Transverse Myelitis (TM)
What is Transverse Myelitis?
Transverse Myelitis (TM) is an autoimmune disorder that involves inflammation of the spinal cord. This inflammation causes damage or destroys the protecting material that covers the nerve cell fibers, or the myelin. The damage causes scars in the nervous system and thereby causes communication interruptions between the nerves in the spinal cord and the entire body.
Common symptoms related to Transverse Myelitis
A person suffering from TM is generally affected on both sides of the body underneath the affected area of the spinal cord but may be affected on only one side of the body and typically experience the following symptoms:
- Sudden lower back pain
- Sharp or shooting pain in the legs, arms, chest, or abdomen
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Stiffness
- Tightness
- Muscle Spasms
- Weakness in the legs or arms
- Feelings of heaviness in the legs
- Cold or burning sensations
- Sensitive to touch
- Difficulty with bladder and bowel movements
- Partial or total Paralysis
- Sexual dysfunction
- Depression or anxiety.