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Spinal Cord - weakness vs numbness

In another thread, Quix mentioned that the "spinal cord is VERY rigidly organized, with certain data passing to or from the brain in a specific place.  For instance the motor neurons (causing our muscles to act) run in the Anterior Horns and the sensory data running always in the Posterior Horns.  Each of these groups of specific neurons run in their own 'column'."

This brings up a question for me.  Do some MS patients primarily experience muscle weakness, while other MS patients primarily experience sensory loss (such as numbness)?

Thanks.

(Here is the original thread...
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Sail-Away--Sail-Away/show/1250255)
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Avatar universal
Debs, thanks for your post, and I apologize for the delay in responding.

If I understand correctly, you started out with numbness in your legs, and weakness began roughly 11 years later.  So multiple sclerosis can present for quite a long time as numbness only.

(1)  May I please ask how much time passed before your unilateral leg numbness became bilateral numbness?

(2)  When did your brain MRI and spinal MRI first show lesions?  White matter?  Gray matter?

(3)  And were your LP test results normal before lesions were visible?

Many thanks.
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923105 tn?1341827649
Hi WAW,

When I was dx nearly 11 years ago now by the good old NHS, my Neuro told me that he thought it was 'benign' and said that the if it stayed that way ( due to lack of lesions) he hoped that it would stay only sensory - as that is the way the benign course follows!!

Now like i said this was the NHS who dx me, and he didn't want to put me on and form of DMD (due to the cost).  He never said that, but it was obvious.  For a Neuro to dx with a benign form of MS means that not obliged to put you on any meds !!!!!!  Good cop out.!! and cheaper for the NHS.

Fast forward.

I now have days where I can hardly walk, and a recent MRI showed that I now have lesions on my spine, the major one being on the T10, hence the reason for my numbness AND weakness in my legs.

So to sum it all up, I guess I have been fortunate over the last 11 years or so (sx before dx) but now it HAS progressed to something more life changing.

MS effects everyone differently, it has no set 'course'  This time last year I was second in downhill racing!!!, now I can't even stay on an even road, but hey.....

I have MS, but it doesn't have ME!!

Debs x

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Avatar universal
Yes, it helps quite a bit.  Thank you.  :)
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147426 tn?1317265632
The answer to your question is a simple yes.  Some people with MS have only sensory problems.  Some have only motor (muscular) problems and some (most) have a mixture.  Why this is, I certainly don't know.  It's part of the immense variation in the disease.

In general, having mainly sensory involvement is an indicator that the person is likely to have an easier time with the MS.  The motor stuff is more closely related to disability.

I have very little sensory involvement with the exception of R Trigeminal Neuralgia.  Almost everything else is motor - weakness, spasticity, RLS, incoordination.

All nerves have only one function.  They either carry command FROM the brain out to the body - these are mostly motor nerves and muchof the ANS,

The other ones carry information TO the brain from the body.  These are primarily the sensory nerves which inform the brain about the status of the body.

Does this help?

Quix
Helpful - 0
788554 tn?1257693252
Wow, you bring up some really good questions.  I understand what Q is saying about the organization of the spinal cord and specific areas.  Though I don't know what portion of the cord controls what.  And once again, I don't know but I would say that yes, depending on lesions location, it makes sense that if the lesion is located in the area that controls that function or sensation.  Sorry, for the loads of info.  

Hopefully, someone who knows more will jump in.  
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