This morning I had a tight band across my back, right at the braline, and one of those cramps in my esophagus. I'm beginning to believe that I've got a lesion at the brastrap in the back - it's numb from that point down.

Those of you who have lesions in the spine, what symptoms does that cause?

Hi Jen,

As you probably know I have mostly spinal lesions. The majority of my symptoms are from the waist down with my legs being the biggest issue through the years.

I am wondering if you might be experiencing "the hug" or spasms.

Numbness is a sensory symptom. With my first exacerbation I was numb from the waist down.

I'm not sure I really answered your question

OH, YUCK! I hate that. I truly am not sure of the answer to your question.

I have had a similar experience with the cramping along the bra line. In fact, I have it most of the time. It is a daily thing for me. But I do have lesions in my spine.

It won't hurt to give your neuro a call about this. There may be something going on.

I'm not sure anybody can answer it for sure... not without an MRI! One of my first symptoms was numbness in multiple areas - numbness on the right side, especially. I thought that was brain-related, but it's odd that the numbness starts exactly at the bra line on my right side, and tapers off at the lumbar region. My legs act up on me too, especially my right one.

I've got another appointment with my neuro in May, so I've decided to put up with most of this. All he does when I tell him about symptoms is go 'Hmm' and rap me in various locations with a rubber hammer. If this spasticity thing keeps going, though, I might have to get something for it.

Even an MRI won't tell all. I just had this discussion with my neuro the other day. Lesions on the spine are difficult to detect. This was only my 3rd visit to this neurologists office and I see his NP. She's wonderful. I was asking her about lesion sites and was telling her that I know I have lesions in my spine based on symptoms (as I had been told by old neuro). We had a long discussion on the tricky little lesions as well as the Radiologist who reads the MRI's. We don't have a choice on who reads our MRI's. As with neuro's, there are good radiologists and there are bad ones.

Additionally, don't wait that long! I just got my hand slapped a little the other day for waiting too long and was told the effects it could have. As I joked with a few fellow board members, I need therapy to LEARN how to be a hypochondriac. LOL

I have lesions on my spine and my brain. The ones on my spine effect my legs mostly - my Neuro said that is what is causing my balance and gait problems. My right leg and torso has gone numb within the last 48 hours. My right side seems to be the side that is always affected when I have a flareup. My right hand/arm has been numb since October 2007. It's definitely better because I can write more legibly but it's far from being 100%.

I have also begun to have RLS symptoms. Like clockwork my legs get that strange feeling in them around 8 PM and by the time I'm ready to go to bed my legs are "ready to rumble"! It's SO annoying to have to keep moving them - I tried not to once and the feeling will literally drive you out of the bed! I've been taking 600 mg of Neurontin before I go to bed but it doesn't seem to be helping much.

This is a very interesting thread for me. I am undiagnosed, but have been having symptoms off and on since 2000. In 2006, a few small hyperintensities showed up on my brain. This past fall, after having another "episode" of increased symptoms, I had new MRIs done. The brain remains unchanged, but the radiologist now said he saw some heterogenous hyperintesities from c4-c6, as well as possibly enhancing lesion posterior to c7-t1. (Of course, I'm paraphrasing here.)

So, I finally pushed for a referral to an MS specialist, and prepared (mentally)for a diagnosis. Well, the MS neuro could not identify these 'plaques on my cord, and felt it would be a good idea to redo the MRI at their facility. So, they were repeated, and reviewed by 2 radiologists. One felt that there was something there, the other didn't. So here I am...still in limbo...wondering if I'll ever get any answers.......

You know, I was thinking about posting something similar to this. I have lesions in my cervical spine and was told it causes problems from that area down. I've had occasional problems with neck/back pain and have taken steroids in the past. Over the last couple weeks, I've had really bad pains in my neck and upper back, between the shoulders. Also, there've been pains that I can't really call heartburn, not really a stomachache. Just pain. Is that anything like what you mean by "cramps" in your esophogus? All of this feels like constant muscle pulls. I haven't called my neuro, because I just can't take another round of 'roids right now. Too many residuals like bowell & bladder problems, which I have enough problems with already..And it compromises my immune system, which I don't need in the midst of cold and flu season (especially since where I work, there are a few people who pride themselves in coming to work no matter how sick they are..Loyalists..Geesh ). All this doesn't really answer your question, does it...So, yes, I have spinal lesions and yes, it's possible you do, too..Though only an MRI will say for sure (providing they're visible)..

Even and MRI is only and indication of what is goping on, my neuro was very quick to remind me recntly that the MRI only shows about 1/6hth of whats going on!

I have mostly spinal lesions (vs. brain), or at least I did the last time they looked. I don't go for regular MRI's, and haven't had one since 2003 . . . cause I know I have MS already.

If you do have spinal lesions, they don't appear to be causing you too much grief yet. They can reek SUCH havoc that the hug actually seems like a nice thing.

I wouldn't be too concerned unless other significant symptoms happen.

Cherie