Re: Golden Foot Award

[Guest guest]

Dear Carol,

I started my reading about Flatback in 2000, right after my diagnosis, and as to where I read it I don't remember. I'm not one to collect everything I read, is our person who has all the facts and sites. I do remember reading that and thinking how could they possibly give a number estimate to who would develope Flatback, seems to me the number just grows as we age, where it will end up, who can really know till we are all much older. As with any of us, I know a few people with Harrington Rods who are doing alright now, and I hope they always will, but I inform them of the chance that Flatback could rear it's ugly head down the road,so they are aware of it, and they don't have to go from doctor to doctor for years like I did not finding any help. There are so many years where Harrington Rods were installed in patients, 60's, 70's, 80's, and we have even heard from a couple in the early 90's, so as you can see there might be patients that begin falling apart for years to come. I only got 11 " Good Years" out of mine before symptoms hit me, but many here got decades before symptoms hit. So I would think that the jury is still out on how many of us " Harrington Rod Patients" will develope Flatback, and for now a percentage would be nothing more than educated guess.I would think speaking to a doc that handles this all the time would give you a better picture, but even then they are seeing people who are having troubles, why else would patients be there. As long as patients are doing we'll I think they would be off the radar of statistics. I wish there had been better follow-up of us Harrington Rod patients, but it probably would have been impossible to keep up with us all. I also have been frustrated through the years that there hasn't been any alerts to my knowlegde to doctors about the possibility of Flatback in patients with Harrington Rod's. I feel I lost years of function in the eighties and nineties due to the fact that the many ortho doc's I saw during that time frame didn't recognise it. I only found treatment due to my own" never give up " attitude, that I just wasn't going to accept the live with it montra, I knew something was really wrong with me and that there must be help out there. After my first visit with Dr. Kumar, who took one look at my x-rays and me and knew exactly what was wrong with me, I spent the ride home in tears from the relief of knowing it had a name and surgery that could give me a better quality of life. The relief was profound, but then I was angry because I had seen twenty some doc's during the sixteen years that I had symptoms across the country who didn't get what was going on with me, I didn't even know it had a name till Kumar told me it. So that is why I stay here four years out, trying to help newbies to all this get to good doctors, and to have support from somebody who has been there. You don't have your foot in your mouth, time will tell how many of us develope it, and for the time being we will just have to wait and see, and lets hope there are many with H.R.'s that make it through life with only that surgery and recovery, and that they don't have to endure Flatback and revision surgery.

Colorado Springs

[ ] Golden Foot Award

--I would like to know where you read about the percentage of people who get flatback from Harrington rods. Is there a particular site? I have read some that people have recommended, and I don't recall seeing a percentage. I guess it just seemed to me that most get it because most that post here have it!! I guess that's just me, jumping to conclusions. So therefore, I award myself the Golden Foot in Mouth Award!!!(But I get that award alot) Thanks for the info.Carol V (CA)

[Guest guest]

Carol,

Don't beat yourself up...I agree with everything said. There are

so many variables that it may not be possible to predict that each and

every patient will develop flatback....but again...I can't pull a

citation out of my hat...but it seems that I have read in more than

one place that IF you had the non-segmental rods placed and IF you had

a long fusion, and IF it was lower than L3, you were a signifigantly

greater risk of developing flatback. And I agree with that the

jury is still out as weather that population will end up to be close

to 100% as we go through time.

At the risk of saying this again, my local ortho...well enough trained

and young enough to know what he was talking about just talked about

my condition mainly as symptoms that come with old age and

fusion....osteoarthritis, bad discs...yaddah, yaddah, yaddah.

I had to identify this condition FOR MYSELF and then go get

" confirmatory diagnosis " from a specialist. I think you had a similar

experience. So how many folks are spending their days managing the

immediate symptoms without seeking appropriate treatment for the whole

constellation of things that happen to us? My $$ is on LOTS. To be

determined, as they say.

One big factor that made it possible for me to undertake searching for

answers: the internet. I am 50. Many of my peers, even today, do not

find much use for the internet and may not even have one in their

homes. As such...a patient with this condition is completely relying

on the assesment of their local ortho, unless they will go to a

medical library and spend lots of time. And look at the pace this

group alone is picking up members. Sure, alot of them could be

spammers looking for addresses....but I don't think so!

