demyelination/hernation connection?

[silverdawn65]

Hello all -
I've been living with MS for 5 1/2 years. The last 1 1/2 years have been eventful with three flare ups of tranverse myelitis. My last MRI report shows new lesions at T5-6 and T9. Shockingly, it also shows two herniated discs at T6-7 and T8-9. I have not had an impact trauma, so the herniated disc info is surprising. From what I have read, thoracic hernations are unusual at this level. So now I am wondering if there is any correlation between lesions and herniations. Since the myelin is comprised in these areas, is it possible that the surrounding area is being affected in this way?

Just found this board - many hours ahead of reading!
Thanks for any input -
Dawn

[Heather3418]

Welcome to the Forum.  We are glad that you posted.  I have had an MS diagnosis for over a decade and have a lesion in my thoracic spine and also have bulging disks in that area.  I do not believe that one has to do with the other.  The myelin is not what gives the "strength" to the spine.  It's the surrounding muscles and joints.

Will be anxious to hear what others think.

Again welcome.  I am so glad that you found us.  You are now among friends...long lasting friends.

Heather

[Ley5792]

Hey Silver,

In my opinion..and from what I know I would have to say that the lesions did not have any part in causing herniation of the T-spine. Poor posture and body mechanics would be something more likely to contribute to disc herniation.

However...your spine protects your spinal cord. Your spinal cord, being a bundle of nerves, can become effected in a round-a-bout way. I believe that the body works at a more efficient level when all systems are in balance. Including your levers and pulls (bones and muscles). I would recommend seeing a chiro (if you're not already) and getting regular massages along with breathing and stretching. Do you do yoga?

Again, like Heather said. Welcome. This is the best place to be.

~Ley

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Another big welcome to the forum.  I'm going to take just the opposite stance on the relationship of the herniations.  I can see a very simple relationship between them.  MS, by causing localized weakness, pain and spasticity, screws up the posture, the carriage, most other movements, and the gait big time.  Ley was right on about the herniations being related to abnormal stress on the back.

MSers have a higher incidence than the normal population in back pain and this is felt to be why.  The other occurrence that can lead to unexpected herniations is the presence of paraspinus muscle spasms or spasticity.  The contractions of these over long periods of time will increase the intervertebral pressure.  Then you add in defects in posture, movement, and gait and you have a set-up for disc issues.

So, now you have the whole range of opinions, something pretty normal for discussions about MS.

Quix

[young at heart]

WELCOME TO OUR CYBER FAMILY.

IN MY CASE I HAD LUMBAR HERNIATIONS,REPAIRED,THAT FAILED,DIAGNOSED WITH MS AND I ALSO HAVE THORCIC DISK HERNIATIONS AT THE T6-T7.ALSO BULGING DISK DOWN THE REST OF THE THORACIC.

I AGREE WITH QUIX,WITH THE PARASPINAL SPASMS YANK AND PULL ,IT DISTORTS THE SPINAL STRUCTURE.

T

[missy142]

Quix
I came across this old post not sure how, but found what you had to say very interesting to me as I also along with my cervical herniations, have recently found out that I have a T7/8 herniation pressing on thecal sac, and multiple thoracic buldges pressing on thecal sac and no idea how I got them, I am basically asymtomatic with them, with the exception of some paresthesias in the torso and some pain above the flank area, but really not sure if these symptoms are directly related to the herniations.  Also a small L5/S1 herniation.  The cervical appear to be the worst with cord compression, stenosis, etc.  Although I dont have a dx of MS, if you read any of my posts I am dealing with ruling it out among other things and seems to have many of the symptoms of all these diseases and their mimics.  Just very interesting and makes sense about the spine.  I was not nor was I ever a particularly sedentary person, always exercised sensibly, not overweight.  So all these herniations are a bit of a mystery.  One car accident when i was 20 which i bashed my neck into the stearing wheel  (oh yeah maybe that woulda caused  the cervical:o), but never manifested symptoms till last year, so who knows.

missy
p.s. Hope ur cold feels better soon, and if ur gonna snort the chicken soup, make sure ya chop it up real good first:)

[Military_Wifey]

Hmmm...interesting topic. I haven't been diagnosed yet as we are awaiting my Lp (this friday :-( )  ...I too have disc protrusion/canal stenosis/anular bulging in multiple levels of cervical spine, beginning of thoracic...that's as far as they imaged. When I find out my diagnosis (if its MS) I am going to ask my doc about that. Curious to get an opinion from an MS specialist.

[biowham]

It is interesting, in a way. My tspine has two disc herniations (t6-7 and t8-9) and there's an arachnoid cyst. I have myelopathy in my tspine, but it's at t3-4.

Bio