Judi - Jake's fatique could be caused by both the TM and depression.
There is a very big connection between the mind and body, and depression
often occurs when the body has major problems. Also - Jake is having to
adjust to some really major stuff here. Anyway, after more than 18
months of myelitis fun, I also had to come to terms with the fact that I
was having big problems with depression. I am on zoloft, but it sounds
like you are not too crazy about meds. You might want to find a
counselor Jake can talk to. There are also some naturally occuring
anti-depressants - what they are escapes me at the moment. Please don't
discount the idea that he may be depressed. It is very hard to explain
to someone who has not been there. It is not just "feeling blue". For
me it was a general fatigue and apathy, and while I did not actively
plan suicide, I could not think of any particularly good reason to
continue living. It can be pretty dangerous. It can't hurt to have it
checked out - Ann
> ----------
> From: Johnnie DeGrand[SMTP:jdegrand(AT)up.net]
> Sent: Friday, June 12, 1998 5:01 AM
> To: Johnnie DeGrand; Doc; Judi(AT)fuse.net
> Cc: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: JAKE
>
> Also wanted to let you know that Jake's original Doc, Dr. Mark
> Splainguard, was very helpful and informative, and gave us much of the
> info that we later got fromthis list regarding symptoms and treatment.
> However, we left that hospital really thinking that Jake's main
> problem would be living from a wheelchair....but the main problem as
> you all know, are the other symptoms...fatigue, pain, etc. That is
> what the Doc's don't get. Judi
>
> ----------
> From: Johnnie DeGrand <jdegrand(AT)up.net>
> To: Doc <doc09(AT)fuse.net>; Judi(AT)fuse.net
> Cc: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: JAKE
> Date: Friday, June 12, 1998 7:44 AM
>
> Doc, Thanks for your reply, however I do already have that info
> printed out and the Doc has read it, etc,etc. But you see, they think
> that all these symptoms can be "fixed" by meds, and they can't. The
> meds just cause others problems and they have never given Jake relief
> from pain or fatigue...so right now we do not have Jake on meds, just
> a combo of Grape seed extract and pine Bark and Red Wine
> extract....they think I'm goofy. They also think (like others have
> been complaining) that the fatigue is caused by deprssion and want to
> give him anti'depressants or some such thing. I don't believe his
> fatigue is caused by depression but rather that he has only 1/4 of his
> body working....if I walk for 5 miles my arms and back and shoulders
> are helping my legs...if he wheels for 5 miles he just has his arms he
> has no muscle help from his nipples down. I think I will go thru the
> archives and print out a select few of lpostings that offer symptoms
> and testimonies to fact that meds have not really helped. Thanks
> again. Judi
>
> ----------
> > From: Doc <doc09(AT)fuse.net>
> > To: Judi(AT)fuse.net
> > Cc: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> > Subject: JAKE
> > Date: Friday, June 12, 1998 3:06 AM
> >
> > Judi:
> >
> > Rather than go into my own anecdotal rambling
> > your questions are probably best answered at
> > http://www.myelitis.org/tm.htm. First click on
> > the item related to "Symptoms etc." and then
> > on "Medical and Rehabilitation Treatment".
> > Print them out and give to the supposed learned
> > folks. If they have more questions tell them to look
> > us up. Not to leave anyone out but I'm confident
> > that Jan, Phil, Gunny and I can fill in their blanks.
> > Just tell them that (we have individuals in the group
> > who have more experience with TM than they are
> > old <g>. Yes, I'm not happy with the medical
> > profession or social workers who think they know
> > all about all. I get on my soapbox another time.
> > You may want to read some of our stories and
> > pick one or two to take to the Doc. The Q regarding
> > the difference between TM and someone who is a
> > para from a wreck can only depends on the severity
> > of the injury is it a total or only partial transection of the
> > cord or is it just bruised. Symptoms vary. Remember that
> > with TM there is a swelling at some point in the cord
> > T5-6 in Jakes case. When the swelling occurs the cord
> > is compressed and the microscopic fibers within the cord
> > are damaged and many are broken. The reason that our
> > symptoms vary is that there is some regeneration of these
> > fibers but there is no way to insure that the broken ends will
> > reconnect as they were. I saw recovery for 18 months. In
> > general another person with a T5-6 injury could have similar
> > symptoms. Finally, after the Doc does his reading and is not
> > willing to learn more, I think we might be able to find a hammer
> > between us and you can pound it in to his head if it is not too
> > thick.
> >
> > Good Luck..Hope this helps
> >
> > Doc
> >
>
>
>
>
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