Re: Welcome to the group, ph!

[Guest guest]

hi all my gp has put me on 30 mg dihydrocodeine its not moving pain at all, the pain is upp and louer back on top of my back i have just started a very bad pain, my walking is very bad now!From: <elizabethrgonzalez@...> Sent: Thursday, 8 September 2011, 9:25Subject: Welcome to the group, ph!

Yes, we do know how bad the pain can be.

Are you getting medical help with your pain?

I hope you will tell us a little more about your scoliosis history and

current situation.

We're glad to have you as a member.

Best.

>

> hi thank you for having me in your group, do you no how bad this

scoliosis pain gets!!!!!

>

[Guest guest]

hi all my gp is giving me 30mg, he send me for blood tests i dont no why he nos i scoliosis, i can not walk very will but i am trying to keep my job going for how long i dont no,, the info is i was toll by the doctor at the hospital said you have scoliosis and there is no op that we can do to sort it out for you, i have been back to him more xrays and mi and it has only more a bit he said, but he could not tell me how bad the pain would get, can you tell me what painkillers you all on joeFrom: ph Bassett <bassettjoseph@...>" " < >Sent: Friday, 9 September 2011, 22:39Subject: Re: Welcome to the group, ph!

hi all my gp has put me on 30 mg dihydrocodeine its not moving pain at all, the pain is upp and louer back on top of my back i have just started a very bad pain, my walking is very bad now!From: <elizabethrgonzalez@...> Sent: Thursday, 8 September 2011, 9:25Subject: Welcome to the group, ph!

Yes, we do know how bad the pain can be.

Are you getting medical help with your pain?

I hope you will tell us a little more about your scoliosis history and

current situation.

We're glad to have you as a member.

Best.

>

> hi thank you for having me in your group, do you no how bad this

scoliosis pain gets!!!!!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Joe --I am the manager of this group, and and Ann are my co-moderators. They are very knowledgeable people, and I think you will find their ideas and advice highly trustworthy. I have to agree with (in an earlier post directed to you) that you might do better in a more general scoliosis group than in this rather unusual bunch of special cases! As explained, this group is focused on flatback syndrome, a deformity caused by the kind of scoliosis surgery most of us had as teenagers for our adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Like you, we certainly have concerns about pain of various kinds. But our pain tends to be wrapped up with the past surgeries we have had and with our specific flatback deformity, so it may be quite different from the kind of pain you are having.We are not doctors and can not advise you at all on appropriate medication, since everyone's situation is unique. As I understand it, you were diagnosed at age five with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, and this was never treated. Your pain now could result from various factors. People whose scoliosis comes to medical attention at such a young age are likely to deteriorate more than people who are diagnosed later. I can only guess that you may have developed a more severe scoliotic curvature through the years. For many people such curve progression is associated with a lack of balance or symmetry which can result in severe muscle strain. Many people also develop arthritis at a relatively young age. This is causes progressively worse joint pain. It plays a big role in ongoing spinal deterioration, including loss of disk tissue and even "natural" fusion of vertebrae; that is, the separate bones in a problematic area of the spinal column grow or knit together so that that the spine in that area is no longer flexible but completely rigid, as after a surgical fusion.I don't think your GP is fully informed if he thinks that nothing can be done to help you. There are a number of qualified scoliosis surgeons in the United Kingdom. As far as I know, it is still very hard or impossible to get help in Britain if you have already had scoliosis surgery which has given you flatback syndrome like members of our group. (In fact, one present or former member told us she had to leave London and cross the Atlantic to have her flatback corrected in New York!)But if your basic problem is untreated scoliosis, you can have that surgically corected in Britain -- and although I have no idea what age group you belong to, you are never too old! I am not entirely sure whether corrective adult scoliosis surgery is offered under the NHS, however. One