In response to the question of transverse myelitis leading to MS, I would
like to refer to an article which I received from the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (ph #
800-352-9424) entitled Relapsing Transverse Myelitis from the Dept of
Neurology, University of Maryland, May 1991.
Their study looked at patients who had recurring ATM symptoms. Since ATM is
considered a "monophasic" disorder (you only get it once) they were looking
at these patients as having the possibility of MS or other Central Nervous
Symptom diseases.
The authors state 4 other findings, from 1963 to 1981, as to the percentage
of patients who will develop MS after ATM. They list those percentages as
6.0, 2.9, 8.2, 1.6, with a mean of 4.7%.
In the authors discussion of whether these patients are suffering from
relapsing transverse myelitis or MS, they state that this group does suffer
from a "relapsing demyelinating disease" and needs to be followed closely to
see if they lead to MS.
As I have said previously, I was diagnosed in 1963 with ATM, and for the last
4 years I have been displaying symptoms of MS. My last two neurologists have
diagnosed me as "probable" MS as I shall all the signs but I have no hard
evidence - lumbar puncture is normal, MRI (I have had a few) is normal, and
lots of blood tests have been normal, its not Lyme Disease, etc...
My symptoms are different all the time but I do have some recurring themes -
optic neuritis, muscle spasms throughout my body, pain/tingling in my
hands,feet, and face, spaciness, eyes become foggy, trouble with my
balance... One day my leg will be tingling from the knee down, another day
half of my head will tingle - everything is constantly changing.
I have always dragged my right foot but it has become much worse over the
last 2 months. My muscles seem fine but my leg does not want to listen to me
and I trip. I have worn out three pairs of shoes in the last few months. I
live on antibiotics as I have recurring urinary tract infections and have
been self catherisizing for the last 3-4 years.
I also experience some cognitive difficulties such as finding the right word
to use during a conversation, forgetfullness, looking at common objects and
not remembering what they are called. My periods of remission have diminished
to having an attack/s (excaberations) to a daily basis. It has made me change
my life and fatigue continues to be a major problem.
I hope some of this help someone. This forum has become very important to me
as many of you have/are experiencing similar feelings, frustrations, sadness,
and hope.
Thank you for your time.
Al
Sarasota, FL