Spinal cord lesion on MRI- any advice?

[bobblegum]

I was referred for a neck MRI due to a strange burning/ shooting pain down my neck that comes and goes. The results showed a bit of wear etc in the discs but nothing major. There is also a small area on the spinal cord that looks like a lesion, possibly demyelination. This went urgently back to the GP with advice to refer for a brain MRI, which they have and I am now waiting on.

Some other symptoms I have had for the past 6 months are periods of muscle twitching (in large muscles of thigh, upper arm, palm, lip) that will be present on and off for a few days then stop and over the past month a very subtle reduced sensation in my lower leg and foot on one side, that feels a bit like there is less circulation to it. I also get a shooting burning pain from the ball of my foot up through my thigh on the same side, though that's been there for a while. I've had issues with sleep and some concerns about my memory for things like people's surnames, names of places/ restaurants but I have been putting this down to being in my mid 40s and perimenopause. All of these things have seemed like vague things that may not be a cause for concern but since the lesion is there, I'm now more worried. I'm basically healthy otherwise.

Can anyone advise on what should happen next and what I will need to do if there are lesions found in my brain (I am obviously really really hoping there are not)? I don't have a date for the MRI so trying to stay calm but knowing what my plan should be/ what to focus on next would help. Thank you.

Just bumping.

This sounds similar to what I have been through. I have transverse myelitis after my body reacting badly to the flu vaccine

Thanks so much for replying. Can I ask if you had similar symptoms? Did you have to have a brain MRI? And who gave you the diagnosis?

It sounds like they’re looking to see if there are further lesions which may indicate MS.

Thank you. Yes I think that is basically what they are doing. I’m wondering how urgently it should be done? I haven’t got an idea of when it will be yet but the last one took a few months. I had a look to see if there were any NHS guidelines but couldn’t find anything.

Mine was done as an inpatient, I have regular ones now to see if I have any further ones develop, none on my brain as yet but had further symptoms so waiting

You could consider having a private one if you don’t want to wait. In my area there are clinics offering brain MRIs for £200, normally an appointment within days and results within a week from a consultant radiologist.

Thank you. Yes I am waiting for them to confirm the likely waiting time and if it’s a couple of months again I will pay privately as it’s really hard not to worry.