Arachnoiditis Sufferers, Action and Monitoring Society (ASAMS)

WHAT IS ARACHNOIDITIS?

Arachnoiditis is a condition which begins with inflammation of the arachnoid membrane which covers the spinal cord and brain.

This can cause a gradual build up of fibrotic scar tissue which tethers the nerves to the arachnoid membrane. This scarring disrupts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the nerves and deprives them of nutrition.

The early symptoms of this condition can be all or some of the following: severe low back and leg pain, numbness and chronic pain in leg(s) and or feet, burning sensations especially in the legs and feet, bladder and bowel dysfunction, severe headaches.

Many victims of this condition complain of a feeling of walking on broken glass. Often there are no outward signs of the condition and sufferers look deceptively "normal". As the condition progresses the symptoms may increase and become more permanent. Some are confined to wheelchairs and most sufferers have to give up work entirely.

KNOWN CAUSES OF ARACHNOIDITIS

Known causes of the condition are the following: tuberculosis, meningitis, spinal tumors, abcesses, spinal surgery or trauma. By far the largest single cause is medical intervention such as myelograms, radiculargrams, epidurals (steroids) and lumbar punctures.

There is no known cure and no effective treatment available to sufferers. It is not difficult to imagine the mental anguish and despair this causes, especially as some doctors tell their patients that "it is all in your mind".

It is the aim of this society and other similar organisations worldwide to educate to promote the prevention of the condition and encourage research to help alleviate the devastating consequences.

CONTACT DETAILS

Arachnoiditis Sufferers Action and Monitoring Society (ASAMS) New Zealand Inc

Postal address:
The Administrator
ASAMS
PO Box 102
Wanganui 4540
New Zealand

ph +64 (6) 347 1176
email info@arachnoiditis.info 
website www.arachnoiditis.info

This information has been supplied and approved by Arachnoiditis Sufferers, Action & Monitoring Society Wanganui Inc and is copyright protected. The content and design of this page must not be reproduced electronically or in print without the written permission of UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.