hi, I m 42 years old male, recently diagnosed for idiopathic transverse myelitis. I’ve Type-2 Diabetic since 2007 and it’s well under control with Metformin.      I’ve been given steroids and Plasmapheresis twice to control my spinal chord inflammation. All the tests came negative for MS, NMO and all other known autoimmune diseases. This time CT Scan was done to check under the spinal chord cancer and that also came negative. All of my blood tests came negative.      First time, I was admitted in Valley Presbyterian hospital on Oct. 17th after they saw lesion in my spinal chord in MRI, I was tread for Transverse Myelitis with 5 dozes of steroids. I was discharged from the hospital and i was able to walk (no oral medicine was given).      I had 1st relapse after 2 weeks, i was transferred to Keck Medical Center of USC. This replace was very severe leaving my lower part of body below the chest area completely paralyzed, lost pain and temperature sensations.      I was treated with 5 dozes of steroids and oral medicine for 2 days but my condition was not getting better so the did 5 days treatment of Plasmapheresis. I was able to move my toes after the Plasmapheresis. I was shifted to rehab and after 7 days, i was able to walk with walker then cane and then without cane slowly (no oral medicine was given).      I had 2nd relapse after 1 month. Luckily we got on time and the condition did not go worse, after 5 days of Plasmapheresis treatment i was discharged on 24th Dec. and now i’m walking again without cane.      This time Dr. has put me on immunosuppressive Prednisone 40mg twice an day until the Azathioprine 50mg once a day kicks in. They will monitor my condition with blood tests to keep my immune system suppress.      It’s idiopathic transverse myelitis and they are not able to find out what triggered my immune system. they will try all the medicine to see which will help to keep my immune system suppress. I know the possible of side effects of weakening my immune system. I would appreciate your response to my question. Thanks in advance for taking time and looking into my request. Raza Waseer