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June 2015 Moms
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Anyone else have scoliosis?

dirtymartinidirtymartini member
in June 2015 Moms

Hi ladies,

I was diagnosed with scoliosis in 8th grade.  No surgeries required; my curvature is not too severe. It's in my lower back.  I'm a FTM and starting to get horrible back pain especially after sitting for long periods. Obviously back pain is a very common symptom of pregnancy, but with the scoliosis thrown in,  I am starting to think 11 more weeks of this is going to be unbearable!  Anyone else have scoliosis and going through this (or STM with scoliosis)?  Any tips would be much appreciated!  Support bands?  PT? Anything else?  Oh and my Dr. said that getting an epidural could be a problem since the space for the needle might not be accessible.  Yikes. 

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Re: Anyone else have scoliosis?

  • ahall0358ahall0358 member
    I was diagnosed with scoliosis in the 6th grade. I am also a FTM and my back pain has been pretty severe. I use a heating pad sometimes but not in long intervals. I also sleep with a body pillow which helps some. I have a doctors appointment April 1st and will be asking my doctor about what to do. Hope you get some relief soon!
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  • NikelizabethNikelizabeth member
    I have it as well and my back pain has been out of control this pregnancy (3rd pregnancy). I was using a heating pad and taking tylenol multiple times a day! My dr prescribed a muscle relaxer after I called her crying, and I would take a quarter or half of one at night before bed and I would get a little more sleep, but not much. I think I only used two whole ones out of the bottle. This past week it has completely gone away and I haven't taken tylenol once! I started working on the outside of our house, the garden, cleaning up etc. And I think moving around more has dramatically helped. So now I force myself to do more than Im in the mood for. Today I had my glucose test and it made me really sick, so I bummed it all day and go figure now my back hurts! My two previous epidurals were not an issue, thankfully! My curve is pretty bad, it's very noticeable. Maybe try to walk at night or do some type of new movement (maybe yoga)? I hope you feel better and find something to help!
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  • kerrymarie44kerrymarie44 member
    I have scoliosis and wore a back brace for 4 years (I was just shy of needing surgery). Back pain has been tough but staying active and prenatal yoga have seemed to help a bit! I also use a pregnancy pillow every night to help with the discomfort.
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  • virginiaunicorn11virginiaunicorn11 member
    I was diagnosed in 8th grade with an S curve of ~27 degrees. For the past ~10 years I have been going to a chiropractor at least monthly, which reallllyyyy helps. Yoga helps immensely, and I also have a foam roll that I get down on the floor with and stretch my back out twice a day. For me, staying limber is key. I am constantly stretching during the day - and when I am feeling the least bit uncomfortable, I stand up or sit down, as needed.

    This sounds like a lot as I type it out, but is just part of my routine. I sleep with a pillow between my legs and that helps, too. I have occasionally had a bit of sciatica during this pregnancy but no increased pain like I initially feared. I am basically planning not to even try an epidural if I can help it, given my curvature in lower back and challenges that can cause.

    Hopefully some of this can be applied to help your situation. A good chiropractor is key. I have had to try out a few before finding one I like, but getting adjusted is the #1 thing that helps me.

    Good luck!
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  • mariegressermariegresser member
    I was diagnosed in the 2nd grade. Not severe enough for surgery, but it has plagued me during my pregnancies. A regular visit to the chiropractor really helps me, along with stretching before bed, and sleeping with a pillow between my knees. This is my 4th peanut and luckily I had no problems with epidurals with any of the prior kiddos' deliveries.
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  • frankengibbsfrankengibbs member
    I too suffer from mild scoliosis that was not diagnosed until adulthood (long story). The best way to describe the way my back looks is an upside down question mark.
    As PPs said, I find it helpful to stay limber. I have had back and hip pain, but with the right support when I sleep and some massages from DH when I get really sore help me.
    Just as I plan to do, I think if you are to the point where the discomfort feels unmanageable, I would discuss seeing a prenatal chiropractor with your OB or what unmedicated options there are for relief. (I don't believe in relying or jumping to medication for pain, causes dependency andwhen you build a tolorence yyou're basically fvcked so...)
    Anyways, good luck! Hope you find relief!
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  • BritbombBritbomb member
    See a chiropractor. My recommendation would be a HealthSource chiro where they do rehab!
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  • kailanickkailanick member
    Seeing a Chiropractor once every two weeks and pillow between my knees has helped so much! I have fairly severe S curve, and this has really helped my back pain.

    Icing can also help. My chiropractor has been known to say "ice is nice, hot is not."

    I'm planning to forgo to epidural, but I going to meet with the anesthisiologist for good measure.

    Good luck!
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  • mommytobe062015mommytobe062015 member
    My sister has scoliosis as well and unfortunately they were unable to get the epideral to work as they tried three times. Needless to say my sister was happy to do a c section at that point. She delivered her second baby a few weeks ago and also by c section. I know she had some back problems but nothing too sever. She liked to go swimming as she found that alleviated her back and the weight of the baby. Good luck!!
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  • virginiaunicorn11virginiaunicorn11 member
    Were there other reasons for the c-section? FTM here so, sorry if I'm missing the obvious, but am confused why failed epidural means a c-section? Just too much stress?
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  • virginiaunicorn11virginiaunicorn11 member
    Any STM+ moms able to comment on their scoliosis before vs after pregnancy, and also delivery? (*Please, no "my friend's friend had this horrific thing happen" stories.*) I am seeking firsthand anecdotes.

    I ask because I am surprised my back hasn't actually been worse (knock on wood!!!), and I am wondering if labor will impact my spine. I have both Googled and talked to my doctor. Am just curious about direct experience. Thanks!
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  • laurendutchlaurendutch member
    I don't have Scolosis but Schaurmanns Disease. It's a different type of curvature. I didn't even think about mentioning this to my Dr and I'm a STM. But I had a c-section with my twins and will be having another one.

    I'm confused with the c-section too. I always thought that they did it the same way as an epidural. Did she go under general for the c-section?
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  • born2runrnborn2runrn member
    I also have scoliosis and have had such awful back pain in my mid-right back area. It gets worse when I sit so I try to walk around/stretch when it starts hurting me. By the end of the day, it is almost unbearable. I've been seeing a prenatal chiro for the past few weeks because I got so desperate. She hasn't helped the mid back pain too much, honestly. She told me I had some ribs that were popped out of place (told me this is common in patients with scoliosis). I don't know how I'm going to make it 11 more weeks. :( I've gotten several massages. Nothing seems to help me.
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  • virginiaunicorn11virginiaunicorn11 member
    @born2runrn I'm so sorry! You may have thought of this, but I have found there to be a wide variety of skill in chiropractors, like any doctor. Have you considered trying another chiropractor?

    A product to consider (I am not a salesperson just a very satisfied customer): I use one of those foam cylinders to roll out my back at home twice a day, and it has been working miracles for me. They are like $15, I think. The brand I use is Gaia. It is soft enough to give a little. My mother is a physical therapist and has a much harder roller at her house that doesn't feel as good. If you try it and never have before, just be cautious at first, with a good supportive leg stance. (Maybe even at a physical therapist's office.) Once you get used to it (like Day 2), you can really get a great stretch in, and my back cracks and adjusts itself, as if at the chiropractor. It travels with me when I go overnight anywhere now.

    I also use the Cat and Cow yoga position every morning, and grab my office chair and do back twists several times a day.

    Hope you find some relief soon.
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  • swimbabyswimswimbabyswim member
    I have mild scoliosis the chiropractor has helped me. I go every other week. This will be my 3rd child. I had an epidural with my other two with no problems.
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