ms or tm? same symptoms

[alesha33]

i have been diag. w/ ms for approx.9 yrs.i have seen 3 different neuros w/ the same diag. i have been on rebif and avonex for approx 4-5 yrs. recently i went to a ms specialist and he said it's not ms but transverse myelitis. it was a quick and unnerving experience. my questions are: are those shots i took going to hurt me? what if any long term effects? he also stated that the diag. was going to stay ms because insurance companies don't understand tm.i still have all the same symptoms numbness/tingling  in both arms and legs, heat and cold sensitivity, tripping, major fatigue, heavy legs or feet,loss of memory,electric shock feeling when bending head down, balance,bowel and bladder issues, and more. i figure you get the point.i ask my regular neuro for a 5th and hopefully final opinion. which i have in another month but i am so confused. i have one lesion in my brain and two in my spine i think around c-2.is there any information you can give me? my 5th opinion is at the cleveland clinic.

[alesha33]

thanks for the info. you both gave. here are answers.yes to spinal 8-9 yrs ago=negative.had many evoked potentials= doc's never really said much except some loss or something cant remember.i dont know what optic neuritis is. and all three neuros dia. me with ms. i guess i just wait and see. i have appt with my neuro in a week and go to 5th neuro in july.

[Quixotic1]

I don't understand whay the "MS Specialist" said that he believes it is TM when you have 3 lesions, one in the brain and 2 in the C-spine.  Did you ever have a spinal tap or evoked potentials?  Have you had any episodes of optic neuritis?  Have you had the full battery of blood tests for myelopathy?

I'm glad you're getting the (??) opinion.  What were the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd opinions?

Quix

[1twitching]

Aleshia,

You can rest assured that the drugs you have been using are not going to do any harm. I am an RPH and work with these drugs frequently.  They are tested safe in a normal population way before they get to a population they are suppose to treat.  Thankfully the FDA does work for that.  As for you other symtpoms I not able to address those.

Hope this helps