>
>
> >>> Roger Pratt <rogerp(AT)cyberspace.org> 05/28 3:15 PM >>>
>
> I've had TM for 4 years and although my progress is much slower now
> that it was early on, I refuse to give up. You need to be thankful
> for any progress, however small and enjoy life to the fullest.
>
> **Thanks Roger. I try. It just seems to be a bit of a 'catch 22.'
> Living life to the fullest, at least in the physical sense, seems to
> put progress back some. And I ask the next question, not in a
> depressed state, but rather to get a realistic assessment. . .after 4
> years, do you feel that you will ever be completely well? How severe
> is your TM?**
My main area of affiction is in my arms and hands. I've always been able
to walk, just not very far or very fast due to pain in my right foot and
fatique. By completely well, I think that I might get more functional,
but I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to work.
> > My numbness
and pain seems to intensify
when I get fatigued. But > sometimes it is worse for no apparent reason.
>
> **Amen. Do you seem to get fatigued more easily, too?**
Definitely. I'll get really tired and break into a sweat at the slightest
exhersion (by that I mean aerobic exercise, lifting weights, etc.) I've
given up thinking that I will mow the lawn again.
>
> On the advice of a neuologist I tried ibuprofen but it doesn't help
> much. I take Trivil at night (it lessens the pain and helps me
> sleep). I'm on Prozac, too, in the morning which helps me cope.
>
> **Ibuprofen doesn't really help me much either. That's why I thought
> I'd ask. The neurologist wants to prescribe amitriptyline, which is
> an antidepressant that has been, theoretically, shown to relieve
> spinal pain. Unfortunately, I tried the stuff once before and it
> caused all sorts of bad side effects like intense hot
> flashes/sweating, raised my blood pressure, made me agitated, etc.,
> etc., etc. It did not help me sleep, which it was supposed to do.**
>
> Hang in there.
> - Roger P :-)
>
> **I'm hanging! You too!
>
> Jane D.**
>
Thanks for writing back. As to Ann's comments, I haven't tried neuronten,
but have tried most other seizure meds. I developed allergic reactions to
them (rash, etc.) so my doctor has me on primadone for seizures. (Did I
mention that I developed seizures some two years before my tm attack?)
Right now I am focusing most on maintaining where I'm at and on having a
positive attitude. My best - Roger P :-)