Here are some of the things I've heard concerning TM and MS. I was told that
my TM might turn into MS. I read somewhere (don't remember where) that TM is
caused by either viruses or MS. And I've also read that there is no
connection at all between TM and MS. I have also been told and read that TM
is a one time occurence, yet I read of some people having more than one
attack. So does that mean they were misdiagnosed and really have MS, that
their TM "turned into" MS, or that there is a form of TM that is recurrent?
I think the fact that some of us have been told very different things about
TM just reflects the fact that there is little of a concrete nature known
about it. I am looking forward to the results of the Transverse Myelitis
Association's survey, although I know it will be some time before all of that
info. is compiled. I think that might be a major first step in the right
direction. It is my hope that someone will get into some clinical scientific
research on this and come up with some answers and information.
It seems, from what little reading I've done, not much is known about what
causes nerve problems and what to do about them.
So, about the neurologist mentioned in a previous note on this list who
speculated about TM and MS being connected - I don't think he was trying to
forecast gloomier possiblities. I think he was just putting together what he
thought based on his experience, reading, understanding, etc. I don't think
he was trying to instill the opposite of false hope: I think he was trying to
give out what info. and speculations he had. Really, if there is a
possibility that TM might somehow turn into MS or that TM is a first
manifestation of MS or a component of MS, I'd like to know that. I wonder if
this neurologist's ( and others') speculations are based on the experience
of some of their patients who were diagnosed with TM and later with MS.
Again, whether there is a connection or there was a misdiagnosis in the first
place, it doesn't seem that anyone really knows for sure.
BUT we can't really waste time wondering, "What if this does turn into MS?"
and worrying about it. We just have to take each day as it comes and seek
God's grace for every day.
One more thing along the lines of causes of TM: I was told by a neurologist
at Emory that it was caused by an allergic reaction, and that even if they
had been able to test everything in my system that day, they probably
wouldn'e have been able to tell what I had reacted to. But that's the only
time I've ever heard that possibility. I read one post on the Neurology Web
Forum about a number of people in one community being diagnosed with TM; that
makes me wonder about environmental factors. But the most common cause I've
heard is viruses. Again, we need a medical pioneer to work on this.
Barbara