Wow, we have two new Kim/Kimberlys. :-)
I am glad you found us -- though sorry you have TM.
You kind went through the wringer, didn't you? I am usually one who comes to
the defense of doctors, but then sometimes one like you had comes along and
really makes one wonder. I can't imagine why your symptoms were originally
diagnosed as psychological (except for the doctor's unfamiliarity with TM.)
Many of us had nothing show up on any test, not even a spinal lesion, and
were diagnosed with TM on the basis of the symptoms and the ruling out of
other possibilities. But I am glad that you eventually found drs. who knew
what they were talking about -- and that you married your fiance, who sounds
like a real treasure. :-)
I am so sorry to hear that your symptoms returned. I have heard of Ascending
Myelitis. I am wondering, though, how they distinguish it from a second TM
attack (rare but does happen sometimes) or MS, and how they can predict it
will progress? To me that is one of the major problems with a neurological
ailment -- the lack of preditability.
Take care, and keep us posted, and feel free to share anything any time. As I
said to the other new Kim, you have found a great, caring, supportive group
of folks here.
Barbara H.
http://www.myelitis.org/tmic/archive/2/0108.html
In a message dated 6/27/99 9:35:09 PM EST, a_stechno(AT)ameritech.net writes:
> In October of 1993 my finance rushed me to the ER when I complained of a
> severe back pain and loss of feelings in my legs. I spent 2 hours in the ER
> before the doctors scheduled an X ray and an MRI. Between the Ray and the
> MRI I had a spinal tap done. It was 4 hours after entering the ER that I
had
> my MRI. After my 2 hour MRI I was wheeled back to the ER and poked and
> prodded more. After 6 1/2 hours in the ER the doctor finally decided to
> administer IV Steroids. That was also the first time since I entered the ER
> that my finance was allowed to see me. I was admitted to the hospitals
> surgical wing after 8 hours in the ER. My diagnosis was Psychotic
Paralysis.
> After 3 days in the hospital with the same doctor I saw in the ER, I was
> told I would be transferred to either a psychiatric rehab center or a
> physical rehab center. My doctor was to make that decision. He choose
> physical rehab ( I am sure it was a legal decision, not his medical
> opinion). I then spent 8 weeks in the physical rehab wing of the same
> hospital.
> One night I decided to read my chart which hung outside my room. I was
> appalled to find that the entire rehab program specified that if they could
> get me to think I could walk I could get my feelings back and walk again.
> the next morning I asked what I had to do to go home. I was told I had to
> walk out the front doors. I asked for a definition of "walk". The nurse
> explained that I had to be mobile under my own strength in an upright
> position. It was then that I began to build up my arm strength to use a
> walker to "walk" out the front door. I " walked" out the front door under
my
> own power. I used a walker to get upright and used every bit of strength to
> drag my myself through the doors to my finance's awaiting car.
> Two days later I went to The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and saw a
> neurologist who diagnosed my condition as Transverse Myelitis. He also
> stated that the extended time with my misunderstand condition could cause
my
> recover to be less then favorable. None the less I was able to walk again.
> Now 6 years later my doctor is telling my that my condition is worsening.
> I had originally attained 90% recovery with minor foot drop problems. Now,
> after 6 years of 90% recovery, the numbness and tingling have returned. The
> doctor is now calling my condition Ascending Myelitis caused by Transverse
> Myelitis damage.
> The condition is progressive and will result in permanent paralysis with
> complete or partial loss of sensation in my legs. My bladder and bowel
> control ability is not known at this time. It is assumed to me a loss of
> both.
> I am now married to the wonderful man who saw me through my nightmare. We
> have two beautiful healthy children, 1 girl (6) and 1 boy (3). I work full
> time for a company who admits to not being accessible to the disabled, but
> that is changing also.
> My philosophy on life is " Life is road with many speed bumps. How you deal
> with those speed bumps determines how well you travel through life."
>
>
>