Developing Transverse Myelitis After Vaccinations

Vaccines provide many benefits for most people and the greater population in the United States. However, in rare cases, they can cause serious and permanent injuries like Transverse Myelitis.

Transverse myelitis is a neurological disorder triggered by inflammation in the spinal cord. In this article, we will explain how this condition can be caused by a vaccine, what symptoms to watch out for, and how you may be eligible for compensation from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program for this injury.

What is Transverse Myelitis?

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a neurological condition that is caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. When the spinal cord becomes inflamed, the insulation barrier around the nerve cells called myelin begins to break down.

The inflammation interrupts communications between the spinal cord nerves and the rest of the body. As a result, the nerve signals are interrupted or delayed. Common symptoms of transverse myelitis include numbness or paralysis throughout the body. Transverse myelitis is often triggered by a viral or bacterial infection, but in rare cases, it can be caused by a vaccine

What are the symptoms of Transverse Myelitis?

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the most common symptoms of Transverse Myelitis to watch out for after receiving a vaccination:

  • Pain. Some people with transverse myelitis experience pain in their lower back out of nowhere. Others suffer from a sharp pain that goes down their legs or arms, or around their chest or abdomen. The pain’s location will vary depending on where the spinal column is inflamed.
  • Abnormal sensations. If you have transverse myelitis, you may also notice strange sensations and feelings in your extremities, chest, and abdomen. Some people report sensations like numbness, tingling, coldness, or burning. You may also experience a sensitivity to touch or extreme temperatures.
  • Weakness in your arms and legs. Weakness (or numbness) in your extremities is one of the telltale signs of transverse myelitis. Some people notice a heaviness in their legs; others may stagger or develop weakness in their legs. In more severe cases, patients are partially or completely paralyzed.
  • Incontinence. People with transverse myelitis may be unable to control their bladder or bowel movements.

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, we recommend that you seek treatment as soon as possible.

In most reported cases of transverse myelitis, the symptoms occurred anywhere from several days to three months after vaccination, with the majority of patients experiencing only one episode of TM. However, some patients saw periodic recurrences in their symptoms and continued to experience nerve disruption for several years.

While patients are typically expected to recover from TM with few lasting problems, some will suffer permanent impairments that can affect their ability to perform self-care, earn a living, or live independently for the rest of their lives.

Which Vaccinations Trigger Transverse Myelitis?

Transverse myelitis has been associated with many different vaccines commonly administered to adults, infants, and children. Many people who experience this neurological vaccine injury received flu, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (TDaP), or Hepatitis B vaccinations.

Transverse myelitis is an autoimmune disorder, which means that it causes the body to attack its own cells. Many vaccines are designed to produce similar immune reactions with a live or dead virus.

While a vaccine can stimulate the immune system, it may also encourage the growth of T-cells that attack the myelin sheath, resulting in transverse myelitis.

What are the treatment options for Transverse Myelitis?

According to John Hopkins Medicine, common treatment options for transverse myelitis include:

  • Intravenous (IV) Steriods. Patients with TM often undergo IV steroid therapy for 3-5 days. Sometimes, this treatment helps reduce inflammation in the spinal column.
  • Plasma Exchange (PLEX) Therapy. If steroids don’t relieve the patient’s symptoms, they may receive a plasma exchange. This treatment is often more effective if it is given when the patient first experiences transverse myelitis symptoms.
  • Other Medication. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help with other symptoms related to transverse myelitis, including pain and nervous symptoms. 
  • Physical or Occupational Therapy. You may also undergo physical or occupational therapy for long term recovery.

Compensation Is Available for Vaccine-Related Transverse Myelitis

If you were diagnosed with transverse myelitis after receiving a vaccine and developed permanent symptoms that lasted for more than six months, you may be eligible for compensation from the national government through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

This federal program allows people to collect payment for vaccine injuries without the need to file a lawsuit against a doctor or pharmaceutical company. To qualify, injury victims must have received one of the covered vaccines and file a petition within three years of the onset of your transverse myelitis symptoms.

We recommend that you contact an experienced vaccine injury lawyer like Shannon Law Group, P.C. to discuss your options for filing a petition with the VICP. The VICP pays for your attorney’s fees, so hiring a lawyer to represent you doesn’t cost a thing.

Injured by a vaccine? We can help

If you or your child has been experiencing side effects after a vaccination, we would be happy to speak with you. Our attorneys have filed many claims in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on behalf of other vaccine injury victims.

To get started, call us at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form on the bottom of this page. Our consultations come at no cost to you, so there’s no downside to

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