My feeling is there are many hundreds of patients out there, some of

who will have revision, some who will choose not to, and others who

will find out too late to do anything about it. Most of the surgeons

seem to be beginning to find their way to techniques that work on us

(at least for now!). Looking back in the literature I don't believe

the experiments on us old HR types really began until the mid to late

90's. Not really ten years.

So...while I don't want to scare anyone who may be lurking who is

wondering about the future...and based on not one bit of research or

medical training or anything other than a lay persons

understanding...my greatest fear is that you, Carol, are closest to

the mark:

" There are those that have, and those that will..... " for those with

the above mentioned set of " risk factors " .

Of course I really do hope I am wrong.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam, , Carol,

I think you guys are right on the mark. From what I can see, we won't know for quite a while just how many H Rod patients develop Flatback, for all the reasons you mentioned. I've been on these boards for almost 9 years. I always worry about my son, who had H Rod surgery in 1981 and has no symptoms yet. For a while there, I thought he was home free, so to speak, since the Flatback patients seemed to be 15-20 years post H Rod surgery and he is well past that. But, recently it seems to me that we are seeing more and more people who are as much as 30 years post H Rod surgery seeking help for newly diagnosed Flatback. So my worrying is not over yet. And I think that if there are any statistics on the percentages of H Rod patients who develop Flatback , they are out of date. Time will tell.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: Golden Foot Award

Carol,Don't beat yourself up...I agree with everything said. There areso many variables that it may not be possible to predict that each andevery patient will develop flatback....but again...I can't pull acitation out of my hat...but it seems that I have read in more thanone place that IF you had the non-segmental rods placed and IF you hada long fusion, and IF it was lower than L3, you were a signifigantlygreater risk of developing flatback. And I agree with that thejury is still out as weather that population will end up to be closeto 100% as we go through time.At the risk of saying this again, my local ortho...well enough trainedand young enough to know what he was talking about just talked aboutmy condition mainly as symptoms that come with old age andfusion....osteoarthritis, bad discs...yaddah, yaddah, yaddah.I had to identify this condition FOR MYSELF and then go get"confirmatory diagnosis" from a specialist. I think you had a similarexperience. So how many folks are spending their days managing theimmediate symptoms without seeking appropriate treatment for the wholeconstellation of things that happen to us? My $$ is on LOTS. To bedetermined, as they say.One big factor that made it possible for me to undertake searching foranswers: the internet. I am 50. Many of my peers, even today, do notfind much use for the internet and may not even have one in theirhomes. As such...a patient with this condition is completely relyingon the assesment of their local ortho, unless they will go to amedical library and spend lots of time. And look at the pace thisgroup alone is picking up members. Sure, alot of them could bespammers looking for addresses....but I don't think so!My feeling is there are many hundreds of patients out there, some ofwho will have revision, some who will choose not to, and others whowill find out too late to do anything about it. Most of the surgeons seem to be beginning to find their way to techniques that work on us(at least for now!). Looking back in the literature I don't believethe experiments on us old HR types really began until the mid to late90's. Not really ten years. So...while I don't want to scare anyone who may be lurking who iswondering about the future...and based on not one bit of research ormedical training or anything other than a lay personsunderstanding...my greatest fear is that you, Carol, are closest tothe mark:"There are those that have, and those that will....." for those withthe above mentioned set of "risk factors".Of course I really do hope I am wrong.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, . Dr Tompkins did my surgery in 1973

and one of my rods broke right away.

There are a few more of Dr Tompkins' patients here, too.

>

> I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in 1980 in Oklahoma

by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast yesterday of the

newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they have came since

then. I was the first one into surgery that morning and the last

one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are going to break

or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened to?

