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nancy94011
Guest
Hey everyone,
It has been a while since I have checked in and just to refresh everyone
It has been a while since I have checked in and just to refresh everyone
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nancy94011
Guest
Hi Ibake,
Thanks for your worRAB of encouragement and for sharing your story about getting sick at 3:00 in the morning. I feel your pain, I really do as I had a similar thing happen to me a few days after I was released from the hospital.
I had a bad reaction to some of the meRAB I was taking and I found myself struggling to get out of bed and over to the toilet to throw up. Fortunately I did not have to try and get into my brace since it was already on (my doctor has me in mine 24/7 for now) but throwing up being strapped into a body brace is not a pretty thing! God, what a sight! –LOL (at least I can laugh about it now!)
Nancy
Thanks for your worRAB of encouragement and for sharing your story about getting sick at 3:00 in the morning. I feel your pain, I really do as I had a similar thing happen to me a few days after I was released from the hospital.
I had a bad reaction to some of the meRAB I was taking and I found myself struggling to get out of bed and over to the toilet to throw up. Fortunately I did not have to try and get into my brace since it was already on (my doctor has me in mine 24/7 for now) but throwing up being strapped into a body brace is not a pretty thing! God, what a sight! –LOL (at least I can laugh about it now!)
Nancy
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andrea1965
Guest
Hello Nancy,
Good to hear from you and it is great to hear that your back and neck are doing better but I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling with your brace. How long did you say you were in yours so far?
I was in my CTLSO for almost 4 months after my horseback ridding accident and I do have to say that it took me a month before I began to really get used to the brace and I think I counted 9 times that I was into the orthodist
Good to hear from you and it is great to hear that your back and neck are doing better but I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling with your brace. How long did you say you were in yours so far?
I was in my CTLSO for almost 4 months after my horseback ridding accident and I do have to say that it took me a month before I began to really get used to the brace and I think I counted 9 times that I was into the orthodist
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BlueAtlas
Guest
It's easier for me to know what to expect so I can deal with it, but a lot of doctors seem to think that it's better not to tell all!
I was in my brace for 5 months, and it took another month to wean out of it. But I didn't hate my doctor. My love/hate relationship was with the brace, not the doc! I loved my brace because I knew it was keeping me from moving wrong and wrecking my surgery, but I hated it because it was such a nuisance. My doctor actually gave me the option of going to a soft brace at about 2 months post-op, but I didn't want it. I felt that I needed the support because my scoliosis curve was 75 degrees and holding. I wanted the brace to keep it from shifting while I was in the process of fusing. Another reason I loved/love my doctor: he listened to my reasons for not wanting a soft brace and let me stay in the hard one. He had also continued to prescribe my Vicodin and will, indefinitely. He stood behind me 100% in my disability case and documented everything for me. He's a gem, and I'm so grateful for him! I couldn't hate him if I tried! But yeah, I could hate that brace.
Hang in there. It will pass more quickly than you think, and it'll be so worth it!
Emily :wave:
I was in my brace for 5 months, and it took another month to wean out of it. But I didn't hate my doctor. My love/hate relationship was with the brace, not the doc! I loved my brace because I knew it was keeping me from moving wrong and wrecking my surgery, but I hated it because it was such a nuisance. My doctor actually gave me the option of going to a soft brace at about 2 months post-op, but I didn't want it. I felt that I needed the support because my scoliosis curve was 75 degrees and holding. I wanted the brace to keep it from shifting while I was in the process of fusing. Another reason I loved/love my doctor: he listened to my reasons for not wanting a soft brace and let me stay in the hard one. He had also continued to prescribe my Vicodin and will, indefinitely. He stood behind me 100% in my disability case and documented everything for me. He's a gem, and I'm so grateful for him! I couldn't hate him if I tried! But yeah, I could hate that brace.
Hang in there. It will pass more quickly than you think, and it'll be so worth it!
Emily :wave:
I
ibake&pray
Guest
I'm like Emily.
I wore my brace for 4 1/2 months. My hubby called it the clam shell. My marching orders from my surgeon were if I was up-it ws on. I even showered with it on in the beginning. You have never lived until you have showered with a clam shell on.
The worst time was when I was in the nursing home and got the flu bug. The aid had to come in and help me into the brace-it's 3am in the morning and I'm throwing up-not what you want when you are in the process of fusing. Then I got the runs on top of that. What a great twosome. Tag team. The head nurse came in, took one look at me and gave me a shot that knockied me out and stopped everything. Thanks heavens! Scared me silly. I truly loved my brace that day!
They have their purpose and they do their job. The good part is when you take them off you feel 10 lbs. lighter. So it has to have some value. Just look on the bright side, if it helps keep your back in place and helps with the fusion, then it is worth the extra irritation,right?
I wore my brace for 4 1/2 months. My hubby called it the clam shell. My marching orders from my surgeon were if I was up-it ws on. I even showered with it on in the beginning. You have never lived until you have showered with a clam shell on.
