Question Title: Help Please on arachnoiditis

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Arachnoiditis

Posted by CCF Neuro MD on June 25, 1997 at 10:35:41:

In Reply to: Help Please on arachnoiditis posted by Linda Inglett on June 16, 1997 at 13:28:08:

: I have been diagnosed with arachnoiditis...past few months..I have had vision problem such as when I bend my neck down for jus t a few min. it seems my eyes have a film over them or blurred vision occurs..I am not at the present seeing a phys. due to no cure or treamtmen with this disease I am rehabilitating my self through swimming walking as much as I can...I am 46 years old..with severe hip and leg pain but not taking pain medications due to the bowel problems that I am having...it seems they are bad due to numb ness in the rectal area..(pains medications constipating anyway) It seems that all the arachnoiditis people that I have been talking to are now on pumps, stimulators, and bed-ridden..or wheelchair..I really feel I have done great with this disease..of all the problems that I have had..the vision problem is driving me up the wall..When I drive I feel that I am all over the rd.when I bring my head up trying to re-focus the blurred vision is still staying..my legs feel larger and the pain in the knees are worse...(knees are even bigger..)I feel I am always sitting on a ball..(size lemon) pain up rectum..and privacy area on the right side is numb..numbness in rt leg upper thigh to behind knee and rt.foot wants to draw under & cramp..(no ankle jerk) this has been with me a long time..feel at times no balance..when walking..I try to do alot of walking...stay active...but the falls (broke ankle) then broke hand) if I brake any more bones..they will have to shoot me like a horse(lol..just kidding)..I really want to help others with this disease..I really feel being active through the day has helped me..If I could just get the vision problem...and the knees down to a normal size ...like they used to be ...I will keep going..I am retired from Fox Network..due to the driving all day..Is there a clinic or Physicians out there that are just treating for this disease..are these stimulators and pumps the answer..this is going back into the spine..I have heard that myelograms (possible might be the cause) I had myelogram in 1991 (states no pantapaque) had fusion in 1991 L3-4..(due to auto accident 1989)tire exploxed on my car..went off bridge..(I have been put back to gether again) lol..I am very positive person..just don't want to keep running to Physcians for complaints that nothing can be done. I am just glad to be alive for my family. this has been my blessing.I am not sure how I got this..but I really beleive in good histories with patients answers could be answered. I'm really not concerned how I got this..just concerned how to get rid of this.(which I know no answers now..)If ever any research on this ..I would greatly be a good prospect.

Sincerely Thanks!

In some patients with arachnioditis the disease can progress to involve the area near the base of the brain where there are many critical structures including the optic nerves (the nerves that carry nerve impulses from the eyes to the brain. In some circumstances this can lead to blindness. However this may not be necessarily what is causing your symptoms. I would strongly urge you to see your doctor so that he/she can start the necessary work up or refer you to the appropriate physician near your area. Before anyone can comment on treatment it is important to be sure that the correct diagnosis is made. Again I would suggest that you see you doctor to have these new symptoms looked at regardless of what you think they can do for arachnioditis. It may be that this is a result of worsening of the arachnioditis but on the other hand it could be a sign of some other problem.

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.

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