Scheuermann's Disease

[D34M0n7]

I suffer from Scheuermann's Disease and as a result of a spontaneous "attack" I decided to post this.

I'm interested in knowing if anyone here suffers from it as well.

Heres a summary of what it is for those that don't know:

Scheuermann's disease, in a medical context, is basically considered to be a a form of juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine. It is found mostly in teenagers and presents a significantly worse deformity than postural kyphosis. Patients suffering with Scheuermann’s kyphosis cannot consciously correct their posture. The apex of their curve, located in the thoracic vertebrae, is quite rigid. The sufferer may feel pain at this apex, which can be aggravated by physical activity and by long periods of standing or sitting; this can have a significantly detrimental effect to their lives as their level of activity is curbed by their condition and they may feel isolated or uneasy amongst their peers if they are children, depending on the level of deformity.
In addition to the pain associated with Scheuermann's disease, many sufferers of the disorder have loss of vertebral height, and depending on where the apex of the curve is, may have a visual 'hunchback' or 'roundback'. It has been reported that curves in the lower thoracic region cause more pain, whereas curves in the upper region present a more visual deformity. Nevertheless, it is typically pain or cosmetic reasons that prompt sufferers to get help for their condition. In studies, kyphosis is better characterized for the thoracic spine than for the lumbar spine.[4][5]
The seventh and tenth thoracic vertebrae are most commonly affected. It causes backache and spinal curvature. In very serious cases it may cause internal problems and spinal cord damage, but these cases are extremely rare. The curvature of the back decreases height, thus putting pressure on internal organs, wearing them out more quickly than the natural aging process; surgical procedures are almost always recommended in this case.

Wiki Link

My case is similar to the one in the picture (follow the link). I don't show much visual deformity, you actually have to be a doctor looking for Scheuermann's to see it without an x-ray.

My recent attack (started at about 3pm today) is preventing me from thinking so this post is kind of fail, please forgive that

The pain is so bad I can't actually describe it, but if it continues to progress in the way it is now I won't be able to walk in about a day or two. Though it has't been that bad since 2004, where I was bedridden for over a week.

For a reason unknown to be it also brings on a state of extreme depression, I'm talking suicidal... So I'm hoping it fades away by the end of this week.

 

[murraybiscuit]

sorry to hear that. i've got a buddy who has twitches of pain - he told me that when he was a kid, the muscles grew to fast in his back or the spine grew too slowly. can't remember the exact story.
anyway, if he gets into a certain position, he can sense the pain coming in his spine and convulses strangely.
he's learned to disguise it quite well, but it sometimes comes out like taurettes.

 

[maumau]

it sounds awful D34 - hang in there we're here for you.

 

[D34M0n7]

sorry to hear that. i've got a buddy who has twitches of pain - he told me that when he was a kid, the muscles grew to fast in his back or the spine grew too slowly. can't remember the exact story.
anyway, if he gets into a certain position, he can sense the pain coming in his spine and convulses strangely.
he's learned to disguise it quite well, but it sometimes comes out like taurettes.

Sounds bad, I guess in a way I can relate (except I don't convulse) in terms of the pain. Sometimes mine makes me shake.
I'm constantly in pain, albeit mild pain, so mild that I've gotten used to it - but sometimes it spikes like know. So I have learnt to hide mine too, when its not too bad.

it sounds awful D34 - hang in there we're here for you.

Thanks

 

[LazyLion]

I suffer from really bad migraines... so I know exactly what you mean about the suicidal thoughts.

But hang in there bro! When you need people to talk to we will be here!

 

[D34M0n7]

I suffer from really bad migraines... so I know exactly what you mean about the suicidal thoughts.

But hang in there bro! When you need people to talk to we will be here!

I haven't had many migraines in my life and I'm not sure how bad they were (compared to yours), but I think the effects of my Scheuermann's and your Migraines may be similar. In terms of the depressed state. Although I may be wrong and please correct me if I am.

