> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bfjwheels(AT)aol.com [SMTP:Bfjwheels(AT)aol.com]
> Sent: Saturday, January 16, 1999 6:53 PM
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: New Member
>
> Hi Everyone
>
> My name is Barb, and I just joined the TMIC. I contracted TM on April
> 12,1998. At 10:30am my left leg went to sleep and things progressed until
> I
> took my last independent steps walking to the car to go to the emergency
> room
> at 5:00pm.
>
> I spent 2 wks. in an acute care facility. There I underwent 2 courses of
> steroids, and numerous MRI's. I left the hospital, and spent the next 10
> weeks in various rehab facilities. By that time I was numb from the waist
> down, unable to walk, and incontinent. I never had the severe pain that
> some
> people talk about, but I have very bad muscle spasms that disturb my sleep
> and
> generally drive me crazy. Baclofen and Neurontin help somewhat. My
> involvement is somewhere between T8 and T12.
>
> At this point I have regained some movement, but my sensation and
> proprioception are very poor. My bowel control is better, but I still
> have an
> indwelling catheter. I spend most of my time in a wheelchair, but I can
> do
> transfers with walker. I'm still going to physical therapy, but the
> insurance
> company is about to cut me off.
>
> I miss my work. I was an Operating Room Tech. I now work 4 hrs. a day in
> Telecommunications. I'm interested in hearing about any and all types of
> treatment that people have found helpful. I would also like to know if
> recovery continues, or does it level off at a certain point. When I talk
> to
> the doctors, I get the feeling that I know more about this condition than
> they
> do...pretty scary!
>
> I'm glad to have found this group, and I look forward to corresponding
> with
> you all.
>
> Sincerely,
> Barb (Bfjwheels)