Let me introduce myself. I am Debbie, I am 45 years old, otherwise
healthy. Have never been seriously ill a day in my life. No hospital
stays, except for having children. No surgeries, except for having my
wisdom teeth pulled many years ago.
I might add at this point, that I was involved in a single car rollover
accident on December 15, 1996. I was wearing a seatbelt and crawled out,
with absolutely no injuries, except the next day, I had a stiff neck, which
the emergency room took xrays for and diagnosed me with Cervical neck
strain, not even serious enough to call it whiplash.
On December 30, 1996, my husband and I were on our way from California to
Detroit. We were on a layover in the Minneapolis Airport, when I started
having pain in the backs of my legs, starting at upper thighs on downward
to toes. It happened over a period of one and a half hours. First it was
painful to walk, then I could stand, but not take a step forward, then I
could not stand up. My legs gave out completely.
I was taken to an emergency room, told them my history of the accident.
The doctors all agreed that what was going on had nothing to do with my
accident. They were suspecting Gullian-Barre syndrome. I was ambulanced
to a Neurological trauma center in downtown Minneapolis. My stay was eight
days. I had three MRI's, one normal, two enhanced of the brain and spine.
I also had a spinal tap(normal), EMG(no nerve damage)many, many blood
tests, including Lyme's disease, all apparently normal. Everything finally
pointed to TM. I was put on five days methylprednisolone I.V., then phased
off for another six days. The results were immediate.
I might point out that I never lost feeling in my legs, they would just not
move. And the spot affected in my spinal cord was so low, that it only
affected my lower legs, and urine retention problem. I had to be post void
catheterized three times daily, which I am still doing myself.
Meanwhile, because I am from California, my insurance company kept
insisting that I be returned to California in order to be covered properly.
I was improving so well, that by day four I was in physical therapy on a
walker, but then I started developing muscle spasms from the therapy
exercises. The hospital finally gave in to my insurance company and
released me to the care of a Neurosurgeon in California, since I had no
knowledge of who to call. I was to be seen within twenty four hours by
this Neurosurgeon, who would refer me to a Neurologist for continuing care
and physical therapy.
I returned to California, tried to contact the Neurosurgeon, got the
runaround from office staff, was finally seen a week and a half later. He
wanted to have another spinal tap, Myelogram and cat scan, so back in the
hospital for a day of more tests. Then I had to wait another week for
results. I finally called and begged for permission to call the
Neurologist myself. Was informed that they would take care of it. The
next day Neurosurgeon's office called me and told me that I could call
Neurologist to set up appointment, which I did. That office gave me an
appointment for February 11, 1997. I asked about physical therapy, was
told I did not need to traumatize my body too much too soon. So from
January 8, to the present, I have been catheterizing myself, giving myself
physical therapy, which I am probably doing all wrong, but I have graduated
to a cane.
I am very upset with the insurance system in California, but I guess I am
at their mercy.
I was told that I would be on therapy for two months,but I don't know if
that is from when I begin therapy, or from the beginning of the onset of
this "disease."
I have received more information off of the internet than I have from any
doctors, that is since I was released. I received excellent care from the
Hennepin County Medical Center, which I recommend to anybody who wants more
answers.
Thank you for allowing me to "vent", and thank you for all of the
information I have been receiving. It has helped me to cope, and to know
that I will improve, given time.
It seems that I was very fortunate that this did not strike me any further
up. It now seems to be just affecting my left foot, however I notice that
I can not stand on the balls of my feet (either one).
Keep sending me info.
Debbie
dcapen(AT)ivic.net