Purpose and Background

My name is Amy.

I currently attend the University of Northern Iowa. I'm in my 5th and hopefully last year as a Graphic Communications major. Music and art run my life. I love color and simplicity. I love my friends, my family, and I think I have a pretty good life.

I do, however, have one major problem that makes life very difficult for me at times. I have a spinal condition known as scoliosis.

Most people know what scoliosis is. But for those who don't, it is a lateral curve of the spine. In my reading, I've found that, while not rare, it isn't all that common.

In my particular case, I was diagnosed at the end of middle school, during a routine screening. I went to the orthopedic surgeon a few times, but they basically determined that my curve wasn't severe enough for bracing or surgery. So, it was left alone.

It wasn't until my senior year of high school that I began having pain and muscle spasms in my mid-back. I went to a family doctor to have it looked at. They determined that it was indeed my scoliosis that was the cause. The doctor prescribed cyclobenzaprine, a skeletal muscle relaxant, and told me to take 800 mg of ibuprofin. I was also sent to physical therapy for a month. The physical therapy helped, but in the end, it didn't do much.

So, where am I now? 5 years later, I still have chronic back pain nearly every day. For relief, I still have cylcobenzaprine and ibuprofin, but I also have hydrocodone (the generic form of vicodin). Other than that, I have no solution.

Yesterday, I went to an orthopedic surgeon for some options. They took the x-ray that is displayed on the right, and consulted me on my options. There really aren't any. The only permanent solution is spinal fusion surgery. With only temporary solutions before me, I'm considering having the surgery.

In order to find out more about my case, I'm getting an MRI next Tuesday, and more comprehensive x-rays on Wednesday. This is all to determine if I'm a candidate for this surgery. Under normal circumstances, a curve of my degree wouldn't be operated on. But since I'm an adult, and it's causing me extreme pain, it's now an option.

This blog is for me to keep people up to date on what is going on, and to chronicle my daily pain, activities, and what medications I take for it. I will use the pain scale for this, numbered from 1 to 10. I will also post some of the pictures and information I find on spinal fusion surgery and scoliosis in general. I will take any information or stories that anyone is willing to share.