The above has been told to me by 2 neurologists, one of whom was
the number 1 neurologist at U of Chicago until recently.
Bob Spielman
> From: JHarper33(AT)aol.com
> Date: Thu, 6 Feb 1997 09:36:39 -0500 (EST)
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: TM and MS
> Reply-to: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Concerning possible connections between TM and MS and speculations about it:
> different ones of us have been told different things regarding this. That's
> one of the many ways in which this list is helpful - besides the reassurance
> that we're not alone with some of these weird symptoms, we can compare notes
> and information we've received. I have gotten more helpful information from
> this list than from any other source. In fact, I've found very little
> information anywhere else.
>
> 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
>