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Had no idea my body was so deformed! ☹️ Scolosis

34 replies

Namechangenoidea · 18/06/2022 21:01

Ive recently lost weight and its come to my attention I have scolosis. Im 32, when I was 22 I had a chest xray as I had a long term cough and the doctors mentioned that by the way your spine is a little twisted but I thought no more of it. Ive just lost two stone and I am looking at my body more I suppose and I am actually shocked at how my back looks. My rib Cage is sticking out and I have a hump. It never used to Look like this! Seems to be rapidly progressing. Ive never been diagnosed with anything. I dont know anything about scolosis but is this a mild form or more severe?

OP posts:
m00rfarm · 18/06/2022 21:05

Mine was found out when I was given an epidural when giving birth to my son. You are standing completely crooked, so it looks worse. If you raise your right shoulder, whst does it look like. In the existing pic your left shoulder is raised much higher. It would be easier to see if your arms were down (but harder to take the photo!)

Thinkingblonde · 18/06/2022 21:12

My daughter has scoliosis, her spine looks similar to yours. She was diagnosed at the age of 14, I’d taken her to our new gp as she’d had a chest infection, he examined her and asked “ Has she always had bent spine?”. He sent her to see a consultant, sfter mris and other tests she was found to have a curve of 48 degrees in the lumbar region with a smaller curve in her upper back.
If the curve had been over 50d she’d have had an operation, the consultant decided to monitor her and thankfully it hadn’t got any worse.
Shes 35 now with two children. She had normal deliveries with no problems.

In your case I’d go to your go and ask his advice,

Namechangenoidea · 18/06/2022 21:13

My shoulders are uneven because of it my right shoulder is higher than my left. The worst pictures are side views of my right side as I have a hump

OP posts:

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Namechangenoidea · 18/06/2022 21:17

Thinkingblonde · 18/06/2022 21:12

My daughter has scoliosis, her spine looks similar to yours. She was diagnosed at the age of 14, I’d taken her to our new gp as she’d had a chest infection, he examined her and asked “ Has she always had bent spine?”. He sent her to see a consultant, sfter mris and other tests she was found to have a curve of 48 degrees in the lumbar region with a smaller curve in her upper back.
If the curve had been over 50d she’d have had an operation, the consultant decided to monitor her and thankfully it hadn’t got any worse.
Shes 35 now with two children. She had normal deliveries with no problems.

In your case I’d go to your go and ask his advice,

Thats what Im worried about, it getting worse as Ive never noticed it before so I feel it must have deteriorated quickly. I think ill make an appointment to get it monitored thank you

OP posts:
Thinkingblonde · 18/06/2022 21:20

PS, My daughter has one hip higher than the other and one shoulder blade sticks out more.
One of her friends has had an operation to straighten her spine, her curve was much greater though.

nonstoprenovation · 18/06/2022 21:22

I'd get it looked at for sure, but it can be helped with physio and exercise depending on the severity.

RuthW · 18/06/2022 21:22

My dd was diagnosed aged 23. She was referred and had MRI and xrays and followed up but as not in pain she has been discharged. Hers is similar to yours. Go see your gp.

Thinkingblonde · 18/06/2022 21:24

It could be it looks worse than before of the weight loss. Try not to worry, dd was told to report any sudden pain or numbness in her back, hips or legs.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/06/2022 21:25

Thats what Im worried about, it getting worse as Ive never noticed it before so I feel it must have deteriorated quickly.

I don't think that has really happened. I have scoliosis, diagnosed in my teens, not bad enough to need surgery. They monitored it until I had stopped growing, and told me it may present problems when I'm elderly (due to natural muscle loss and bone loss).

Get copies of the previous X-rays, get new X-rays, get someone to look at them. I bet they will not be very different. It is just more visible to you now because you have lost weight and are scrutinising yourself.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/06/2022 21:28

By the way I also have one leg 2cm longer than the other, and I am wondering from the pictures if this is an issue with you. I have a prescribed heel lift to put inside my shoes which evens me up.

