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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of transverse myelitis usually develop rapidly over a period of hours. Less commonly, signs and symptoms progress over several days or even weeks. Typical signs and symptoms include:
- Pain. Pain associated with transverse myelitis often begins suddenly in your neck or back, depending on the part of your spinal cord that is affected. Sharp, shooting sensations may also radiate down your legs or arms or around your abdomen.
- Abnormal sensations. Some people with transverse myelitis report sensations of numbness, tingling, coldness or burning below the affected area of the spinal cord. You might notice that you're especially sensitive to the light touch of clothing or to extreme heat or cold. You may feel as though the skin of your chest, abdomen or legs is being wrapped by something tight.
- Weakness in your arms or legs. Some people with mild weakness notice that they're stumbling, dragging one foot or that their legs feel heavy as they move. Others may develop severe paralysis.
- Bladder and bowel problems. These problems include an increased urinary urge, difficulty urinating and constipation.
Other signs and symptoms may include:
- Muscle spasms, especially in your legs
- Headache
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
When to see a doctor
Call your health care provider if you experience any signs or symptoms such as weakness in your arms or legs, pain, changes in sensation, or problems with bowel or bladder function. Disorders of the spinal cord can be serious, so be sure to have your condition checked out promptly.
Having transverse myelitis can significantly impact your ability to perform activities you enjoy or even daily tasks, which may cause you to become depressed. If you have been experiencing symptoms of depression, such as a feeling of hopelessness and a lack of interest in things that you normally enjoy, ask your doctor to refer you to a mental health professional. Depression is treatable.
- Transverse myelitis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm. Accessed Nov. 1, 2008.
- Eisen A. Disorders affecting the spinal cord. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 1, 2008.
- Kerr D. Transverse myelitis. In: Johnson RT, et al. Current Therapy in Neurologic Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: C.V. Mosby; 2001. http://www.scribd.com/doc/2581918/KerrCurrent-therapy-chapter-with-figures. Accessed Nov. 1, 2008.
- Petti CA. Molecular diagnosis of central nervous system infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 1, 2008.
- Acute transverse myelitis. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch224/ch224b.html. Accessed Nov. 1, 2008.
- Weinshenker BG, et al. Neuromyelitis optica IgG predicts relapse following longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Annals of Neurology: 2006;59:566.
- Jacob A, et al. An approach to the diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis. Seminars in Neurology. 2008; 28(1):105.
- Weinshenker BG [expert opinion]. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct 6, 2008.
