Frank, most of my problems are from spinal lesions, which for me, was first diagnosed as Transverse Myelitis (immediate) and/or probable MS.

Once we’ve had two of these type of TM attacks, OR they find brain lesions too, the TM dx will normally change to MS (or possibly even Devic’s disease, if it is only spinal lesions + ON).

TM, can happen for no cause too (idiopathic), but as many as 80% of the people dx with TM are eventually dx with MS. The reason I am telling you this is because TM (or spinal lesion attacks from MS, however you want to look at it), are an entirely different kettle of fish, as far as the progression of an attack, prognosis, symptoms, and treatment options.

“TM symptoms develop rapidly over several hours to several weeks. Approximately 45% of patients worsen maximally within 24 hours. The spinal cord carries motor nerve fibers to the limbs and trunk and sensory fibers from the body back to the brain. Inflammation within the spinal cord interrupts these pathways and causes the common presenting symptoms of TM which include limb weakness, sensory disturbance, bowel and bladder dysfunction, back pain and radicular pain (pain in the distribution of a single spinal nerve).”

“Transverse myelitis may occur in isolation or in the setting of another illness. When it occurs without apparent underlying cause, it is referred to as idiopathic. Idiopathic transverse myelitis is assumed to be a result of abnormal activation of the immune system against the spinal cord. . . The list of illnesses associated with TM includes . . . Multiple Sclerosis.”

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

As far as treatments, some neuros might suggest using steroids, however, for THIS TYPE OF ATTACK, to date there has been no clinical trials that have even investigated whether steroids alter the course of inflammation. I don’t want to get into a debate here & now about that . . . but I will send you a link (by PM) that you might want to follow up to get a better understanding of what is going on with you right now, and what your options are.

This government TM site can provide you some very valuable information too (and also mentions the "no clinical trials for this type of attack") detail as well. Most TM sites that I've read say the same thing actually.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/t...s.htm#41903234

I guess the point I want to stress is that spinal lesion attacks are very, very different than brain lesion one’s. It is most worthwhile for you to understand the differences.

Cherie