Question
QUESTION: Hi, 3 months ago on a sat my best friend developed a pain in her upper back between her shoulder blades, within hours this became unbearable. She visited the doc on the sat, sun and mon only to be given various prescriptions none of which had any effect, the xray that she was finally given showed nothing, she was admitted only after she began to lose feeling in her legs, following a MRI scan a mass covering 9 vertebrae was found, she needed immediate surgery but had trouble with her oxygen levels and 3 days passed before surgery was carried out. By this time she had no feeling from her waist down and has regained nothing in the 3 months since. We still have no idea what has caused this only that they are calling it an infection. Have you ever heard of this before and could you explain the speed of which this took hold. Do you think she has any chance of regaining any feeling?

ANSWER: hi linda-

wow... I'm going to try to answer this though I admit out in front that it's going to be a guess, I'm not a doctor, etc etc...

ok- the speed with which it began to affect her sounds like it would agree with infection. The mri showing the problem while an xray didn't also agrees...

-what did this mass covering 9 vertebrae consist of?
-guessing she was just given pain meds those first couple of days, yes?
-what caused the oxygen issues she experienced that delayed surgery, do you know?
-i assume she's seen a neurologist since then- do they make any prognosis?

here's a link that might help visualize what happens w/ infection:
http://www.spine-health.com/video/spinal-infection-video

if you'd like me to keep semi-guessing i'd be happy to try to point you in a direction at least- i'll do better though if you can answer any of the above questions? If so, ask a 'follow-up' and i'll do my best...

in the meantime, good luck
leslie



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, I will try to answer your queries as best I can, the mass consisted of tissues and blood vessels, but we have been assured it is not a tumor of any description, only three vertebrae were operated on as we were told this was the maximum  that could be operated on, the rest they are clearing with intravenous antibiotics.  The prescriptions, on day one were strong painkillers, tramadol (I think they were called)day two were vallium suppositories, and day three oral antibiotics.  She is a large lady weighing about 22 stone but we were not told an official reason why her oxygen levels kept dropping.  The prognosis is that she will never walk again, and that she will probably never know what it was, but we do not have a lot of faith in her doctor, and would love a second opinion.

Answer
hello again-

jeez that's rather confounding... I thought tissues, blood vessels, and unusually rapid cell growth was the DEFINITION of a tumor.

was she still taking the tramadol and valium as things progressed? centrally acting opiods (ie tramadol) will lower respiration and therefore oxygen levels if the quantities are high or if combined with something that increases its effectiveness

I'm afraid that, not being a doctor, I'm out of my league here. Don't blame you at all for wanting a second opinion- I'd say she should get one. From a doctor who you trust (this can make all the difference)

good luck to you both
leslie