Transverse myelitis and multiple sclerosis – how are they connected?

Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological condition caused by inflammation in the spinal cord. In a similar way to what happens in multiple sclerosis (MS), the myelin, which is the protective coating around the nerve fibres, becomes damaged. This disrupts the communication pathways between the brain and the rest of the body.

This can cause a range of symptoms which can cross over with those of MS, including numbness and tingling, muscle weakness, bladder and bowel problems and mobility issues.

There are various causes of transverse myelitis, such as infections, immune system disorders, and even conditions such as MS, of which it can be an early sign of. One of the differences in that in MS, the immune system attacks the myelin in the brain and spinal cord, while in transverse myelitis, the inflammation is focused on a particular area of the spinal cord. Most people affected by TM will have only one attack.

My transverse myelitis experience

 Here, Becki Eccles explains her journey with transverse myelitis

October 2020 age 31, I woke up one morning with my left side completely numb, both legs numb, tingling, cramping and in intense pain, I had no idea what was happening. I tried to walk it off but by that evening it was traveling across my torso and chest.

We were seven months into a lockdown so getting a doctor’s appointment was difficult. Eventually a doctor did responsive tests and found I was not responding to touch, so they sent me straight to hospital.

After having several tests and an MRI, the neurologist diagnosed me with transverse myelitis. Reviewing my MRI results, they said there was a lesion on my spine. I also tested positive for Covid. I had no symptoms of Covid, however, transverse myelitis can start from a viral infection.

I left hospital after two days under the promise I would go straight back if I felt worse. My husband was amazing. I felt weak, confused, and in pain.

My balance was obviously affected. Around the house I would rest on furniture, outside I would use a walking stick, but couldn’t walk more than 10 minutes at a push. I spent the best part of four months resting on the sofa. Eventually by end of January/start of February 2021 I started getting some feeling back in my legs and torso. My feet remained numb and painful for a long time.

Daily tasks became challenging, I had no grip or strength on my left side. My legs were weak, and standing for any longer than five minutes was hard work. Showering was my worst task, as I had no feeling and on a wet surface. It was challenging.

I saw my neurologist again in that February. They were pleased I hadn’t got worse and encouraged me to do exercises and slow walks as best as I could. He settled on me being sent every year for spine and brain MRIs, to monitor how things were going.

My recovery that following year had its highs and lows. I had days of feeling great and days where moving was like having thousands of pins in me. I had extreme tiredness and feelings of loss and hopelessness. I tried to keep focused and thanked God every day that I was able to recover at home and keep focused on walking my little dog for 10 minutes a day.

A turning point

April 2023, aged 34, I saw a new neurologist who looked at my latest MRI and found two lesions on my spine and one on my brain. This came as a shock as I didn’t have any new symptoms and I’d been living with the symptoms from October 2020. This was a real turning point for me. I went straight to my doctors. They referred me to my local gym, and I made lifestyle changes. I became more determined than ever to beat this.

Where I am now

In February 2025, age 36, four years after the initial onset, I have mobility, but also loss of sensation in parts of my body, predominantly on the left side, arm, leg and chest. My face can become numb very quickly and my feet go numb, but nowhere near as bad as when it first started. I no longer need a stick. I have days where I feel amazing and days where I am very tired, so my daily life with the symptoms is improving.

I have to say this was the worst time, yet the best time in my life. It changed me physically, emotionally and mentally. I now see the joy in all the small daily chores, that we take for granted. I thank God every day for his love and provision over my life, and my amazing husband Rob and my little dog Vivian.