Arachnoiditis -Inflammation?

  Currently,I am taking 15mg of prednisone in hopes of reducing the inflammation from arachnoiditis. Are there any other drugs that have been successful in treating arachnoiditis and  can you please explain why this inflamation (inflammation) persists. Why doesn't it just go away? What keeps the inflammation going? Also can you explain why this is called a disease? If this is a disease, what germs have caused it? I will appreciate any information you can offer to help me understand this condition. Thank you very much, Carol
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Dear Carol,
Arachnoiditis is a generalized term for inflammation of the meninges and spinal nerve roots.  It can occur after surgery and other invasive procedures in and around the spinal dural sac.  It is generally not caused by a 'germ' or bacterial pathogen, though this is possible.
Because arachnoiditis is a local inflammatory reaction, the mainstay of therapies to treat this problem have been anti-inflammatory medications.  Steroids are the best medicines in this situation.  NSAIDS, like ibuprofen, are also anti-inflammatory medications, but they are not as powerful as the steroids.
Some patients require a longer period of therapy with steroids before improvement is seen.  Speak to your physician about his plan for your care and how long the steroids are indicated.
Good luck.