stabilize and if it doesn't, then fuse that portion at a

later time. He will do a posterior approach fusing with two stainless steel

rods with hooks, screws, wires, etc. I am wondering if it might be better

to go ahead and fuse both curves in order to get more correction. I am

afraid just fusing the thoracic curve will not gain enough correction and

certainly won't correct the rib hump and rotation. Any suggestions?

Opinions?

Peggy Greene

Osteoporosis - Dx @ 33, Fosamax for 8 years

Fibromyalgia - Zyprexa for sleep, massage therapy for pain

Severe Degenerative Disc Disease - cervical and lumbar spine

Scoliosis - Harrington rod fusion @ age 12 from T3-L3

12-year old daughter with scoliosis wearing Boston brace due to have surgery

June 2004

Flatback Syndrome

Restrictive Lung Disease

Hypothyroidism

Allergies

GERD

MVP

[Guest guest]

Dear Peggy,

With your health history I can understand why you might think it best to

fuse the entire spine, but I need to agree with the other posters and your

daughter's surgeon.

He is taking a conservative approach and with the low degree of lumbar curve

it is wise-in my non-medically trained opinion. This is one case where more

is not better. Why? Because most of the motion in the spine/hips is in the

lumbar spine-so if possible it should be spared. And at her young age keeping

motion is important for sports, dancing, and (not trying to offend) let's say,

martial bless.

If you look at a sketelon you'll see the ribs coming out at a different angle

in the lumbar because they have so much more ability to move. And there is

something about nerves that make the lumbar area more painful. (Don't know if

there is more of them or nerve endings or nerve roots are there) If the lumbar

degree is compensatory, it may straighten out a lot. And at 38 degrees it may

well straighten out to not be noticeable, never progress, or never be

painful. Certainly that is the surgeon's goal and it is statistically

conceivable.

You wrote: " afraid just fusing the thoracic curve will not gain enough

correction and

certainly won't correct the rib hump and rotation. "

If I get the meaning of your comment, as I understand it having a thorospathy

(sp???) (a rib resection) would greatly correct the rib hump. If that is a

great concern to your daughter or yourself you should discuss it with the

surgeon.

Haven't I heard that many surgeons are doing an anterior as well as a

posterior fusion

now for stability. Did the surgeon mention doing both?

I hope we've helped reassured you on the thoracic fusion only.

Jolene 1960 thoracic fusion with donor bone only, now needing total t-1 to

L-5, but happy it wasn't done in 1960.

[Guest guest]

I had only my thorasic curve fused and instrumentated 9 years ago, and the

lumbar curve just corrected itself because it was only compensating for the

thorasic curve. My thorasic was around 55 at time of surgery and I think the

lumbar was only 15-20....they wern't as concerned with it since the thorasic

was the severe curve. But my lumbar curve corrected itself and stayed

stabilized with just the thorasic curve fused. I think that fusing as little

of the spine as neccessary is a good idea because if the lumbar spine is

fused she will lose a lot more flexability. I have great posture from teh

thorasic fusion but can still bend over and touch my toes.

>From: " Peggy Greene " <jpgunlimited@...>

>Reply-Scoliosis Treatment

><Scoliosis Treatment >

>Subject: surgery

>Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 18:28:02 -0400

>

>My daughter's surgery has been scheduled for June 28. Her thoracic curve

>is 55 degrees with a compensatory lumbar curve of 38 degrees. The surgeon

>(who is a scoliosis specialist) wants to just fuse the thoracic portion of

>the curve to approximately 35 degrees just to balance her out. He is

>hoping the lumbar curve will stabilize and if it doesn't, then fuse that

>portion at a later time. He will do a posterior approach fusing with two

>stainless steel rods with hooks, screws, wires, etc. I am wondering if it

>might be better to go ahead and fuse both curves in order to get more

>correction. I am afraid just fusing the thoracic curve will not gain

>enough correction and certainly won't correct the rib hump and rotation.

>Any suggestions? Opinions?

>

>Peggy Greene

>

>Osteoporosis - Dx @ 33, Fosamax for 8 years

>Fibromyalgia - Zyprexa for sleep, massage therapy for pain

>Severe Degenerative Disc Disease - cervical and lumbar spine

>Scoliosis - Harrington rod fusion @ age 12 from T3-L3

>12-year old daughter with scoliosis wearing Boston brace due to have

>surgery June 2004

>Flatback Syndrome

>Restrictive Lung Disease

>Hypothyroidism

>Allergies

>GERD

>MVP

>

>

>