Ketamine therapy for arachnoiditis – Virginia Ketamine Center

June 18, 2020

Contact NOVA Health Recovery in Fairfax, Virginia for a consultation to see if Ketamine therapy is right for you: 703-844-0184:

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Arachnoiditis is a cause of back pain. t used to be considered a rare cause of back pain but in fact over a million Americans suffer from this condition,

Arachnoiditis is inflammation in the Lumbar or sacral area that affects the arachnoid layer of the meninges and may produce masses in the spine that can cause adhesions and blockage of spinal fluid. This mass ad scar tissue can entrap nerve roots and destroy the nerves. The result is pain, autoimmune manifestations, and neurological damage.

https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spinal-disorders/arachnoiditis

Causes of arachnoiditis have included Tuberculosis and syphilis historically, but the use of IV dye in the form of a myelogram can also produce this. Today, any disorder causing alteration of the anatomy of the spine, such as protruding discs can incite Arachnoiditis. Anything that compresses nerve roots, such as scoliosis, spondylothesis, osteoporosis, and arthritis can cause inflammation leading to arachnoiditis. Finally, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) can cause this problem.

Trauma, viruses, fungi, and lyme disease can cause arachnoiditis and subsequent pain. Prior surgeries can be a culprit.

Symptoms of this disorder include: constant pain, pain on laying flat, cold hands or feet, the feeling that insects are crawling on the skin, urinary difficulties, blurry vision, the feeling of water dripping down legs burning pains in hands, and othes.

Diagnosis of Arachnoiditis: There may be inflammatory marker elevations such as CRP and ESR elevations. Low DHEAS, testosterone, and pregnenolone may be present. A contrast MRI provides confirmation .

Complications include neurological deficits such as foot drop, paralysis, bladder weakness, and numbness and tingling. Spinal flow obstruction may occur especially in the L5-S1 area and can produce blurry vision, headache, and tinnitus. Sometimes spinal fluid may seep into surrounding tissues to produce back pain. In some, autoimmune sequelae occur, with the production of carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroiditis, myalgia, and other symptoms.

Treatments include Naltrexone therapy (LDN), Toradol, and steroid injections, Also effective is IV Ketamine infusions, IV NAD+, Vitamin C, IV Lidocaine, and nandrolone. Single infusions have given a three month relief of symptoms in some. Consider the use of acetazolamide to decrease CSF flow. The use of minocycline may be helpful in cases. Neuropathic pain due to scaring can be decreased by the use of Cymbalta or Lyrica.  Hydrotherapy and trampoline walking also have been excellent for the treatment of arachnoiditis. Case treatments are helpful in treatment considerations.

Consider the use of Oxytocin and Ketamine as a combination for the treatment of Arachnoiditis. Oxytocin stimulates opioid release in the brain and decreases cortisol (stress) levels. 20 IU of oxytocin and then 12.5-25 mg of oral ketamine can improve symptoms.

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