Paralysis or Spasm

I had my first MS attack in April 2006, so far my symptoms have been mostly sensory, with some motor weakness and severe fatigue.  I have had 2 relapses since August whilst pregnant.  This is an IVF pregnancy and I was on Synarel Nasal Spray which commenced in april 2007.
Yesterday, whilst lying down for an afternoon rest, my right arm and right leg seemed to go into a spasm/paralysis state for around 10 minutes.  I can only describe it as absolute terror.  Pain, fear and my right hand developed a tremor over this time.
It subsided completely after around half an hour and now I just feel a bit of weakness and strange sensations mostly in my right leg.
Could this be related to my MS? I'm 28 weeks pregnant, baby is fine.  I'm scared to get behind the wheel of my car or go anywhere in case I have another episode.

[JainMD]

Hi,
What is your name? How old are you?
Tremor is an unintentional, somewhat rhythmic, muscle movement involving to-and-fro movements (oscillations) of one or more parts of the body. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, head, face, vocal cords, trunk, and legs.
Most tremors occur in the hands. In some people, tremor is a symptom of another neurological disorder.
The most common form of tremor, however, occurs in otherwise healthy people. Neurological disorders or conditions that can produce tremor include multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases that damage or destroy parts of the brainstem or the cerebellum. Other causes include the use of some drugs (such as amphetamines, caffeine, corticosteroids, and drugs used for certain psychiatric disorders), alcohol abuse or withdrawal, mercury poisoning, overactive thyroid or liver failure.
Tremors can be an indication of hypoglycemia, along with palpitations, sweating and anxiety. Some forms of tremor are inherited and run in families, while others have no known cause.
MS can cause changes in sensation, muscle weakness, abnormal muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving; difficulties with coordination and balance; problems in speech or swallowing, visual problems, fatigue and acute or chronic pain syndromes, bladder and bowel difficulties, cognitive impairment, or depression.
The initial attacks are often transient, mild and self-limited. The most common initial symptoms reported are: changes in sensation in the arms, legs or face (33%), complete or partial vision loss (optic neuritis) (16%), weakness (13%), double vision (7%), unsteadiness when walking (5%), and balance problems (3%); but many rare initial symptoms have been reported such as aphasia or psychosis.
Your symptomatology as of now does sound like you are having suspected MS.
There are definitive guidelines, on which the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis is based. There are definitive lesions (suggestive of MS) on MRI also.
Once internationally accepted criteria’s are satisfied, then diagnosis of multiple Sclerosis can be made.
I think you should consult Neurologist ASAP to rule out any existent pathology.
Follow the instruction of your neurologist and let pregnancy get over. Any imaging if required now, MRI can be done, and it is safe in pregnancy.
What is scan report of your pregnancy says about your baby?
Hope this helps you.
Bye.

[jaymac181]

Hi there, my names is Jackie and I'm 37.  My initial MRI showed a lesion at C6/C7 and my lumbar puncture found Oligoclonal bankds of IgG present - These were in May 2006.  I have since had 2 MRI's which showed the initial lesion at C6/C7 has reduced to half it's size and I have a small lesion at T8.  As of 12 months ago, brain was all clear, purely spinal cord lesions.

The problem I had yesterday, I'm not sure if it was paralysis or spasm.  The tremor was in my hand at the same time as the paralysis/spasm and it lasted around 20 minutes.  My neurologist is on holidays until mid january, so any advice is very welcome as this episode was both painful and terrifying.

[jaymac181]

Sorry, forgot to add, the scans of my baby are all normal and he's quite active.  Doesn't seem to be any problems pregnancy wise.

[JainMD]

Hi Jackie,
You have a nice name.
Well Oligoclonal Bands do suggest presence of MS, but what is the follow up study.
Your spasm or paralysis can be related to your lesion at C6/C7 level.
What medicine did he prescribe you at last time and what did he say?

[jaymac181]

Thanks Jain, I will be going on Beta-feron (as it is known is Australia) after the baby is born in March.   My neuro suggested breastfeeding for 4 weeks to give the baby a good start and then going straight onto the Beta-feron as she thinks that I might be at risk of having another relapse after having the baby.  Before becoming pregnant I was taking Lyrica and Endep for nerve pain (I had burning sensations in my left leg as well as cold patches on my buttocks).
The paralysis/spasm of my right arm and my right leg accompanied by the tremor of my right hand, is this consistent with MS.  The attack occured at 2.30pm EST yesterday lasting around 30 minutes and so far today I've only had some strange sensations in my right leg with some weakness.
I am terrified of having another one of these episodes.

[jaymac181]

Sorry again, follow up studies have been MRI, all other bloods are clear, no presense of any other nasties.  
My lesion at C6/C7 occured in April 2006, and has never caused this kind of symptom.  Is it possible for it to cause different symptoms after such a long period of time?