> I'M CONCERNED THOUGH, BECAUSE THE DOCTORS AT
> THE HOSPITAL TEND TO BELIEVE THE TM CAME FROM A FLU SHOT SHE GOT IN LATE
> SEPTEMBER. SHE ALSO RECEIVED A TETENUS SHOT IN EARLY OCTOBER. AND TO TOP
> IT ALL OFF, SHE HAD A PACEMAKER INSTALLED LATE OCTOBER. IT WASN'T UNTIL
> MID NOVEMBER THAT HER LEGS GOT WEAKER AND FINALLY LOST FEELING.
> MY QUESTION IS, CAN A RAPID HEART BEAT BE AN ONSETTING SYMPTOM
> OF TM. I'M WONDERING IF SHE WAS MISDIAGNOSED WHEN SHE GOT THE PACEMAKER.
> THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT BECAUSE WITH IT AN MRI CANNOT BE DONE. IF IT'S
> NOT A SYMPTOM, THEN I SUSPECT THAT SHE WAS INFECTED DURING THE
> OPERATION.
> PLEASE HELP.
> PHIL
>
Phil,
Both flu shots and tetanus (sp?) shots have been suspected of causing TM. Most
neurologists (at least that I've heard about) seem to think it comes from some
stray virus. I've also wondered about the possibility of infection as I had a
biopsy about a month before the onset of TM and wondered if some germ got into
the bloodstream then. No one seems to know how to pin down the cause. One
neurologist told me that even if a dr. had been there and tested for
everything he could the day something started the wheels turning to result in
TM, they still wouldn't be able to pinpoint the cause since there are so many
variables and so many things we're exposed to. Since an MRI is out, what about
a myelogram? No fun, but it is another way to look at the spine.
Best wishes to you and your mom,
Barbara