Hi,
Sorry that you've been diagnosed with KFS, however, you should know that KFS as its own entity rarely causes early death and people can and do lead relatively normal lives albeit with restrictions due to their musculoskeletal abnormalities and sometimes other organ system involvement. In terms of the pain I'm going to give you this link to look into because I've sent this information now to several of my patients who are in
chronic pain for other reasons and it is an interesting concept that may develop into something you could benefit from since you're so young. It's called the Orphaneet/
Anesthesia global project.
Also, KFS can be approached surgically in such cases if pain and immobility of the neck or if
scoliosis became so painful or obstructive to daily activities that other measures simply don't function. Scoliosis can be corrected if you have that problem and again, you're young so I believe your healing capacity is going to be excellent assuming you don't have any significant comorbid metabolic conditions such as
diabetes,
hypertension, etc.
I think that with the right therapy program and support groups by your side you stand actually a much better chance at a very good quality of life that may not be completely full of chronic pain as you might think. And just so don't think I'm trying to make things sound better than they are... HA!....check this link out on KFS (perhaps you've already seen it...but read way down where it is PROGNOSIS....and lemme know what you think).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dariush Saghafi,
Neurologist
Also, did you know about the:
Klippel-Feil Syndrome Freedom group which has a FACEBOOK PAGE and support presence on the web? Check it out. If you need more direction or links to anything or have more questions let me know by sending questions. I have a couple of KFS patients in the practice and they are not doing badly at all.
Lots of options that I think can give you reason to believe that you're going to be doing better right on up through your 97th birthday!