online site I know of that focuses on scoliosis and its treatment in the UK, where you might get some helpful information, is http://www.scoliosisnutty.com/Your GP should also be referring you, if feasible, for the best PT or exercise program you are able to do. And for pain management, at least here in the US, the relatively new specialty of pain medicine is usually your best bet. You need someone who is an expert in pain to work out the best treatment for you. Well, that's my bias anyway -- I suppose a well-informed GP could handle it too, but American GPs tend to refer, hating to get into prescribing narcotics what with all the hoopla about street diversion, "hillbilly heroin," just saying no, etc. Maybe in your country they are more enlightened and understand that there is a world of difference between a drug abuser and a medical patient with legitimate need for some relief from his agony. At least in the United States, pain management specialists get Board-certified in that specialty after undertaking a special fellowhip in pain medicine following their residency in another field. Some may start as internists or family doctors, but probably the vast majority come to pain medicine from a previous specialty in anesthesiology. They want to relieve pain, and they have done this very effectively for people in surgery, but often they miss getting to know and talk to their patients. Many have gone on to specialize in pain medicine for this reason -- for the opportunity to develop a genuine doctor-patient relationship while relieving the pain of people who are not unconscious the whole time!It sounds as if you need to resolve the work issue too. You didn't say what line of work you are in, but if your pain is disabling, there must be some program that would allow you to take a disability leave, at least temporarily while you receive treatment for your scoliosis. Many of us in the U.S. who have had serious complications from our scoliosis and its treatment have ultimately had to resign ourselves to retiring much earlier than we expected. A few of our members are lucky to have excellent pensions or long-term disability benefits through their employers, but I would say that by far the largest number of us are living on Social Security Disability benefits (provided to any totally disabled individual who has been paying regular Social Security tax out of her paycheck). You can't live high on the hog on SSDI, but if you are very cautious and frugal, you can survive and keep a roof over your head, and there are even incentives for any part-time work you can do in addition to receiving these government benefits. Surely you must have a comparable program where you live? For people who must work, or feel they can not give it up, the employer will often be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This requires that accommodations to your disability be made in the workplace. You might qualify for a change of duties, for instance -- tasks that do not strain your spine so much -- or for a special ergonomic chair, or a parking spot by the front door of the business or plant. I know from the British disability newsletter I receive that there have been distressing cutbacks there which have affected people like us adversely. Still, you have always had a very impressive and progressive way of doing things over there "across the pond." I have to think that you can find some genuine help and a few helpful safety nets once you feel up to researching things a little more. Here again, I would like to think that your doctor would be your first and foremost source of information and support. If you feel your doctor could be doing better by you, would you consider visiting another doctor just for another viewpoint, a second opinion? Of course if anyone suggests surgery for you, you should be absolutely sure to get a second opinion. Some of us have made sure to get third, fourth, and fifth opinions!Another online resource you might want to look into is the National Scoliosis Foundation website. They have a number of different forums for people to post their concerns and advice about all aspects of scoliosis. Who knows, one of the forums might be just right for someone in your situation. I believe the url is nsf.orgBest,> >> > hi thank you for having me in your group, do you no how bad this> scoliosis pain gets!!!!!> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Don’t know who this was meant for hun but it isn’t me you have described. My scoli was found at 14 and I had Harrington rods put in at 17, my flatback is getting looked at right niw,

