Treatments

How is transverse myelitis treated?

Treatments focus on relieving the inflammation that is causing your symptoms. Your care team may use medications to suppress the activity of the immune system, relieve pain and help you recover.

First line treatment consists of intravenous steroids.

Some patients may require second line treatments such as plasma exchange/ plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG).

Living with transverse myelitis

For people with transverse myelitis, recovery varies, depending on the disease process, age, timeliness of treatment, among many other factors.

• One third of patients may have a full/nearly full recovery.
• One third have a partial recovery, with various levels of remaining symptoms.
• One third have minimal or poor recovery, living with significant physical disabilities.

Recovery often starts two to 12 weeks after you first have symptoms. A full recovery may take up to two years.