Went to Neuologist today why is TM different from MS

[Udkas]

Hi there,
I went to the Neurologist today and he still says TM.  He is doing another MRI of my cervical and Thoracic and my lumbar but just doing the lumbar to please me!  As I was certain that I had hurt my back but he reckons that it's coming from higher. Mmmmm , he was thorough and nice, I feel bad as I spent too long and made other people wait who looked quite worse off than myself.  It was at the MS Clinic.  But he answered all my questions and gave a very good examination and answering my questions made me feel better.  He thinks that I have got worse! But another TM attack. I always thought TM was a one of attack.  My Gabapentin is working well with my symptoms.  
Anyway Cheers,
Udkas

[cjacks]

Hi Udkas

http://www.myelitis.org/tm.htm

Have you looked at the Transverse Myelitis . org ....  web site .. it answers some of your q.s

Its so great that you have a doc who is thorough AND NICE..  Is he your regular neuro and are you continue to be seen at the MS Clinic .

I'm glad the Gaba. is working for you. Have you had an MRI and how did that turn out?  some times with TM there can be an underlying illness, especially if the person has more than one attack...  

Stay with us..   This is a very good place to hang out and get some needed support....  

Hugs

Jo

[watson01]

Hi Udkas

Take a look at this link http://www.myelitis.org/tm.htm it discusses the causes of transverse myelitis and how it may be associated with MS or other diseases.  I believe that with TM the neurological symptoms are associated with inflammation of a specific region of the spinal cord and symptoms develop very quickly over several hours to weeks.  The symptoms do not come and then go away as is typical with MS suddenly but are accute in nature.  Patient's with TM may have partial or complete paralysis of the spinal cord below the level of spinal cord injury.   TM can be triggered by many diseases including viruses, bacterial infection, MS, lupus or the cause may be unknown and called ideopathic TM.  However, people who develop a single attack of TM have a greater chance of developing MS, somewhere between 15-80%.  

DId your neurologist do MRI's of your head and spinal cord to see if MS type lesions where present?  Did he order a lumbar puncture to analyze your CSF to rule out/in infection as the possible cause of your TM?  What are your sypmtoms now?  How are you feeling?

Dawn