> Bay

>

>

[Guest guest]

oh, I guess I should have mentioned that my broken rod is still in my

back 33 years later. It was never really a problem, but now that I

have issues from flatback it is usually easier to tell people that I

have a broken rod in my back to explain having 'back problems.' I

don't get as much of the " oh, so-and-so had back problems and got it

fixed easily by . . . "

>

> Hi,

>

> My rod broke years ago. It is quite common and not that important if

> it is 2 years past surgery. It can mean that something hasn't fused

> correctly, but I have yet to have a doctor tell me that a broken rod

> automatically means trouble.

>

> Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

It's nice to have this website to share and keep up with everything. What is everyone doing for pain management? I build utility (for dozers and tractors) trailers. Wiring, welding, and repairing because I got denied for social security so I had to take what I could get because most physical labor jobs do physicals and would s***can my application immediately after they seen my back. BaySB <bahadreama@...> wrote: Welcome to the group, . Dr Tompkins did my

surgery in 1973 and one of my rods broke right away.There are a few more of Dr Tompkins' patients here, too. >> I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in 1980 in Oklahoma by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast yesterday of the newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they have came since then. I was the first one into surgery that morning and the last one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are going to break or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened to? > Bay> >

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron,

Welcome to the group. You haven't said why you joined up...can you

tell us a little more about where you are in your journey? Have you

been diagnosed with flatback and are you receiving any medical help

for it?

Please tell us a little more about yourself when you are ready!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

one good thing that came from my scoliosis was that Vocational Rehab

paid for my college education. Thank goodness I have a job that

lets me sit and move around as needed and that I use my brain more

than my body!

For pain management, I see Dr Eckman at Spine Hospital in

Oklahoma City.

> >

> > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in 1980 in Oklahoma

> by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast yesterday of the

> newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they have came

since

> then. I was the first one into surgery that morning and the last

> one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are going to break

> or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened to?

> > Bay

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and

30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

>

[Guest guest]

When I was in my early twenties I tried to go to Vocational Rehab and they would not do anything for me because they said my parents made to much money. They did not take into affect that my parents had 8 children. So I dropped the idea of schooling and now do physical labor. When I fought for social security they listed 2 jobs that I should be able to do and I am telling you there are tons of these jobs around, 1st a wire suture cutter and secondly a lamp shade assembler. RonSB <bahadreama@...> wrote: one good thing that came from my scoliosis was that Vocational Rehab paid for my college education. Thank goodness I have a job that lets me sit and move around as needed and that I use my brain more than my body!For pain management, I see Dr Eckman at Spine Hospital in Oklahoma City.> >> > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in 1980 in Oklahoma > by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast yesterday of the > newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they have came since > then. I was the first one into surgery that morning and the last > one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are going to break > or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened to? > > Bay> > > >> > > > >

> > ---------------------------------> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.>

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

[Guest guest]

I joined up to keep in touch and see if everyone is having the same problems I am having. No, I have not been diagnosed with flatback. Actually it's been several years since I have seen a proper physician for my back. Just have to go to a local doctor every once and awhile to get a pain prescription. The main place that I feel in my back that draws the most pain is my lower back. I have to bend and crawl under trailers all day. If you had a "good" back it would be a killer. No one at my work knows about my back or they would can me. The last time I had x-rays the doctor said the x-rays look like they came out of a textbook. The one thing that I have found out since yesterday from many of you is that you don't have to expect the worst from the breakage of a rod. I have always been told that you are pretty much going to end up in a wheelchair if one of your rods break. My father's co-worker's son ended up

in a wheelchair when his broke. I wish the best for all of us. Roncammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: Hi Ron,Welcome to the group. You haven't said why you joined up...can you tell us a little more about where you are in your journey? Have you been diagnosed with flatback and are you receiving any medical help for it?Please tell us a little more about yourself when you are ready!Take Care, Cam

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply. I guess as to the percentage, it's still " up in

the air " . I had only about 11 " good " years, too after my surgery. I

started feeling pain about 11 yrs afterward. However, I didn't go

from doctor to doctor to try to figure it out. I just seemed to think

it would be a waste of time because no one around here knows that

much about these sorts of things, and I didn't know what specialist

to go to until I heard about Dr. Hu and UCSF about a year ago!!!!

