> -----Original Message-----
> From: Greg & Mary Gentry [SMTP:ggmg(AT)alltel.net]
> Sent: Sunday, January 24, 1999 7:09 PM
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: acute transversemyelitis
>
> On Nov.1, 1997 I experienced severe pain in the back of my neck with an
> elevated blood pressure. I immediately went to the local hospital
> where X rays were made and showed deteriorating disks. They advised to
> go to an orthopedic specialist for further diagnosis. I went to the
> orthopedist the following day and he examined the X rays and indicated
> it was deteriorating disks, but they had not progressed to the point of
> needing surgery.
> On Nov. 14, 1997, I awoke with the same severe pain in the back of my
> neck. I again went to the emergency room after contacting my doctor who
> was not available that morning. They treated me for the same symptoms
> they had previously. They administered high dosages of demerol and
> valium, and after several hours, I returned home very sedated. Several
> hours later, I got up to go to the bathroom, and my entire left side of
> the body, arms, legs, feet, and trunk, went numb. I collapsed onto the
> floor and went immediately into respiratory distress. Luckily, I live
> next door to a doctor. My wife ran next door and he came in his bare
> feet as fast as he could to assist me. My wife called 911 and the
> ambulance arrived within minutes. The paramedics worked with me for
> 30-40 minutes before I could be taken to the hospital.
> Once at the hospital the doctor on turned out to be a doctor of internal
> medicine. He immediately started giving me high dosages of steroids.
> He had as MRI done on my head, neck, and spinal cord. A lesion was
> detected between C1 and C2. I was quickly transferred to a regional
> medical center and put under the care of a neurologist and an infectious
> disease specialist. The doctors were unable to isolate any organism
> such as a virus or perhaps a bacteria that might have caused the
> infection in the outer layer of the spinal cord, the mycelium. After
> five days in ICU, they had determined the extent of the paralysis, but
> had begun to bring the infection under control. I remained in the
> hospital another week with daily treatments of physical therapy. I was
> then transferred to a rehabilitation center for intensive therapy. I
> was there about 21 days with almost daily improvement in the weaknesses
> caused by the paralysis. I continued physical and vocational therapy
> for about a year and have improved to the point that I have returned to
> work and can use with limitations all my extremities. The main source
> of pain I now have is in the trunk on the left side of my body.
> The doctor has prescribed neutronpin, a seizure drug, to try to
> alleviate some of the pain. Also, I am on a vitamin regime that
> contains high dosages of folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6,
> and B12.
> I am 66 years old and living a pretty normal life with a few
> limitations. I enjoy my family and my seven grandchildren that live in
> the same community. I would enjoy hearing from you if you know any new
> treatments or therapy that might be available.
>
> --
> Greg & Mary Gentry
> ggmg(AT)alltel.net