have you experienced serious side effects from scoliosis sur

Hi, I am a male,I had my surgery when I was 15 (now 23).
After having surgery, I had lower back pains(which did not allow me to lead a normal life),it was discovered that I had a vertebrae disc completely compressed.I underwent surgery(yet again) to fix this, and the truth is I have had to exercise a lot and to stretch a lot(at first I was not able to lift my leg bent at the knee, now i do full splits)...I am able to weight lift, to practice personal defense(krav maga) and so on.
The truth is scoliosis has made me a better person, because I have had to overcome all these difficulties, and this has shaped me into a much more determined and stronger being than I would have been if I hadn't had scoliosis.
Don't be afraid, be fearless. Maybe you are lucky and you don't experience side effects, or maybe you do...BUT I wish you the courage enough to overcome whatever life throws at you.
If I can do it, you sure can too.
Peace to you all

I would take the surgery. I have scoliosis they found it at age 14. I wore a back brace for 4 years didn't do any good. I finally broke down and had surgery at age 21 it was a hard recovery but worth it. You may heal quickly being younger.

Yes I have endured pain and weakness after two spinal surgeries. I had 67 percent curvature to the spine. I was trying to get disability due to the limit of things i can do and the severe pain I live through. I unfornately I cannot seem to get the records since it was done in 1992 and 1995. I have had many problems with my breathing and heart more when I was pregnant due to the lack of space of where the baby was growing. My second child at delivery I had a minor heart attack.

I has surgery for my scoliosis at age 11, I am now 36. I have 2 children but with my second child I experienced sciatica and I have had it for 10 years now. I have had pain since my surgery in my back and as the years pass I have pain basically all over my body. I can live with it because I cant remember a day when I didn't have some pain. The back pain is the worst.

I had scoliosis surgery and am worried about having children. Do you have to have the baby naturally? Will an epidural work? How is the pregnancy?

This is exactly how I feel too! I had surgery when I was 14, now I'm 25. I've been in constant pain since the surgery, my muscles around where I had the surgery are in horrible knots and never relax, I have arthritis in my back now and just a couple months ago, I've started having pains down my butt and leg, with sitting becoming impossible. I'm not sure what to do as a Dr told me I'll probably need surgery again soon but my insurance most likely won't cover it. He told me to go to PT and I will, but I doubt it will help.

now i feel scared. i dont know wether to take the surgery or not. mine is just about 40 degree but i always feel pain. i cannot sit or lie or stand too long. and i cant bend to the right but can to the left. plus my height is short for a 16 like me. after reading the comment, there are too many risks to take surgery too. could someone suggest anything for me? 

Hi, I had the spinal fusion surgery when I was 15. I am now 22. My spinal curve was a 126 degrees. I had 2 rib bones taken out, 4 of them were shaved (Not really sure what that was for), and two titanium rods put in my back. I don't really know how many screws were put in. Anyway, I suffer every day from neck pain, back pain, migraines, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and sensitivity around my scar tissue. I also get sick quite often now. Standing and sitting in one place for too long can also be uncomfortable. Now I stay away from everyone not wanting to get to close to someone who could potentially hurt me. I already know how it feels to get punched in the back after having this surgery. And it was NOT fun.

Hi Emma! I'm glad you are taking chances!

Could you please contact me..my doctor was also Dr. Bethem. I had my surgery in 1986 I am now 42. Look up Michelle Bedell Waltman on facebook. Thanks.

Hello all, I've read all the posts on this thread and I am very sorry for those of you that have severe pain around where your rods are. I also had scoliosis surgery in 2006 when I was 13. I had a 67 degree curve in the thoracic and 42 degree curve in the lumbar. They fused the rods to all but the lower 3 or 4 (I cant remember if it was 3 or 4) vertebrae. Anyways, at first it seemed that all the pain went to just above where my rods are, and just below where my rods are. Where my rods are, there really wasnt pain. But within the past year, ever since I got my job working at a gas station, pain seemed to creep up really bad at times inbetween my shoulder blades, which is where the worst part of my curve used to be. Usually if I took it easy and didnt lift too much at work once I noticed the pain, it would dim away over the next few days. It also doesn't really seem to hurt as bad when I don't think about it. When I'm constantly thinking about it it just almsot CREATES pain. I don't know if the mind thing is just because theres always pain there, I'm jsut used to it so if I don't think about it, it doesnt seem as bad, but I do know that if anyone tries to massage with very light pressure, it almost feels like theyre gonna send my muscles into extreme spasms if they push too hard. light massage does seem to hlep some though. Weather seems to effect the level of pain too, but for the most part, if i'm not too strenuous with my back, and dont let myself get stiff, its no big deal.

I had surgery when I was 15. I am now 23. I had 2 Titanium rods placed in my back. They entered on my left side. During surgery my left lung collapsed, and I spent a few days with a chest tube in my side. As far as long-term effects, I have lower back pain, specifically when standing or sitting in one place too long. Long car rides are getting harder and harder now. I also have numbness from the base of my scar to my navel, as well as in my upper left thigh. The feeling will never return to those areas. I also am prone to muscle spasms. Another issue that seems to be an effect from the surgery, I am more emotional now. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this or not. I used to never get choked up or emotional during movies or songs or anything of the sort. Now I can get emotional over certain sad songs or films. It started right after my surgery, and hasn't let up. I don't know if it's just me or related to my surgery.

I think you should still do it. It seems to me that the intensity of the side effects increases with the significance of the curve. Mine was only around the 60's, and my side effects aren't too bad. Also, it is better to do it now when you're young, and you can recover faster, rather than waiting until you're older. And whatever pain you feel now, it will get worse with age. You may regret not getting it done later in life. Just make sure you go to a good surgeon.

i had my surgery when i was 16, im now 39. I suffer daily from back, neck, and shoulder pain. cold weather and rainy days intensify it by alot. There isnt a dr. out there who is willing to help. Im a very independant person, and now there is so much I cant do. I feel so useless its depressing. All I can say now is if i'd only known then what I know now. Please research research research get 2nd , 3rd even 4th opinions before you do anything you may regret later in life. And remember doctors make more money on surgeries (which mine was 12 hours, leaving me with a scar from my neck to my tailbone) then they would if there may be another possible solution. so 9x out of 10 they are gonna say you need surgery. And it will mess you up for the rest of your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had the full spinal fusion done in the early 80's with two rods. When I had my first child, I tried to get an epidural and it was worse than the labor. It simply did not take and it was extremely painful. With my second child I went natural and had no problems at all.