[Emona]

#23231

Hello doctor, I am struggling with my condition and my spinal cord MRI report. I am a healthy 30 year old, without any exposure to chemicals, no previous medical history and no diabetes. I woke up 3 to 4 nights with muscle spasms, which I massaged for a while and it was gone, but I felt the pain for a few days. One night I felt, after a cramp, that I could not feel much pain. When I awoke in the morning my legs and toes where tingling and felt numb. My numbness was progressive and ascending for 4 more days, and reached until my breast. My neurologist did an MRI to rule out demyelination that says;
There was a couple of increased signals from my T2 to my pons and medulla. There are multiple areas of abnormal and high cord signals in the cervical cord (C2 and C3) on the dorsal side. Some mild diffuse increased signals at T1-2. There are further increased signals at T3, T6 and T7 (1 cm diameter). Some enhancement of cord lesion at T3 and T7. Incidental vertebral hemangioma at T9. Findings suspicious for demyelination, inflammatory myelopathy not excluded.
Now they are sending me for MRI of my brain. I feel very lost. I lost my job at the licensing office, I am very numb, and suggested not to drive. I do not have much coordination and walk with an unsteady gait. What impression do you get out of this? What does increase in signal in multiple vertebrates mean? One physician told me I might have transverse myelitis and another said perhaps it is leading towards multiple sclerosis. Please help!

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#23239

Transverse myelitis typically occurs at one level of the cord. Diffuse signal changes of the cord probably signal multiple sclerosis. Your symptoms (“I am very numb, and suggested not to drive. I do not have much coordination and walk with an unsteady gait”) fit with MS or with Gullian Barre syndrome (although MRI changes point more toward MS). The good news now is there are medications that can control these flairups and reduce the problems with this disorder. You need a diagnosis and confirmation of this disorder and then treatment.

Please keep the forum informed as you progress with diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Emona]

#23244

Thank you Dr. Corenman. I have been on a six day of IV steroid treatment and now could walk better, although I am still numb from chest to toes. I will keep you updated. Reading your answer gave me some comfort. I have a brain MRI and appointment with my neurologist. Thank you doctor.
Emona

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#23254

Please keep us informed of your progress.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#23255

Please keep us informed of your progress.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#23256

Please keep us informed of your progress.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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