Re: please help!
Karen E Casey (mushroo(AT)juno.com)
Thu, 25 Feb 1999 08:36:33 -0500
Dear Jenny,
You are going through a devastating time, and I can't imagine what I
would do if I didn't have the support of my husband. The fact is that if
you have a diagnosis of myelopathy or Transverse Myelitis, it confirms
your symptoms as legitimate and not "in your head." I went through a
similar experience, but found a dr. that knew about TM and MS. He
confirmed that although tests were negative, the clinical diagnosis was
the more important one. He also said that 5 - 15% of those with MS have
negative test results, sometimes for years. It took 4 years to diagnose
MS as the cause of my TM. The literature sent by the Transverse Myelitis
list was very helpful in helping my family to understand what was going
on. I was terrified of asking my dr if he felt it was "in my head"
because I was afraid he was thinking that and to my great relief, he said
"No, of course not!" Be brave and ask right out!!! If he says "Yes" then
find another doctor who takes it seriously. Most people don't lose their
balance and have such horrible symptoms for their own entertainment. I
got to the point, though Jenny that I said-"I sure would be relieved if
it were in my head!!!That means I won't have paralysis, pain, bowel and
bladder control problems too much longer because I can overcome a stress
related problem. I'll just get counseling!!! In a way, that would be a
lot easier a cure!" But unfortunately, it wasn't that simple.
Meanwhile, you need to know in your heart that your very troubling
symptoms ARE the result of an inflamation of your spinal cord and have
effected your life in a profound way. You don't need a positive test
result before you can start being good to yourself and cut yourself a bit
of slack. We, your TM family, know what you are going through, and my
prayer is that very soon you'll find a doctor to help get you back on the
way to progress. Love Karen