Carol V (CA)

>

> Dear Carol,

>

> I started my reading about Flatback in 2000, right after my

diagnosis, and as to where I read it I don't remember. I'm not one to

collect everything I read, is our person who has all the facts

and sites. I do remember reading that and thinking how could they

possibly give a number estimate to who would develope Flatback, seems

to me the number just grows as we age, where it will end up, who can

really know till we are all much older. As with any of us, I know a

few people with Harrington Rods who are doing alright now, and I hope

they always will, but I inform them of the chance that Flatback could

rear it's ugly head down the road,so they are aware of it, and they

don't have to go from doctor to doctor for years like I did not

finding any help. There are so many years where Harrington Rods were

installed in patients, 60's, 70's, 80's, and we have even heard from

a couple in the early 90's, so as you can see there might be patients

that begin falling apart for years to come. I only got 11 " Good

Years " out of mine before symptoms hit me, but many here got decades

before symptoms hit. So I would think that the jury is still out on

how many of us " Harrington Rod Patients " will develope Flatback, and

for now a percentage would be nothing more than educated guess.I

would think speaking to a doc that handles this all the time would

give you a better picture, but even then they are seeing people who

are having troubles, why else would patients be there. As long as

patients are doing we'll I think they would be off the radar of

statistics. I wish there had been better follow-up of us Harrington

Rod patients, but it probably would have been impossible to keep up

with us all. I also have been frustrated through the years that there

hasn't been any alerts to my knowlegde to doctors about the

possibility of Flatback in patients with Harrington Rod's. I feel I

lost years of function in the eighties and nineties due to the fact

that the many ortho doc's I saw during that time frame didn't

recognise it. I only found treatment due to my own " never give up "

attitude, that I just wasn't going to accept the live with it montra,

I knew something was really wrong with me and that there must be help

out there. After my first visit with Dr. Kumar, who took one look at

my x-rays and me and knew exactly what was wrong with me, I spent the

ride home in tears from the relief of knowing it had a name and

surgery that could give me a better quality of life. The relief was

profound, but then I was angry because I had seen twenty some doc's

during the sixteen years that I had symptoms across the country who

didn't get what was going on with me, I didn't even know it had a

name till Kumar told me it. So that is why I stay here four years

out, trying to help newbies to all this get to good doctors, and to

have support from somebody who has been there. You don't have your

foot in your mouth, time will tell how many of us develope it, and

for the time being we will just have to wait and see, and lets hope

there are many with H.R.'s that make it through life with only that

surgery and recovery, and that they don't have to endure Flatback and

revision surgery.

>

>

> Colorado Springs

> [ ] Golden Foot Award

>

>

> --I would like to know where you read about the percentage

of

> people who get flatback from Harrington rods. Is there a

particular

> site? I have read some that people have recommended, and I don't

recall

> seeing a percentage. I guess it just seemed to me that most get

it

> because most that post here have it!! I guess that's just me,

jumping

> to conclusions. So therefore, I award myself the Golden Foot in

Mouth

> Award!!!(But I get that award alot)

>

> Thanks for the info.

>

> Carol V (CA)

>

[Guest guest]

that is odd. I thought voc rehab was based strictly on disability

and not on income. I would not have known about it if we hadn't had

a voc rehab counselor at my school and he looked for folks to help.

I would not have qualified for financial aid on the basis of

financial need.

I used to have a much more physically demanding job, and had to go

back to school about 10 years ago to get qualified for the job I

have now. I have tons of student loans that I will still be paying

when I am well past retirement age.

> > >

> > > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in 1980 in

Oklahoma

> > by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast yesterday of the

> > newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they have came

> since

> > then. I was the first one into surgery that morning and the last

> > one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are going to

break

> > or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened to?

> > > Bay

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US

(and

> 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and

30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

>

[Guest guest]

,

Sorry can't answer your question about pain

management, since mostly mine has been managed with

non steroidals, but you made me think that for most of

us middle aged women, our employment is not so

physical and for that we are probably lucky. Have you

thought of contacting office of vocational rehab?

They might be able to help you find something less

physically taxing. I have realized that I am even

avoiding weeding my garden this year because of the

pain. So I can't imagine doing what you do! I know

that someone has already said to you that not everyone

gets broken rods, its just that those who are having

problems are the ones who gravitate toward these

websites.

