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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Possible Arachnoiditis
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Possible Arachnoiditis
by Richard__0, Sep 24, 1998 12:00AM
I had a 4 level (c2-c5) in Jan., 1994 due to severe cervical spondolisis.
I woke up with severe pain in both shoulders but we attributed it to the surgery. Other than that I was fine. The pain faded for about three months when I started feeling a tingling in my left arm and hand. The pain reversed and started getting worse. Everything began a gradual worsening until at this time I have tingling-numbness in both arms, hands,both legs and feet. The toes on my left foot constantly flexing. I have severe pain in both shoulders and upper back and down the back of my upper arms and the back of both legs. Muscle fatigue is a serious problem in that I can only walk about 100 yards when I have to rest or lose control of them. I can't hold my arms over my head for more than 30 seconds before the pain and fatigue forces me to lower them. My balance and gait are poor. If I close my eyes I fall backwards. I wobble when I walk. About 6 months ago the left side of my face became numb and slack. My jaw muscles make my teeth chatter. All of this is constant except when it gets worse due to exertion. I lost count of the drugs prescribed that didn't work. I have had 4 MRI's, 2 MYELOGRAMs, 2 EMGs and 1 SOMATOSENSORY test. The only thing not normal is a HIGH CONTRAST spot on my spinal cord at c3 with no explanation on the report. It has shown up on all MRI's with contrast. I have seen,other than my Neurologist and Neurosurgeon, Nuerology at Univ. of Cal. at Davis, Shands Hospital at the Univ. of Fla. and Univ. of S. Fla. in Tampa. I've gotten "we don't know" to "I'ts all in your head". I need help. I have been using self hypnosis to control the pain but is becoming more and more difficult. I would at least like to know what you think it might be. No one will make even a guess. I've read in the last couple of days about Arachnoiditis. I had never heard of it before. The contrast used in my Myelograms was ISOVIEW. Thank you for listening. You can feel free to edit this at your discretion for posting.
Robert St.John 10-27-98
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Dear Robert St. John,,
arachnoiditis is an iflammation of the layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord (the arachnoid layer and the pia).
It can be caused by infection or some contrast agent. It causes clumping of the spinal roots as they exit the spinal cord. This does not sound compatible with what your MRI showed. An abnormality on C3, that sounds more like a myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). This too has many causes from infection, inflammation, post infection, multiple sclerosis, trauma, etc.
I hope this information helps
I woke up with severe pain in both shoulders but we attributed it to the surgery. Other than that I was fine. The pain faded for about three months when I started feeling a tingling in my left arm and hand. The pain reversed and started getting worse. Everything began a gradual worsening until at this time I have tingling-numbness in both arms, hands,both legs and feet. The toes on my left foot constantly flexing. I have severe pain in both shoulders and upper back and down the back of my upper arms and the back of both legs. Muscle fatigue is a serious problem in that I can only walk about 100 yards when I have to rest or lose control of them. I can't hold my arms over my head for more than 30 seconds before the pain and fatigue forces me to lower them. My balance and gait are poor. If I close my eyes I fall backwards. I wobble when I walk. About 6 months ago the left side of my face became numb and slack. My jaw muscles make my teeth chatter. All of this is constant except when it gets worse due to exertion. I lost count of the drugs prescribed that didn't work. I have had 4 MRI's, 2 MYELOGRAMs, 2 EMGs and 1 SOMATOSENSORY test. The only thing not normal is a HIGH CONTRAST spot on my spinal cord at c3 with no explanation on the report. It has shown up on all MRI's with contrast. I have seen,other than my Neurologist and Neurosurgeon, Nuerology at Univ. of Cal. at Davis, Shands Hospital at the Univ. of Fla. and Univ. of S. Fla. in Tampa. I've gotten "we don't know" to "I'ts all in your head". I need help. I have been using self hypnosis to control the pain but is becoming more and more difficult. I would at least like to know what you think it might be. No one will make even a guess. I've read in the last couple of days about Arachnoiditis. I had never heard of it before. The contrast used in my Myelograms was ISOVIEW. Thank you for listening. You can feel free to edit this at your discretion for posting.
Robert St.John 10-27-98
=========
Dear Robert St. John,,
arachnoiditis is an iflammation of the layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord (the arachnoid layer and the pia).
It can be caused by infection or some contrast agent. It causes clumping of the spinal roots as they exit the spinal cord. This does not sound compatible with what your MRI showed. An abnormality on C3, that sounds more like a myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). This too has many causes from infection, inflammation, post infection, multiple sclerosis, trauma, etc.
I hope this information helps
