The Dr did warn me prior to surgery that they could not guarantee the extent of the damage caused by the biopsy. But looking back, I'd probably do it
again. At the time, the first diagnosis was a spinal tumor. And by having the surgery, they were immediately able to rule this out without having
to wait to see if it grew larger. It was great news to come out of surgery and be told that I did not have a tumor. The diagnosis was changed to MS
and later to TM.
I too have back pain at the site of the surgery. I wonder if this will ever go away?
Renee in San Diego where the nights have been cool but the days are almost like summer.
hawkins family wrote:
> Thanks for your message.
> I am not aware of any damage caused by the biopsy but do not think that my
> doctors would have admitted to this anyway. How do they tell the difference
> between biopsy damage and tm symptoms? My surgeon did say that when they
> opened me up and saw what looked like a healthy spine they took a very small
> sample. I was also told that 90% of neurosurgeons would have looked at my
> scan and diagnosed a tumour!
> The surgery certainly affected my rehab as I had a lot of pain around the
> biopsy site(T7&T8)
> particularly when attempting to walk or sitting unsupported. I still get
> backache in this area by the evening but it has improved.
> I had a relapse/second attack 2 weeks after the biopsy and I often wonder
> if the interference with my spinal cord was the cause of it , particularly
> as I was so much worse after the relapse.
> The irony is that as soon as I saw the right doctor (an expert in MS) he
> knew immediately what was wrong.
> I have come to terms with the myelitis but sometimes find it hard to come
> to terms with the fact that I had unnecessary surgery in such a vulnerable
> area.
>
> Angela Hawkins
> -----Original Message-----
> From: R Bennett <rjbennet(AT)ix.netcom.com>
> To: hawkins family <hawkinsfamily(AT)clara.co.uk>
> Date: 26 December 1998 16:46
> Subject: Re: Another new person from England
>
> >Angela:
> >
> >I'm really interested in the fact that you had a spinal biopsy. There are
> not many of us on the list who have had this. My doctor thought that I had
> >a spinal tumor as well, and did a biopsy.
> >
> >Before he did the surgery, he said that the part of the spine where they
> took the biopsy would be damaged forever. So, I have one leg that the Dr's
> >say is related to TM and the problems with the other leg are related to the
> biopsy. This was done almost 2 years ago.
> >
> >Have you had any symptoms that are related to the biopsy?
> >