New Hope for Adhesive Arachnoiditis: Study Shows Deterioration Can Be Stopped

For years, a diagnosis of Adhesive Arachnoiditis (AA) has been met with a sense of hopelessness, often viewed as an untreatable disease destined for irreversible decline^1111111. However, a groundbreaking final report from the Tennant Foundation, authored by Dr. Forest Tennant, offers a powerful message of hope: the deterioration of AA can be contained and controlled²²².

This study delves into the reasons for clinical decline in AA patients and, more importantly, identifies the measures that can successfully stop or slow its progression³.

What is Adhesive Arachnoiditis (AA)?

At its core, AA is an inflammatory disease affecting the spinal tissues⁴. Inflammation occurs in two key areas simultaneously: the cauda equina nerve roots and the arachnoid membrane, which is the inner lining of the spinal canal's cover⁵. This inflammation creates sticky adhesions that glue these nerve roots together, forming microscopic masses⁶.

Dr. Tennant describes these masses as being like "boulders in a creek" that disrupt the flow of spinal fluid, which can lead to headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision⁷. These masses are also referred to as small "balls of fire," hot and painful, entrapping the nerves that connect to the legs, feet, bladder, bowel, and sexual organs⁸. This ongoing inflammatory process is the cause of the continuous and progressive deterioration seen in AA⁹.

The Hidden Driver: Autoimmunity and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

A critical finding from the study is that the inflammation in AA is primarily caused by autoimmunity—a process where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues¹⁰. The study overwhelmingly points to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) as the main culprit¹¹.

In the study of 45 participants with MRI-documented AA, the results were striking:

• All 45 participants had elevated VCA antibodies, indicating past EBV reactivations¹².

  
  

• 44 out of 45 (97.8%) had elevated EBNA antibodies, suggesting the presence of autoimmunity¹³.

  
  

This autoimmune response is often triggered after the body undergoes severe biological stress, such as trauma, infection, a spinal medical procedure, or significant psychological stress¹⁴.

What Works? The 3-Component Protocol to Stop Deterioration

The study confirms the effectiveness of a three-component medical protocol designed to fight AA on all fronts^15151515:

1. 
   

   Control Pain: Severe, intractable pain is a near-universal symptom of AA¹⁶.

   
   
2. 
   

   Suppress Inflammation and Autoimmunity: This component should have a special focus on managing Epstein-Barr Virus reactivation¹⁷.

   
   
3. 
   

   Regenerate Damaged Tissue: Assisting the body's natural healing processes¹⁸.

   
   

The most encouraging data comes from the 14 participants (31.1%) who reported their condition was stable, improving, or had stopped deteriorating^19191919. A review of their treatment regimens revealed a common theme: a comprehensive approach.

• 
  

  Good Pain Control was Crucial: All 14 participants in this group had good enough pain control to function mentally and physically^20202020. They all used either opioids or low-dose naltrexone²¹. In contrast, 4 of the 5 participants who were rapidly deteriorating reported poor pain control^22222222.

  
  
• 
  

  Targeting Inflammation and EBV: All 14 participants who halted deterioration used one or more therapies to suppress inflammation and prevent EBV reactivation²³. The most commonly used supplement was curcumin/turmeric²⁴. Many also used corticosteroids, ketorolac, and antiviral agents²⁵.

  
  

Do You Have the 7 Major Symptoms of AA?

The study also confirmed the validity of a seven-symptom screening test to help identify AA at an earlier stage²⁶. In the study, 95.6% of participants reported having four or more of these seven symptoms²⁷. If you experience several of the following, it may be worth discussing an MRI with your doctor^28282828.

1. Do you get sharp, stabbing pains in your lower back when you twist, turn, or bend? ²⁹

   
   

2. Do you experience bizarre skin sensations, like crawling insects or water dripping down your legs? ³⁰

   
   

3. Do you have burning pains in your feet and/or groin area? ³¹

   
   

4. Does your pain temporarily lessen when you stand or recline? ³²

   
   

5. Do you have leg weakness and/or pain that radiates down one or both legs? ³³

   
   

6. Do you have any bladder dysfunction, such as dribbling or difficulty starting or stopping urination? ³⁴

   
   

7. Do you sometimes have a headache, dizziness, or blurred vision? ³⁵

   
   

A New Outlook for AA Patients

This study, while small, is incredibly encouraging³⁶. It powerfully refutes the old mantra that Adhesive Arachnoiditis is a hopeless, untreatable condition³⁷. The evidence suggests that with a dedicated and comprehensive treatment plan focusing on pain control and suppressing EBV-driven autoimmunity, the progression of this debilitating disease can be contained³⁸. For thousands of people living with AA, this report represents a significant and welcome step forward.

Here’s the link to download the report: Stopping the Deterioration of Adhesive Arachnoiditis by Dr. Forest Tennant:

cafbae_c2d00e2b3ce14676a5f612bc749106ef.pdf

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