Arachnoiditis is when scar tissue fused nerves together...but the symptoms are the same as several other problems. So, it is worth talking to your Dr. about and a CT scan can obviously help in making the dx, but I don't know how common it is. There are other things that would more likely that not be causing these types of pain. So, don't get nervous about it yet. Scar tissue itself causes a lot of pain, as does failed back syndrome. The other think it could be is pain from the different DDD items, such as arthritis, herniated discs, SI problems etc. Some of the more specific symptoms for Arachnoidits are loss of muscle, bladder and/or bowel incontenanc (sp?) and progressively getting worse leg/foot problems.
I was not aware that a CT scan could help with the dx. until after I had my scs implanted. A few people on the board told me about it and I wish I had known that. It would have been easy enough to check, prior to having the stimulator implanted. When I originally talked to my pain management dr. about this disorder, he said that 1st off...its not real likely that I have it. Then he said that if after we try the conservative therapies, such as the radio frequency, I no longer had the pains, then he would suspect that it was Arachnoiditis. But, if the treatments did seem to give me relief, it probably was not Arachnoiditis. He explained that it is a life long and progressive disorder, and the treatments would not work to take away the pain. He was not willing to even consider it, until we tried everything else and none worked.
My opinion would be to do your search on it and then print out a page that names the symptoms and take it to your Dr. Then ask what his thoughts are and ask if before you have any further surgeries, you could 1st have a CT scan, just to make sure. It does not seem like it is something that would be a bad idea...although I know insurances have certain orders of what you have to do, prior to trying another treatment. So, I do not know where a CT scan falls with your insurance. Also, I do not know if a CT scan is 100 % accurate. It is my understanding that a CT scan can pick up on it, but if it is in the beginning stages, it may not. So, a negative report may not be a definate answer to whether or not you have it. I will tell you that it is a very serious disorder...so in my opinion, it is worth looking into. If the CT comes back negative and your symptoms continue to degress...I'd still continue to talk to your Dr. about it...esspecially if he wants to continue to do more and more treatments.
Please do a search and take something with you, to talk over with your Dr.
If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to ask. BTW, I know there are at least 3 people on this board, that have Arachnoiditis...so you should be able to get a good amount of info., if you are looking for it. Also, it shows me that it isn't that uncommon, if there are at least 4 of us on the same board. Just my opinion
Lorie
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