From:      bounce-scoliosis
To:        scoliosis-digest@ai.mit.edu
Subject:   scoliosis V1 #470
Reply-To:  
Errors-To: bounce-scoliosis
Precedence: bulk


scoliosis                   Monday, 2 June 1997        Volume 01 : Number 470


----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Jane Brown" <leroy@pixi.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 08:37:50 -0700
Subject: Re: Electro stimulus therapy

Hi Sue
I have a 50 degree curve also.  I am 45 years old.  I wore the Milwaukee
brace when Iwas 13-16.  My curve has not gotten any worse through the
years.  The brace kept the curve from getting worse as I was growing.  At
45, I am quite active, play tennis 5 times a week, lift weights, do arobics
and have little pain.  I was quite glad I did not go the surgery route.  I
have felt that exercise and keeping tones has helped alot.
Jane

- ----------
> From: HSIUNG@ccsua.ctstateu.edu
> To: scoliosis@ai.mit.edu
> Subject: Re: Electro stimulus therapy
> Date: Saturday, May 31, 1997 1:22 PM
> 
> Laura Anne-
> 
> 
> I think that for different treatments work for different people. My
parents
> chose bracing for me. It was really annoying, hot in the summer and could
> be really uncomfortabel. Yet for my situtation, it did absolutely nothing
as
> my curve is now at 50 degrees.
> 
> I always wonder which would have been the most effective treatment for
me. I
> guess I'll never know since I'm having surgery in less than a month away.
> 
> Sue
> 
> For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
> "scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

From: EvTrCh@aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 15:14:02 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: 16/22/16 degree curves

Hi 

My son, age 14, has been diagnosed over the past year with scoliosis.  He has
3 curves, one lower one in the middle and one at the base of the neck.  His
Dr. is Dr. Craig here in Taunton MASS, affiliate of New England medical Ctr
in Boston.  I have two dilemas.  1)  He is suppose to be doing his exercises
several time a week, since his 16 degree diagnos a year ago.  The middle
curve is now 22.  I fight every night with him to do his exercises, How do I
limit this fight.  Any ideas.   He is receiving Physical Therapy 1 time per
week, for now, in the hopes he will see the improvement and do them on his
own at home.   My second dilema..2)  I opted to have the brace shown and
given to him.  He was frightened at first, and started wearing it. I want him
to get the idea of how the brace looks and feels etc. so he won't have to
wear it to school if he wears it at night now.  He is suppose to be building
up hours so he can wear is over night.  Well after 3 months we are still
getting the bugs out of the brace and he won't wear it over night as yet.
 How do I get this very thin child with a genetic tree of many males over 6
feet tall, wear this brace.  my son is 5'4" at 14.  He has a long way to go.
 This week I was told from the exercises and the limited use of the brace the
curve has not gotten worse.  

Mom and son fighting every night  

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

From: KBSDALLAS@aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 19:20:28 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: 16/22/16 degree curves

In a message dated 97-06-01 15:29:38 EDT, you write:

<< How do I get this very thin child with a genetic tree of many males over 6
 feet tall, wear this brace.  my son is 5'4" at 14.  He has a long way to go.
  This week I was told from the exercises and the limited use of the brace
the
 curve has not gotten worse.  
 
 Mom and son fighting every night  
  >>

This from a girl who was diagnosed with double 43-degree curves at age 11 and
put on an exercise program only:  exercise cannot hurt, but it did nothing to
keep my curve from worsening.  Perhaps you could work with the doctor to get
him into another type of exercise...classes in martial arts maybe...that
would appeal to him and strengthen his body overall.

Unfortunately, even a tour of the post-polio wards did no good with me; my
parents begged, pleaded, forced, and bribed me into doing my exercises and I
hated every minute.  Only to find out later that it made no difference.

Children often tend to think they are invulnerable.  Is there a support group
near you, or would he correspond with a pen pal in a similar situation (one
willing to be braced).

My daughter was braced from about 12-18 from under the arms to over the
hips...hot, uncomfortable, hard to fit clothes, etc.  I know bracing does not
always work, but as a patient and a parent it's my first choice line of
defense.  

