Do I have Transverse Myelitis?

Seeking some advice on transverse myelitis.

I am a fit and healthy 35 year old female with 2 children aged 8 and 3 years.  Some 6 months ago I woke in the middle of the night with sudden numbness, a tingling down my arms and legs on my left side.  My symptoms did improve a little ie. the tingling has gone, but as I say some 6 months later I am still experiencing from my mid section down on my left side, a loss of pain sensation, loss of feeling of heat and some weakness.  I have had an MRI scan which identified a single lesion within the upper cervical cord at approx. C1/2 disc level.  This lesion is approx 2mm and is within the para-central area of the upper cervical cord (with no evidence of cord swelling).

My Neurologist is suggesting that I have another MRI scan in approx. 6 months time to see if this small lesion, for one is still there, and/or if it gets bigger and if any other lesions show up!

It is thought at this stage that I may have transverse myelitis and I was wondering if this may be the case and if my loss of sensations might return?

Concerned Aussie

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Your concerns are valid to some extent. Your diagnosis of Transverse myelitis is probably correct. Have you identified any cause behind the TM? When was the MRI done? Is it recent or 6 months old? If it is old, you may repeat an MRI again now.

The prognosis in transverse myelitis is generally on the positive side. TM is a state of inflammation of the cord. Once the inflammation is treated, or if it subsides, the functions of the nerves return.

Regards

[HappyAussie]

Thank you for your comments, this is very much appreciated.

I have no idea what the cause was/is at this stage.  My MRI was done in the last 3 weeks and it is suggested that I have another in Sept of this year.

How is inflamation (inflammation) treated?

My neurologist suggested that a lumber puncture could be performed, but has suggested we wait until she reviews the next MRI scan in 6 months and then revisit eveything then.

Is there something that I can be doing now to assist with my recovery?  I hardle drink alcohol, dont smoke, eat healthly and run about 8-10kms every 2nd day, if not daily.