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What Causes Ower Back Pain When Suffering From ADEM?
Question: I contracted ADEM in Vietnam in 2008. After many years of fighting back, I have recently had severe setbacks.i
In Nov 2013 I had a micro discectomy and rhyzolysis( 3rd time) I still have lower back pain, but my main concern is that I now have debilitating pain in my c spine - radiating down my right arm.I limp badly,and believe this is all somehow related. I do have the odd bladder dysfunction also.My question is - could the ADEM infection have caused all this and can I get fixed so my leg will work properly.I am having an MRI on lumbar and c spine tomorrow. I work for Cook Medical and prior to the ADEM I was a very fit and healthy person-- the ADEM caused hemi- paralysis for about 18 months Please guide me !!
In Nov 2013 I had a micro discectomy and rhyzolysis( 3rd time) I still have lower back pain, but my main concern is that I now have debilitating pain in my c spine - radiating down my right arm.I limp badly,and believe this is all somehow related. I do have the odd bladder dysfunction also.My question is - could the ADEM infection have caused all this and can I get fixed so my leg will work properly.I am having an MRI on lumbar and c spine tomorrow. I work for Cook Medical and prior to the ADEM I was a very fit and healthy person-- the ADEM caused hemi- paralysis for about 18 months Please guide me !!
Brief Answer:
My reply is below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and past treatments, including surgery.
ADEM is a monophasic illness (occurring one time in life), and symptoms get better over time (and they do not progress after one month of onset). So, in your case, the current symptoms are most likely unrelated to ADEM.
We need to look for alternative causes such as nerve compression in the cervical (neck region) due to slipped disc. MRI report would be helpful.
Please keep me informed about your recent MRI scans.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
My reply is below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and past treatments, including surgery.
ADEM is a monophasic illness (occurring one time in life), and symptoms get better over time (and they do not progress after one month of onset). So, in your case, the current symptoms are most likely unrelated to ADEM.
We need to look for alternative causes such as nerve compression in the cervical (neck region) due to slipped disc. MRI report would be helpful.
Please keep me informed about your recent MRI scans.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I understand that ADEM is Monophasic -- however I was a case studied at St Vincent's in Sydney by Dr XXXXXXX Tisch and it is clearly documented that I had a full recurrence about 12 mths later-- exact same symptoms -- not MS -- I was studied by 7 Neurologists.
The leg deficit was explained as a result of the ADEM-- but now I think it is due to the spine issues
I was left with left sided weakness and after returning to my job( I work in Gastro and where leads most of the time) it is suspected that I have placed my weight more on my right side -- hence causing the disk issues
Professor XXXXXXX Owler performed the latest procedure, my question is that if my leg deficit is caused by the cord issue can it be rectified
Many thanks
The leg deficit was explained as a result of the ADEM-- but now I think it is due to the spine issues
I was left with left sided weakness and after returning to my job( I work in Gastro and where leads most of the time) it is suspected that I have placed my weight more on my right side -- hence causing the disk issues
Professor XXXXXXX Owler performed the latest procedure, my question is that if my leg deficit is caused by the cord issue can it be rectified
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
Yes, it can be rectified.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and providing more information.
I agree with you that ADEM can recur in about 2% of cases, and that was the case in you too. MRI will clarify this issue, whether the current symptoms are due to recurrence of ADEM or disc related issue.
In any case, you would get better with treatment.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Yes, it can be rectified.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and providing more information.
I agree with you that ADEM can recur in about 2% of cases, and that was the case in you too. MRI will clarify this issue, whether the current symptoms are due to recurrence of ADEM or disc related issue.
In any case, you would get better with treatment.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would the treatment mean surgical intervention ie c spine- ??
Last question for today-- you have just given me so much hope-- I am going to bed with such hope-- I could handle another surgery if it meant I could walk properly again ---
Last question for today-- you have just given me so much hope-- I am going to bed with such hope-- I could handle another surgery if it meant I could walk properly again ---
Brief Answer:
I hope it is not surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
If the Cervical spine MRI shows a significant disc compression, it may need surgery.
However, in about 70% people, with mild to moderate disc bulges, treatment can be done without surgery with medications, cervical collar and physiotherapy.
In any case, whether with or without surgery, you would improve and would be able to walk again!!
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
I hope it is not surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
If the Cervical spine MRI shows a significant disc compression, it may need surgery.
However, in about 70% people, with mild to moderate disc bulges, treatment can be done without surgery with medications, cervical collar and physiotherapy.
In any case, whether with or without surgery, you would improve and would be able to walk again!!
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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