--- Bay <ronbay67@...> wrote:

> It's nice to have this website to share and keep up

> with everything. What is everyone doing for pain

> management? I build utility (for dozers and

> tractors) trailers. Wiring, welding, and repairing

> because I got denied for social security so I had to

> take what I could get because most physical labor

> jobs do physicals and would s***can my application

> immediately after they seen my back.

> Bay

>

> SB <bahadreama@...> wrote:

> Welcome to the group, . Dr Tompkins

> did my surgery in 1973

> and one of my rods broke right away.

>

> There are a few more of Dr Tompkins' patients here,

> too.

>

>

> >

> > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in

> 1980 in Oklahoma

> by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast

> yesterday of the

> newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they

> have came since

> then. I was the first one into surgery that morning

> and the last

> one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are

> going to break

> or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened

> to?

> > Bay

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls

> to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Ron,

If you are a " vintage " HR....and a 1980 fusion would seem to

indicate that you are at least a candidate for flatback, I would

strongly recommend that you seek out an orthopedic consult with

someone who does adult scolisosis and aging spine....preferably

someone who has a track record with the old straight rod/long fusion

scenario.Where in the county are you now? If you are still in OK..we

have a few members in that area that who might have done

enough " weeding out " to recommend someone worth seeing.

If you are still doing physical labor with that much time spent

getting bent over I imagine you feel like a pretzel at the end of

the day. On top of the pain, I remember strying to straighten up

after a long day in the garden and finding it very difficult in the

years leading up to revision...so kudos to you! Hopefully you have

good stong body and discs to overcome some of the problems we seem

to encounter.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Dear Carol V,

I'm so glad you didn't have to go through what I did to get help, though I know you were in pain for years like me but at least you were finally able to get the name of Dr. Hu. I began my quest to get help in the central valley of California, Modesto to be exact. I saw doc's in Sacramento, Modesto, and Stockton, and also doc's through the Kaiser system. No one had a clue. If I had been smart, I would have made Kaiser refer me to UCSF, but they sent me to their doc's and even some outside the system. By this point I had seen about six of them and I was believing what they told me, that I would have to learn to live with it. The years went on and we moved to Chicago, Ashland Oregon, and then to the Denver Area. Kept seeing doc's, and no answers.

What keeps me involved in the group is that someone can learn from my experience, that there are doc's out there that handle post-Harrington rod surgery patients all the time and know what Flatback is, and recognise it and have TONS of experience dealing with it and the surgery to correct it. If I can help one person get to a qualified doc quickly, I feel so relieved that they don't have to go the amount of years I did, in pain and getting no help.

The internet is a wonderful thing, that through looking up Harrington Rods, and symptoms many of you have found out what was going on with you. I just kept going to doc's, and am grateful everyday I got to Dr. Kumar. I always say the hand of God was with me to get me to him. When my Husband was with Bell & Howell, we had insurance that few doc's in Colorado took. I went to my regular doc, and I'd only been there before for a sore throat, and we'd only been in Colorado for about six months. I went through with him about my rod, that I knew by X-Ray it was unhooked at both hooks, and that I had pain in my low back, hip, butt cheek, and running down my right leg. He took an X-Ray and said I needed to be seen by a spine specialist asap, because he'd never seen anything like that. His office would take care of the referal and call with an appointment with the spine guy they recommended. I was surprised when the office called back about 6 p.m. She said she had to call 13 spine doc's since none took my insurance. So I had an appointment with Dr. Kumar, two weeks out. I was just sure this appointment would be more of the same. Doc's like to send you to THEIR guy, or the one with the best reputation, not a guy 14 phone calls down the line. I went into the visit with a bad attitude, just sure I was wasting my time. But as I said before, here was this doc who knew exactly what was wrong, and boy was I glad I kept that appointment.

I hope that new members who get here, who haven't gotten to a good regional doc who handles Post-Harrington Rod Spines, can by being with us find a qualified doc. For me more than half the battle was getting some doc to get I was falling apart. I had one doc in California tell me it was in my head, he said" Your fusions are fine, nothing here to cause you pain." The joy of finding Dr. Kumar and having a name to it, and a plan to improve my condition, was just about the best thing that ever happened to me in years.

