Question about Nerve Damage...

[jena1225]

I am very curious about something, and am hoping you all can help.

Can "nerve pain" from a Neurological disorder actually cause nerve "damage" in the spine or discs? Not sure why, but I just never really put the 2 together in the same category, but now that I have many spinal problems, I am curious to know if the damage might not be from the nerve pain Like, do the nerves that cause pain actually DO anything else, like cause damage to the spine, or discs? Thanks!

Jen

[ErinENj]

Jen,

This is a great question! I've always wondered about this myself actually. I don't know for sure, but I would think that if the nerve is continually activated, something that it shouldn't be doing or shouldn't have to handle, kinda like a phone line...it is only meant, designed, and built to handle a certain number of calls at a time, right? And if you exceed that number, the phone line starts to break down and service is lost or at least completely screwed up. So if the nerve is continually activated, and is forced to handle the messages that nerves are designed to deal with, but in excess of what it's made to handle, there will most definately be damaged, right, since it is being severely abused? But, at the same time, what I learned in my mind body health class last fall, there are amino acids that can repair the nerve's sheath, or the part of the nerve that sends and receives the messages, which we get from our diet since they aren't produced by the body, even though the body needs them to function correctly.

Maybe if the body isn't getting enough of those amino acids, then there could be some nerve damage from the over-stimulation of those nerves since they aren't getting the tools neccesary to repair themselves. Or there could be some nerve damage whenever the nerve is being abused like that. But at the same time, if nerve damage happens like that, then wouldn't there be some sort of medication one could take to make sure that there isn't that damage?

I don't know which is the right answer. But, those are my thoughts. And I'm sure there's someone else here that could answer that question for you. I just thought I'd add my ideas to the mix and see if I'm anywhere near correct or if I'm completely and utterly off track! Good question!! Hopefully someone else will post soon and I'll be able to see if I'm completely insane in my thinking! I'm just so good at being wrong! :D :p

[Kathi49]

Jena,

I think I know what you might be asking. But I doubt it. I am not sure how old you are and I guess it doesn't really matter. But I asked a silly question of my ob/gyn not too long ago. I asked if my total hysterectomy caused some of these spinal problems. He laughed and said no, I was just at that age where arthritis begins to show up. That's not to say damage wasn't done to any nerves. Long story. But, anyway, I don't think there is a neurological problem that can cause problems with the discs. But I could be so wrong! From my own standpoint it was the facets, discs, whatever...that caused nerve damage from being smooshed and/or from cervical fusions. In other words, the other way around. And since mine were grated on for so long and not de-compressed for ages, I think it caused damage and then small fiber neuropathy and now Central Pain. The nerves just won't shut up sometimes although it is much, much better in my hands.

I do know one thing though. Both my PM and Uro doc say the problem with the pelvic floor is from nerve damage. Another long story. But basically the nerves aren't telling the muscles how to work. So, for this problem it is injections in the lumbar/sacral area to get the nerves calmed down and then PT for the other...starting in another week.

Anyway, again, I could be so wrong. There are so many neurological conditions that it is hard to say. But I kind of doubt it. Oh, I just remembered something my PM told me once. What a goof! He said to me and I am still laughing about this that "discs are stupid!" I was laughing and said, "What?!" But he said something about if he were to go in and do an injection in a normal person without arthritis, it probably wouldn't hurt them at all. But because we are inflamed with the stuff, is why the injections hurt. Geez, I can't remember the whole conversation. But basically discs themselves don't feel pain...something like that. And then he went on to say that osteophytes are stupid as well. Your body puts down bone in the spine to protect itself and it just doesn't know how to grow. So, it makes those hooky things. And those darn things just grind away until something is done about it. Anyway, I am rambling and sounding stupid myself. But he makes me laugh when he says stuff like that and I am not even sure if I am telling it right so I will hush up! LOL

[Mark N]

Jena, it could be possible but I don't think it works that way. Nerves are like a interstate and you can only go in one direction and the feeling of pain goes the other direction. There are many factors that cause this but I don'tthink it is for messages backing up the wrong way. Maybe we will find out in the future that it does but not based on current information.

[jena1225]

Thank you all :) I did get the answer I was looking for :D and I can pretty much rule it that out :rolleyes:

I suppose I was just looking for another reason my lumbar problems are so bad without any real injury and has progressed so quick. Was looking for that correlation since my nerve pain from my MS is so bad... I do have a different theory, but I suppose that's another thread. Thanks all!