My friend contracted TM on January 2nd 1998. The following are the
answers to your survey questions. Its been really interesting
reading the replies and hopefully something may come out of it.
Re: health before tm?
#1----age at onset? 35 years old
#2----stress level?high
#3----vertebrael injuries sustained prior to onset of tm? No
#4----vaccinations within 24 months prior to tm?None
#5----any flu-like illnesses preceding onset of tm?Pneumonia
#6----any rash prior to tm?No
#7----ever live and/or work close to any possible health risk,such as,
an oil refinery,chemical plant,pesticide usage,etc? Frequent travel in
Aircraft. Perhaps 6-10 flights a week. (Air filtration, Air conditioning?)
Within 24hours he had lost all feeling in his legs up to his chest
and could not move them and ended up on a ventilator for 10 days.
His hands he could only move very weakly. Through steroid treament,
and lots of hard work at physiotherapy and being incredibly
positive and determined he has regained a good level of feeling
everywhere, the girdle feeling has more or less gone, his hands are
strong again and he can move himself in and out of his wheelchair
quite well, he can move his legs a bit, and in the past week has
managed to stand alone for up to 30mins even though he can't walk yet.
He still has not gotton full control of bowel and bladder, still has
pain in his hands and spasms in his legs. I have not heard anyone mention
acupuncture for pain relief but he has found that it helps his
hands. All in all he continues to improve and almost daily seems
to achieve something new, for example next weekend he will spend his
first night at home.
I would like to thank everyone so much for your replies when I first
contacted the list as I can't reply to everyone individually. Just
through being on the list I have learned so much about this illness
that I've been able to pass onto him as he needed it.
Best Regards,
Susan.