<< To the TM List group:
Well here is an unusual situation. I am a 30 year old male physician, a
radiation oncologist (I treat cancer patients with radiation), in Ontario,
Canada. In fact I specialize in treating brain tumors. This past October I
developed acute TM with left sided paralysis. Despite all my knowledge of the
nervous system and brain tumors I had not read about this entity. Though I
was partially paralyzed with my left side affected, I have made a good
recovery. I will return to my patients in January. I too have many sensory
symptoms which are largely feelings of cold (ice cubes) on the left side. My
biggest problems are generalized weakness and muscle spasms.
The hallmark symptom of myelitis is persistent fatigue. This usually
improves over time...though I understand it can take many months. Just talking
about it makes me sleepy! I was initially ill in September with an unusual
viral illness with severe headache and muscle aches. The myelitis progressed
over the following few weeks until I become partially paralyzed (my left leg).
One of explanations of the etiology of this disease is an "autoimmune
phenomena" ie the body's immune system attacks it's own self. The most
plausible theory is the following: A viral infection stimulates an immune
response by your body. Your body makes antibodies against specific antigens
(proteins) specific (on the surface) to the invading virus. Normally your
body destroyes the viral particles that become attached to the antibodies.
However, in the case of ATM, the antigens on the viral particles are very
similar to proteins in the nervous system. The antibodies made by the body do
not discriminate between virus or self. Therefore, your immune system attacks
both.
I appreciate the unusual nature of this illness and the fact that so many
medical professionals know very little about it. It is important that those
affilicted have a good neurologist and a rehab physician (physiatrist). As I
have discovered, vigorous exercise does not = vigorous recovery. A very
moderate exercise program geared to maintain muscle tone and cardiovascular
fitness is best. I have found swimming and using a recumbent bicycle best for
me though I would recommend an individual exercise/ physiotherapy program be
devised for all those afflicted. Most people afflicted have good recovery
over time. Of course there are extreme cases. A minority have a risk of
developing MS however many of those patients are clearly identified at their
initial presentation.
I hope this helpful to some of you. I'll try to monitor the chats from time
to time.
Best of luck to all you,
>>
Thanks for the post, Chris. As a sufferer of both ATM and Guillain-Barre
Syndrome (six years apart) I can tell you that I've researched these issues
from both angles. They are nearly identical syndromes in many instances and,
also in many instances, both causally linked to recent (upper respiratory)
infection, virus, vaccination (flu, mmr, etc.) or surgery.
Please do let me know what sources I might look to that compare the two, if
they are readily accessible to you.
Best regards,
Kevin O'Connor, BA, JD
Morristown, NJ
OCONNOR444(AT)AOL.COM