xx.

From:

Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 8:22 PM

Subject: Re: Welcome to the group, ph!

Hi, Joe --I am the manager of this group, and and Ann are my co-moderators. They are very knowledgeable people, and I think you will find their ideas and advice highly trustworthy. I have to agree with (in an earlier post directed to you) that you might do better in a more general scoliosis group than in this rather unusual bunch of special cases! As explained, this group is focused on flatback syndrome, a deformity caused by the kind of scoliosis surgery most of us had as teenagers for our adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Like you, we certainly have concerns about pain of various kinds. But our pain tends to be wrapped up with the past surgeries we have had and with our specific flatback deformity, so it may be quite different from the kind of pain you are having.We are not doctors and can not advise you at all on appropriate medication, since everyone's situation is unique. As I understand it, you were diagnosed at age five with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, and this was never treated. Your pain now could result from various factors. People whose scoliosis comes to medical attention at such a young age are likely to deteriorate more than people who are diagnosed later. I can only guess that you may have developed a more severe scoliotic curvature through the years. For many people such curve progression is associated with a lack of balance or symmetry which can result in severe muscle strain. Many people also develop arthritis at a relatively young age. This is causes progressively worse joint pain. It plays a big role in ongoing spinal deterioration, including loss of disk tissue and even "natural" fusion of vertebrae; that is, the separate bones in a problematic area of the spinal column grow or knit together so that that the spine in that area is no longer flexible but completely rigid, as after a surgical fusion.I don't think your GP is fully informed if he thinks that nothing can be done to help you. There are a number of qualified scoliosis surgeons in the United Kingdom. As far as I know, it is still very hard or impossible to get help in Britain if you have already had scoliosis surgery which has given you flatback syndrome like members of our group. (In fact, one present or former member told us she had to leave London and cross the Atlantic to have her flatback corrected in New York!)But if your basic problem is untreated scoliosis, you can have that surgically corected in Britain -- and although I have no idea what age group you belong to, you are never too old! I am not entirely sure whether corrective adult scoliosis surgery is offered under the NHS, however. One online site I know of that focuses on scoliosis and its treatment in the UK, where you might get some helpful information, is http://www.scoliosisnutty.com/Your GP should also be referring you, if feasible, for the best PT or exercise program you are able to do. And for pain management, at least here in the US, the relatively new specialty of pain medicine is usually your best bet. You need someone who is an expert in pain to work out the best treatment for you. Well, that's my bias anyway -- I suppose a well-informed GP could handle it too, but American GPs tend to refer, hating to get into prescribing narcotics what with all the hoopla about street diversion, "hillbilly heroin," just saying no, etc. Maybe in your country they are more enlightened and understand that there is a world of difference between a drug abuser and a medical patient with legitimate need for some relief from his agony. At least in the United States, pain management specialists get Board-certified in that specialty after undertaking a special fellowhip in pain medicine following their residency in another field. Some may start as internists or family doctors, but probably the vast majority come to pain medicine from a previous specialty in anesthesiology. They want to relieve pain, and they have done this very effectively for people in surgery, but often they miss getting to know and talk to their patients. Many have gone on to specialize in pain medicine for this reason -- for the opportunity to develop a genuine doctor-patient relationship while relieving the pain of people who are not unconscious the whole time!It sounds as if you need to resolve the work issue too. You didn't say what line of work you are in, but if your pain is disabling, there must be some program that would allow you to take a disability leave, at least temporarily while you receive treatment for your scoliosis. Many of us in the U.S. who have had serious complications from our scoliosis and its treatment have ultimately had to resign ourselves to retiring much earlier than we expected. A few of our members are lucky to have excellent pensions or long-term disability benefits through their employers, but I would say that by far the largest number of us are living on Social Security Disability benefits (provided to any totally disabled individual who has been paying regular Social Security tax out of her paycheck). You can't live high on the hog on SSDI, but if you are very cautious and frugal, you can survive and keep a roof over your head, and there are even incentives for any part-time work you can do in addition to receiving these government benefits. Surely you must have a comparable program where you live? For people who must work, or feel they can not give it up, the employer will often be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This requires that accommodations to your disability be made in the workplace. You might qualify for a change of duties, for instance -- tasks that do not strain your spine so much -- or for a special ergonomic chair, or a parking spot by the front door of the business or plant. I know from the British disability newsletter I receive that there have been distressing cutbacks there which have affected people like us adversely. Still, you have always had a very impressive and progressive way of doing things over there "across the pond." I have to think that you can find some genuine help and a few helpful safety nets once you feel up to researching things a little more. Here again, I would like to think that your doctor would be your first and foremost source of information and support. If you feel your doctor could be doing better by you, would you consider visiting another doctor just for another viewpoint, a second opinion? Of course if anyone suggests surgery for you, you should be absolutely sure to get a second opinion. Some of us have made sure to get third, fourth, and fifth opinions!Another online resource you might want to look into is the National Scoliosis Foundation website. They have a number of different forums for people to post their concerns and advice about all aspects of scoliosis. Who knows, one of the forums might be just right for someone in your situation. I believe the url is nsf.orgBest,> >> > hi thank you for having me in your group, do you no how bad this> scoliosis pain gets!!!!!> >>

[Guest guest]

hello ELizabeat, i dont where to start my legs was playing up with pain, went to the hospital send him neas have gone, send him 4 time him did not pick i had scoliosis and at this poin i did not no i had scoliosis... then some time afler i send my gp with very bad pain in my legs he send me to see a surgeon at the hospital he send me for mit mis xrays lots showing us scoliosis that was only 2 years ago i send him 3 time cheching on movemtion on the 2 time i went he toll me he could not give me surgery, but he could not tell me how bad the pain would get or would not tell me!!!! BUT THE ONE THING HE DID TELL ME WAS THE DOCTORS WENT YOU WAS 5 YEARS OLD NEW YOU HAD SCOLIOSIS, AND HE SAID THAY SHOULD OF SORTED IT FOR YOU BUT IT TO LATE, HE TOLL ME TO GIVE UP WORK AND REST! now he said if need to see he just call

and i am phone him today and thats my life, my spine is just lilke looking at a S shape, i bet you are lose for words i am god bless you josephFrom: <elizabethrgonzalez@...> Sent: Monday, 12 September 2011, 20:22Subject: Re: Welcome to the group, ph!

