Signs and symptoms of transverse myelitis usually develop over a few hours to a few days and may sometimes progress gradually over several weeks. Transverse myelitis usually affects both sides of the body below the affected area of the spinal cord, but sometimes there are symptoms on just one side of the body. Typical signs and symptoms include:  Pain. Transverse myelitis pain may begin suddenly in your lower back. Sharp pain may shoot down your legs or arms or around your chest or abdomen. Pain symptoms vary based on the part of your spinal cord that's affected. Abnormal sensations. Some people with transverse myelitis report sensations of numbness, tingling, coldness or burning. Some are especially sensitive to the light touch of clothing or to extreme heat or cold. You may feel as if something is tightly wrapping the skin of your chest, abdomen or legs. Weakness in your arms or legs. Some people notice heaviness in the legs, or that they're stumbling or dragging one foot. Others may develop severe weakness or even total paralysis. Bladder and bowel problems. This may include needing to urinate more frequently, urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating and constipation. 
signs symptoms transverse myelitis develop hours days may progress gradually weeks  transverse myelitis affects sides body affected area spinal cord  symptoms just side body  typical signs symptoms include:  pain  transverse myelitis pain may begin suddenly lower back  sharp pain may shoot down legs arms chest abdomen  pain symptoms vary based part spinal cord that's affected  abnormal sensations  people transverse myelitis report sensations numbness  tingling  coldness burning  especially sensitive light touch clothing extreme heat cold  may feel tightly wrapping skin chest  abdomen legs  weakness arms legs  people notice heaviness legs  they're stumbling dragging foot  may develop severe weakness total paralysis  bladder bowel problems  may include needing urinate frequently  urinary incontinence  difficulty urinating constipation
transverse myelitis