Lesion on Cerebral Spine

[KenDub]

Hi All,

I have a lesion between C2 and C3 on my spine. This is a new lesion and has begun affecting motor function, balance, and muscle fatigue in my legs during my most recent exacerbation. My question is this: How many of you have a similar lesion and do not have any symptoms or little symptoms? I am trying to be optimistic :)

thx,

Kenny

[KenDub]

Thanks all. What I was told by a research coordinator (not a Doctor by any means) at the University of San Francisco in California, was "high dose steroids alter the appearance of lesions on MRI scans." and that "lesions will appear smaller due to decreased swelling".

This effect does wear off after a mere few days, but according to her at least, it did affect my scan since I was taking Solu-Medrol at the time of the scan.

Thank you all for your input. My legs have been feeling miraculously better over the past several days, and I may even be returning to work soon. Of course, this isn't the first time during this attack that I would have said that and been wrong :) Oh wait, that wasn't very optimistic lol.

[sllowe]

I'm a C-spine lesioner! And, I'm symptomatic :(

BUT, there is hope!  I have seen amazing improvement w/motor skills, speech and balance!

My worst problems w/those three things were in March of 07. Lasted for about 5 months. Hoping this helps keep your optimism Kenny.

I'll take my current limitations over those 3 anytime.

-Shell (belated welcome hello to you!)

[Zacksmomi]

I have a a C2-C3 lesion that has been there since the very first MRI.  My first sx's that led to the diagnosis process was that my right arm lost almost all feeling and was almost unusable. I had an itch along my neck and my chest that made me scratch my skin off.  I have several other lesions so I can't say that the sx's were from that particular lesion.  I did not have any leg issues at the time.

  I will say that YES all but some slight tingling came back to my arm and the itch is gone. I have normal use of my arm again. There is definately a possibility of continued healing for months and sometimes years after an attack.  I talked to one of the girls yesterday who said she went downhill for 2 years and is now able to exercise again.  

I have developed all of the same issues as you describe in just the last few months and I am hoping once we get this under control, my issues will reside a bit too.  

Now I am not sure if you know but, IV steroids will not make the lesion shrink or disappear. A visible lesion will show no matter how many steriods you are on.  The steroids are supposed to slow the progression of the attack.  It is possible that the lesion may not be as large as it would have been had you not taken the solumed.  (If I am wrong someone please jump in here)

The Treatments are meant to lessen the attack but they do not heal lesions.  I do believe there is a health page on lesions repairing themselves.  I was just looking over my MRI reports and my first report my C4 lesion is measurable and in the second report it is noticable which leads me to believe it shrank.  

Ok I have rambled a bit.  Anyway, I hope for the best for you.
D

[KenDub]

heh, yeah. They could hardly see mine on 1.5T, but the 3T machine showed it, even on the 3rd day of Solu-Medrol treatment.

[supermum_ms]

Hey kenny,

Sorry but i couldnt resist but i have the opposite, many symptoms but the lesion(s) didnt show up on the 1.5T without contrast. Apparently the spinal lesions are notoriously difficult to see on the 1.5T lol

Cheers......JJ