Epidural Cortisone for tx. of Arachnoiditis

Posted By Melissa Ann on August 01, 1998 at 13:07:41:







Dear Dr. I am a RN and I was diagnosed with severe Aracnoiditis almost 2 years ago. When I was diagnosed, the Dr, called me on the telephone, told me I had this, told me it was incurable, and hung up! I was totally ignorant of this disease, even as a RN of 28 years. I thought that the physicians way of telling me was very poor. My Family Practice Dr. knew little about this disease. I subsequently was treated with one epidural cortisone injection that made the condition worse, not better. The Dr. had to stick me 5 times before he could get into the epidural space! I have since learned that this is contraindicated in the treatment of Arachnoiditis, as it can cause even worse scarring, or worse yet, also get into the sub-arachnoid space.Since all that, I have now bilateral pain in both lower extremities, and now pain in my thoracic area. I am also having pain now from neck to shoulder down both arms to my hands and fingers. I am also having bowel and bladder problems. In your opinion, is epidural cortisone a treatment modality that would be beneficial to tx. of this disease? Everything I have read seems to point to no. I learned about this disease, researching it myself. Thank you for your time and careful consideration. Sincerely, Melissa Ann, in Florida