The worst time was when I was in the nursing home and got the flu bug. The aid had to come in and help me into the brace-it's 3am in the morning and I'm throwing up-not what you want when you are in the process of fusing. Then I got the runs on top of that. What a great twosome. Tag team. The head nurse came in, took one look at me and gave me a shot that knockied me out and stopped everything. Thanks heavens! Scared me silly. I truly loved my brace that day!
They have their purpose and they do their job. The good part is when you take them off you feel 10 lbs. lighter. So it has to have some value. Just look on the bright side, if it helps keep your back in place and helps with the fusion, then it is worth the extra irritation,right?
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nancy94011
Guest
Hello Andrea,
You are the only one I have found here that was actually in a CTLSO like me so I may pick your brain from time to time re the CTLSO. Maybe we can exchange some CTLSO fashion tips and how to accessorize when going out on the town!
You are the only one I have found here that was actually in a CTLSO like me so I may pick your brain from time to time re the CTLSO. Maybe we can exchange some CTLSO fashion tips and how to accessorize when going out on the town!
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nancy94011
Guest
Hey Emily & Ibake,
Maybe I misspoke, I do love my Doctor because he is a skilled surgeon and he has given me my life back (I think, so far, so good). I guess what I really do hate is the brace (I don
Maybe I misspoke, I do love my Doctor because he is a skilled surgeon and he has given me my life back (I think, so far, so good). I guess what I really do hate is the brace (I don
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BlueAtlas
Guest
You're not a whiner! You have real problems, and this is the place to talk about them. I removed the underwires from my bras. Just snipped a tiny opening at the end of each one and pulled them right out. Much more comfortable that way!
:wave: Emily
:wave: Emily
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andrea1965
Guest
Hey Nancy,
Hope you are doing OK. I think Emily had a good idea on the bra/underwire thing, I have also heard that wearing a sports bra under the brace can also work pretty well. I don’t remeraber if you mentioned it or not but does your brace cover your breasts or does it stop underneath them with a t-bar type chest extension?
Mine was the type that completely covered my breasts, which made me look even bigger than I already am (38D) so boy-0-boy, could you see me coming from a mile away! - LOL. At least I got a few laughs while being out in public. I mean, my God, men are just so damn obvious!! I'm not sure if I even made eye contact with half of them I pass by while out and about. It was actually very funny! Sorry, I digress.
Anyway, back to you, one thing that I found work really well for me during my recovery was to wear one of those one-piece foundation body suits (aka a longline body briefer/girdle)underneath my CTLSO. Seriously, don’t laugh; it really did worked great for me. It provided good support up top (get one w/o an underwire) and the “boob” chafing problems that I had went away. Also, mine was a very, very snug fit so I never got anymore of the pressure points or hot spots underneath the brace, like you mentioned. It also provided good padding for the brace to rest on, especially in the hip and torso area and on the top of the thighs while sitting (it helped keep the edge of the brace from cutting into the top of my thighs, like you mentioned). Just make sure get one that is a long leg version, not the brief model. Also important, when going to the girls room, is to get one with the split or snap crotch (sorry, but that is a must!) I would change mine every day since they would get dirty so I had bought a few to rotate in and out of.
As for the brace riding up while sitting, I know exactly what you mean and that can be a real challenge. When you go back to your brace fitter, make sure they trim the front, bottom of the brace to provide relief for your thighs when you sit. Also, always try and sit up as straight as possible and sit on a hard chair. Avoid soft, cushy chairs or couches as the brace (especially the chin and head piece portion) will really ride up and make it uncomfortable. Is the cervical portion of your brace a SOMI style neck brace? That is what mine was and after 4 weeks my doctor allowed me to remove the chin piece during meals as long as I used the forehead strap, which would snap to the back portion of the headpiece and come around the forehead. Yes, that was a sight to be seen! Actually, sometimes I would cheat, especially if I were eating out in public, and just lower the chin piece a few notches to make it easier to chew.
I know this a very difficult time for you and the brace is a real pain in the “you know what” but hang in there, try some of the things I mentioned above and don’t be afraid to go back to the Orthotist or your Doctor if something does not feel right, no matter how many times it takes.
My Orthotist told me that the CTLSO is probably the most uncomfortable and difficult brace for patients to wear so the fit neeRAB to be as close to perfect as possible in order for the brace to be even "tolerable" to wear.
Hang in there Nancy, it will get better and just remeraber, when this is all over your back and neck will feel so much better and more importantly, you will get your life back!!
Take care,
Andrea
Hope you are doing OK. I think Emily had a good idea on the bra/underwire thing, I have also heard that wearing a sports bra under the brace can also work pretty well. I don’t remeraber if you mentioned it or not but does your brace cover your breasts or does it stop underneath them with a t-bar type chest extension?
Mine was the type that completely covered my breasts, which made me look even bigger than I already am (38D) so boy-0-boy, could you see me coming from a mile away! - LOL. At least I got a few laughs while being out in public. I mean, my God, men are just so damn obvious!! I'm not sure if I even made eye contact with half of them I pass by while out and about. It was actually very funny! Sorry, I digress.