Namechangenoidea · 18/06/2022 21:34

Im not sure I know Ive lost just under 2 inches in height I used to be just 5’2 Im now classed as 5’0. Ive only put on weight since having my son I never looked like this when I was slimmer before. Trying to find pictures of my back from when I was younger to compare but I cant find any

OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 18/06/2022 22:00

Congratulations on the weight loss, I know how hard it is! I would definitely seek help from your GP so they can advise. It does look quite dramatic (plus the height loss) but I'm sure they will refer you and give some guidance on what to do. Are you in any pain?

Summerwhereareyou · 18/06/2022 22:10

@Thinkingblonde

Is hip thing also common with shoulder blade? My.dd seems to have similar.

m00rfarm · 18/06/2022 22:25

I am sorry but I cannot believe you never noticed that one shoulder was that much higher than the other side. Can you get someone to take a picture better than this one? If I take a pic of mine it is far worse than in reality.

Thinkingblonde · 18/06/2022 22:25

Summerwhereareyou · 18/06/2022 22:10

@Thinkingblonde

Is hip thing also common with shoulder blade? My.dd seems to have similar.

I’m not sure but it is in my daughters case. My gp asked my daughter to lift her shirt up s he could examine her, and bend forward as far as possible. He said “her spine should be straight , can you see hers is a elongated s shape.” I could see it then.
If you’re at all worried I’d take her to your gp. It’s more common in girls apparently.

AleynEivlys · 18/06/2022 22:32

My almost 8 year old has a pre-scoliotic spine. It is currently still within the 'normal' range, but could progress as she grows older.

When she was 5, I noticed one hip stuck out slightly more than the other, but it wasn't until she was 7 that I decided I couldn't live with the worry anymore, and did something about it. That's when we were told that yes, her spine isn't entirely straight, which I have to say was one of the worst days of my life as I didn't know what to expect. It is quite a shock for sure. But it will be ok!

My daughter's curve is (for now) considered postural, meaning that there is nothing structurally wrong with her spine, but the way she carries herself, compounded by a slight muscle imbalance and weaknesses of the shoulders and core, is pulling the spine out of alignment. Or something like this anyway, I'm no expert. She has no other conditions or problems, and no difficulties related to the condition of her spine thankfully. It's extremely mild; all but invisible. We were very lucky to pick it up. I thank my health anxiety for that. It's useful sometimes!!

The therapists she is seeing believe that many cases of scoliosis start this way but aren't picked up until they become more apparent and the person is older, with a spine that is more 'fixed'. And thus, the scoliosis has become structural.

We have been going to Scoliosis SOS with my daughter for treatment and support - do Google it, there are several clinics around the country. She is under an amazing team of scolio-therapists, not entirely unlike physiotherapists, and has a set of exercises she performs every day in order to improve her posture and reduce the rotation of her spine. She will have to continue with these until she is grown up, but with luck and perseverance, we have a very good chance that she will grow up with a normal spine. Which is amazing. And the change in her body has been incredible - the picture should speak for itself.

It hasn't been cheap, but if you can afford it, I would recommend Scoliosis SOS to the ends of the Earth. They help all kinds of people - those who have had scoliosis for years and are now elderly, teenagers, tiny children ... everyone. They have a very high success rate. They cannot, of course, entirely vanish a curve for everybody, especially those who are older/more severe, but in terms of decreasing rotation, improving mobility, helping with pain and - yes - deformity, they are worth their weight in gold.

Had no idea my body was so deformed! ☹️ Scolosis
TheYearOfSmallThings · 18/06/2022 22:40

Trying to find pictures of my back from when I was younger to compare but I cant find any

You mentioned in your first post that your scoliosis was first mentioned after a chest X-ray. You will be able to get a copy of that to be compared with current X-rays.

Aurea · 18/06/2022 22:41

Please see a chiropractor. I had one leg longer than the other but it ended up being due to a slightly twisted pelvis. This has been corrected and my legs now both match.

They will also offer spinal health checks and advise on exercises which may help your condition.

Good luck!

Namechangenoidea · 18/06/2022 23:04

AleynEivlys · 18/06/2022 22:32

My almost 8 year old has a pre-scoliotic spine. It is currently still within the 'normal' range, but could progress as she grows older.

