Anyone else have scoliosis?

[ICLori]

I was just curious if others here have scoliosis. I was wondering if there might be (in some cases) a connection between IC and that condition.

I just found out that I have scoliosis. My civilian pain doc discovered it, and sent me for X-rays. When I saw the X-rays, my jaw dropped - my husband and I were both really shocked at the amount of curvature. My back looks like a big "S" with part of the curve around my pelvic area. I had no idea! The military docs have missed that all my life. I'm starting to think that the old saying about civilian medical care being better, might be true. I mean, this civilian doctor caught the scoliosis on his first examination of me, and I've had so many military docs examine me, I couldn't even begin to figure out a number. I'm sure at least 100 military docs have given me a physical or GP type exam over the years since I was a child. But not a one of them caught this rather pronounced scoliosis! Strange.

Anyway, now I'm kind of curious if others have this too. There was one theory out there that said problems with the back can sometimes affect the bladder or other organs...so now I'm kind of wondering.

I don't have back pain or anything. But I just had no idea at all before this that I had scoliosis! So I'm kind of surprised now and wonder if this is a common thing among other IC'ers.

Blessings,
Lori
P.S. I've been feeling better lately - my thyroid is closer to normal now (I'm still hypo, but not as bad as before) and my depression seems to be under control now.

[dancemomof2]

Hugs Lori, my 14 year old has scoliosis and her pain is in her hips, especially after her dance classes. SHe does PT for it. They gave her an exercise band to use at home and she does the same thing pretty much for the therapist when she goes.

[ICLori]

Thank you, Leslie! I'm sorry your daughter has pain and has this condition. I hope that maybe she will grow out of it? It's they caught it early at least.

Blessings,
Lori
P.S. Just planted a garden full of various herbs and six tomato plants - planted cilantro, too, as one of the herb plants - I'm looking forward to making salsa this summer, LOL!

[akrose]

hi Lori- yes I have scoliosis, diagnosed as a preteen and had a lumbar curve, had surgery then- orthopedic surgeon implanted harrington rod to vertebrae to straighten spine. This was when I was 12yrs, had no IC symptoms till 46yrs of age. So I don't know if there is a relationship.

[SharonA]

Lori...I have missed you.

Yes, I have scoliosis. Did not know it was so curved until I changed chiropractors. He did a complete body e-xray...OMGosh, I have a major "S" curve going on. It is one ugly picture. No wonder I have back problems.

[**Angie**]

I have scoliosis too. I've had back/hip/bladder problems all my life. As a child my mom took me to a chiropractor--then I just learned to live with it as an adult. Starting PT again--1st time was with a woman's health PT (she was awesome in teaching me to relax my pelvic muscles)--this time will be with a regular PT. She says she can make a difference with the lower back/hip pain.
Good question--I wonder how many more out there have a big S for a back and don't even know it??

[Nancypt]

Hi,
I have had scoliosis since I was 16- am 45 now. Was diagnosed with IC in Sept 2006- not sure of connection

[sacausa]

I had scoliosis as a kid but I grew out of it (I guess that this one good thing about being 5ft10!)

My mom had it very bad though... If I remember right, she had a 60degree+ curve in an S shape and had to have her spine fused from T10-L5.... she had the screws removed about 3yrs ago but she's still in constant pain...

On another note... my mom's dad and other family members also have scoliosis and "pectus" which is basically something with the sternum (I'm still trying to figure out exactly what it is).... I have pectus really mild (only a doctor or my mom can tell) but my mom, brother, and grandpa have it really bad...

[Berkshire Road]

I have scoliosis, but it's an artifact of having injured my right ankle very, very badly, just before I hit my adolescent growth spurt. I favored the right leg for years, and during that time I grew six inches while leaning mostly on my left leg. So now I have arthritis in my left hip (from taking all that extra pressure) and scoliosis from growing so fast in that odd posture.

So I don't think there is a causal relationship, but I do know that hip pain and low back pain can trigger my bladder/pelvic pain, and vice versa. It's that nerve cycle.

A very sensible doctor recently suggested that I should use a cane to support my left leg if I'm walking any distance (like, more than house to car to mom's house). I have tried this and it feels great, and it does seem to keep my hip and back pain from coming on as fast when I walk -- this in turn means I get less bladder/pelvic pain. But I feel very conscpicuous, walking around with a cane (not to mention, I feel like an 80 year old lady!). I think I'm just going to have to learn to deal with it. But if I have to have a cane, I want a NICE cane, maybe something carved out of wood. Does anyone know where I could find something like that?

[SharonA]

Carolyn...Check out Antique Stores or Hoby-like Gift Shops for carved ones. I have seen quite a few canes in Antique Stores while I was snooping around.

Are you a House, MD fan? He had to get a new cane on this weeks episode because Wilson's dog chewed on his old one and it broke and sent him to the floor. He picked out one that has a flame pictured on it. Way cool!!!!!! He said that it makes him look like he is walking real fast. His charater is a hoot.

[Berkshire Road]

I love that show, but I rarely get to watch it in first runs. Because of my daughter's heavy swim practice schedule, we're usually eating dinner around 8:30 pm. I got the DVD's for the seasons that are out so far.

I can just imagine the look on House's face when he found out the dog chewed the cane! I only hope my dogs don't view it as chewing material, LOL.

I saw a few nice canes online, but they were around $80.00. I can afford it, but I hate the idea of spending 80 bucks on something I don't even want. Oh well. I should be happy that there is something that can help me get around more.

Thanks for the ideas, maybe I will do a little antiquing. I haven't done that in ages.

[July]

I have scoliosis. My PT explained that the curvature can pull the fascia that covers our muscles in a way that causes tightness and strain in the muscles, which can contribute to PFD , IC,and vulvodynia symptoms.

[mary124]

Yes I have Scoliosis. I was dx with it when I was 22 years old-- during a physical when the doctor told me to "sit up straight- I told him I was! He sent me to a specialist in Houston but they told me at my age they really couldn't do anything about it", that it might get worse as I get older. The only advise was to learn to sit up straighter. I do have hip and back problems and will have that the rest of my life.

[petrie86]

I had scoliosis when I was younger... in one summer I grew 5 inches. I guess I was about 14 then. I think I grew out of it. Well I hope so b/c I havent had x-rays of my back since then. I'm not 5'6".

Alot of people have scoliosis or had it... maybe there is a connection!

[icnmgrjill]

I have an S curve too... that occurred when I was in 7th grade!

Jill