Colorado Springs

[ ] Golden Foot Award> > > --I would like to know where you read about the percentage of > people who get flatback from Harrington rods. Is there a particular > site? I have read some that people have recommended, and I don't recall > seeing a percentage. I guess it just seemed to me that most get it > because most that post here have it!! I guess that's just me, jumping > to conclusions. So therefore, I award myself the Golden Foot in Mouth > Award!!!(But I get that award alot) > > Thanks for the info.> > Carol V (CA)>

[Guest guest]

I don't think there is an age limit for vocational rehab -- I called

my local office before I went back to school 10 years ago and they

couldn't help me because they had already paid for my BA degree. If

I hadn't already received the maximum help, I think they could have

helped. They do have programs that don't involve going to college

I know I had to spend a week doing testing to see what kind of

career would be best suited for me. They told me I could NOT work

in a factory

> > >

> > > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in

> > 1980 in Oklahoma

> > by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast

> > yesterday of the

> > newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they

> > have came since

> > then. I was the first one into surgery that morning

> > and the last

> > one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are

> > going to break

> > or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened

> > to?

> > > Bay

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls

> > to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Dear SB,

Because of this post I'm looking in Vocational rehab for me in my state of Colorado. Did you get help just because of you scoliosis? Had Flatback become a problem for you when you got help. I really would like to attend college and find a career that would work for me and my spine, and if I could qualify for some help it might make it possible, since getting loans for me to go to school would be impossible since we are still paying off my husbands student loans, and we have two kids who need to go to school in 3-4 years too. Did you have to go through tons of paperwork? I looked things up on our states site, and sounds like I need to get a lot of medical proof before applying, started that today, I'm four years out and Kumar's office is still doing stuff to help me. Thanks for giving me this idea!

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re: Golden Foot Award

I don't think there is an age limit for vocational rehab -- I called my local office before I went back to school 10 years ago and they couldn't help me because they had already paid for my BA degree. If I hadn't already received the maximum help, I think they could have helped. They do have programs that don't involve going to collegeI know I had to spend a week doing testing to see what kind of career would be best suited for me. They told me I could NOT work in a factory > > >> > > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in> > 1980 in Oklahoma > > by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast> > yesterday of the > > newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they> > have came since > > then. I was the first one into surgery that morning> > and the last > > one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are> > going to break > > or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened> > to? > > > Bay> > > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls> > to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.> > > __________________________________________________>

[Guest guest]

I got approved for voc rehab while I was still in high school,

before I ever had my harrington rod surgery. It seemed like it was

pretty easy to qualify back then -- I seem to think they sent me to

a doctor to have my 'disability' confirmed. My best friend

qualified because she had some issues with her knees. As far as I

know, she has never had knee surgery!

For me, they paid all my tuition for my bachelor's degree.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a terribly useful degree (psychology), and

I didn't try to use it to get a job until I had been out of school

for a long time (I was a self-employed photographer for 10 years

after getting my master's degree), so I got student loans and went

back to school when I found myself unable to get a decent job after

moving back to Oklahoma after living in the Bahamas for five years.

I lived on student loan money for three years to get my teaching

certificate. I probably should have gone into something that pays

better, but I figured it was a good career choice for somebody who

was over-educated and not used to working under supervision. (those

are the reasons most folks gave for not hiring me).

I figure if you want to go back to school, or even get vocational

training, it can't hurt to call Voc Rehab and ask about it!

>

> Dear SB,

>

> Because of this post I'm looking in Vocational rehab for me in my

state of Colorado. Did you get help just because of you scoliosis?

Had Flatback become a problem for you when you got help. I really

would like to attend college and find a career that would work for

me and my spine, and if I could qualify for some help it might make

it possible, since getting loans for me to go to school would be

impossible since we are still paying off my husbands student loans,

and we have two kids who need to go to school in 3-4 years too. Did

you have to go through tons of paperwork? I looked things up on our

states site, and sounds like I need to get a lot of medical proof

before applying, started that today, I'm four years out and Kumar's

office is still doing stuff to help me. Thanks for giving me this

idea!

