RESEARCH
ARTICLE

This thesis was added
14 July 2002

Contents
Abstract
Contents

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten

Appendix One
Appendix Two
Appendix Three
Appendix Four
Appendix Five

Glossary
Bibliography

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The Presenting Symptoms Associated With Arachnoiditis And The Experience Of Living With Them In Everyday Life

A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Nursing at Massey University

by Christine Hopkins - 1998

Contents

Chapter One: The aims and context of the research and an introduction to the participants

• Introduction. 

• Study Aims

• Background to the research

• Initial involvement of the researcher with those with arachnoiditis

• Establishing support links and information dispersal

• Emergence of areas of concern relating to symptom management

• Formation of local and national support groups

• Rationale for selection of arachnoiditis as a topic requiring nursing research

• Choice of a Rogerian Nursing Framework

• Wider applications of the study results

• The participants

• Brief introduction to participant’s histories

Chapter Two: What is arachnoiditis?

• Introduction

• Anatomy

• Historical perspectives

• Pathology

• Pathophysiology

• Aetiology

• Epidemiology

• Diagnosis

• Differential and/or associated diagnoses

• Prognosis

• Treatment for arachnoiditis

• Clinical presentation

Chapter Three: Theoretical rationale - the Science of Unitary Human Beings and arachnoiditis

• Introduction

• Martha Rogers, 1914-1994: a brief biographical note

• The Science of Unitary Human Beings

• Energy fields

• Environmental fields

• Human fields (Unitary human beings)

• Negentropy

• Open systems

• Pandimensional

• Pattern

• Pattern appraisal

• Unitary.

• The principles of homeodynamics.

• Arachnoiditis and the science of unitary human beings.

Chapter Four: Research methodology.

• Introduction.

• The aims of exploratory descriptive research

• Exploratory descriptive research and a Rogerian framework. 

• Research Context.

• Locating participants.

• Ethics Committee Approval.

• Ethical concerns  

• Interview protocols.

• Data Collection Method.

• Data analysis

Chapter Five: Literature search - the symptoms associated with arachnoiditis.

• Introduction.

• Findings

• International interest.

• Historical perspectives on the symptoms associated with arachnoiditis and concomitant diseases and conditions.

Chapter Six: Symptoms and human field patterns.  

• Introduction.

• Participants’ definitions of a symptom.

• Pain patterns associated with arachnoiditis.

• No pain.

• Intermittent pain.

• Severe, remittent, burning pain.

• Sacrococcygeal pain.

• Sciatica.

• Headaches.

• Headaches linked to myelograms.

• Headaches linked to epidural steroids.

• Pain in the feet.

• Painful joints.

• Chest pains.

• Pain tolerance

• Paraesthesiae

• Pins and needles.

• Electric shocks.

• Numbness.

• Banded sensation

• Cramps, spasms, fasciculations and myoclonic contractions.

• Myoclonic spasms.

• Fasiculations.

• Spasms and cramps.

• Falling.

• Fatigue.

• Sweating.

• Depression.

• Being depressed.

• Suicide.

• Bladder/bowel dysfunction.

• Impotency.

• Cough.

• Shortness of breath.

• Impaired healing mechanisms

• Itching.

• Premature menopause.

• Memory loss

• Disturbances of heat-cold mechanisms

• Mood changes.

• Jaundice.

• Insomnia.

• Weight problems.

• Vision problems.

• Tinnitus.

Chapter Seven: Human and environmental fields: the experience of living with arachnoiditis.

• Mobility difficulties.

• Lifestyle changes.  

• Relationships.

• New relationships.

• Being a parent.

• Changes in financial circumstances.

• Social life and friendships.

• Working life. 

• Being believed.

• Hopes for the future.

• Arachnoiditis and spiritual meaning.

• The worst and the best of daily life.

• Seeking relief.

• Epidural steroids.

• Alcohol.

• Counselling.

• Cryotherapy. 

• Distraction.

• Heat applications.

• Natural therapies

• Physiotherapy.

• Positional changes.

• Smoking

• Swimming.

Chapter Eight: The role of nursing in participants’ experiences.

Chapter Nine: Discussion.

Chapter Ten: Implications for nursing.

• Limitations of the study.

• Further research

Appendix One.

• Iophendylate (Myodil, Pantopaque)  

• Metrizamide.  

• Reference.

• Iopamiro.

• Reference.

Appendix Two.

• Depo Medrol - methylprednisolone acetate USP.

• Kenacort-A40 (Triamcinolone acetonide).  

Appendix Three

• Information Sheet.

Appendix Four.

• Consent form.

Appendix Five.  

• Guide Questions.

Glossary.