Big Cervical Stem Lesion

Has anybody experienced lack of strength in both legs due to a cervical stem lesion that once treated with Plasmapheresis passed and began affecting arms and hands????
I still feel rigidity in my upper limbs (after several months) and annoying sensitive symptoms... I still can't feel what I touch.  Will I ever recover my sensitivity?
I am also 5 months pregnant, so I had to stop using Copaxone...
Thanks,

Karina

[Karina2805]

I wanted to add that prior to 5 days with Plasmapheresis, I had been with 5 grs. IV Corticosteroids and 3 days Immunoglobulins.
I was not affected in my upper limbs.  It was only after I recovered my legs strenght and balance that my arms and hands began being affected.
Please help...

[karzme]

Welcome, I believe you are new to this forum. By the way, we have the same name and spelling. Weird huh!!!   Both my legs get weak alot and so do my arms sometimes. I am numb from waist down and don't feel much. Been that way for a month or so. Have to look at my feet when I walk, so I can see where I'm going.

I was never on plasmapheresis  or other drugs you listed. I can't help you there. I am waiting to start my copaxone. How long were you on it before you got pregnant? Was the pregnancy easy or hard without it? I heard the symptoms usually go away with pregnancy. What do you or others reading this think of copaxone?/                 Karina

[Karina2805]

Hi Karzme,
Thanks for replying.  In fact I'm new... I had been 2 months on Copaxone before I got pregnant and I was 2 months pregnant when I learned about it.  So, it was 4 months with it.  
My symptoms have got "milder" somehow since my pregnancy started.
I'm really concerned about my weird sensations and rigidity in both arms and hands... I wish to feel my baby when I touch her.

[6-paq]

Hi and welcome to the board!

CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!  :)  Is this your first baby?

I'm sorry I don't have any experience with Plasmapheresis (first time I've heard of this) or IV steroids.  It does seem strange that your arm Sx started after the treatments.  

I have heard others say that their symptoms greatly lessened during pregnancy. Your lack of sensation in your hands and fingers may come back.  The rigidity may be spasticity.  Are you taking any meds for that, or maybe you can't take them while pregnant?

Take care!  Pat :)  

[karzme]

So did the drs check your baby to make sure it's ok, since you were on copaxone, while pregnant. Glad to hear it has gotten milder with being pregnant.  Karina

[Karina2805]

Thanks!
I'm not taking any medication now, and my symptoms have experienced some improvement, though there's a lot to recover yet.  For instance, I find it really difficult to seize coins or notes when I have to pay.  Right now I'm not taking any meds.  My doctor said that my baby is "giving me" all the treatments that I need...
IV Steroids is the Solumedrol that you may have probably received during your relapses.
I've been on Plasmapheresis on three different occasions for up to 3-5 days.  It's like a blood transfusion, but they take out your plasma and replace it with albumin (artificial plasma).  This is done with a central vein catheter... It has been introduced to me in my neck.
Thanks for your support...
Karina

[karzme]

Good luck with your pregnancy.     Karina

[T-lynn]

Welcome,

Congrats on the baby.

After I have Solu-medrol infusions,had 2 in 3 months they have always effected my legs and caused great weakness,even a few months after treatments.I'm still recovering after Junes treatment.

I have lesions near the brain stem,which effects all the limbs.

Hopefully in time this weakness will disappear.

[harrie]

hi karina

i am on rebif but would like to try for a baby next year, i have been told to come of rebif when i start trying ,as i am unsure of how long it wikll take me to pregnant, i really dont want to stop taking it, has anybody been taking rebif even for a few weeks and realised they were pregnant, im unsure if this is dangerous, im just unsure if il be able to concieve (conceive) quickly or if it will take a long time,and i really dont want to come of the rebif if there isa no sign of me getting pregnant. do you know is there any medication that can be taken for ms while pregnant?
congratulations with the baby,best of luck.

harrie

[Karina2805]

Hi Harrie!
I had been using Copaxone daily for more than a month, before realizing I was pregnant.  But Copaxone is Glatiramer Acetate and not Interferon...
You should better check that with your physician.
Good luck!

Karina
Thanks karzme and T-lynn

[Lgprblm]

Hi ladies,

I'm Karina too!!  My mom has MS, and I'm having a lot of problems with falling down lately (it's so embarassing!!!)  I am going to go to the doctor next week because I fell down several steps again on Friday.  I posted the note below on the main forum earlier today.  Have either of you experienced your leg just 'disappearing' without any pain or apparent numbness?  Any information would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you, Karina

I've fallen down and up the steps several times in the last three months.  I've also fallen when trying to get up from a water slide and while playing softball for no apparent reason.  It seems my left leg is disappearing sporadically at times.  I'll be walking or moving, and it just acts like it's not there so I fall.  There is no pain (except from the injuries of the fall.)  I just get back up and start walking again.  I have also had many problems holding my bladder for many years.

My mother has multiple sclerosis.  I'm worried that I might have it.  I've also had two car accidents and a fall down the steps several years ago that have caused chronic lower back pain.  

Could it be MS or just a pinched nerve?  

[Karina2805]

Hi...
I think that you should visit a neurologist, so he can tell you exactly what you have.
Don't stay anguished, do it as soon as you can.
Take care and good luck!
Karina

[karzme]

I agree, you should see aneuro and get some definite answers. You will feel alot better after you do.  Karina