Introduction
Nicole Westmoreland (nicole(AT)dazel.com)
Tue, 29 Oct 1996 17:27:17 -0600
Hi, my name is Nicole Westmoreland and I am a twenty-six year old female. I
began having symptoms on August 27th of this year. I went to see a
chiropactor and she took some x-rays and sent me to the emergency room
(since it was Labor day weekend). My symptoms included numbness, pins and
needles, tingling, tightness, weakness and soreness in my right shoulder,
arm and hand. They begin one morning and three days later I was unable to
lift a glass with my right hand or write my name (I am right handed). I was
also extremely tired and slept about 10-14 hours each day during the first
three-four weeks. While at the chiropactor's office, she performed several
reflex tests and strength tests. My leg reflexes were very bizarre and I
could not even squeeze her hand. Both the chiropactor and the emergency
room doctor took x-rays and claimed I had a piched nerve or radiolopathy(not
spelled correctly, sorry) in C-6. I was given a 6-day dose pack of steroids
and sent home. I was told to follow-up with a neurologist if I was still
having problems in a week. Well, I was still having problems so about two
weeks later I went to see a neurologist. I was sent in to have an MRI of my
spine in the cervical area. The results came back! And, there was a lesion
of abnormal size in the C-2, C-3 area of my spinal cord. I was told
possible MS and sent out to have a MRI of my brain. Negative! Then, a
lumbar puncture was done and negative again! No medication was given to me
and I was told to go home and wait a month and then come back for another
MRI. Well, it has been two months since this began and this week I am
feeling O.K. and my arm seems to be a bit better, although not completely
healed by any means. I just had my second MRI of my cervical spinal area.
The lesion had gotten smaller but is still there and I was told to never
come back (to the neurologist) unless I begin to have symptoms in another
area. Well, my vision is blurry quite often now but I wear contacts and am
going to see an eye doctor to see if that helps. But, I am just a little
confused about what caused this and what to expect next. I was officially
diagnosed with cervical transverse myelitis but was told to read up on MS,
what does that mean? I was also told that my arm may not get completely
better and to stay away from hot baths, saunas, and that I may have problems
during the summer months (I live in the south so humidity is a big problem
around here). What should I expect? I have a lot of questions that have
been left unanswered. If you know how I can get information on transverse
myelitis please let me know! Thanks, I will now close my introduction.