[dalejrfan71]

I was recently diagnosed with scoliosis not to long ago. The other night my wife noticed that I was leaning to one side a bit. She put her hands on my shoulders and noticed that my right shoulder is higher than my left shoulder. Plus in the past 2 weeks the pain in my back has been unbearable to the point that I can't sleep at night.

What treatment options are there for scoliosis? Right now I am taking 3 Percocets 5/325mg & 3 Oxycontin 5mg a day. They are not helping much for the pain though. It's so bad that it hurts like hell to drive not to mention that the pain zaps my energy. What other pain meds can I take that will help?

Advil helps sometimes but it makes me very sleepy so I can't take it if I have to drive anywhere. Even Tylenol for arthritis makes me sleepy and thats with no narcotic pain meds in my system. I don't drive with narcotic pain meds in me because if I am pulled over & drug tested, I am screwed plus I could lose my license.

I feel like a failure because my wife would like to go out more often but because I am tired because of my pain I can't drive much. I am 38 years old & have the back of a 60 year old, not to mention I have arthritis in my hips, knees, lower back & neck. I sometimes seriously consider giving up my license because I can't drive much or for any great length of time.

Any input would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

[Robert_325]

Let her drive the car dude. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Melinda has been driving for me the last several days. That's what we do for the person we love. God bless.

[dalejrfan71]

I would love to have my wife drive but she doesn't have her license. She has an eye condition that sometimes limits her vision. I just have to realize that my back is f**ked up and there isn't anything that can be done about it. I'm gonna make an appointment to see my doctor and see what options he can suggest to me. I definitely don't want to take stronger opiates for pain as they will make me a zombie.

[ScoliosisChick85]

I am 24yrs old and was diagnosed with scoliosis several years ago. Never had any trouble with it until I got pregnant. Long story short, I've lost 1" in height in the last two years, the pain is unbearable (I'm prescribed 3 Lorcet 7.5/650, which makes me so sick now that I can't keep them down long enough for them to work), I lean to one side, my shoulders droop, my tail bone sticks out as well as the top of my spine. My spine is shaped like an "S", curved so much it throws me off balance. Since my ex-doctor didn't notice the curvature worsening earlier, my only option now is surgery- having two titanium rods screwed to my spine. But still, it's about a 50/50 chance- could make it better, could not change anything. But if caught early enough, they can make special shoes to straighten it up and braces you can wear. I would request a scoliosis series (x-rays to measure the degree of curvature) and ask your doctor what your options are. You may have to see a specialist- and if you have pinched nerves like I do, you'll have to see a neurosurgeon. It's a fine line betweeon ortho and neuro- one may say nothing is wrong where the other may fix it). Hope it helps!

Hi there!...I am a 38yr old woman with scoliosis. Mine was detected back in school when I was about 12....now, back then,...when I was still growing, I had the WORST back aches EVER!
My father took me to a doctor and I was told my curviture was at 40*, and that wearing a brace would help to prevent further curviture of my spine. Well,..being so vane, and not wanting other kids to bump into me and find out,...i did not wear it to school. In fact, i would only put the big peice of plastic thing with 4 huge velcro straps on when I was hurting.
Boy, do I regret it! Everybody says "oh, you can't notice!", but if you take a good look, especially in a bathing suit, or if i were to bend over in front of you...you'd definately see it. I'm not happy with the shape of my body, seeing how I have a love handle on one side of my waist, and my ribs stick out on one side, and i have a hump on one side of my back...you get the idea.
I'm not a young girl anymore, but i don't get severe back aches like i use to. Infact, the only time my back hurts is when my pelvis freezes up and i have to go get adjusted at my chiropractor...happens about once a year...and i'm sure its related to my scoliosis. It's not a constant pain, like what your describing....is what i'm tryin to say. You've got something pinched by the sounds of it.
I'm a recovering pill addict, but was never prescribed anything for my scoliosis. I even read once somewhere that it's not good to take painkillers if you have scoliosis, but it didn't say why....i'm curious- does anyone know the answer?