My first experience was TM, and I as told it was either idiopathic or may turn out to be MS. There were left-over symptoms (after I recovered from paralysis) that went on for the next 12 yrs, but I never had another attack like what I had experienced previously. I thanked GOD every day, if that was what MS going to be like!

I too had a botched spinal tap. In the middle of the procedure, I flew out of the bed where I had been laying face down with my head propped up. They stopped the procedure and immediately took me up to the Brain Trauma Unit, where I spent the next week under round-the-clock observation. It was seriously touch and go . . .

Fast forward 12 yrs, and I had another "TM" attack. They waited to see if the same body parts/limbs would be effected, and when the paralysis creeped higher, and numbness went to my face this time, they knew they had the "space" (and time) that would verify MS.

I finally agreed to a MRI (I refused any more testing up till that point), and they found the original lesion in my T-spine, the new one in my C-spine, and three little ones in my brain. MS was confirmed.

TM can lead to a MS dx, or can be a stand alone problem. Spinal lesions are a whole different kettle of fish, even if it is MS, and my specialists have advised that there is no drug on the market that can influence them. If you had brain lesions, then perhaps the CRABs may be recommended, but it doesn't sound like you have evidence of brain one's anyway.

Basically, it's a waiting game for you now . . . until the next big or obvious attack. The LP may show O-bands, but that does not mean you have MS either. LP's are meant to rule out other illnesses, not rule in MS.

To be honest, from what you've said, it sounds like a MS dx might be inevitable. I would definitely ask if having O-bands will CONFIRM a dx of MS at this point in time anyway though. Why go through it otherwise?

Cherie