my back problems and treatment,

[annaa. (:]

i have ankylosing spondylitus (AS) and scoliosis.
the AS is a form of arthiritus which means i have to keep moving and the scoliosis is a curvature of the spine.

for scoliosis, 0-10 degrees is normal (straight back) and 40 is treatment and 45 is surgery. ive been told mine is at 36, (gone up about 4 degrees in 3 months) and im going for another check up in february.
the treatment for my scoliosis is either a back brace or sugery.
but i cant have a back brace as it will make my AS worse, but my curve isnt as bad as surgery.

does anyone know what they might do? my mum said they could just leave it but i dont want to have a curved back for the rest of my life.

[SimplyComplex]

Hey there,

I'm sorry things are getting worse for you at this moment in time. I need to be honest with you, I never heard of this medical issue until today. However, I have done some research and it seems there are other methods to treat or even attempt to heal this issue. So maybe you might want to ask your doctor about alternatives?

The treatment of ankylosing spondylitis involves the use of medications to reduce inflammation and/or suppress immunity to stop progression of the disease, physical therapy, and exercise. Medications decrease inflammation in the spine and other joints and organs. Physical therapy and exercise help improve posture, spine mobility, and lung capacity.
n some patients with ankylosing spondylitis, inflammation of joints excluding the spine (such as the hips, knees, or ankles) become the major problem. Inflammation in these joints may not respond to NSAIDs alone. In these patients, the addition of medications that suppress the body's immune system are considered. These medications, such as sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), may bring about long-term reduction of inflammation.

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/ankylosin...itis/page4.htm


As for the other spine issue...

In very severe cases, surgical correction of the spine may be necessary and most commonly involves a spinal fusion with attachment of metal rods to the spine. In the majority of cases, a back brace and/or surgery helps correct the problem. Another treatment sometimes used is electrospinal stimulation. In this procedure, the spinal muscles are stimulated with tiny electrical currents and strengthened, and this helps straighten out the spine.

Source: http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/chan...=117&page_no=2

Before that it spoke of the brace being worn most of the day and in less serious cases, nothing needing to be done. If this progresses, maybe you might want to talk to your doctor about the other surgical method, the one with electricity. It's another option. I'm sure they will analyse you though and keep a close watch and discuss how you feel too. They often keep therapists close in case you need to vent or are struggling with coping. Be sure to ask questions and keep an open relationship with your doctor. That might help him/her treat you and it can help you feel more comfortable.

I really hope this all works out for you. Take care.
-Melissa

[Helen...]

Heyyy

I have scoliosis, well had 'cause they needed to operate...
Mine was really bad so now my organs are kinda all over the place aha.

You really don't wanna leave it much longer and I doubt your hospital will as well with your AS.
The thing is they can't really operate until it gets worse 'cause of all the risks.
I think when it gets to about 40 they'll have to operate seeing as you can't have a back brace.

I'm not going to lie to you and tell you the surgery doesn't hurt and that the pain all goes away real soon 'cause it doesn't. But if you don't have the surgery you'll be in worse pain.
I had the surgery when I was pretty young, and that wasn't bad but they had to re-do mine 'cause it wasn't fully corrected and that was when it got painful. But now my back's almost perfectly straight and it hardly hurts anymore. My surgeon told me that if I hadn't had it done I'd be in a wheelchair by now and it'd kill to move, so I'm glad I decided to have it done.
If you get the choice I recommend you have it done as, in the long run, you'll be much better off. and you'll be fully healed in about 6months to a year which is soooooooo much better than having to be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.

Good luck with everything and I hope it all gets sorted out soon.
Take care
- Helen x

[annaa. (:]

thanks so much for your help and support

i really wanted the back brace, untill i found out it might make my AS worse. i was prepared to miss p.e lessons such as trampolining (my fave) incase the brace got caught. im not sure if its to do with scoliosis, but i get this pain type ache in my chest sometimes, but since you said about your organs being all over the place, i wondered if it had anything to do with that. i recently have had these pains in my back like someone pricking me with needles mixed with pins and needles (like the ones you get in your foot) its really odd and frightening. do you think this is to do with my problems?

for the chest pain ive been given medicane, but i really hate the taste and actually havimg medicane alot. so i dont take it anymore. and for the AS i dont have anything or do anything because i cant tell if its my scoliosis or AS hurting.

thankyou

[Helen...]

It might be yes, though I never experienced that with scoliosis so maybe that's your AS? The best thing you could do would be to talk to your specialist.
and I did experience chest pains but that was in relation to my asthma as well as my organs being out of place.

The scoliosis pain is just like normal back stiffness usually but it can get a lot more painful whereas normal stiffness goes away most of the time. and it usually hurts to lean on something or keep your back straight.
Though I'm assuming AS can hurt like that too...

I just recommend you go see your specialist as they'll have all the answers you want.

Take care <3

[sexyyrockerr]

hey there.
my father has ankylosing spondilitis and i suffer from scoliosis and chronic back pain.
im sorry u are going through AS and Scoliosis... i have two curves both 30 degrees and they cant operate cause its not bad enough, sometimes i wish it would get worse so i could get surgery and get it fixed. i had a back brace and it didnt work for me its too bad that they wont give u that option though.
i would say try the regular stuff: take a warm shower, any medications?, exercise always helps ur back even if it doesnt help the pain. i hope ur okay! hang in there..
maybe talk to one of your doctors for further information or future treatments?

[annaa. (:]

thankyou again :]

with my scoliosis, i have two curves too, but they only measured the top one, which is much worse.
it hurts to look down sometimes as its so close to my neck.
the AS pain is more achey and the pain can be anywhere. for some reason it likes to affect my right forearm, which i cant figure out why.

[Briana]

Hey! I have/had scoliosis. My curves were like 65 and 50ish. I had the surgery last decemeber and my doctor said, atleast for him, they don't do surgery til the curve is about a 50. You can always ask them what to do. If it is bothering you, I am sure they would make an acception. I know my doctor, before the surgery, gave me workouts to try for the back. Look online and see if you can find something you can do. Or ask your doctor about the pain you are having. I use to always get chest pain because of my curve was so bad, even the xrays looked like a lung was getting squished. But when you go to your doctor bring that up too. I personally hated the brace because it was so uncomfortable. Also, remember, usually doctors say that once your body stops growing which is I believe 3 years after puberty, your spine would not get worse. Although, that was wrong for me, since I should have stopped growing at 13. If you have any more questions about scoliosis. Just let me know.
Take care.