Transverse Myelitis or MS?

[hbananas]

http://www.myelitis.org/Neurology%202002%20Vol%2059%20-%20diagnostic%20criteria.pdf

Wow.  After my neuro visit, I did some reading up on TM.  It looks like TM is its own disease when it is idiopathic, but it is also a symptom of MS and some other diseases.  The flowchart on page 5 boils it all down to something I can sort of understand.  Any other limbolanders told this is a possible diagnosis for them? Now I'm extra curious about the VEP tomorrow, becaue of the emphasis on optic neuritis.

[michael1028]

Hbananas, and all others reading in,
    I am new here. I was told by my neuro that after all tests i had MS, just not presented.????? In January my opthomologist DX a "mini stroke" in my right eye. Double vision, I still have it today. The MS "expert  that I was refered to says no MS but treating me for TM. All symptoms show MS. he says the vision problem is unrelated and refered me to Neuro -opthomologist. At present time I am awaiting my second appointment with the expert and still suffering the pain and soreness all over. Since january of 08 I have had Brain eeg, and MRI w/wo contrast, 14 tubes of blood withdrawn and tested, a LP, and still no one can say what is wrong with me.  

[JustBecause1903]

Hi,

I didn't notice the date to be honest I'm new to this forum as I'm trying to find more answers to life's mysteries that 'all in the mind'....

I get that dot too, I asked my optician about it as my eyes are perfect and nothing showed when I had the VEP done. He seems to think that it's the natural blind spot we all have, but maybe we are more aware of it as we are more sensetive to things. But mine came after my first episode of TM.

It is possible that it is MS... however I also suffer from coldsores and that's the common factor here. Although I've had the odd one here and there since then, in the winter of 03 I had a bad flare up with them and again this winter too. 5 years ago I was told there was no link and it was writen up as idiopathic TM....now I've read it could be linked.

I've had loads of MRI's as I've got a history with my back but there are no leisons anywhere. So MS seems unlikely, although I'm no expert and even the 'experts' don't always get it right.

I'm glad you seem to be getting better.
Best Wishes
Jaqui

[Quixotic1]

I'm fading fast.  Didn't notice the date.....  :(

loosin' it bigtime.  Sorry Holly

[hbananas]

Wow.  That was a fairly old post.  Since then I've had my repeat MRIs on a 3T and am going to see the neuro for a follow-up on April 23.  My VEP was normal, by the way.  I have requested the radiologist's report to keep me occupied until the appointment, but don't have it yet.  I have to see another doctor in the group because mine is out on maternity leave.  Hey, a built-in second opinion!  Meanwhile, my tingly symptoms have almost disappeared, but they did worsen for a week or so in early March.

My neuro is in the same group as Challengecase's (Afraid of Neuros).  I am NOT seeing the one she wrote about, but rather the husband of the one she liked, who is also taking time out for her kids.

As far as vision goes, about 9 years ago, I suddenly saw funny out of one eye.  Like there was a gray spot getting in the way just below center.  Kind of like the spot that you see if you look at a light and then look away from it.

I have always passed vision field tests, and the MRI I had back then showed nothing.  The spot is always there if I'm tracking it on an Amsler grid or a handy small-tile floor (hey, you gotta do something when you're in the stall and bored), but most of the time my brain seems to ignore and work around it.  The times it has come back, I always just attributed to tired eyes, but maybe it's really part of this big picture.  That's what prompted the neuro to order the VEP.  Optic nerves aren't mentioned on my brain MRI from December, and in my amateur opinion, they look fine on the new films.

All this fuss for what so far have been minor, minor symptoms.  My heart goes out to all of you who have been seriously disabled and are still looking for reasons.

Just Because, wouldn't a second bout of TM throw it into the caused-by-MS category?

Holly

[Quixotic1]

Did I remember the name right?  Transverse myelitis CAN be a condition all on its own, or it can be a presenting problem in MS.  When it stays pretty much limited to TM and optic neuritis it is called Devic's Disease or Neuromyelitis Optica.  NMO is usually classified as a sub-type of MS, but some researchers think it is a separate disease.

T-Lynn here on the forum started with TM (and I think also ON) and now has Secondary Progressive MS.  I hope she jumps in, becasue her story is really interesting.

I'll go read your earlier post.  I just can't keep up  anymore, but I'm glad to see you're back!!

Quix

[JustBecause1903]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with TM in 03 ~ took 2 years and alot of support to recover but got there. Unfortunately it looks like it's back which is even more unusual than it happening in the first place. But I'm having to do battle this time for the tests...my neurologist thinks it's in my 'head'. I'm waiting for his report to get back to my GP before we can do anything more. I've been put Gabapentin which seems to be helping with the pain and mobility. I'm lucky it only seems to effect my sensory perception ~ I can still use my legs I just can't feel I'm using them.

Good Luck with your tests ~ I didn't like that one I thought it was the worst of all, not painful, just the changing screen made me feel queezy.