RE: interferon

Lindstrom, Ann (Ann.Lindstrom(AT)octel.com)
Mon, 6 Apr 1998 08:37:36 -0700

Christi - This is how I understand it (others correct me if I am wrong).
In adults, spinal cord tissue, including myelin, does not regenerate.
If the myelitis attack is severe, the inflamation can damage the
underlying nerves in the spinal column. Whether the damage is just to
the myelin, or includes the underlying nerves, the degree of recovery is
based on the ability of the body to re-route the nerve impulse paths to
healthy areas. My lesion is now considerably smaller, but still shows up
on an MRI. I am mobile, but the nerves are still "short circuiting",
causing numbness and tingling.

> ----------
> From: WREZN8R[SMTP:WREZN8R(AT)aol.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 06, 1998 8:22 AM
> To: JHarper33(AT)aol.com FTrascritt(AT)aol.com tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: interferon
>
> Hi everyone. I'm curious. do the lesions on the spine always heal but
> the
> myelin doesn't grow back causing problems? My brother's MRI seems to
> have
> improved but a lesion to a lesser degree is still there. do some
> lesions never
> heal?
> I've also noticed that people in the group say they have TM even
> though the
> initial attack was months or years ago. do you always have TM (or just
> according to the ins. co.)? When a person is able to mobilate, do they
> consider the TM to be gone? or when the MRI shows no lesions? I know
> this is
> technical but I'm still unsure of the terms and the lingering damage
> to the
> body. I hope this is understandable.
> Hope everyone had a great weekend!! Christi
>