Is this Transverse Myelitis or possible MS?

  I have had right side shoulder and hip pain for over 5 years.  In the last year I have developed right sided numbness (mostly in my arm), spasticity in my right lower leg, various funny sensations such as a feeling of wetness on an arm or let that is not wet and feeling things crawling on me that aren't really there.  I have also had L'hermittes for the last year.
  My neurologist ran brain and cervical MRI's, SSEP testing and a Lumbar Puncture.  The cervical MRI showed a vertical lesion and the SSEP testing showed that my right side responses were considerable lower than my left.  The LP came back normal as did the brain MRI.  
  My neurologist has been great to me and incredibly patient.  He says that with or without a definite diagnosis, he can still treat my symptoms.  
  My question is this:  He keeps mentioning Transverse Myelitis.  Everything I have read says that this condition is transverse, or across the spinal cord with symptoms on both sides of the body.  Also, the symptoms listed seem to be much worse that what I have.  Is there another condition or type of myelitis consistent with my symptoms and test results?
  Thanks so much.  Susan
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Dear Susan,
thanks for your question. You are correct in that the symptomps of transverse myelitis (TM) are usually more severe, such as weakness and numbess below the waist, or  from the chest down, bowel and bladder difficulties. TM is the nonspecific term used to denote inflammation in the spinal cord, and because it is non specific it has a variety of causes,
e.g. certain infection, demyelination (MS), or it could be a sequlae of an infection.
Without looking at the cervical MRI film, I can't make any comment on the lesion, but it certainly is possible that the cervical lesion is responsible for your symptoms if the location fits. Negative brain MRI is reassuring and so is normal spinal tap. Evoked potential is again non specific, so the abnormalities can be the result of the cervical spine lesion. Again, I can't comment much without knowing the actual result.
I agree with your doctor that a diagnosis of MS can not be made at this time but the symptoms can still be treated.
Good luck and I hope the information above helps.