I'm not a neurologist but your's sounds scary. I think his "idea" is
just that. I have never seen aything that directly relates TM and MS --in
fact the first thing my neurologist said when he saw my first MRI is "well,
this is definietly NOT MS". It seems to me that although there are
anecdotal reports of "recurrence" of TM there is NO question whatsoever
about the recurrent and often degenerating nature of MS. Sure some MS
sufferers have an initial attack and get better and have no further symptoms
or problems --a 70 year old great aunt of mine is a classic example --first
attack about 40 years ago -- in bed, in the hospital and now running around
chasing her grandchildren,,,,, BUT my understading is most are not that lucky.
Jim's reply is in a way encouraging --he and many others with diagnosed
TM are quite stable --if not at various functional levels. AND with no brain
stem or cortical "lesions" --you do NOT have MS. In fact my latest MRI shows
NO sclerotic plaques --wouldn't one expect that if TM were a variant of MS?
We all seem to have taken a turn into speculation under the title "there is
no such thing as transverse myelitis" --it was cute and catchy but
,,,,,,,,,,, There is a very succinct defintion offered in a recent e-mail
from one of the list members --if defining the disease is necessary then
let's concentrate on science.
In case you are wondering, I am on my high horse on this issue because,
as a physician, I don't believe it it terribly useful to offer patients
speculation --especially when that speculation includes scenarios worse than
what we already have. False hope is unethical too in my opinion but this
really takes the cake!!!!!!
>Dear Ed,
>Your symptoms seem very similar to mine. I was diagnosed 13 months ago. My
>symptoms are still with me and sometimes get worse. My neuro is of the belief
>that TM is simply a component of MS, the difference being the multiple part.
>I am a fifth grade teacher, and the thought of this whole thing terrifies me.
>I love to teach and worry that my cognitive skills will be affected. I have
>already fallen once in front of my class, but was lucky not to have hurt
>myself seriously. I get extremely frustrated trying to get a concrete
>diagnosis. Hang in there. If we are still walking and talking I guess we are
>in pretty good shape!!
>Carolyn
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