My back pain sends me into a sate where I cannot gather my thoughts and I begin to make irrational decisions. I'm not at this stage yet, I'm not feeling the depression yet. But if it progresses I'm positive I'll enter the depressed state and literally everything around be will become negative, every thought will be demotivational. I do have mild depression on most days, nothing too severe though, I think its just me being pissy. But coupled with the pain it starts to become a danger.

Although there is a glimmer of hope, I had pain meds at 8pm and they seem to be working a little, just enough for me to think clearly. This is a first for me and it feels pretty good so if it does progress I'll get a prescription for morphine, I'm thinking oral 20-30mg should do it, depends on how lenient the doc is feeling though.

 

[Kornhub]

I also have suicidal thoughts I mean who does not?Though its everyday for me so I just tell myself like what happens when my parents find my body.I heard about a brilliant book from some psychologist(on 94.7)...when I get the book I will let you know/But all I do is drink everyday....think since last year I didn't drink for like 7 days over the year.

D34M0n7,sorry to hear that but my mate has a very rare condition...he was suppose to die at 21 apparently but he is doing bloody well!-He has this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedreich's_ataxia

Known the b@stard since primary school-still strong

 

[_Hecate_]

Was wondering where you get your opiates from

Never heard of this before sorry to here D. Think the best thing is to be with friends or family, most times we push the ppl away when we need them the most.

 

[Sensorei]

Sorry to hear about the pain D34M0n7. Hang in there. How old are you dude? Forgive my ignorance, I'm just trying to understand this: since that wiki article says with this condition vertabrae grow unevenly, is the pain caused by when you get growth spurts in the spine or what?. That sounds scary man. Hope everything turns out fine for you!

 

[LazyLion]

I haven't had many migraines in my life and I'm not sure how bad they were (compared to yours), but I think the effects of my Scheuermann's and your Migraines may be similar. In terms of the depressed state. Although I may be wrong and please correct me if I am.

My back pain sends me into a sate where I cannot gather my thoughts and I begin to make irrational decisions. I'm not at this stage yet, I'm not feeling the depression yet. But if it progresses I'm positive I'll enter the depressed state and literally everything around be will become negative, every thought will be demotivational. I do have mild depression on most days, nothing too severe though, I think its just me being pissy. But coupled with the pain it starts to become a danger.

Although there is a glimmer of hope, I had pain meds at 8pm and they seem to be working a little, just enough for me to think clearly. This is a first for me and it feels pretty good so if it does progress I'll get a prescription for morphine, I'm thinking oral 20-30mg should do it, depends on how lenient the doc is feeling though.

Well, yes, the pain ranges from a dull constant throb to blinding flashes of intense agony, but even then, I am sure that it is not a fraction of your back pain.
The suicidal thoughts come from just wanting release, but I'm glad to say I have always by the grace of God managed to deal well with those kinds of thoughts.

What kind of meds are you taking, as you probably realise the bad effect they can have on your stomach as well, so I hope you are eating plenty of paw paw and drinking aloe vera juice to protect your stomach lining.
I imagine you have something stronger, but I take Voltaren or Naproxen when my neck goes into spasm, but they are very heave on my tummy and I can't take them both at the same time.

 

[D34M0n7]

Sorry to hear about the pain D34M0n7. Hang in there. How old are you dude? Forgive my ignorance, I'm just trying to understand this: since that wiki article says with this condition vertabrae grow unevenly, is the pain caused by when you get growth spurts in the spine or what?. That sounds scary man. Hope everything turns out fine for you!

I'm currently 18 but will be turning 19 soon. The vertebrae do grow unevenly and growth spurts are accompanied by pain, but they are not the only cause of the pain. My back is in a constant sate of discomfort, it does not hurt badly but the only time I don't feel this low level pain is when I'm asleep or on meds. Honestly I'm not sure what brought on the attack I'm experiencing now. At 2:59pm yesterday I was fine, at 3:00pm I was in agony.

Though I'm happy to say that the pain seems to be subsiding, it could be temporary relief but I hope it isn't.