Hi, Joe --I am the manager of this group, and and Ann are my co-moderators. They are very knowledgeable people, and I think you will find their ideas and advice highly trustworthy. I have to agree with (in an earlier post directed to you) that you might do better in a more general scoliosis group than in this rather unusual bunch of special cases! As explained, this group is focused on flatback syndrome, a deformity caused by the kind of scoliosis surgery most of us had as teenagers for our adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Like you, we certainly have concerns about pain of various kinds. But our pain tends to be wrapped up with the past surgeries we have had and with our specific flatback deformity, so it may be quite different from the kind of pain you are having.We are not doctors and can not advise you at all on appropriate medication, since everyone's situation is unique. As I

understand it, you were diagnosed at age five with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, and this was never treated. Your pain now could result from various factors. People whose scoliosis comes to medical attention at such a young age are likely to deteriorate more than people who are diagnosed later. I can only guess that you may have developed a more severe scoliotic curvature through the years. For many people such curve progression is associated with a lack of balance or symmetry which can result in severe muscle strain. Many people also develop arthritis at a relatively young age. This is causes progressively worse joint pain. It plays a big role in ongoing spinal deterioration, including loss of disk tissue and even "natural" fusion of vertebrae; that is, the separate bones in a problematic area of the spinal column grow or knit together so that that the spine in that area is no longer flexible but completely rigid, as after a surgical

fusion.I don't think your GP is fully informed if he thinks that nothing can be done to help you. There are a number of qualified scoliosis surgeons in the United Kingdom. As far as I know, it is still very hard or impossible to get help in Britain if you have already had scoliosis surgery which has given you flatback syndrome like members of our group. (In fact, one present or former member told us she had to leave London and cross the Atlantic to have her flatback corrected in New York!)But if your basic problem is untreated scoliosis, you can have that surgically corected in Britain -- and although I have no idea what age group you belong to, you are never too old! I am not entirely sure whether corrective adult scoliosis surgery is offered under the NHS, however. One online site I know of that focuses on scoliosis and its treatment in the UK, where you might get some helpful information, is

http://www.scoliosisnutty.com/Your GP should also be referring you, if feasible, for the best PT or exercise program you are able to do. And for pain management, at least here in the US, the relatively new specialty of pain medicine is usually your best bet. You need someone who is an expert in pain to work out the best treatment for you. Well, that's my bias anyway -- I suppose a well-informed GP could handle it too, but American GPs tend to refer, hating to get into prescribing narcotics what with all the hoopla about street diversion, "hillbilly heroin," just saying no, etc. Maybe in your country they are more enlightened and understand that there is a world of difference between a drug abuser and a medical patient with legitimate need for some relief from his agony. At least in the United States, pain management specialists get Board-certified in that specialty after undertaking a special fellowhip in pain medicine following their

residency in another field. Some may start as internists or family doctors, but probably the vast majority come to pain medicine from a previous specialty in anesthesiology. They want to relieve pain, and they have done this very effectively for people in surgery, but often they miss getting to know and talk to their patients. Many have gone on to specialize in pain medicine for this reason -- for the opportunity to develop a genuine doctor-patient relationship while relieving the pain of people who are not unconscious the whole time!It sounds as if you need to resolve the work issue too. You didn't say what line of work you are in, but if your pain is disabling, there must be some program that would allow you to take a disability leave, at least temporarily while you receive treatment for your scoliosis. Many of us in the U.S. who have had serious complications from our scoliosis and its treatment have ultimately had to resign ourselves

to retiring much earlier than we expected. A few of our members are lucky to have excellent pensions or long-term disability benefits through their employers, but I would say that by far the largest number of us are living on Social Security Disability benefits (provided to any totally disabled individual who has been paying regular Social Security tax out of her paycheck). You can't live high on the hog on SSDI, but if you are very cautious and frugal, you can survive and keep a roof over your head, and there are even incentives for any part-time work you can do in addition to receiving these government benefits. Surely you must have a comparable program where you live? For people who must work, or feel they can not give it up, the employer will often be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This requires that accommodations to your disability be made in the workplace. You might qualify for a change of duties, for

