My theory is that a virus takes hold in the area of the spinal cord where there is a
structural problem (slipped disc maybe or something like that). The immune system
responds and damages the myelin. The trauma question which was previously making the
rounds supports my own situation. During the diagnosis process in the hospital, I was
informed that there was a slight bulge in the disc at T5 (possibly requiring surgery).
This is also the area of the suspected demyelination. Two days after I was admitted to
this hospital, another man was admitted. He also was diagnosed with TM, had a
structural problem at T8 or T9 (also possibly requiring surgery). We were both
transferred to another hospital for second opinions concerning the surgery, and for
subsequent treatment and further diagnoses if surgery was not warranted (the hospital
specialized in spinal cord problems).
Besides the other man who was admitted during the same period, I personally know of one
other man who was diagnosed with TM during 1994. I think the rate of 1 per 1.3 million
is low - this would lead to less than 200 per year in the US, and I really do not
personally know too many people. The other man admitted to the hospital lives three
miles from me, in a rural county in NJ (there is such a place in this densely populated
state).
Peace,
Bernie