New to List

Nora Probasco (nprobasco(AT)earthlink.net)
Fri, 15 May 1998 12:12:18 -0500

Hi, my name is Nora and I am new to the list. I was perusing the mail
list archives and noticed mention of treatments such as interferon for
use in TM. I had my attack with TM starting in Sept. of last year. I
also have another rare disease called Myasthenia Gravis, so my
neurologists (plural because I changed a few times) were treating me for
that. However, I was not really getting any better. Then one neurologist
sent me to physical therapy for a pinched nerve in my neck and that is
when I got worse. Per the doctor, they put me on traction, moist heat
and neck exercises. All the things I SHOULD NOT have done. Needless to
say, I got much worse. My then neurologist had a new neuro coming into
his office so he scheduled me with him to test me again to see if my
Myasthenia had generalized in my body.

Lucky for me, this new guy was GREAT! He immediately ruled out
Myasthenia and hospitalized me. He ran every test known to man on me
(MRI, CT Scan, Lumbar Puncture, blood tests, evoked potentials, single
fiber EMG, etc.). He gave me a diagnosis of Partial Transverse Myelitis
which could develop into MS (because of its partial presentation). He
and I talked and we decided to go at this disease aggressively. He
started me on 5 days of 1000 mg of methylprednisolone each day. I
improved markedly. Once out of the hospital, I started Avonex in a
weekly shot. This is Interferon-Beta-1a. So far I have seen some
improvement, but still have residual problems with walking, fatique (big
time!) and mental concentration problems.

I happened upon this list while searching the Internet for info on TM. I
was curious as to what other treatments are being offered for this
disease.

Nora Probasco