Sclerosis

[KathyPsu19]

I am in the process of filing for SSI and just finished filing out a form that asks about my conditions etc. One of my many problems is lower back pain due to an area of sclerosis. Now I have had this pain since a car accident in 1997 when I was 17 and no doctor would do anything. All they said was "lose weight", "it will go away in a year or 2" etc. Well now looking at medical records I have there was an xray taken in 1998 and the radiologists comments said that there was an area of sclerosis in my L2. I'm wondering why I was never told this. It would explain a lot. Anyhow, in searching for info on sclerosis, I can only see that its scar tissue from having Multiple Sclerosis? Is this correct or can you get sclerosis some other way? And if it is MS or just sclerosis, can that be caused by serious trauma in a car accident? I do have other symptoms of MS though but some of my other conditions have those symptoms too, so I am not sure. Anyone here have sclerosis or MS who could shed some light for me?

Thanks you guys!!

[Maineiac]

Do you by any chance mean scoliosis? That is a curvature of the spine, usually congenital, meaning from birth. It varies in degrees of severity, some folks may not even know they have it.

[KathyPsu19]

My mother asked me the same thing thinking I was mixed up with the terms. The copy of the medical record specifically says "area of sclerosis on the right transverse side of L2". Thanks for making sure I wasnt mixed up with terms. I supposed it's possible it's a mistake but it's typed and not written so reading the word is very clear. Anyone have any information about how you get sclerosis? I cant find any info about just sclerosis itself, only stuff about MS. Unless to have sclerosis you have to have MS?? I am getting freaked out about this. :frown3:

[snookers]

Try doing a google search using "lumbar sclerosis". I found a few things that might pertain to, or interest you. According to a medical terms glossary I came across, the definition of sclerosis is " hardening or induration of body tissues...often the result of chronic inflamation".

Just thought you'd like to know that the term "sclerosis" does seem to be used for conditions other than MS or ALS. I'm NOT trying to dispense any advice or diagnosis....just a suggestion to look around for info on lumbar/disc disease.

[Marie]

My mother asked me the same thing thinking I was mixed up with the terms. The copy of the medical record specifically says "area of sclerosis on the right transverse side of L2". Thanks for making sure I wasnt mixed up with terms. I supposed it's possible it's a mistake but it's typed and not written so reading the word is very clear. Anyone have any information about how you get sclerosis? I cant find any info about just sclerosis itself, only stuff about MS. Unless to have sclerosis you have to have MS?? I am getting freaked out about this. :frown3:

Just because it's typed doesn't mean it's right. One of my son's specialists dictates notes and letters into a recorder at the end of the visit, so the typed copy is only as good as the person transcribing.

For them to suggest you lose weight, well, that would lessen pain if you had scoliosis. However, weight loss is not a cure for MS. And MS doesn't go away in a year or two.

I'd call the radiologist and have them analyze the x-ray again for clarification. I can't imagine them discovering you had MS and not telling you. Or, if possible, get another x-ray and opinion.

Find out and take care of yourself.

Marie

[KathyPsu19]

I was never told the results of this xray by my dr or the hospital, only after seeing all my medical records did i even see this. I was told before this xray to lose weight etc. I've been tested for scoliosis when I was young and nothing and also after this accident many times and its completely straight. I think I will call and ask about this. Hopefully the record is still there eventhough it was in 1998.