Validity of LP results after 3 days of IV steorids

[omega30]

My husband suddenly experienced numbness in both his legs in middle of March this year. His numbness spread to his abdomen by the time he met with the neurologist (about a weeks time). He started getting better in two weeks but still had his abdominal stiffness. And then he started having pain in the little finger and half of the next finger and in the forearms in both hands. Th Neurologist suspected MS and ordered MRI of the brain and spine.

The brain MRI came clean but the spine MRI found a lesion beginning at C5-6 disc space extending posterior to body of C6. The Neurologist diagnosed this as transverse myelitis and started him on IV steroids. My husband had the LP after three days of IV steroid and the results show nothing wrong.

However, I am not sure if the oligo bands will still show up in the CSF after the steroids or if the steroids have masked all the original values.

Anyone has any idea on this? It would help me a lot.

My husband still has some pain in his fingers and part of both his palms and is on lyrica.

Thanks

[TheLightSeeker]

Lesion in spinal cord and  the brain is very possible in
infections like S Haematobidium and S Mansoni or others depending the part of the world where infected, from the presence of eggs in those particular places in the body.
Tranverse Myelitis could result from this, if the lesion is across the
spinal cord and not along it. Exact location is very important.
Regeneration of the myelin is very possible and fast, as long as the underlying cause is removed, before further inflammation results in more damage.
Working with a good Parasitologist may be a good idea, as Neuro's, well let's put it gently, have just a Neurological approach.
Lyrica and steroids may not offer any curative value.
His own immune system if not severely compromised, has a better chance -if left alone without the interference of steroids-for a complete recovery.
That's what likely caused the spontaneous recovery you spoke of.
Cheers!
Niko

PS
When there's damage of the spinal cord, then one must look at the nerve connections from the origin of the inflammation and damage, to the nerve endings where the symptoms manifest. Worms and their nesting do not have to be close to the fingers, to experience symptoms there.
But this all in the details.

[margypops]

Get a Heavy Metal blood test ask the doctor for one .

[omega30]

Thanks for your response.

Do you have any links with more information on these worms and how they can nest on the fingers.

My husband had a first attack last summer when he visited India. He is from India but went back after 5 years. He had numbness in both his legs and couldn't move without support.And then he recovered spontaneously in three weeks.

What about the lesion in his spinal cord. If it is the worms, then the lesion is not having any role to play, is it?

Thanks

[nutrinut_bob]

Have your husband checked for worms.  There are many species that can cause the symptoms you've described.  Foremost among them are strongyloides species, but if he has ever spent any time in endemic areas, wuchereria bancrofti is another possibility.  The little finger and the finger next to it are areas they like to nest in, as are the legs.  The National Institutes of Health does PCR testing for wuchereria.