>

[Guest guest]

I need to check into again and see what they can do if anything for me so I can get a less physical job. I might have gotten a hold of someone that didn't know what they were doing back then. You can find people like that anywhere. Have a wonderful evening. RonSB <bahadreama@...> wrote: that is odd. I thought voc rehab was based strictly on disability and not on income. I would not have known about it if we hadn't had a voc rehab counselor at my school and he looked

for folks to help. I would not have qualified for financial aid on the basis of financial need. I used to have a much more physically demanding job, and had to go back to school about 10 years ago to get qualified for the job I have now. I have tons of student loans that I will still be paying when I am well past retirement age. > > >> > > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in 1980 in Oklahoma > > by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast yesterday of the > > newer up to date surgery. It's amazing how far they have came > since > > then. I was the first one into surgery that morning and the last >

> one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are going to break > > or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened to? > > > Bay> > > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and > 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.> >> > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.>

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

I am still in Oklahoma. About 10 years ago I thought I broke everything because I just fell to the floor. I got hold of Dr. Thompkins which is no longer in practice due to retirement at that time and he told me to see Dr. Felwrath. Has anyone ever seen him? At that time the rods were all intact, so I have no clue really what was going on. My age along with my back is starting to catch up with me. A lot slower getting out of my bed in the mornings. I think God gives you a little boost to make it through. Have a good night. Roncammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: Ron,If you are a "vintage" HR....and a 1980 fusion would seem to indicate that you are at least a candidate for flatback, I would strongly recommend that you seek out an orthopedic consult with someone who does adult scolisosis and aging spine....preferably someone who has a track record with the old straight rod/long fusion scenario.Where in the county are you now? If you are still in OK..we have a few members in that area that who might have done enough "weeding out" to recommend someone worth seeing.If you are still doing physical labor with that much time spent getting bent over I imagine you feel like a pretzel at the end of the day. On top of the pain, I remember strying to straighten up after a long day in the garden and finding it very difficult in the years leading up to revision...so kudos to

you! Hopefully you have good stong body and discs to overcome some of the problems we seem to encounter.Take Care, Cam

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

I have to use Lortabs every once and awhile. Flexeril works but makes me feel yucky, so I steer clear from those. When my wife gets her brokers license I plan on becoming a loan officer in about a year and a half, and it can't come fast enough! I still need to get my education under my belt in case mortgages slow down. Have a good evening. Ron Ellen and Jules arginteanu <ellenandjulesarginteanu@...> wrote: ,Sorry can't answer

your question about painmanagement, since mostly mine has been managed withnon steroidals, but you made me think that for most ofus middle aged women, our employment is not sophysical and for that we are probably lucky. Have youthought of contacting office of vocational rehab? They might be able to help you find something lessphysically taxing. I have realized that I am evenavoiding weeding my garden this year because of thepain. So I can't imagine doing what you do! I knowthat someone has already said to you that not everyonegets broken rods, its just that those who are havingproblems are the ones who gravitate toward thesewebsites.--- Bay <ronbay67 > wrote:> It's nice to have this website to share and keep up> with everything. What is everyone doing for pain> management? I build utility (for dozers and> tractors)

trailers. Wiring, welding, and repairing> because I got denied for social security so I had to> take what I could get because most physical labor> jobs do physicals and would s***can my application> immediately after they seen my back. > Bay> > SB <bahadreama > wrote:> Welcome to the group, . Dr Tompkins> did my surgery in 1973 > and one of my rods broke right away.> > There are a few more of Dr Tompkins' patients here,> too. > > > >> > I am new to the group. I had the rods placed in> 1980 in Oklahoma > by Dr. Thompkins. I watched the live broadcast> yesterday of the > newer up to

date surgery. It's amazing how far they> have came since > then. I was the first one into surgery that morning> and the last > one out (12 hours worth). I worry that my rods are> going to break > or come unhooked. How many of you has that happened> to? > > Bay> > > >> > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls> to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.__________________________________________________