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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Symptoms related to my transverse myelitis or possible MS? Improve how?
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Symptoms related to my transverse myelitis or possible MS? Improve how?
by ConcernedDen, Apr 22, 2005 12:00AM
27 y/o fem. Hist:Mono at11 mos & 16(16 w hepetitis of liver & spleen/tonsilitis)Many bouts of infections bladder/ear/throat(Strep)/yeast/even follicle(face). Nearsighted(pink eye 2x last yr).Exposed for few mnths to asbestos&bad moulds 2 yrs ago in workplace-scratched eyes/throat/nose irritation/breathing issues-all gone in 2 mos.
Jan.05-Anxiety feelings(more often at work with tight chest/impatience/'wound up'.Mid Jan 05,anxiety better;new-numb(NB)Rside fr sternum around underarm to spine-from middle of breast upto collarbone;one patch on my tricep;all'dead nb',no tingling, no rash. MD appt,thought shingles. Cold wet feeling on back where nb. MD again-past shingles wait-ref to Neuro. End of Jan chest nb; cold/wet easing.Early Feb cold/wet gone;nb still there. Mid Feb.Rtoes 'asleep'/pins & needlesthen nb-nb calf-to shin-knee;chest easing one day,dead nb the next.MD urgent ref to Neuro. Met w Neuro-tests in office-ordered MRI. Nb Rleg to thigh & part of Rgluts.Bal & coord & stairs tough. Neuro upped MRI ofneck/spine to Mar2. Transverse myelitis found at bra strap area atspine.Brain MRI ordered.Naturopath started me with essential oil (already on phyto-phenols/B6 &complex/multi).Started Swank diet.Mid Mar.chest nb gone;leg easing;blurry eyes started(R more).EndMar-Rleg nbgone;bitnb Rfoot;Lfoot startnb.Apr.eyes blurry good/bad dayswHdach(good day after nt of alchol? weird?;bend neck electric shocks toRchest,back,Rleg,Lfoot;twitching Ltoes;buzzing/pulsing/shocks inside Lleg/pelvic/groin area;STmemory worse;rare Lhand/face twitch.Vision rel to TM?MS possile?How improv symptoms?
Jan.05-Anxiety feelings(more often at work with tight chest/impatience/'wound up'.Mid Jan 05,anxiety better;new-numb(NB)Rside fr sternum around underarm to spine-from middle of breast upto collarbone;one patch on my tricep;all'dead nb',no tingling, no rash. MD appt,thought shingles. Cold wet feeling on back where nb. MD again-past shingles wait-ref to Neuro. End of Jan chest nb; cold/wet easing.Early Feb cold/wet gone;nb still there. Mid Feb.Rtoes 'asleep'/pins & needlesthen nb-nb calf-to shin-knee;chest easing one day,dead nb the next.MD urgent ref to Neuro. Met w Neuro-tests in office-ordered MRI. Nb Rleg to thigh & part of Rgluts.Bal & coord & stairs tough. Neuro upped MRI ofneck/spine to Mar2. Transverse myelitis found at bra strap area atspine.Brain MRI ordered.Naturopath started me with essential oil (already on phyto-phenols/B6 &complex/multi).Started Swank diet.Mid Mar.chest nb gone;leg easing;blurry eyes started(R more).EndMar-Rleg nbgone;bitnb Rfoot;Lfoot startnb.Apr.eyes blurry good/bad dayswHdach(good day after nt of alchol? weird?;bend neck electric shocks toRchest,back,Rleg,Lfoot;twitching Ltoes;buzzing/pulsing/shocks inside Lleg/pelvic/groin area;STmemory worse;rare Lhand/face twitch.Vision rel to TM?MS possile?How improv symptoms?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Apr 24, 2005 12:00AM
Although I have not reviewed your scans, it correct, they suggest a dianosis of transverse myelitis in the thoracic spinal cord.
The cause is often not found, and a single episode is not diagnostic or suggestive of MS, especially if your MRI brain is normal. The thoracic (bra strap level ) of the spinal cord is an unusual area for an MS lesion also. The appearance on MRI can also help differentiate from MS. A repeat MRI should be done a few months after onset to confirm it was a single episode. Also they should have done the usual blood test workup for transverse myelitis like B12, folate, Lyme etc
I have had several patients like this - as there was damage done to the spinal cord at the time if injury (from whatever cause, often viral) you will experience persistent symptoms until some or all of the damaged nerve elements heal, which can take up to several months.
Symptomatic treatments would include medications to treat nerve related pain like neurontin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, tricyclic antidepressants like nortyptaline)
Good luck
The cause is often not found, and a single episode is not diagnostic or suggestive of MS, especially if your MRI brain is normal. The thoracic (bra strap level ) of the spinal cord is an unusual area for an MS lesion also. The appearance on MRI can also help differentiate from MS. A repeat MRI should be done a few months after onset to confirm it was a single episode. Also they should have done the usual blood test workup for transverse myelitis like B12, folate, Lyme etc
I have had several patients like this - as there was damage done to the spinal cord at the time if injury (from whatever cause, often viral) you will experience persistent symptoms until some or all of the damaged nerve elements heal, which can take up to several months.
Symptomatic treatments would include medications to treat nerve related pain like neurontin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, tricyclic antidepressants like nortyptaline)
Good luck
Thanks