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back braces for scoliosis and other questions...

7 replies

SistersofPercy · 13/04/2015 23:11

Does anyoneanyone have experience of this?
I have HMS and a scoliosis which I'm prescribed codeine, diazepam and notriptylene for. Mostly this controls things except for if I need to walk around for any length of time. On Thursday I took the kids to the gadget show and I'm still suffering with twinges similar to sciatica all down my right leg. I've been using a crutch to lean on and help me up and down, something I've not used before but I find it makes life a bit easier. My first question therefore is am I making things worse for myself by doing this do you think? I feel really silly with it but it does help me, though I think that mostly I need to realise that actually I'm not invincible now and I do have problems.

When I'm well and not 'broken'as dh calls it I spend time occasionally fundraising with a group by dressing as a star wars stormtrooper. The armour, whilst light is restrictive but the main body of it is not dissimilar to a brace and has the instant effect of improving my posture.
I've noticed that my pain levels are much lower when I'm wearing the armour, so much so I've made an appointment tomorrow to ask my GP if I can be referred for a brace (not sure yet how I'm going to explain this one )

I've seen braces for sale on eBay etc but I'm assuming these are best measured to the individual?
Does anyone wear one and do they help?

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Kittykat7 · 14/04/2015 00:58

My son had scoliosis but had to had a brace especially fitted by an orthodontic surgeon. I don't think one size fits all. I wouldn't be buying one from eBay.,He ended up having surgery when he was 18 & has titanium rods in his back. Maybe see a Chiro & see if they can suggest someone or see your Dr for a referral.

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SistersofPercy · 15/04/2015 00:05

Well, I've been referred for physio. As the hyper mobility leaves most of my bones aching on a daily basis in not sure how or if this will work. I'd love to be able to exercise but bending over is virtually impossible and bending my knee can be agony on a bad day.
We'll see....

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Preciousbane · 15/04/2015 00:38

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SistersofPercy · 15/04/2015 09:43

Thanks precious. Can't seem to make them understand that I can't walk for long periods of time without pain and I can't get from sitting to standing and vice versa without pain.

Drugs are all well and good but I'd really like to be able to move about a lot more. I'll see what the physio says.

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Preciousbane · 15/04/2015 22:59

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FizzyGood · 15/04/2015 23:06

I have scoliosis, and chiropractors won't go near me (possibly because I have had surgery). I was given a 'sort of' brace which was really thick material with massive Velcro strips at the front to hold it on and metal at the back - complimented the metal rods in my spine I suppose . It didn't really work for me, but no harm in trying. I also have spondylolisthesis, which is fun.

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SistersofPercy · 15/04/2015 23:38

I really don't feel physio will help. I feel like I found something which really did help me (the brace) and they want to send me elsewhere.

To top it all the doctor (not my usual one I add) has told me to stop using the crutch I was using to help me get up as I'm not helping my back muscles. I literally lean on it to pull myself up from the sofa.