Arachnoiditis: Looking to talk with others

Posted by arannek72 @arannek72, Jul 3, 2018

I just got diagnosed with arachnoiditis. The radiologist found it on my MRI. I have had 7 steroid injections and I fear that they have caused this chronic situation. My back is worse than it ever was.

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@gldburg92jeep

Thank you so very much. I am in the same situation. Neurologist , nureosurgeons , pain management, psychiatrist phycologist, I'm not asking for a cure but a better quality of life. I live in VA and the cold is extreme right now. I woke up warm from my bed only to stand up in severe pain , I'm not good with walker but I have refused the wheelchair so far. I have tried to make my home safe for me to walk thru and also take care of my little dog. She's alot of comfort when she's not barking. Lol. I enjoy looking outside to see deer and other wildlife. Where are you located ?
If you don't mind me asking.

I believe the last spinal tap after a car accident which was a hit from behind type went really bad even though I was having symptoms before then. But Dr who was doing the spinal tap said the contrast is pooling in one spot and will not go any further I'm afraid if I inject anymore it will blow out . I came home needless to say that the contrast did not leave my body thru my kidneys liver etc it accessed and came out thru my skin.

I've just continued to get worse.
I pray God gives me the patience to recieve some relief and answers.

I want to enjoy my life , have a little better quality of life , be able to socialize w my family who are mainly all I have. When this started I haven't drank in over 11 years and I'm no socialite .... I use to love to get out and drive in the woods and enjoy my life.

If you don't mind , we can talk , sometimes it hard for me to share , but my dog barks also , I'd like to know or hear of your surgeries etc. I had cancer my senior year of high school and had radiation treatments after from my thoracic spine , then I had to learn to walk again.
I guess I've typed enough for now. Thank you for reaching out. I'm praying for you also.

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Hi, I'm in VA too, in the Roanoke area. Where are you located? My lumbar mri from last Nov said "mild enhancement of nerve root at cauda equina, suggestive of arachnoiditis". So, haven't officially been dx, but am feeling the symptoms. How are you doing? I hope you're doing well, being new to all this I'm trying to learn as much as I can but having trouble coming to grips with it all 🙁

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@msgrace

Hi, I'm in VA too, in the Roanoke area. Where are you located? My lumbar mri from last Nov said "mild enhancement of nerve root at cauda equina, suggestive of arachnoiditis". So, haven't officially been dx, but am feeling the symptoms. How are you doing? I hope you're doing well, being new to all this I'm trying to learn as much as I can but having trouble coming to grips with it all 🙁

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Had an MRI on Friday and saw the results. Of course, I don't understand the medical explanation. After a Discectomy and Laminectomy from a neurosurgeon, I was hoping to get some relief, but now have numbness and tingling down both legs. I use to have cronic pain on the left side of my back from sciatica, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. These are new feelings and I am hoping to get an appointment soon to discuss MRI.

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@rachelarachgirl

Hi. My name is Rachel, and I was diagnosed with Adhesive Arachnoiditis in June of 2012. An ABSOLUTE idiotic Dr was SUPPOSED to inject a combination of cortisone/dye into a herniated disc on my spine. Well, instead, he put both of the medications INTO my SPINAL CORD with NO WAY of removing it! Dye is poison to nerves, and I had an IMMEDIATE painful reaction so bad, my family removed me from North Memorial Hospital to Mayo Clinic IMMEDIATELY. Where they compared the MRI from North Memorial to the one they took after the procedure. And my ALL OF MY NERVES were ALREADY in a "sticky, hairball at the bottom of my spinal cord sac". That's how my specialist explains it in layman's terms.
He also says that if anyone asks how to describe the pain, he told me to tell them "it's worse than someone with stage 4 bone cancer".
I would just like to open a line of communication with ANYONE ELSE who understands what we're going through. I've felt so alone, depressed, misunderstood and have NEVER spoke to, let alone met ANYONE else with Arachnoiditis. PLEASE feel free to respond with your story, and forward mine to anyone else you think might understand me. And I'd love to talk to ANYONE who is the partner, so I can try and understand how THEY FEEL. I think that's JUST as important if you are in a relationship, (or want to be) and I REALLY want to hear it from their point of view. Then I can explain it to someone I might get serious with, so they'll know EXACTLY what to expect.
Thank you for reading my story. I look forward to hearing from you or anyone ELSE!
Rachel

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I too have chronic adhesive arachnoiditis. I think mine is due from having an intrathecal pain pump for so many years. I have another bad chronic pain condition due to a surgical complication. I take Indomethacin for the arachnoiditis. You absolutely have to take it with food. It is the only drug that calms my arachnoiditis pain, which is horrible to deal with.

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@linda6101

Had an MRI on Friday and saw the results. Of course, I don't understand the medical explanation. After a Discectomy and Laminectomy from a neurosurgeon, I was hoping to get some relief, but now have numbness and tingling down both legs. I use to have cronic pain on the left side of my back from sciatica, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. These are new feelings and I am hoping to get an appointment soon to discuss MRI.

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on the MRI did it mention any nerve clumping or scarring? I think that's usually what they mention if it's arachnoiditis, but I'm new to it all so not 100% sure. I hope you're able to find relief soon! Are you taking anything for the pain?

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@msgrace

on the MRI did it mention any nerve clumping or scarring? I think that's usually what they mention if it's arachnoiditis, but I'm new to it all so not 100% sure. I hope you're able to find relief soon! Are you taking anything for the pain?

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Yes, you can see the nerve clumping on MRI.

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@msgrace

Hi, I'm in VA too, in the Roanoke area. Where are you located? My lumbar mri from last Nov said "mild enhancement of nerve root at cauda equina, suggestive of arachnoiditis". So, haven't officially been dx, but am feeling the symptoms. How are you doing? I hope you're doing well, being new to all this I'm trying to learn as much as I can but having trouble coming to grips with it all 🙁

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Research Dr Forrest Tenant. He is the guru on arachnoiditis. He has started a foundation for research.

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