Anyway, back to you, one thing that I found work really well for me during my recovery was to wear one of those one-piece foundation body suits (aka a longline body briefer/girdle)underneath my CTLSO. Seriously, don’t laugh; it really did worked great for me. It provided good support up top (get one w/o an underwire) and the “boob” chafing problems that I had went away. Also, mine was a very, very snug fit so I never got anymore of the pressure points or hot spots underneath the brace, like you mentioned. It also provided good padding for the brace to rest on, especially in the hip and torso area and on the top of the thighs while sitting (it helped keep the edge of the brace from cutting into the top of my thighs, like you mentioned). Just make sure get one that is a long leg version, not the brief model. Also important, when going to the girls room, is to get one with the split or snap crotch (sorry, but that is a must!) I would change mine every day since they would get dirty so I had bought a few to rotate in and out of.
As for the brace riding up while sitting, I know exactly what you mean and that can be a real challenge. When you go back to your brace fitter, make sure they trim the front, bottom of the brace to provide relief for your thighs when you sit. Also, always try and sit up as straight as possible and sit on a hard chair. Avoid soft, cushy chairs or couches as the brace (especially the chin and head piece portion) will really ride up and make it uncomfortable. Is the cervical portion of your brace a SOMI style neck brace? That is what mine was and after 4 weeks my doctor allowed me to remove the chin piece during meals as long as I used the forehead strap, which would snap to the back portion of the headpiece and come around the forehead. Yes, that was a sight to be seen! Actually, sometimes I would cheat, especially if I were eating out in public, and just lower the chin piece a few notches to make it easier to chew.
I know this a very difficult time for you and the brace is a real pain in the “you know what” but hang in there, try some of the things I mentioned above and don’t be afraid to go back to the Orthotist or your Doctor if something does not feel right, no matter how many times it takes.
My Orthotist told me that the CTLSO is probably the most uncomfortable and difficult brace for patients to wear so the fit neeRAB to be as close to perfect as possible in order for the brace to be even "tolerable" to wear.
Hang in there Nancy, it will get better and just remeraber, when this is all over your back and neck will feel so much better and more importantly, you will get your life back!!
Take care,
Andrea
N
nancy94011
Guest
Hello All,
This last week has been pretty busy for me, I was back and forth to the Orthotist twice and my doctor twice but I think we have solve some of the problems I have been having with my brace.
Andrea, thank you for all the great information on your CTLSO. I did take your advice on the one-piece body suits under the brace and boy has that already made a difference. The chaffing problem I was having on my boobs is all but gone and I no longer have any pressure points so that has really helped. I really recommend it to anyone who is wearing a CTLSO or a TLSO shell, it does work!
Andrea, my brace sounRAB very similar to what your was and yes, it does go up over my chest like your did. The only redeeming factor there is at least it enhances my bust line a bit, not that look very sexy strapped into my “Zena Warrior Princess Body Amour!” - LOL!! I did ask my Orthotist about the neck brace portion of my CTLSO and he said its called a “Minerva” cervical attachment and I don’t think it can be removed for eating, he said I would have to check with my Doctor about that so for now, I guess I am stuck eating soft fooRAB and taking very small bites, maybe I will loose some weight! – Ha, Ha
They were able to help the riding up problem a little by trimming the bottom front portion on the brace and actually just making sure it is worn very, very tight. He said it looked like I was wearing it too loose which actually makes the brace tend to ride up when sitting so after he tightened it up and made a mark on the straps so I know where it is supposed to be, that has seemed to help a little.
All and all, I feel pretty good and have been walking a little in the evenings with my husband so I am still positive that I have had a good, successful surgery. I just need to get through this recovery process and shead this damn brace and I will be a happy girl!
Thanks
Nancy
This last week has been pretty busy for me, I was back and forth to the Orthotist twice and my doctor twice but I think we have solve some of the problems I have been having with my brace.
Andrea, thank you for all the great information on your CTLSO. I did take your advice on the one-piece body suits under the brace and boy has that already made a difference. The chaffing problem I was having on my boobs is all but gone and I no longer have any pressure points so that has really helped. I really recommend it to anyone who is wearing a CTLSO or a TLSO shell, it does work!
Andrea, my brace sounRAB very similar to what your was and yes, it does go up over my chest like your did. The only redeeming factor there is at least it enhances my bust line a bit, not that look very sexy strapped into my “Zena Warrior Princess Body Amour!” - LOL!! I did ask my Orthotist about the neck brace portion of my CTLSO and he said its called a “Minerva” cervical attachment and I don’t think it can be removed for eating, he said I would have to check with my Doctor about that so for now, I guess I am stuck eating soft fooRAB and taking very small bites, maybe I will loose some weight! – Ha, Ha
They were able to help the riding up problem a little by trimming the bottom front portion on the brace and actually just making sure it is worn very, very tight. He said it looked like I was wearing it too loose which actually makes the brace tend to ride up when sitting so after he tightened it up and made a mark on the straps so I know where it is supposed to be, that has seemed to help a little.
All and all, I feel pretty good and have been walking a little in the evenings with my husband so I am still positive that I have had a good, successful surgery. I just need to get through this recovery process and shead this damn brace and I will be a happy girl!
Thanks
Nancy