Parents don't care that I have scoliosis/possible thyroid problem

[Earth Girl]

I definitely have scoliosis and people from school often talk about it. I can't even walk or stand properly. My posture is messed up. I do at least an hour of walking most days, so I do exercise (though I don't do many other exercises other than a bit of tennis and sometimes swimming. I try to do a bit of running, but I feel self-conscious when I do so).  

I told my Dad and he said that it probably doesn't matter unless it hurts and I said that my back occasionally hurts a bit and it can get worse if it doesn't get fixed and he said, "But where can we go about it?" I said we could go to a (can't remember what they are called right now). He replied, "Would that help though?" I said it's better than not doing anything and he just said "Hmm" and walked off. (He does this a lot).

I told my Mum about it and she said, "But if we went to one of those places, wouldn't they just tell you to stand better?" I said that I didn't know because we never tried going to one of those places and then she walked off. (They're both very dismissive). 

I went to a massage place because I had problems with my back and the lady said to my Mum that it's a pity that I never went to a *scoliosis place* when I was younger.

Even my older sister said to my parents that she was quite annoyed with them for never taking me to one of those places. She even told me that if our parents didn't pay for me to see them, that she'd be happy to pay for it. I may not get along with her often, but she's very generous! So is my younger sister.

I recently found out that I probably have a thyroid problem because I have so many health problems that can be related to it (walking funny, voice problems, skin problems, digestive problems, cracks on heels of feet, etc.) Google even says that psychosis can be related (I have paranoid schizophrenia and I never want to have an episode again because they are the worst thing that's ever happened to me).

I don't know how to get help for this either though because my parents don't take it seriously. My doctor thinks I don't because of my blood test result, but blood tests aren't always accurate for thyroid problems. My hormones also sound really out of wack based on what it said, but my doctors said they were fine. I'm not a doctor, but it was something like 98 - T and 1.10 - E?? Even if I was ovulating, that doesn't sound right to me?

[Psychdiaries2]

Hey there,

Welcome back to the forums, I’m glad you are here!

I have mild scoliosis. I was getting an x-ray on my lower back a few years ago for a different issue and found out I have it. It’s funny, because I never suspected it or had any pain. I would definitely recommend going to your doctor and talking about it so you can get an x-ray. I know you said about your parents not really being interested in this issue but do you think maybe they could take you if you spoke to them again? Or perhaps your older sister could? 

I have found stretches/exercises that have helped me so maybe ask a professional about that too because you can improve a bit. About your suspected thyroid problem, maybe you could get in contact with an endocrinologist? I guess when you turn 18 you’ll have more independence to get to the bottom of these things yourself. 

I hope your parents will consider taking you to get support. Perhaps you could explain to them how it is impacting your life? Maybe then they will be more understanding. 

Hope things get a bit better, you are more than welcome to keep reaching out. We’re here for you!

[Earth Girl]

Hi Psychdiaries2! Thanks for your reply! I'm sorry for taking a long time to get back to you. I'm pretty sure I have ADHD and it's driving me crazy. 

I could ask my doctor if I could get an x-ray done. A lot of doctors tell me that I have it without even having to do any tests because my back and the way I walk and stand even make it really obvious. I often hear people say I have it. I'll remind my parents that it can get worse and hopefully they'll eventually take it seriously. 

An endocrinologist sounds good. I've been told that I could also get a full thyroid panel blood test because that will check every part of my thyroid. I'm actually kind of hoping that I do have a thyroid problem (depending on how it is fixed) because I have a lot of medical symptoms and have had them for a long time and I don't know why I have them, but if I have a thyroid problem, at least it will all make sense and hopefully I can get help for it and I won't have all these unexplainable symptoms anymore. I even get body odor easily despite washing myself well every day - sometimes twice a day. 

I'm actually 31, but I act very young for my age, and I am also very dependent for my age because of my disability and lack of experience. I can't drive either because I have an eye condition. I'm trying to get more independent. 

I'll try to talk to my parents more about how it is impacting my life - that should give them more of an idea of how important it is. I've heard people say that I'm "going to end up like the hunchback of Notre Dam." It's funny because I can sometimes stand and walk fairly normally and feel confident and other times I walk really strangely and I can't figure out why.