What kind of meds are you taking, as you probably realise the bad effect they can have on your stomach as well, so I hope you are eating plenty of paw paw and drinking aloe vera juice to protect your stomach lining.
I imagine you have something stronger, but I take Voltaren or Naproxen when my neck goes into spasm, but they are very heave on my tummy and I can't take them both at the same time.

I'm on codeine, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Tramadol and Quarterzone. Sometimes I add an antihistamine and Cataflam (50mg) to the mix.

My doses are around 650mg Paracetamol, 20mg codeine, 75mg Tramadol, 400mg Ibuprofen twice a day, only when its seriously bad though.
I'd take more but Paracetamol is serious stuff in high doses. Which is why I'm going to start looking for meds that don't contain any.

I'm not taking anything for my stomach, but I'll take your advice and start.

Though it seems I may not have to, the pain has migrated from my lower back (where its greatest) to my upper part of my back, just under my neck. I'm taking it easy, not straining my back at all and I don't sit or stand for expended periods of time. Stiff as a board I am.

 

[bitesize]

i'm sorry it's so bad. i don't know of anyone with this disease or could even comprehend on the level of pain you feel. but know we are here to chat. i have endo, pcos and a vp shunt. when i get migraines that's it, my week is stuffed and i'm stuck in bed. for the rest, i'm in constant abdominal pain day in and day out. but it's manageable. i've had these problems for over 15 years. the only way i can think of dealing with this, besides knocking yourself out with meds, is to try and find something to focus on.
take it easy and let us know how you are doing.

 

[BinaryJack]

Hey mister!
You're awesome as you are!
When you are down and out and feel like it gets too much, get online and we'll be here to make fun of you and tickle you senseless and post nude homo pics!

 

[D34M0n7]

i'm sorry it's so bad. i don't know of anyone with this disease or could even comprehend on the level of pain you feel. but know we are here to chat. i have endo, pcos and a vp shunt. when i get migraines that's it, my week is stuffed and i'm stuck in bed. for the rest, i'm in constant abdominal pain day in and day out. but it's manageable. i've had these problems for over 15 years. the only way i can think of dealing with this, besides knocking yourself out with meds, is to try and find something to focus on.
take it easy and let us know how you are doing.

Thanks for your concern, the scary thing is that I don't have a 'serious case' of Scheuermann's. Mine is actually quite light. I have only ever met one other person with this condition, at the time he was in his 40s and had to wear a back brace 24/7. My pain is so great because of the location of the 'foci' of the disease (in very simple terms, not medically correct I think), its in my lower back and under constant pressure. Although all my vertebrae are deformed my upper back gets stiff more than it gets sore.

Hey mister!
You're awesome as you are!
When you are down and out and feel like it gets too much, get online and we'll be here to make fun of you and tickle you senseless and post nude homo pics!

Thanks! I'll definitely pop my head round the TK corner if I need a pick-me-up but right now I'm feeling kinda mellow and taking it easy. I'm not really myself when my spine kicks me in the nono area so I tend to move away from any social groups, I'm not much fun in this condition.

I'll be back though, hopefully sooner than later.

 

[BinaryJack]

Thanks! I'll definitely pop my head round the TK corner if I need a pick-me-up but right now I'm feeling kinda mellow and taking it easy. I'm not really myself when my spine kicks me in the nono area so I tend to move away from any social groups, I'm not much fun in this condition.

I'll be back though, hopefully sooner than later.

Bah...I know.
What you need to understand that in this place (indicates the virtual existence) anything and everything can happen.
Whether you are drunk or sober, high or low...you can be whatever you want to.
We like you as a person with your long hair, absinthe drinking and no crap attitude.
The back thing is just a thing...we dont care about that.

You can have pedoplushie in the mean time
/hands over pedoplushie

He gets a bit humpy in the morning, just hold him upside down so the blood can flow back to his head.

 

[D34M0n7]

You can have pedoplushie in the mean time
/hands over pedoplushie

He gets a bit humpy in the morning, just hold him upside down so the blood can flow back to his head.

After I'm done with him he'll be the one walking funny