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A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Kalamazoo, MI

Just got the results from my thoracic spine MRI and it liiks like among a few non active lesions I have a bulging disc and a likely benign tumor. I am thinking that this may be a contributing factor in my rapid decline over the last couple years.

I am being referred to a neurosurgeon and hopefully they can determine the risk of taking the tumor out. I know there is a huge difference between tumors that are just on the surface and those that are more deep in the cord.

My question is, has… read more

February 18, 2015
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A MyMSTeam Member

Thanks Stacy, I am getting a referral for a neurosurgeon and I'll see what they recommend. My neurologist doesn't think there is any impingement on my cord because of the tumor or disc but also thinks a neurosurgeon would have a better idea of what it may be doing and if it is something I need to worry about.

On another note, I used to manage a Walgreens in Chicago and the pharmacists were my best friends in the company! We had some great times. Hope your issues ease up too.

February 18, 2015
A MyMSTeam Member

I have had MS over 20 years and counting. I have DDD (degenerative disc disease) on top of it but did not know this until I started having much more back pain 2 years ago. I have always had upper and mid back pain, neck pain, and lots of problems with spasticity, pain and cramping in basically all my muscles (mostly legs and back). I had new low back pain present suddenly in August 2013 and it was severe, 24/7, unrelenting, sharp pain that also shot through my hips and down the legs. I have about 20 lesions in my brain from MS but nine in my spinal cord. I had an mri in October 2013 that showed the disc disease all through my lumbar spine and 3 bulging discs (L3-L5 all affected). I went through physical therapy and 2 rounds of epidural steroid injections. Unfortunately, I am a retail pharmacist and my job entails me standing all day working 60 hours a week and 14 hour days with ZERO breaks. So...1 if the discs completely blew out. I had a microdiscectomy surgery November 2014 and missed 3 months of work. I am still recovering today and doing physical therapy and my latest mri taken just 4 days after my surgery showed 3 bulging discs again...including the one they operated on and took half of the disc out. As far as the connection with MS: for me, the 2 were mutually exclusive. One did not have any effect on the other. I have no lesions in my spinal cord though and in your case, the tumor could complicate things. I think my recovery from the surgery would be better if I did not have all the pre-existing issues with muscle spasticity and weakness from my MS. I think getting a surgery consult with a neurosurgeon will be your best bet and they should know the best course of action. Good luck to you. I hope you find relief and your MS slows down and gives you a darn break!

February 18, 2015
A MyMSTeam Member

@A MyMSTeam Member I have bulging discs in my c-spine as well as degenerating discs. My GP urged me to go to a Orthopedic and Neurological Surgeons. Despite the fact she knew I had my MS lesion there. I contacted my MS doctor who sent me for a MRI. He agreed I had the disc problem it is getting worse, but he would wait a little longer because of complications I would have. He said he would send me to one when it "was time". I am happy with that plan. However, I don't know about the tumor. It is great that you will have multiple doctors looking into the possible surgery rather than "jumping the gun". Good luck! Keep us informed.

February 18, 2015
A MyMSTeam Member

*that is NONE. No lesions in spinal cord. Typo says NINE!

February 18, 2015
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes I do being suffering for years, going to a pain specialist now I have had three injections but they didn't help me. I have just learn to deal with the pain.

February 18, 2015

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