Anyone with a disc fusion in years prior to MS sx?

[Sierra28]

13 years ago I had a cervical fusion (C5/6) after an MVA a year prior. Recovery went very well and I've never had a moments pain or any neurological symptom from that region.

When my sx first started presenting, the neuro considered degeneration/instability of the fusion as a potential cause, but MRI showed it to be perfectly stable and unmoved in any way. (ie. it doesnt appear to be affecting the spinal cord in any way) Of course, it made it a little harder to search for lesions in that region, but I'm hopeful a 3T can clear that up.

Anyway, he ruled that out as a cause, which I have always agreed with. I really don't feel as if my sx are related and have been unable to find any documentation or testimonies of a disc fusion causing MS-like sx so many years down the road.

However, my latest neuro is dragging me back down that track, wanting to re hash that issue.

So I'm just curious, does anyone have any experience with earlier spinal fusions and neuro's looking at that as a cause?

FYI I still have no pain in that region and none of the typical pinched-nerve type sx.

[Sierra28]

Yeah, Neuro #2 didn't really listen to a word I said. I'm waiting to get in to Neuro #3 , who specializes more in MS. However, Neuro #2 *is* more willing than #1 to get me the 3Ts I've been pushing for, so I'm using his services for the time being. :)

How's that for a clarification? Lol

Thanks for your reply! You know how you just *know* certain things about your body despite really being able to say why? That's kind of how this is...but I wanted to see what others thought too!

[kwarendorf]

Hi Sierra  -

"However, my latest neuro is dragging me back down that track, wanting to re hash that issue"

I guess I'm not really sure what this means. Is Neuro #2 aware that there was a neuro #1 and that #1 ruled out mechanical instability? Some docs don;t believe anything unless they do it themselves. If you like neuro #2 then let him get it out of his system :-) If not, find neuro #3, or go back to neuro #1...

I have had 2 distinct spinal issues, both before I was diagnosed. The first was a ruptured disk. The disk was compressing nerves and causing all kinds of problems with my legs. Luckily for me the disk broke, relieving the pressure on the nerves.

The second was spinal stenosis, which was compressing nerves but in the other direction. This one required a trip to the OR. Post laminectomy I was right as rain, or reasonably close :-)

2-3 years later I began what I now know was my MS DX. I saw 3 neurologists. I told them all about my previous spinal issues. All looked at my MRI's and quickly ruled them out as causes of my current symptoms.

They should be able to tell very quickly whether or not there are mechanical problems causing your symptoms.

Kyle