residual or new?

Hi, & thanks in advance for your thoughts.
22F, recently diagnosed w/ MS. Oct.'03 first demyelinating episode (transverse myelitis w/ disdiadochokenisis, heel-shin test & tandem gait difficulty, + Romberg, pain/temp. loss in L trunk, leg, bladder retention). Never completely recovered leg coord.  Same with bladder problems.  However, walking is off as legs do not seem to be able to bend properly; i.e. they are stiff, and I 'shuffle' more than 'step', and trip over my own feet basically.  Requested to try Baclofen last week, and am taking 5mg 3x daily.  Think it helped a little, but still bad pain & incoordination with legs.  When I walk, I find that I am constantly looking down, almost subconsciously.   Also, having flank & bladder pain/cramping  for 3 mo. now, w/ presistent microscopic haematuria.  Renal tract US normal, but showed residual urine (same from last year).  

1) Walking problems/muscle stiffness related to spinal lesions from last year or would this be seen in lesions elsewhere in CNS? Easier to walk fast than slow w/out bumping into things.

2) Haematuria/pain a concern, & can neur. bladder problems lead to this w/in a year?

3) very often I find that my brain literally shuts off in the middle of conversation, and I can become quite 'lost' and forget what i was saying. This normal so early on in disease? Where in CNS would cause this & hand clumsiness (seem to occur simultaneously)?

3) I read that those who present w/ motor problems, & whose have incomplete recovery are expected to have a worse prognosis.  Any thoughts?  

Many thanks!

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

1) This could be seen in problems with the spine or brain.
2) I would recommend having an evaluation by a urologist. The hematuria may be a sign of an infection, and the amount of urine being retained may need to be addressed.
3) Your abilities and functions are determined by your amount of disease. This can be determined typically by your MRI scans. The hand clumsiness and language function would not typically occur from the same lesion.
4) The important thing at this point is to begin treatment and have follow-up imaging to determine the level of disease activity. At this point I think it would be pre-mature to discuss prognosis.

If you have any questions or concerns, perhaps a consultation with an MS specialist would be reasonable. If you are in the area our doctors at the Mellen Center for MS at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation are wonderful. Good luck.