From:      bounce-scoliosis
To:        scoliosis-digest@ai.mit.edu
Subject:   scoliosis V1 #491
Reply-To:  
Errors-To: bounce-scoliosis
Precedence: bulk


scoliosis                  Saturday, 5 July 1997       Volume 01 : Number 491


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From: Userspal@aol.com
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 1997 11:29:22 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: Sugerical Fears

Hi Lee - 

I am 43 years old.  I was in your daughter's position at age 11. My parents
were told the brace would straighten my spine and they were afraid of
surgery.  Four years in a brace did nothing for me.  My parents took me for
x-rays and followed the doctor's orders to the letter.  I had painful
physical therapy.  Each time I saw my doctor  he said maybe next time I would
get the brace off.  When I finally had surgery after many years of pain, my
doctor told me that my curve was so severe that I never should have worn the
brace.  The chances of your daughter's curve progression are great - the
brace is NOT going to fix that and the chance of it holding it from getting
worse is between slim and none.  My opinion is to go for the surgery.  I had
surgery at 27 after years of pain  and progression of  the curve.   Better a
short period of discomfort than a lifetime!   Good luck and God Bless you and
your family!

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"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

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

From: kazz@gol.com (Kazz Ueda)
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 1997 02:51:13 +0900 (JST)
Subject: To Userspal@aol.com, Re: Sugerical Fears

Dear friend (Userspal@aol.com),
I read your sincere answer, so I'd like to hear your suggestion.
Could you please?
Please E-mail me directly.
***********************************************************
>Hi Lee - 
>
>I am 43 years old.  I was in your daughter's position at age 11. My parents
>were told the brace would straighten my spine and they were afraid of
>surgery.  Four years in a brace did nothing for me.  My parents took me for
>x-rays and followed the doctor's orders to the letter.  I had painful
>physical therapy.  Each time I saw my doctor  he said maybe next time I would
>get the brace off.  When I finally had surgery after many years of pain, my
>doctor told me that my curve was so severe that I never should have worn the
>brace.  The chances of your daughter's curve progression are great - the
>brace is NOT going to fix that and the chance of it holding it from getting
>worse is between slim and none.  My opinion is to go for the surgery.  I had
>surgery at 27 after years of pain  and progression of  the curve.   Better a
>short period of discomfort than a lifetime!   Good luck and God Bless you and
>your family!
************************************************************
KAZZ wrote//
My name is Kazukuki(Kazz),male 34 age, living in Tokyo,Japan.
And I have "idiopathic scoliosis(31 degree, double major curve)
I've suffered from this disease for over 10 years.
My problems are mainly that I have felt heavy pressure in the upper body, have 
difficulties in walking, sitting and standing and have "atopic dermatitis". 
  I've tried many treatments and gone Japanese hospitals for 10 years, but I 
don't find out what to do about my symptoms still now. Almost all the Japanese 
surgeon said that a moderate curve such as me did'nt cause the symptoms I 
described. 
But almost all the Japanese medical trainer(including Dr. of Rehabilitation 
service) said that strains of the upper right and lower left of the back, and 
the muscle and ligament's unbalance caused my symptoms.
 What do you think about it? Could you please send me your opinion?
Shoud I go for the surgery.?

Sorry, please read the following of my whole story ........
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  My name is Kazuyuki Ueda living in Tokyo, Japan.( male, 34age ). 
I have physically suffered from "idiopathic scoliosis"( 31 degrees,
double major curve ). 
In fact, I have difficulties in walking ( lame in the left leg lightly ),
standing and sitting ( I feel heavy pressure in the upperbody )......etc. 

  These symptoms have interefered with my work, moreover my daily life. 

  Japanese orthopedic surgeons ( Keio University, Tokyo University and
Juntendo University ) said  that there was no probability that scoliosis of 
31degrees (moderate curve) developed my symptoms, and that my  symptoms
 were caused by mental condition. Is it true? 

  What do medical circles of the United States and other countries 
think about the Japanese surgeons' opinion? 

  Please give me some information, and introduce to suitable
organizations  (including an e-mail address ). Please! 


                     Name; Kazuyuki Ueda
                     Sex; male
                     Age; 34
                     Work; Certified Public Accountant 
                     E-mail; kazz@gol.com
                     
           
- ------------------------Details---------------------------


[1] The name of a disease ; "idiopathic scoliosis" 

- - I don't know when my back bone curved. 
- - When I was 20 years old, Ifound signs of scoliosis. I  got  lame in the
  left leg  lightly, and soon exhausted.
- - But I felt easy about it, so these symptoms weren't serious as now.
- - In my college days, I had trained  "KARATE" for 2 years. After
  that, symptoms took a  turn for the  worse ( 24 years old ).My muscle
  got stiff and my head couldn't sit straight on my body.
- -Whenever I waiked for 5 minutes, I broke out in sweat even in
  winter. I  was  so  exhausted.
- - For 2 years, I had treatment (osteopathy ) everyday, so I could
  manage to keep daily life. But, I still  have some serious difficulties. 