instance -- tasks that do not strain your spine so much -- or for a special ergonomic chair, or a parking spot by the front door of the business or plant. I know from the British disability newsletter I receive that there have been distressing cutbacks there which have affected people like us adversely. Still, you have always had a very impressive and progressive way of doing things over there "across the pond." I have to think that you can find some genuine help and a few helpful safety nets once you feel up to researching things a little more. Here again, I would like to think that your doctor would be your first and foremost source of information and support. If you feel your doctor could be doing better by you, would you consider visiting another doctor just for another viewpoint, a second opinion? Of course if anyone suggests surgery for you, you should be absolutely sure to get a second opinion. Some of us have made sure to get

third, fourth, and fifth opinions!Another online resource you might want to look into is the National Scoliosis Foundation website. They have a number of different forums for people to post their concerns and advice about all aspects of scoliosis. Who knows, one of the forums might be just right for someone in your situation. I believe the url is nsf.orgBest,> >> > hi thank you for having me in your group, do you no how bad this> scoliosis pain gets!!!!!> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Gail,

I'm so sorry -- I have no idea how a post I wrote as a reply to a new

member called Joe wound up in your mail! I will look into this and try

to find out how it could have happened.

I also regret that since you joined in March -- and please correct me if

I'm wrong about this -- we seem to have had no posts from you at all, up

until now. Now you've sent this one, plus a request to leave the group.

Your story sounds very interesting -- unique and individual, but with

that all-too-familiar ring. So many of us have been through the same

sequence of events you describe: scoliosis, fusion with H. rod(s),

years we seemed to be o.k., then this wholly unexpected deformity that

tends to change our lives bigtime. I know that lots of members would be

very interested in learning more about your spinal history and your

current circumstances and plans. Are you sure you want to leave? If so,

please just follow the instructions for unsubscribing -- but we would be

very happy to hear you have reconsidered and are willing to give us

another try.

Also, if there is some specific reason you want out -- something this

group did or didn't do which has led you to reject us -- we would very

much appreciate knowing. We are always trying to improve in our efforts

to serve the needs of our members.

Best,

> > >

> > > hi thank you for having me in your group, do you no how bad this

> > scoliosis pain gets!!!!!

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

hi elizabeat, sorry for leaving some info out about my job i am a truck driver, and i am 49 years old the surgeon at the hospital not my gp said surgery out thay can offer that to me, i am on the sick from work at this min the pain is very bad in my back and my legs are going nume my arms are bad to, if i can not stop my 44ton truck, i can not drive it and will not driver i am worryed about that, work no i have scoliosis and i have send there man so thay have help me best josephFrom: ph Bassett <bassettjoseph@...>" " < >Sent: Tuesday, 13 September 2011, 13:45Subject: Re: Welcome to the group, ph!

hello ELizabeat, i dont where to start my legs was playing up with pain, went to the hospital send him neas have gone, send him 4 time him did not pick i had scoliosis and at this poin i did not no i had scoliosis... then some time afler i send my gp with very bad pain in my legs he send me to see a surgeon at the hospital he send me for mit mis xrays lots showing us scoliosis that was only 2 years ago i send him 3 time cheching on movemtion on the 2 time i went he toll me he could not give me surgery, but he could not tell me how bad the pain would get or would not tell me!!!! BUT THE ONE THING HE DID TELL ME WAS THE DOCTORS WENT YOU WAS 5 YEARS OLD NEW YOU HAD SCOLIOSIS, AND HE SAID THAY SHOULD OF SORTED IT FOR YOU BUT IT TO LATE, HE TOLL ME TO GIVE UP WORK AND REST! now he said if

need to see he just call

and i am phone him today and thats my life, my spine is just lilke looking at a S shape, i bet you are lose for words i am god bless you josephFrom: <elizabethrgonzalez@...> Sent: Monday, 12 September 2011, 20:22Subject: Re: Welcome to the group, ph!

Hi, Joe --I am the manager of this group, and and Ann are my co-moderators. They are very knowledgeable people, and I think you will find their ideas and advice highly trustworthy. I have to agree with (in an earlier post directed to you) that you might do better in a more general scoliosis group than in this rather unusual bunch of special cases! As explained, this group is focused on flatback syndrome, a deformity caused by the kind of scoliosis surgery most of us had as teenagers for our adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Like you, we certainly have concerns about pain of various kinds. But our pain tends to be wrapped up with the past surgeries we have had and with our specific flatback deformity, so it may be quite different from the kind of pain you are having.We are not doctors and can not advise you at all on appropriate medication, since everyone's situation is unique. As I

