This is my first time posting here. I have not been diagnosed with MS. I started showing symptoms in May, being off balance. I also had pins & needles, numbness, etc in my hands & feet. I asked to have my B12 level checked & was severely deficient. My numbers are up to 500 now. In Sept. I suddenly went numb from the bra strap down on my right side. Then the back pain started. Horrible tightening and I still have it to this day. I get it mainly in the very middle, it starts as a pressure in the spine & eventually moves on to severe cramping & pain. It's every day but some days are better than others. Physical activity makes it worse. Sometimes I get it near my should blades. The numbness did go away but the pain remained. I now get a vibration that radiates down my right leg if I walk too much or too fast. My Dr suspected nerve issues from B12 and sent me to a neurologist. I had a lumbar MRI and EMG that both came back fine. So I then had some blood work done and an MRI of the cervical spine & brain. The brain showed lesions and the spine showed a possible lesion at the T2 area. I suspect there may be more in the middle of my back. My neurologist called to tell me he wants me to come in early to go over the results.

I know B12 deficiency can cause MS like symptoms, including lesions. So I am trying not to get too worried. What I would like to know is, for those that have spinal lesions, does the pain ever go away or is this permanent? It's painful just to run errands.

Thank you! I appreciate any feedback!
Stephanie

Hello Westgrl and welcome to NeuroTalk.

MS causes pain, abnormal sensations and a host of other symptoms...regardless of where lesions are located. Spinal cord lesions can cause symptoms/problems from that point down. I have cervical spinal cord lesions. I have never had pain at the site of the lesions nor am I able to feel where a lesion is.

There are symptom management medications that can help with some symptoms such as pain. It can be a trial and error to find the right medication or combination of medications.

Unfortunately, living with MS can sometimes mean learning to live with symptoms

Good luck with your Doctors appointment and please let us know how it goes

I have PPMS, and lesions from the brain down to and including the Thoracic spine, and no pain. I certainly don`t move properly, but no pain.

Spinal cord lesions are known for causing mobility problems.

Nice to "see" you Sleeper

Thanks for the responses. I went to see the Dr today. He said the lesions in the brain look to be more from my migraines. The spine was bothering him though so he ordered another MRI of my neck & thoracic spine with contrast. He mentioned MS several times. I let him know I was B12 deficient & that my numbers were 163 & now up to 505 but still working on getting them higher. I also told him that I was aware that if one is B12 deficient long enough, it can mimic symptoms of MS. He sort of blew this off as if it wasn't something to be considered which was a red flag. It's well documented and I am not ready to say it's the cause but I don't want him to be ready to say it's not the cause before even seeing more test results. I am not unwilling to accept a possible MS diagnosis as long as it's thorough. He also mentioned a spinal tap but wants to wait to see what the MRI shows, he also said that the spinal tap could show an indication of MS but even if it shows nothing that doesn't really mean anything.

My neurologist had heart surgery & so his colleague is taking over my case until he gets back, I am hoping he returns soon. I have to see a neuro-opthalmoloist because my eyes get blurry when my back hurts really bad. So, more tests and my back pain and the vibrations, etc continue.

Hi WG. If you go to a Neuro/Optho, they will no doubt be able to say whether you have MS or not. ON/blurry eyes are a sign of possible MS.

Good wishes!!

Hi Sally and thank you! Unfortunately, B12 deficiency can cause ON as well. When you are severely deficient, it causes demyelination and this is what causes the same symptoms of MS & causes so many to be misdiagnosed with MS when they really should just have their B12 levels checked. If caught early enough, it can be reversible once B12 levels are restored but if left long enough, you can develop permanent nerve damage.

I got the results of the new MRI. I have a lesion 5mm in length at the T4/5 of the thoracic spine, as well as some smaller ones in my cervical. There is also thinning of the cord at the one in the thoracic. This is right about where my pain is located. I'm going to try & locate another Dr who will take my B12 deficiency seriously since the current one isn't even willing to consider it. I am open to being diagnosed with MS but only if all other possibilities are considered.

I am also worried if this will be permanent or not. And not sure how the thinning of the cord affects things.

You are getting well checked by doctors. It takes a while usually to get an MS diagnosis.
B12 deficiency is not the only condition that mimics MS...there are other diseases with neuro ramifications. Keep looking, and I hope they give you something for pain. I didn't get a dx despite many symptoms until I had optic neuritis. As Sally said, this is often a first symptom to bring a diagnosis, partly because there are eye tests they can perform. The neuro-opthalmologist was the first doctor to dx me with MS.

I would have more confidence in the doctor if he didn't immediately jump to MS & blow off the fact that I am B12 deficient. When a doctor tells me it's impossible to be B12 deficient in this country, after I have already been diagnosed, it's time for a second opinion.