Different neurologists say different things. Mine have said that TM
is a one-shot occurrence. Others on this list have been told the
opposite!!
As for the relationship between TM and MS, I have been told the
following:
If one defines MS as a huge circle, then TM is a dot within that
circle.
If one is more stringent with the definition of MS, then TM falls
outside the now smaller circle.
In terms of distinguishing MS from TM, with TM you should see an area
of spinal cord inflammation. MS could show lesions in the brain or
spinal cord.
I am not a doctor, so any of the above can be questioned!!
Bob Spielman
> Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997
00:31:58 -0500
> From: ian fellows <ianf(AT)interlog.com>
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: Transverse myelis and MS
> Reply-to: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Two years ago my brother, at age 30, was admitted to emergency after
> experiencing sudden numbness in his feet and legs. He was in the
> hospital for about 5 days and given an MRI, spinal tap etc. He was able
> to walk but with great difficulty. He was then released and spent a week
> home from work. His condition improved, although his improved gait had
> much to do with becoming accostomed to the numbness. After a few months
> he had recovered about 95%n although still felt some numbness in his
> feet.
>
> The neurologist diagonised him with transverse myelitis.
> Two weeks ago, I his sister, at age 30 developed numbeness in my hands
> and feet over a period of a few days. The symptoms increased and I
> passed out on a streetcar from the numbness and weakenss. I was
> admitted to Emergency and they could find nothing wrong with me. My
> blod tests, pulse, reflexes etc. were all fine. The doctor mentioned
> Gullian-Barre due to the increasing nature of the numbness, but had
> little else to say.
>
> The symptoms from that point on did not increase but I also acquired
> numbness in my face, and on one day, a muscle spasm in my left shoulder
> for 15 min. and then later in the day for 1/2 hr.
>
> I had an appt. with a neurologist about 10 days after the streetcar
> incident, and he did various manual tests incl. reflexes, vision,
> balance, pulse, etc. and said my results were completely normal. I told
> him about my brother and he said there was no connection. In my case,
> it was due to stress (something I had told him I had been under an
> extreme amount lately). When I pressed him and asked him about the
> possibility of MS, he said he didn't think it was at all probable. Even
> if it turned out to be MS, which he thought highly unlikely, there was
> nothing further to be done right now but watch and wait. He did
> acknowledge, upon my questioning, that transverse myelitis was often
> the intital diagnosis for MS. But he advised no further tests and told
> me to see my family doctor. I could call him if I wanted to
> re-evaluate.
>
> >From what I have heard about MS, it is very common for a doctor to tell
> you that your symptoms are simply due to stress. Since it ususally
> takes time and 2 or more separate attacks on the nervous symptom to
> diagonose, I wonder if this is a standard line? Is this what doctors
> say when they can't make a diagnosis? I am also interested to know what
> the connectiosn are between MS and transverse myelits? Is transverse
> myelitits strictly a one time occureence? IF not, what is to
> distinguish TM from MS other than only one attack has occurred?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Susan
>