understand it, you were diagnosed at age five with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis, and this was never treated. Your pain now could result from various factors. People whose scoliosis comes to medical attention at such a young age are likely to deteriorate more than people who are diagnosed later. I can only guess that you may have developed a more severe scoliotic curvature through the years. For many people such curve progression is associated with a lack of balance or symmetry which can result in severe muscle strain. Many people also develop arthritis at a relatively young age. This is causes progressively worse joint pain. It plays a big role in ongoing spinal deterioration, including loss of disk tissue and even "natural" fusion of vertebrae; that is, the separate bones in a problematic area of the spinal column grow or knit together so that that the spine in that area is no longer flexible but completely rigid, as after a surgical

fusion.I don't think your GP is fully informed if he thinks that nothing can be done to help you. There are a number of qualified scoliosis surgeons in the United Kingdom. As far as I know, it is still very hard or impossible to get help in Britain if you have already had scoliosis surgery which has given you flatback syndrome like members of our group. (In fact, one present or former member told us she had to leave London and cross the Atlantic to have her flatback corrected in New York!)But if your basic problem is untreated scoliosis, you can have that surgically corected in Britain -- and although I have no idea what age group you belong to, you are never too old! I am not entirely sure whether corrective adult scoliosis surgery is offered under the NHS, however. One online site I know of that focuses on scoliosis and its treatment in the UK, where you might get some helpful information, is

http://www.scoliosisnutty.com/Your GP should also be referring you, if feasible, for the best PT or exercise program you are able to do. And for pain management, at least here in the US, the relatively new specialty of pain medicine is usually your best bet. You need someone who is an expert in pain to work out the best treatment for you. Well, that's my bias anyway -- I suppose a well-informed GP could handle it too, but American GPs tend to refer, hating to get into prescribing narcotics what with all the hoopla about street diversion, "hillbilly heroin," just saying no, etc. Maybe in your country they are more enlightened and understand that there is a world of difference between a drug abuser and a medical patient with legitimate need for some relief from his agony. At least in the United States, pain management specialists get Board-certified in that specialty after undertaking a special fellowhip in pain medicine following their

residency in another field. Some may start as internists or family doctors, but probably the vast majority come to pain medicine from a previous specialty in anesthesiology. They want to relieve pain, and they have done this very effectively for people in surgery, but often they miss getting to know and talk to their patients. Many have gone on to specialize in pain medicine for this reason -- for the opportunity to develop a genuine doctor-patient relationship while relieving the pain of people who are not unconscious the whole time!It sounds as if you need to resolve the work issue too. You didn't say what line of work you are in, but if your pain is disabling, there must be some program that would allow you to take a disability leave, at least temporarily while you receive treatment for your scoliosis. Many of us in the U.S. who have had serious complications from our scoliosis and its treatment have ultimately had to resign ourselves

to retiring much earlier than we expected. A few of our members are lucky to have excellent pensions or long-term disability benefits through their employers, but I would say that by far the largest number of us are living on Social Security Disability benefits (provided to any totally disabled individual who has been paying regular Social Security tax out of her paycheck). You can't live high on the hog on SSDI, but if you are very cautious and frugal, you can survive and keep a roof over your head, and there are even incentives for any part-time work you can do in addition to receiving these government benefits. Surely you must have a comparable program where you live? For people who must work, or feel they can not give it up, the employer will often be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This requires that accommodations to your disability be made in the workplace. You might qualify for a change of duties, for

instance -- tasks that do not strain your spine so much -- or for a special ergonomic chair, or a parking spot by the front door of the business or plant. I know from the British disability newsletter I receive that there have been distressing cutbacks there which have affected people like us adversely. Still, you have always had a very impressive and progressive way of doing things over there "across the pond." I have to think that you can find some genuine help and a few helpful safety nets once you feel up to researching things a little more. Here again, I would like to think that your doctor would be your first and foremost source of information and support. If you feel your doctor could be doing better by you, would you consider visiting another doctor just for another viewpoint, a second opinion? Of course if anyone suggests surgery for you, you should be absolutely sure to get a second opinion. Some of us have made sure to get

third, fourth, and fifth opinions!Another online resource you might want to look into is the National Scoliosis Foundation website. They have a number of different forums for people to post their concerns and advice about all aspects of scoliosis. Who knows, one of the forums might be just right for someone in your situation. I believe the url is nsf.orgBest,> >> > hi thank you for having me in your group, do you no how bad this> scoliosis pain gets!!!!!> >>