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From: LRM593(AT)aol.com
Reply-To: LRM593(AT)aol.com
To: TMIC-LIST(AT)eskimo.com
Subject: [TMIC] New to list
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 20:34:28 EST
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Hi everyone,
My name is Lynn and am embarrassed to say, I have been reading from the
list
for about 2 months before joining in. My onset of TM began at the end
of
January. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like my right leg
was
asleep (good ole Pins and Needles). I waited a few minutes and then
tried to
get out of bed and fell right over back into bed, which woke up my
boyfriend,
Alan who asked me what was wrong. Not knowing what it could be, we went
to
the emergency room, where I began the series of tests (CAT scan, x-rays
and
emergency MRI). Was admitted and stayed in the hospital for a week and
had
an MRI almost every night I was there, lumbar puncture, blood work - you
all
unfortunately know this routine, I'm sure. They were, of course, trying
to
rule out MS, especially when I gave them my medical history and I had
mentioned another episode of tingling in my left arm during this summer.
It
had lasted a few weeks - I had attributed it to stress (as I was
planning a
picnic for the company I work for - I'm in Human Resources) and had gone
for
a stress test at that time and my doctor said everything was okay. As
soon
as the picnic was over the tingling disappeared. By the end of the
week,
they had the lumbar puncture results and all the MRI results ruling out
MS,
leaving me with a diagnosis of TM at the T6 level. I also have a pain in
my
back and banding around my middle on the right side only. They put me on
Solumedrol for 5 days and then on decreasing dosage of Prednisone.
After a
week in the hospital, I was moved to Rehab for a week of Occupational
Therapy
and Physical Therapy and stayed there for a week. I then came home and
had
been going to Outpatient Therapy (for Physical Therapy) 3x a week and
recently reduced to 2x a week due to my progress. I had a walker the
1st day
at Rehab and then graduated to a cane and have been using a cane since.
I'm
happy to say I have made great progress and barely use the cane in my
house
but take it with me when I leave the house for security. Never had any
bladder or bowel dysfunction, I'm glad to say. I have to say, after
reading
all your letters, I was relatively lucky with the symptoms I had,
compared to
a lot of you out there and I wish to share my support and hope everyone
continues to progress.
I also had a lot of family and friends support which definitely helped a
lot.
I want to tell all of you how you helped me also. Just from knowing I'm
not
the only one with this illness was helpful and reading about TM helped
me
understand so much more. And reading everyone's questions and answers,
answered a lot of my questions.
Although I have progressed immensely, and am happy with my neurologist,
I am
still considering getting a 2nd opinion. Have any of you gotten a 2nd
opinion that was different from the 1st?
My neurologist said this episode is probably monophasic but I've read
where
so many of you have had relapses - it scares me. I saw my neurologist
who
says I'm at 90 - 95% recovered strengthwise, and am going to venture
back to
work on Monday. I never thought I'd be happy to do that, but after 9
weeks
out of work for someone who normally can't sit still, I'm excited. Am
going
back part-time and will see how my stamina can hold out. My employer
has
been wonderful and has offered loads of support and said they will
accommodate me however they need to.
The worst part about this illness for me has been to have to depend on
others
for a lot of things I've always taken for granted.
Sorry, I've been so long winded but it's taken me this long to write,
once I
start it's hard to stop. I could go on and on but I think I 've said
enough
for this time.
You've become a great group of friends, unfortunately we all had to meet
under these circumstances.
Thanks for listening!!!
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