First Time

Fal145(AT)aol.com
Sat, 21 Feb 1998 20:20:25 EST

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the Internet but I've had TM for 12 years. This is the first time
I've been able to find any current information. Thank you.
My TM began as a numb spot on my upper right leg. The numbness travelled down
my right leg into the foot and then started to follow the same route in my
left leg. I tried to ignore it at first thinking that it would just go away.
The numbness was accompanied by pinching sensations and my legs would just
jerk without warning. When the numbness travelled up toward my chest I got
really scared. Walking became very difficult. I felt as though I was
dragging my legs around with me. I finally contacted a doctor. After an
examination he told me there was nothing wrong with me physically and maybe I
should see a psychiatrist because he thought this was all in my head. The
next day I made an appointment with a neurologist, who told me he thought I
had MS. I got a second opinion. This neurologist sent me for an MRI of the
brain. When it came back negative I was sent for a spinal tap and myelogram.
My spinal fluid showed abnormalities and the neurologist diagnosed TM. He
told me it might go away all by it self or I might stay the way I was. That
was the end of that. My family doctor left the area and I was passed on to
his replacement. She told me I had to just learn to live with the myelitis,
but she could give me no other information. I began falling on a pretty
regular basis. Finally I sprained my ankle. At this point I begged for help.
I was sent back to the neurologist and had several more MRIs that all came
back normal. He determined that I has MS even though the MRIs were clear. He
started me on amitriptiline and baclofen. I began getting severe headaches
from the medicine. I wasn't satisfied so I went to see a neurologist who
specialized in MS. He determined that I didn't have MS, but TM. He told me
to continue the amitriptiline and changed the dosage on the baclofen. The
side effects were intolerable. We tried dantrium, but my legs got too weak
from it. I've now taking zanaflex for the past 7 months. The only side
effect I've noticed so far is drowsiness. Thanks for listening. I look
forward to hearing from you.
Linda