arachnoiditis

[arachnaphob]

Hi, I had an MRI for back pain and thigh pain and burning and numbness. Among other things, the MRI showed  arachnoiditis. The neurosurgeon dismissed the findings. I think he thought that there is no such thing. Would this cause my symptoms ? I also get burning skin over my shoulders and upper back, a tight feeling in my right lower leg, sharp pains (nerve) into both my thumbs and I have been diagnosed with restless leg syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia.

Thanks for any input.

Arachnaphob

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Bone marrow depression and leukocytopenia makes one more susceptible to all kinds of infections. Since one of the causes of arachnoiditis is infection it is quite possible that the low WBC count resulted in infection of the arachnoid membrane resulting in arachnoiditis.
Hope this answers your question!

[arachnaphob]

Hi and thanks.

I will ask my GP for another referral, for a second opinion. I forgot to mention that I have bone marrow failure (probable MDS). I'm transfusion dependant and have chronic leukocytopenia (mainly lymphocytopenia). Can this be connected to the arachnoiditis or neuralgic pains ?

Thanks again.

Arachnaphob

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
There is a possibility that your symptoms are due to arachnoiditis. Arachnoid is membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord and get inflamed in response to infections or due to nerve compression.
The symptoms mainly include neuralgias, tingling numbness mainly in the back and lower extremeties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachnoiditis
I would suggest you to seek a second opinion on this. Take care!