Questions For Anyone Who Had A Spinal Tap Or Mri

[Freaked]

This is relating to a theory that just occurred to me when I was reading about blood production (probably a wacky one) but just wondering. Was there anything abnormal in either, for anyone who had them?

[KareBear]

I've had multiple spinal taps for multiple reasons and dont remember anything being abnormal but then again I never actually saw the report. The docs just say its fine. What kind of MRI are you referring to? I have abnormal neck/spine MRI's.

[andy271160]

Hi

I had a MRI scan on my neck early on in my journey, it disclosed severe nerve root compression plus bony outgrowths along with degenerative desease.

I also had a CT scab of the brain a few weeks later which disclosed numerous ischemic changes, the specialist said I had a brain typical of a 80 year old, I was only 47 at the time.

Nothing much happened with the results like so many other tests we all go through.

I hope this helps with your theory

Andy

[Faintinggoat]

I think that this is one that varies from person to person. I did not have a spinal tap, thank god. But have had structural MRIs of neck/spine and brain with and without contrast, as well as CT scans and mine were fairly normal.

[castronovo112587]

Have had MRI and mra of brain and spine. In the past as a child they picked up on slight chiari malformation which has corrected itself over time. The only other thing was that apparently I have some sort of nominally I was born with where the circle of Willis gets all of its blood supply from one major artery instead of 2 smaller ones which showed up on both MRIs I had years apart as it is somthing I was born with

[Psalm 23]

Hi Freaked,

I had a spinal tap done to diagnose meningitis. Protein level was 112. Symptoms of dysautonomia followed. I have had three brain MRIs that show small lesions. I have degenerative disk disease that is present on my MRIs of the spine.

Hope this info helps with your theory.

Janet

[gjensen]

Had a brain MRI with and without contrast.normal

Had a neck MRI without contrast. Bulging discs, osteophytes etc.

Will have another neck MRI with contrast next week.

[Freaked]

The degeneration is interesting. I've been wondering about spinal involvement for a number of reasons. 1, I was wondering is it's possible that the ability of the spinal marrow to produce blood may be compromised in some way through degeneration. 2, I know that in post-viral ME, mild spinal chord inflammation has been one of the only abnormalities found (mostly on autopsy afaik), and this is damaging to the nervous system in all sorts of ways.

Personally, ever since I've been ill with POTS, I've had a number of strange episodes that were like mild meningitis that came and went over a number of days (spreading stiffness, fever, feeling weird, but I apparently don't have lupus or anything). My back has also been in constant pain all along the spine. I was wondering if it's possible that some sort of low level meningitis (which does happen) and nerve damage might be the culprit in many of us.

[KareBear]

Freaked, this is an interesting idea. I even posted a topic in early Oct. about fevers. When I am feeling my worst I always feel feverish. Maybe your theory would also explain why we get migraines?

[gjensen]

I would guess that it would always be a good idea to investigate the cervical spine. Even if you get a backwoods neurologist that says that it cannot be your problem. There is a lot going on in a very small space.

I have a mucus secretion problem. It was my first symptom. It gives me swallowing problems. Every swallow is more and more until my food starts getting caught in it. I still do not understand this problem, but I read a report where a woman had it to a bigger extreme.

She had a chronic coughing problem where she literally coughed all day and night. She eventually figured out a certain position that gave her relief and made herself a home made brace. What they figured out when they opened her up was that a bone spur was compressing her vagus nerve. Her vagus nerve was also on the opposite side that it usually is, so they never suspected it. They shaved the spur back and all of her problems went away that same day. She had the problem for over a year.

My cervical spine is a mess. I do not know if it has anything to do with my problems. I do know that it contributes to my swallowing difficulty, because it is pushing in on my esophagus. They could see the impression on a barium swallow test. I feel it when I swallow.

I am interested in seeing my neck mri with contrast. Might be a foolish hope, but have to have it.

[Psalm 23]

Freaked your thoughts are very interesting and your description of experiencing a reoccurring low level meningitis like feeling is the same as what I experience and have related to my doctors before. It was after being severely ill and hospitalized with meningitis that I was left with residual problems that have increased in number and severity over time. I went from having vague dysautonomia symptoms to autonomic neuropathy and POTS etc. It could be for some ( the post viral POTS in particular ) that they have experienced a less severe undiagnosed case of viral meningitis that led to dysautonomia and progression of symptoms. I stumbled upon an older Mayo research article a few years back which discussed a possible correlation between autoimmune autonomic neuropathy and exposure to a viral infection that resulted in a significantly elevated CSF protein. That article was what sent me off to Mayo in search of answers. I do realize that not everyone with a POTS diagnosis has autonomic neuropathy but many do and an autoimmune basis seems to be coming up more in the literature these days. Nerve damage can be a POTS cause for some. We mostly hear about peripheral but it would seem that CNS damage could be a contributor as well. The number of reasons for developing this condition would appear to be enormous. I believe continuation in the pursuit of ones root cause is important though and empowering.

Janet

[KareBear]

I had always had milder dysautonomia symptoms too and in 2005 I had started experiencing this severe migraine along with low grade fever and dizziness/weakness that lasted a week and wasn't improving so my family doc sent me to a neuro immediately. He did a spinal tap and said it wasn't cloudy so sent me home. My symptoms got worse and landed me in the ER the next week, they did another spinal tap and said the fluid was clear so sent me home with meds. This went on for a while and though the majority of the migraine and symptoms improved, just a few months later was when my dysautonomia symptoms became more disabling and I began struggling doing day to day activities.

This was still a year before I was diagnosed but that's when things had taken a turn for me towards such disabling POTS. Migraines and low grade fevers are still something that are frequent for me. After reading these posts I now wonder if I could have had a type of undiagnosed low level meningitis or something that affected my CNS.

[Freaked]

Interesting that others get the fevers. My cervical spine is also slightly abnormal with a mild hunch, but I don't know if that has anything to do with my POTS or some pains i get. I'm hopefully going to a pain specialist soon to investigate.

But I wish I had a neurologist to discuss this stuff with. I don't think there's any who deal with POTS here :-/

[gjensen]

I get low grade fevers semi frequently. Typically my temp is on the low side. I never noticed them before the onset of my symptoms.

The headaches/neck aches etc.

I am having my MRI with contrast soon (today).

Both neurologists that I have seen believed that problems with the cervical spine could cause my symptoms. They both ordered MRIs. The first, after seeing one, did not believe what he saw correlated with my symptoms.

The second, better, neurologist does not believe that you can tell either way by the original MRI. His reason is that it is blurry (I must have been moving), and it was without contrast. That is why I am having the second one with contrast.

[Bigskyfam]

MRI of brain within normal limits

[Suthrngal]

Pain along spine. pOTS bulging disks in neck (like 5) mild spinal chord encroachment. neurologist said to help this fluid......stay hydrated. But that's the issue I don't stay hydrated.