> Hello
>
> My name is Susan and I was diagnosed with TM in April of 1997. A few days
> before my attack, I had flu-like stomach pains and dizziness. Just after that
> occurred I started to have some numbness in my left arm. Two days later I was
> at work and in a few hours my left arm was usless. It then went to my right
> arm and my the muscles around my mouth. I thought I must be having a stroke.
> I am only 42. By the time I got to the emergency room, apparently my feet
> were numb as well because I could not feel the pins that the neurologist was
> sticking in me. After an MRI, he sent me to intensive care with what he
> thought was either Guillian-Barre or Transverse Myletis.
>
> The next neurologist did an immediate spinal tap and diagnosed me with TM.
> The second day I was put on heavy IV steriods. By the third day, I could not
> use either of my arms and could walk only a few steps with alot of help. No
> one had heard of this condition and I had interns, immunologists, nurses,
> phys. therapists and the like all quizzing me on what this was, where I had
> been, what had I been exposed to, ect.
>
> They guessed that this attack was born by a virus but they were never able to
> isolate it. I had been under a great deal of stress the previous two weeks. I
> was working twelve hour days, getting very little sleep, dealing with
> stressful situations at work -- and I had just put my Golden Retriever to
> sleep. I think my immune system just went on a holiday and the virus broke
> in. Whatever the case, it left its callling card.
>
> I was moved to a rehab facility the next week where I spent the next eight
> weeks.
> I was on steroids for the first three to four weeks. I think this may have
> been part of the reason for my extreme weakness -- perhaps steriod myopathy.
> Afer the steriods they put me on Klonapin, a drug that causes muscle weakness.
> Go figure. Anyway, I finally asked them to take me off everything. Once I
> was "drug-free" I started to improve. It may have been the timing or just a
> coincidence. Whatever the case, I was glad to get out of that wheelchair.
>
> A new neurologist suggested that I go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for
> another opinion. I went there in July. The swelling was in the Cervical area
> of my spine and in my lower brain stem. They called this encephalomyletis.
> Sort of a "catch-all" phrase. They told me that I had about a 10% chance of
> developing MS at that time. They gave me no idea about improvements or what
> to expect. No one seems to know the answer which is the most difficult part
> about this condition.
>
> I have not improved very much since about the second or third month of my
> illness. Stress definitely plays a major role in my condition. Even minor
> stresses, which most people don't even notice if healthy, can cause my
> symptoms to rear their ugly heads. I am shaky most of the time. I have
> tingling in my hands, feet and lower legs. I can't think or concentrate like
> I used to. I have a constant weak feeling in my legs and arms. Yesterday, I
> went to an event where we had applaud constantly. I found that I had to stop
> at about person number five. My arms were shaky and I did not have the
> strength to clap any more. My legs are similar. I can do only so much, and I
> start to feel like overcooked noodles. It is frustrating because I want to do
> so many things, and I constantly face the dilemma that I don't feel like it.
> Does anyone else out there have similar feelings?
>
> As I mentioned, it has been over a year. Just recently, I have had a
> significant downturn in my progress. I fear that it may be MS. I was always
> able to handle the TM because I thought it was temporary. MS is with you for
> life.I had some nerve conduction tests yesterday and see the neurologist in
> the morning for the report. I would like some definition on this, but not one
> that includes MS.
>
> I am so glad to find this support group. I have not even tried to talk to
> anyone about this for a year. I now admit that I am afraid of what might be
> ahead. It's good to know that there are people out there that truely
> understand the fear and the uncertainty this condition presents us all.
>
> In the last year, I have had an entire lifetime of stress. I have been
> paralyzed, lost my father, and my husband and I had a falling out with our
> business partner and have lost our jobs. I am not soliciting sympathy but
> share this only because the significant role I believe stress plays on this
> illness. I would like to know if anyone has found a good solution to dealing
> with major and minor stresses in addition to the same ole diet and exercise
> route.
>
> Thanks for listening. My heart, my thoughts, and my prayers go out to every
> one of you.
>
> susan
Hi Susan,
Wow, what a test in life, your personal life and TM. My heart goes out to you.
You will get a lot of support from this wonderful group of people. I am pretty
much new to this list as well and am still learning. Thank God for this group.
I like quotes - this is from Annie Johnson Flint
God hath not promised Skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our lives
through; God hath not promised Sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without
pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for
the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.
Stay as positive as you can --- it's half the battle. Hang in there Susan (my
sister's name :-) ---
My best to you, Deborah