Hello:

Two years ago my mother had what she described as sticking and picking in her arms. She was in a lot of pain. After going to doctor after doctor one of them prescribed neurontin. It helped. Time went by and she then started with pain in the left buttocks. She could barely sit. She had an epidural which made the pain go into the thigh. She had a myelogram which made the pain go into the other buttocks and thigh. My mother is now basically confined to the bed and is in horrible pain. The mylegram said she may have arachnoiditis. However, her last said rate was 4. Do you think she has arachnoiditis? If not, what do you think might be the problem. What kind of doctor should we see and what questions should we ask. We have been to several neurosurgeons and neurologits and vascular doctors. Two of the surgeons said she does not need back surgery. She does not have neuropathy according to another doctor.

If you can help out we would surely appreciate it. My mother is on Kadian 50 mg every 12 hours and on Loritab for breakthrough pain and she is still in a good bit of pain. When she walks it makes her pain worse. She cannot sit for any length of time. I am so afraid for her liver, kidney and muscles.

Thank you for listening.

Bella Luna

Have her see a Neurologist for this. It sounds like nerve pain similar to raticulitis or (radiculitis spelling). It is caused by imflammation of the spinal cord radiating into the arms and legs.

eMedicine - Arachnoiditis : Article by Alan Holz

About Arachnoiditis and related illnesses, by the Action and Monitoring Society (ASAMS) New Zealand Inc.


There is a lot of info on this site, a lot technical.

Other things, less likely, but to still consider, are Tuberculosis, Lyme's, Multiplle sclerosis.
The latter three are fairly easy to rule out.
The esr of 3 is not expected in active disease states since it is a general, non-specific, marker of inflammation.


Good luck to your mother.