Even if you do have MS, you could have a mild case,
and not have another attack for years, if ever. Hang
in there, ask us any questions you have, and keep us
posted - Ann
--- "by way of TMA <myelitis(AT)myelitis.org>"
<Luvvins(AT)aol.com> wrote:
> Hello, my name is Jennifer & I was recently
> diagnosed with transverse
> myelitis. This is all still new to me, so I may
> sound like I am rambling. My
> life since the start of 99' has been quite hectic. I
> worked full time &
> attended school full time. To say the very least, by
> March I was very run
> down. On March 8, I came down with a horrible
> stomach virus. I left for
> Florida on March 11 & was sick for my 4 day stay.
> When I returned home I felt
> fine. For the next 4 days I suffered from horrible
> headaches. By Saturday,
> March 19, I woke up with a horrible pain in my neck
> and back. As the day
> progressed, I started to experience numbess &
> weakness in my torso and legs.
> By that night, I was so terrified I went to the ER.
> After numerous CT's of my
> brain and back, they found nothing & sent me home.
> The next day, I was
> rapidly getting weaker and was incontinent. I went
> to my PCP who admitted me
> to the hospital. This was March 22. I stayed there
> until April 1 when they
> moved me to Kessler Institute(This is the best place
> for rehab!!!!!) During
> my hospital stay, I went through numerous MRI's,
> bloodwork & 2 spinal taps.
> They found nothing! They were treating me with VERY
> high doses of steroids(to
> date, I am still tapering them), & treating me for
> Herpes & Lyme - it took 3
> weeks for them to get the results that they were
> negative & treated me as a
> precaution. When I was admitted to Kessler, I was
> only able to wiggle my
> toes. I had strange sensation in from T12 down. At
> Kessler, I made progress
> daily. Due to insurance reasons, I was discharged on
> April 30 with Loftstrand
> crutches. Right now, I am undergoing physical
> therapy 3x's a week & currently
> walk without anything( I look funny because I have
> not regained all of my
> balance). Currently, I am seeing quite a few
> doctors. I have regained bowel
> control - with the help of Colace. I was able to
> urinate, but the sensation
> was not "normal" & I was going to the bathroom every
> hour. Since this is no
> way to live life, I was put on Ditripan. I am now
> back to cathing every 4-6
> hours. I have my first urology appt this week. I
> have very strange sensation
> on my back and legs. I am going for my second series
> of MRI's this week (the
> 1st set showed a herniated disk at T12). I am
> concerned that this could
> eventually be diagnosed as MS. My psyiatrist has
> tried numerous times to
> convince me that the chances are slim, I am still
> not convinced. I still can
> not tell temperature on my legs & water makes them
> go nuts! I have pain in my
> middle & lower back which the doctors attribute to
> my "learning how to walk
> all over again". It has not been 2 full months
> since I got sick, but it
> feels like an eternity. I am currently waiting to
> see if my reflexes have
> returned to drive again & I wish I could pee on my
> own! I feel very lucky
> compared to some of the stories I have read. I am
> very sorry that I have
> rambled on & on. If anyone has any advice, it is
> greatly appreciated!
>
> Thank You All for you stories( I feel much better)
> Jen
>
>
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