MRI of spine

[expatkerry]

Hello everyone, I recently had an appt with a rhumotologist due to the pains I suffer from. I have PA with severe digestive issues including chronic gastritis and duodenitis. The pain across my shoulders can be debilitating. Whilst I believe it to be due to the gastritis my GP wants it investigating. I have an MRI scheduled for my back. In an unrelated post someone wrote that an MRI would show up nerve damage, would this be the case with me? I'm interested because my PA is possibly linked to a functional deficiency and I have an appt scheduled with my neurologist to discuss possible neuro involvement including autonomic disfunction. My reasonimg being if there is some demylineation perhaps there has been some other neurological dysfunction too. Is this possible?

[Nackapan]

It was me mentioning a spinal MRI scan. As the last neurologist has recommended it. I've had a brain one.

It can show up all sorts of things like ....

[Nackapan]

It can show pinched nerves. subacute combined degeneration all sorts. I didn't realise myalin sheath damage would show. So yes worthwhile. Just daunting when you waiting for results. I found the brain one difficult as went on for so long and claustrophobic. Some people find them okay and relax as nothing hurts. We all different

[expatkerry in reply to Nackapan]

thanks for your reply, were you injected with a contrast fluid ? I'm not going to have this type of MRI as the dr wants to look at my bones specifically, so I'm not sure nerve damage will show up. Anyone know anything aboit this?

[Nackapan in reply to expatkerry]

For my brain scan I was not on a drip with contrast fluid. That scan did show nerve damage and t2 flares. Not had a spine one yet

[Hidden in reply to expatkerry]

Hi there. I was diagnosed with PA last year and I SI once a week. I suffer from chest pains upper back pain pain between the shoulder blades and across the shoulders. More B12 does NOT help so I don’t think it’s the issue although it all happened after diagnosis. I have had a full spine MRI, brain scan, CT scan of the upper abdomen, colonoscopy and two gastroscopies. I also went to the department of nuclear medicine where I had contrast dye inserted into my veins where they were looking for hot spots. None of these tests showed why I have the pains. I had my fecal elastase tested and was found to have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. I take Creon for this. In desperation I went to a naturopathic doctor (quacks as the medical profession refer to them) where I had a comprehensive digestystool analysis at an accredited lab. The results were amazing and even my gastro doc said that the profession needed to do more research into this area. I was found to have an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria and a fungal infection. I am currently taking anti microbial pills for this and am being reviewed and all I can say is something is definitely happening as a result. Naturopaths believe the toxins caused by pathogens cause inflammation and inflammation causes pain so I’m also on a restricted diet too so again we will see what happens. This is only my own personal stoysnd I’m not advocating anything in particular; I’m just sharing it in case you find the medics (as they have in my case) draw a blank. Let us know how you get on.

[expatkerry in reply to Hidden]

wow at last someone like me! I have also had a comprehensive stool test, whilst I no longer have bacterial overgrowth (I took rifaximin) there is evidence that bacteria has become virulent (they found enzymes secreted by the bacteria) probably a strain of staph or strep. It also revealed that I have leaky gut hence the massive food intolerances (I can only eat fish eggs and four veg, no dairy, grains or starch) I can't restrict my diet any more and yet I can't get the inflammation down. My weight is a cause for concern. The answer is the herbal approach (I've been told my flora is now so poor I must avoid antibiotics) but I can only tolerate a few herbs. On bad days I worry about where this will end. I've turned to meditation in sheer desperation as I try to stay calm.

[Hidden in reply to expatkerry]

That’s really interesting and like you some days I despair but believe I will sort it. Interesting about the enzymes. I’m not sure about the whole leaky gut thing. I take the advice of the naturopath with the same scepticism as the medical docs. One thing they can do (the medics) and the evidence is irrefutable is to give you s capsule endoscopy. You probably know that you swallow a tiny camera in a capsule and it moves through your small intestine taking thousands of pictures as it goes and transmits them to actecorder yiu have strapped to you. I had it done privately as I was desperate. The gastro could see my tight turns and he said they were good. I had an organic acids test to test for intestinal permeability and it was negative. So my question is why do I have an autoimmune disease in O when naturopaths say it’s a precondition of autoimmunity? A reason to be sceptical as I can’t find any published evidence. All I can say to you therefore is don’t believe everything you read on the internet or what your naturopathic doc or medical doc tells you. I listen to my body and look for evidence of what works. Failing that I just take the amitriptyline that I’ve been prescribed and that really does take away the pains I have even though I don’t know what’s causing them. Another thing I couldn’t manage without is Betaine HCL. It kills pathogens and significantly helps my digestion. Just a few ideas and you my already have tried them. Just know there are lots of people out there like us. I’m not mad, I’m not over interested in my health and I’m not imagining it! If I find anything that works I will be sure to let you know!

[jointpain]

Hi expatkerry, I recently had an MRI scan on my brain and spinal column. I was having similar symptoms as you. The gastritis was rectified by having an injection of B12 once a week, after loading doses of ever other day for many months, I can now eat anything. The results confirmed that the vitamin B12 deficiency has not caused any damage, though brought to light a cervical spinal stenosis at the C5C6 due to C6 vertabre sitting too far forward. This can cause all the weird and terrible migraine and other pains all over my body. I am now waiting for an appointment to have this repaired at Walton hospital, I saw a neurologist last week, but still have to see the surgeon. ATM I must refrain from sudden head movements which could cause permanent damage or worse. Not much fun living on a knife edge. Just so glad my wife is so much better after last year.

After my neck is fixed, I hope to have new knees!!!

[expatkerry in reply to jointpain]

I'm glad things are better for you. I had hoped the loading doses would help my digestion but sadly it's not been the case.

[Lily2013]

Hi I was diagnosed with b 12 def about 2 months ago. Had the boost injections but no explanation why I was deficient. I have chronic pain in my arms, had a mri 2 weeks ago and was diagnosed with disc bulge causing impingement on the nerve. Could this be related to the B12 Deficiency ??