[2] Difficulties

(1) Difficulty in walking
 - My heels can't touch the ground in walking, so I get so exhausted
   in 5 minutes' walk. But I have not felt the lack of sensation in
   my legs.

(2) Difficulty in standing
 - One side heel doesn't touch the ground. - My lower body loses
    strength.
 - The upper right and lower left of the back get strained extremely. 

(3) Difficulty in sitting
 - In half an hour, I have difficulty in breathing. 

(4) Other difficulties
 - I always feel heavily oppressed in the upper body as if in a suit
   armor. 
 - The upper right and lower left  of the back and the muscle are
   strained extremely.
 - The back of my neck is strained, so I have difficulty in breathing.
 - In the evening ( after about 3 P.M. ), I have much more
   difficulty in walking, and lose my arms' and legs' strength.
 - When tiredness is heaped up, my body becomes feverish, and
   furthermore "atopic dermatitis" appears. ( A secretion oozes.)
 - I have to stay home all day 2 or 3 times a week. 

[3] Doctor's opinion

 (1) Keio University ('95)
 - Orthopedic Surgery
   Check Up; X-ray, MRI
   Opinion ; Scoliosis of under 50 degrees doesn't show such symptoms.
 - Neuro
   Check Up; A blood test, urinalysis, CT-Scan ( the brains )
   Opinion ; No problem.
 - Rehabilitation service
   Check Up; My physical function tested by physical therapists.
   Opinion ; Strains of the upper right and lower left of the
                   back, and the muscle and ligament's unbalance causes the
                   symptoms.

 (2) Tokyo University ('95)
 - Orthopedic Surgery
   Check Up; X-ray, MRI
   Opinion ; Same as Keio University.
 - Neulogy Psychiatry
   Check Up; Mental Test, Interview
   Opinion ; No problem.

(3) Juntendo University ('96)
 - Orthopedic Surgery
   Check Up; X-ray
   Opinion ; Same as Keio University.
 - Neulogy Psychiatry
   Check Up; Examination ( mental and physical )
   Opinion ; Unbalance of the muscle of the back causes such symptoms.
         (Taking muscle-slackness medicine ( HorizonHr-5 )----ineffective.

(4) My home doctor says, " I guess that a curve like this develops some
     symptoms." 

(5) Asahi Shinbun, Science News Department ('96) 
 - A reporter said, " About 10 years ago, scoliosis raised a problem
   at Chiba University. At that time, they reached the conclusion that 
   scoliosis of under 50 degrees and stop-progressed was out of a 
   subject of treatment." 

(6) Welfare Center for the Disabled,  Tokyo ('97) 
 - The doctor in charge said, " I admit your symptoms, but your
   disease doesn't apply to conditions  of a handicapped person 
   regulated the Ministry of Welfare, sorry." 

[4] My treatment now

- - I'm attending Neulogy Psychiatry (Kudanzaka Hospital) now.
   A doctor in charg (Dr.Yamaoka) said that a 31degrees curve 
   triggered my descrived symptoms and that I could do nothing
   but remove anxiety and wait for recovering a balance in mind 
   and body.
    But he prescrived some medicine (Lexotan2,Ludiomil,Ternelin
   and Halcion.) But I hate drugs!
   He seems not to determine what treatment to do for me.
- - A healer ( massager ) comes home a week. ( an hour's treatment )
- - Swimming for an hour everyday.

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

  I am wondering if my symptoms are caused by mental condition.
After consulting many doctors and taking treatment by many 
healers  ( Chiropractic, KIKO, YOGA . .....etc ),  I have become to 
think that unbalance of the muscle and ligament causes my 
symptoms.

  You may suggest that I should try psycological treatment. But
In Japan, a Psyco-therapist isn't admitted in health insurance.
  Once I was attending French Psyco-therapist working in Japan. 
But a fee was about $100 an hour. It's so expensive!
  So I stopped attending her after 7 times.

  I must support myself with working in Society.
But it's so painful to me, because I get tired soon.

  What can I do more?
- -------------------------------------------------------------
If there is a possibility of curing in the  other countries, 
I would like to get some information.
  And if they want it, I'm ready to go and see them, I have copies
of X-ray (back and side) and MRI (the thoracic vertebrae, the
lumber vertebrae and the hip joint).

