Diagnosed with TM in June

Silvercaul(AT)aol.com
Mon, 9 Nov 1998 21:50:56 EST

Hi, My name is Bonnie. I am 33 years old. I came down with TM Memorial Day
weekend of this year. 5 days after being admitted to the hospital I was
diagnosed with TM caused by a virus. An MRI and spinal tap were done. I have
a lesion at the T-9-T10 portion of my spine. I was treated with Solumedrol.
Apparently, I am very lucky, although sometimes I do not feel so lucky. I am
about 80% recovered. I still have some loss of feeling in both my legs. I
find when I exercise my muscles quiver like violin strings. My lower right
leg also feels extremely stiff at times. I am also back at work full-time (I
am a high school history teacher). I find when I get home I am thoroughly
exhausted. This is difficult, because I have a 3 1/2 year old and an 18 month
old at home. I am also at a new job so I am not yet tenured.

My doctors in the hospital were basically very good. Although, they could not
give me answers to many questions. Maybe some of you have better answers out
there.
Can TM return? I have become crazy worrying about every little cough and
sniffle. I worry that I am going to loose feeling in my legs again or another
lesion will develop somewhere else along my spine. (MS was basically ruled
out) When do I know that I am as recovered as I am going to get? Does the
exhaustion ever abate. I know these questions are a bit simplistic, since
some of you out there have not made as good a recovery as me, but I would
appreciate your help.

I am looking forward to being in touch. I find that people just do not
understand how I feel or what I am going through. This is especially true
because I am walking quite well.

I hope to hear from some of you guys out there.