Hello. You're right that this is awonderful place to get much
needed emotional support.
I have a lesion at C5-C6 and a slightly bulging disk there too. My
symptoms are almost identical to yours, especially what you said about
walking. My neuro said I definitely have transverse myelitis. It sounds
like there is enough information to diagnose you with tm. MS is a different
story. My neuro said she can usually diagnose MS based on the patient's
report of symptoms. The best way to be sure is to have a MRI of the brain.
Sometimes the course of tm involves periods of getting worse. It is
scary, you don't know what the future holds. But really, there was never
any guarantee in life before this came along. Don't stress about what might
happen. I tried that and got nowhere. Take it one day at a time. When
you're feeling down, talk to friends or family or send this group an e-mail
that you're feeling bad and believe me they will respond and make you feel
better. It is amazing how mere e-mail can do that but I have found out that
it can firsthand. Illness can affect you as much mentally as physically but
you can win the mental battle. Be as positive as you can but allow yourself
periods of feeling down. This is quite an adjustment to be forced to make.
Good luck and keep in touch.
Susan
>I found this group about a month ago and have been reading the mail. This is
>a great forum and see you offer a lot of support to eachother. I may have
>myelitis, I don't know, but I am hoping someone may be able to shine a little
>light on my problem. I would be grateful if anyone can offer some help.
>
>I had a lesion show on my MRI at my 7th vertabrae. I have been having
>numbness and pins and needles in my legs since Feb-98. First it began only
>after walking for a distance, but it is pretty much present all of the time
>now. I also started getting the same sensations in my arms. My neurologist
>told me when I saw him after the MRI that it may be myelitis. Of course, I
>had no idea what it was. He also discussed MS but said he did not think I
>had MS. I went to see him again yesterday (about a month later), and he said
>he cannot say whether or not I have myelitis, but that the cervical lesion
>could be causing the arm problems. ( I should mention I have a slightly
>bulging disk which is what I thought, and may be the causing of my numb legs.)
>
>So, the deal is, I don't have some of the severe symptoms that I read some of
>you or your loved ones suffer with, and maybe the lesion is just there,
>hanging out and not causing any problems. I am frustrated and scared because
>he just doesn't seem to be able to tell me if I could have MS or myeletis, and
>if it my symptoms could get worse, better or the same (they have gotten worse
>since Feb, and that is part of what is scary -- why is it getting worse?.) I
>feel I am in this awful stage of limbo, not knowing what is going to happen or
>what to do. Has anyone else experienced this? He wants me to coordinate with
>and go to my regular Dr and see about getting on neurotin or zylotof. I have
>read some of you do take this. I also went today to see an acupuncturist.
>Has anyone done this with releif. I am so frustrated, scared, and feel
>alone.
>
>Nancy
>
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