I'm sorry for causing so much trouble.
But, it is very serious problem to me.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you. 
Thank you so much for reading this long mail.

Best Regards,
Kazz Ueda
on 5-July-97 (Tokyo Time)


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

From: Linda Racine <lindaracine@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 04 Jul 1997 12:20:17 -0800
Subject: Re: Sugerical Fears

In response to Userpal...

I would like to stress to the newbies on the list (anyone who's been
here for awhile knows this by now), that if the brace is prescribed
early enough, if the brace is properly made and if the patient is
compliant, there is an 85% chance of stopping a curve's progression and
never needing surgery.

I realize that Userpal's post was in response to Lee, whose daughter has
already worn a brace.  But, I just don't want anyone deciding not to
wear a brace because they think it won't work.  I would have chosen to
wear a brace, even if there was a 15% chance thaݠI'd still have to have
surgery.  The best thing any one of us can do is to choose a good doctor
whom we trust, and then follow his/her recommendations.

My $.02 (as usual).

Linda

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

From: EEZDAY@aol.com
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 1997 22:17:50 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Fwd: copes program

With all due respect, does this sound like an advertisement or what?  
Did anyone else recieve a similar e-mail (sent to only them)?
I am interested if I am the only one to receive this.
Randy
- ---------------------
Forwarded message:
From:	Smerling@scvgvine.com (Terry Smerling)
To:	EEZDAY@aol.com
Date: 97-07-03 05:02:11 EDT

Hi there.
    My name's Marina, I'm a student, 19 years of age, and have
scoliosis.  The thing is this--I've found a program for correcting
scoliosis non-surgically which actually works, and at this point I'm
going crazy seeing all these messages on the scoliosis support page
about people who have either already had the surgery or are planning on
it.
    Five months ago, before entering into the Copes program, my curves
were as follows: lumbar, 49 degrees; thoracic, 35; and cervical, 15.  I
was recently re-x-rayed, and had the following results: lumbar, 42;
thoracic, 27; cervical, 11.  Needless to say, I was thrilled, especially
as my spine will only improve with time, as I continue the program.  For
most patients, the program lasts from 1 and a half to 3 years--at this
point, their maximum correction is achieved.  Dr. Copes estimates that,
after completing the program, most patients have achieved about 80%
correction, yet he's even known some to have their curves eliminated
completely.  And the correction sticks--the muscles are re-worked in
order to hold it.
    When I first found out about the program, it seemed too good to be
true.  It's not.  For me it's been a godsend, and a very real one at
that.  Not only do the x-rays show a difference, but I'm already in less
pain and can feel my muscles, ribs, and spine restructuring themselves.
The problem is that not enough people even know the program exists.
    So what does "the program" mean?  It means this:
Wearing a brace 18 hours a day, that fits under your clothes, and which
has "air bladders" inside that do the correcting work.
Excercises (prescribed ones) everyday
Muscle stimulation--I call it self-eloctrocution, but it's not that
bad--at least 3 times a week.
Ocular vestibular therapy--this wierd thing where you stare at a bunch
of vertical lines while stairstepping in front of a door from which
hangs this wierd contraption which supports your head.
Seeing a chiropractor trained in the method 1 to 3 times a week--if you
call the office, they'll give a list of those certified in your area.
Eating healthily--along with avoiding certain foods--like dairy products
and broccoli.

It all sounds a little odd--it is--but it works, and that's all that
really matters. Please, I urge you to look into this, or to recommend it
to anyone you know with scoliosis.  It's almost absurd not too.  Also,
the total program costs around 10 grand, which is obviously alot--but
nothing in comparison to the cost of surgery.  It's all relative.
    Dr. Copes has two offices which his patients visit at least every 4
months.  One is in San Diego, the number there is 619 502-1200.  The
other, in Baton Rouge is 800 726--8869.  For info off the web (and
there's alot of it), go to www.scoliosis.com/copestrs.html.
    If you've any questions, or if you just want to let me know that you
read this, e-mail me back.  Do take care, and do take interest--this
program could be your answer.

    Sincerely,
    Marina




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

From: kazz@gol.com (Kazz Ueda)
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 1997 15:36:12 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Re: Fwd: copes program

Dear Randy,

I received this e-mail too.

>With all due respect, does this sound like an advertisement or what?  
>Did anyone else recieve a similar e-mail (sent to only them)?
>I am interested if I am the only one to receive this.
>Randy

Kazz(Tokyo)


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"scoliosis-request@ai.mit.edu" with one line of text: "help".

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

End of scoliosis V1 #491
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