Nerve damage??

JeffreyD · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2009, 01:25 AM

If you don't mind me asking, what criteria was used to establish that you do not have adhesive arachnoiditis? Myelogram? MRI? Nerve Conduction? symptom evaluation?
Thanks,
Jeff

guymontag · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyD

If you don't mind me asking, what criteria was used to establish that you do not have adhesive arachnoiditis? Myelogram? MRI? Nerve Conduction? symptom evaluation?
Thanks,
Jeff

Mostly MRI. Essentially my scar tissue buildup is not significant as to cause Adhesive arachnoiditis. Also no nerve clumping.

The funny thing was, I was actually feeling a lot of the symptoms of AA over the past 2 month. Burning in the feet, legs, feeling of sand or ants under my skin. Big flare ups of burning pain after activity. It went on for over 2 months. I couldn't work because of the nerve pain. But my microdiscectomy was july 08. The catalyst for all this massive nerve pain was doing 10 minutes on an elliptical trainer. Before that I was just coping it sweet with neuropathic pain running down 1 leg and not being able to sit for 10 minutes.

In the past few days the burning pain was tapering off and not lasting very long and today has been the first day since I haven't had that burning pain after working a full day.

So. I don't think I've got AA. Doctors certainly don't think so. Its a most horrible disease, I'd put it worse than having terminal cancer. At least there is an end point, but not with AA. Just massive chronic pain.

1 thing I gotta add. Doctors here in Australia look at you funny if you ask them something like "do you think this could be Adhesive arachnoidits". After dismissing it outright. one said. Your reading too much... I think a lot of doctors here don't want educated patients. I also think a lot of them just treat the scan not the patient, even when they say otherwise. I don't know about Drs in the U.S. just the ones here in NSW Australia

B13s · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2012, 01:16 PM

In my case it took 3 years for the burning sensation in the legs to finally subside after the surgery. And it wasn't just a burning - I had a lot weird sensations. I still get it from time to time in case I do a bit too much physical activity, but it lasts only few days. I was also woried about adhesive arachnoidits and had few MRIs which didn't show much, EMG was also always normal - before and after the surgery. 1 month in your case is really nothing - it's probably not what you want to hear, but with back issues you need a lot of patience...

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2012, 02:17 PM

I had really severe burning pain after 2nd spine surgery in both buttocks down both legs esp. in glutes and calves going into feet (feet at times all other areas contantly). The pain was horrific! It last 5 years and then wore off during the 5th year. I took Elavil at the time for it then after I stopped Elavil was on Neurontin for 12 years for this pain. Now I've been off Neurontin for 2-3 years and and not having burning pain

But it was a b'tch to live with that long!!! Short lived pain is Ok to me after surgery... prolonged pain .. it's really so draining! I agree w/patience post back surgery and I think it begins post surgery early recovery to try not to mess things up if initially good.