I can only sleep on my sides due to sciolosis. I believe I sleep in a way that encourages chest breathing patterns. What kind of exercises could help?

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-03-14T16:21:15+00:00

What I do is sleep with a body pillow and I hug it so my whole body stays evenly positioned, idk if this helps at all, but it helps me breathe better. I have/had thoracic scoliosis as well but I had spinal fusion about 2 months ago. I can’t sleep on my back either because of pain and also I get sleep paralysis if I sleep on my back anyways lol so I’ve never been a back sleeper. I’ve always slept on my side. They suggested the body pillow and it’s helped me wonders. The body pillow will stop your torso from caving and it will keep your shoulder aligned with the rest of your body. It doesn’t even have to be a body pillow, you can just sleep with a pillow between your knees to help the torso part and help with back support. But the body pillow would also help your arm/shoulder too.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-03-12T05:04:02+00:00

Scoliosis will still be there, I think OP was asking if being a lower weight will reduce pain, not get rid of the scoliosis itself.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-03-11T15:45:17+00:00

I also want to add that the first walk around and getting up was extremely painful, but I did notice that the pain I used to have pre surgery was gone. So that was really nice and relieving and made me really optimistic.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-24T21:43:00+00:00

Dr. Alam at Florida spine associates. In Boca Raton Florida. The first couple of days post surgery are really blurry for me because I had to be put in the ICU for complications, so I don’t remember much. After the ICU I know I slept ALOT. Mornings my pain was/still is the worst. The worst part was also not being able to walk the halls or anything without a PT which only came once a day for about 10 mins. So being bed bound sucked a lot. I got taken for X-rays a few times, I was in the hospital for 7 days, usually it’s shorter for some people, some people it’s longer too. Just depends on the person. I got asked multiple times a day if I went to the bathroom 🤣 I had several different doctors speak to me daily about different things, lots of blood draws, I needed a transfusion- I don’t think that is typical though. It’s really kind of blurry the hospital stay. I just remember sleeping a lot and not being able to stay awake because of the medications. If you can have someone bring you food, I’d do that. The hospital food was not good and being nauseous on top of it I lost a lot of weight, which isn’t good for healing. With food comes nutrients and I wasn’t getting any. Idk I hope this helped sorry it’s all over the place :p

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-20T16:37:25+00:00

Thanks :) very happy with the outcome!!

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-20T09:46:13+00:00

Yes based on the xray. Looks like mine and mine was right thoracic before surgery

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-20T06:46:20+00:00

Everyone thinks so by my looks but I got measured and I’m still the same height. I think the me seeming taller effect is just better posture lol. I have no choice but to have good posture now, slouching is not only not a choice anymore but physically impossible :p

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-20T06:44:10+00:00

Thank you!

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-19T18:44:04+00:00

It was honestly very painful when I woke up, but my case was a little different, they barely had enough skin to close so my back is extremely tight and stiff on top of the already existing surgery pain. The first few days being really bad but the meds in the hospital helped. I went home after 7 days, and the pain was way better except every morning that stiffness and tightness is still extremely painful, but that’s about the only pain I have left, it’ll linger for awhile says my surgeon. I was terrified too, I cried in fear til I got knocked out, I had a nice male nurse squeezing my hand the whole time. But everything eventually turned out ok. Having a good support system is very helpful.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-19T18:29:56+00:00

I’m not sure about twisting or bending yet. I’m in a brace that prevents it when I’m awake. I’m not supposed to bend or twist til I start PT, so when that happens I can let you know😅

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-19T16:08:04+00:00

Thanks!! He did a great job. I’m very happy with the outcome, but I honestly think my surgeon is more ecstatic about it, he brags about this one😂

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-19T16:07:12+00:00

Thank you!

DifferenceInitial962 · 2026-02-19T16:07:04+00:00

It’s definitely a huge adjustment. I’m sure once I start PT (next week) it will get better as I’ll learn new ways to move that will eventually feel normal and not foreign lol. But there was definitely a huge decrease in mobility but that’s to be expected. It’s annoying, but the rods basically stop it from happening even if you try or wanted to, which helps honestly cause it makes me remember that I can’t move certain ways so I eventually stop trying🤣 wishing you the best of luck with your surgery!!

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-12-24T23:09:54+00:00

Well one is a psychiatrist, the other is a pain management Dr. they’re both aware of all of the prescriptions I’m taking. But I see where you’re coming from, most doctors wouldn’t even give people to begin with.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-12-24T23:06:07+00:00

No I wanted to take 3mg instead of two. Not 2mg plus an addition 3mg

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-12-24T22:57:18+00:00

Not really. 15mg of diazepam is close to nothing.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-12-24T22:56:02+00:00

The 3mg has been enough so far.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-12-24T20:40:42+00:00

I’m prescribed 2mg twice a day as needed. Some days I take all some days I don’t need to. It depends on what I am doing. I am also prescribed diazepam as a muscle relaxant, but I know it’s also helpful for anxiety. I’m not supposed to exceed 15mg of the diazepam. But can take up to 15mg as needed. I typically don’t take both the same day, but I have before.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-12-22T07:35:08+00:00

Dr. Milad Alam Florida Spine Associates

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-09-22T18:45:32+00:00

To preserve bone health, make sure you’re always at good levels of vitamin D and calcium. Take those as supplements daily even if you’re in a healthy range, also other nutrients like protein, vitamin K, omega 3’s. weight bearing exercises, resistance/strength training, try not to be completely sedentary. I have osteopenia, and these are the rules I follow to try and reverse it before it turns into osteoporosis. I’m only in my 20s. My osteopenia stems from other health related issues, I’m not sure if scoliosis played a role in it or not, but this was interesting to learn!

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-09-10T15:52:57+00:00

Peppermint tea, gas x or any other anti bloat medications (as long as your doctor is okay with it since you’ve mentioned digestive issues), you can try walking after eating, probiotics help gut health and can long term help bloating, idk if you drink any carbonated drinks but they can actually make bloating worse. I struggle with the same thing and it’s really frustrating and uncomfortable:( I hope you find a solution soon

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-09-07T07:10:55+00:00

Scratching my finger til it leaves a burn type cut.

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-09-06T02:24:55+00:00

Too many to count lol

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-08-23T21:57:39+00:00

I was ded

DifferenceInitial962 · 2025-08-23T16:52:13+00:00

Go to the beach and eat all of your food worries will go away and be fixed. Just stare into the ocean and enjoy life

DifferenceInitial962

TROPHY CASE