Suggestions?  Be sure the doctor talks to *him* as the person who needs to
help do the work.  Be firm and matter-of-fact; enlist his support, but remind
him  that you are the parents and you are responsible for his best health.
   If he reads, give him material suitable for his age.  Acknowledge his
feelings...listen to how he feels.  Check with your physician...my daughter's
did not tell me that she would revert to the point where she began after
bracing was stopped.  Luckily he braced her at 20 degrees and that's where
she ended up.  She is now 32 and is fine.

Good Luck

Karen

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

From: KBSDALLAS@aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 19:20:27 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: scoliosis surgery complications.

In a message dated 97-05-31 20:11:56 EDT, you write:

<< HI MOM,
      In the Handbook on Scolios Dr. Nirworth mentions complications of
 surgery.  If I remember correctly a "stretch" may occur when the Dr.
 tries to correct the curve.  Write to Linda Racine for the correct name
 of this book, which is very helpful in understanding Scolios and
 Surgery. >>

This book is written by Dr. Michael Neuwirth and I have found it at Bookstop
at a discount.  If you have one near you, and they don't have it, they may be
able to order it for you.  Wish I had had it before my surgery.

Karen
kbsdfw@ix.netcom.com

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

From: HSIUNG@ccsua.ctstateu.edu
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 21:47:30 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: 16/22/16 degree curves

Hi!

About suggestions for getting your son to do exercises and wear his brace? 
Definately DO NOT yell at him for not listening to you because you are his
mother. I know that you only want the best for his health. But as a 15 year
old who had to go through a back brace, it's very difficult. 

I'm not exactly sure what he could do. But I'd go with Karen's suggestion and
make sure the doctor talks to him directly about his back and brace. When
I had to get a back brace, my doctor always asked me, not my parents, how it
was going, and I felt in control of my body. 

Although bracing didn't help me, I do confess of not wearing it all 23 hours 
a day like I was supposed to. When my curve progressed I felt like it was my
fault. I wish I could go back and just deal with the brace now that I have to
have surgery. =P

But if you can find anyone around the area who might be in a similar situation
that your son can talk to, that would be great, too. If not, he can always
e-mail me if he wants. I know hoe much bracing sucks. =P But I can tell you
that if it helps, it has got to be worth it not to have to have surgery. If
he would like to e-mail me, my address is HSIUNG@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU  (it's my
mom's account, but just title it "sue" and she'll know it's for me) Good
Luck!

Sue

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

From: HSIUNG@ccsua.ctstateu.edu
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 21:50:51 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Electro stimulus therapy

Hi Jane

Just wondering, when you were braced, did your curve get worse at all? because
when I was braced for just a year and a half, my curve went from 38 to 45. It
didn't seem to be helping so I stopped wearing it. My doctor was scared that 
if I don't have surgery that it will get worse as the years go on because my
curve is still progressing. I am scheduled for surgery on June 25th. Also, do
you still have check-ups with your doctor for your back?

Sue

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

From: Dmitry Chernikov <dchernik@mcs.kent.edu>
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 1997 23:09:58 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: doctors

  Does anybody know any good scoliosis specialists
in the north-eastern Ohio, specifically in the Akron-
Cleveland area?

  How do I in general go about finding and choosing
the right doctor?

  Thanks much.
- -- 
**********************************************
  D.C.
dchernik@mcs.kent.edu

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

From: Linda Racine <lindaracine@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 22:07:22 -0800
Subject: Re: doctors

Dmitry...
The Scoliosis Research Society lists the following doctors in your area:
Daniel Bethem, Akron
Richard H. Brown, Cleveland
Sanford E. Emery, Cleveland
Clyde L. Nash Jr, Cleveland
Peter V. Scoles, Cleveland
John W. Shaffer, Cleveland
George Thompson, Cleveland
R. Geoffrey Wilber, Cleveland

When I was looking for a surgeon, there was a support group in my area. 
I asked everyone I met about their own doctor.  Unfortunately, I don't
know of any support group in your area.  You might try calling The
National Scoliosis Foundation (800/673-6922) and The Scoliosis
Association (800-800-0669).

Good luck with your search.

Linda

For help on using this list (especially unsubscribing), send a message to
"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

------------------------------

End of scoliosis V1 #470
************************