When she was 5, I noticed one hip stuck out slightly more than the other, but it wasn't until she was 7 that I decided I couldn't live with the worry anymore, and did something about it. That's when we were told that yes, her spine isn't entirely straight, which I have to say was one of the worst days of my life as I didn't know what to expect. It is quite a shock for sure. But it will be ok!

My daughter's curve is (for now) considered postural, meaning that there is nothing structurally wrong with her spine, but the way she carries herself, compounded by a slight muscle imbalance and weaknesses of the shoulders and core, is pulling the spine out of alignment. Or something like this anyway, I'm no expert. She has no other conditions or problems, and no difficulties related to the condition of her spine thankfully. It's extremely mild; all but invisible. We were very lucky to pick it up. I thank my health anxiety for that. It's useful sometimes!!

The therapists she is seeing believe that many cases of scoliosis start this way but aren't picked up until they become more apparent and the person is older, with a spine that is more 'fixed'. And thus, the scoliosis has become structural.

We have been going to Scoliosis SOS with my daughter for treatment and support - do Google it, there are several clinics around the country. She is under an amazing team of scolio-therapists, not entirely unlike physiotherapists, and has a set of exercises she performs every day in order to improve her posture and reduce the rotation of her spine. She will have to continue with these until she is grown up, but with luck and perseverance, we have a very good chance that she will grow up with a normal spine. Which is amazing. And the change in her body has been incredible - the picture should speak for itself.

It hasn't been cheap, but if you can afford it, I would recommend Scoliosis SOS to the ends of the Earth. They help all kinds of people - those who have had scoliosis for years and are now elderly, teenagers, tiny children ... everyone. They have a very high success rate. They cannot, of course, entirely vanish a curve for everybody, especially those who are older/more severe, but in terms of decreasing rotation, improving mobility, helping with pain and - yes - deformity, they are worth their weight in gold.

Wow amazing! Such a difference. Thank you for everyones advice Im going to make an appointment

OP posts:
Summerwhereareyou · 18/06/2022 23:14

Thinking, thanks, we do have issue's.

Op I know you must feel very self conscious but it's actually not very noticeable.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 19/06/2022 08:22

Wow amazing! Such a difference. Thank you for everyones advice Im going to make an appointment

Please also make an appointment with your GP and get some NHS advice. I have no experience of Scoliosis SOS but bear in mind you would be paying thousands of pounds to a business which may make promises it does not fully keep (especially re significantly changing the curvature in a 32 year old through exercise). I'm sure they can recommend excercises to support your spine, but it would be good to have an independent opinion as to what can be achieved.

AleynEivlys · 19/06/2022 10:31

Totally agree, though I took it to mean the OP was going to make an appointment with the GP rather than with Scoliosis SOS! The only option for a fixed curve in a full-height adult woman via the NHS will be surgery (or possibly some physio if there is pain or mobility difficulty, I'm not sure). Even then, surgery is only considered if the curve and its effects are severe enough to meet the necessary criteria. Otherwise, it's considered purely a cosmetic problem.

OP, by all means you should have it assessed, ask for an X-ray, find out the degree and class of curvature and go from there. 😊 My suggestion is just something to think about, and something that could help you with the appearance and strength of your back if all other avenues were exhausted. 🤷

Alconleigh · 19/06/2022 10:56

Another recommendation for Scoliosis SOS here. I had surgery as a teen so my curvature can't be 'improved' as such, but for exercises, strengthening, posture etc they are great. And as per PP, they work with all ages. I was in a class with people ranging from 8 to 89!

Thinkingblonde · 19/06/2022 12:34

Summerwhereareyou · 18/06/2022 23:14

Thinking, thanks, we do have issue's.

Op I know you must feel very self conscious but it's actually not very noticeable.

I forgot to mention when the doctor asked my dad to bend forward, she was stood up and he asked her to bend forward from the waist but let her arms dangle downwards to see her spinal column.

Ferny123 · 16/09/2022 23:59

Both our daughters completed full schroth course with SOS in Manchester with success. Now working alongside Deb's Turnbull and wish we d known her from the beginning. An amazing physio specialising in scoliosis. Good luck x x

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