TA From An Insect Bite

John DesMarteau (jd(AT)americuscd.com)
Mon, 25 Jan 1999 16:36:27 -0800

My name is John DesMarteau and I am an anesthesiologist. I was in good
health until I woke up one morning at the end of June 1998 with a spider
bite. Subsequent to the bite I developed problems with bowel and bladder
and then a flu-like illness. At one point I had some difficulty breathing
and talking but fortunately did not end up on a ventilator. Since that
time I have had numbness in both legs which makes it quite difficult to
walk, and have had a great loss in energy. My symptoms fluctaute quite a
bit in intensity so I never know how I am going to feel from one day to
the next. The two lumbar punctures I have endured both showed marked
elevation of the protein level in my CSF.

All the physicians I have seen, both where I work and outside consultants
feel I have TA. Personally, I think it has become MS - fortunately at
this point a rather mild case - but MS none the same.

The most interesting part of my case, if I look at it dispassionately, is
that I am convinced that the spider infected me with a virus which lead
to an inflammation of my spinal cord. I have been tested for every virus
that we currently have treatment for with negative results. And I have
been tested for Lyme disease several times and Ehrlichia.

I posted my story to see if there is any one else who can connect their
TA (or MS) for that matter with an insect bite.

Please e-mail me at jd(AT)americuscd.com if you think you have.

Best regards
John DesMarteau, MD