I wrote to you a few weeks ago about my Dad, Buddy (paralyzed from
waist down, incontinent, good additude, ect....). I have been printing
out all the responses you've sent and taking them to my parents (who
live about an hour away) since they don't have a computer. They were
both very appreciative of all who responded and were encouraged by your
kind words.
They have asked me to relay a few questions to you. (I apologize for
not reading the archives and doing my homework before asking, as I have
been busy studying for finals in Graduate School.)
The doctors never could pin down the exact cause of his TM but suspect
it may have been viral. However, Dad worked in a pulp mill and was
exposed to "white liquor" fumes only a few days before his symptoms
began (fever, flu-like symptoms, skin sensitivity, weakness in legs.)
Was anyone else exposed to this or other chemicals at the outset of TM?
The second question is in regard to pain associated with TM. Dad
describes it as having a zillion bees biting him from the waist down.
He also has had pain in his rectum. He experiences pain most when he
sits up in his wheelchair (or other chair.) He is allergic to both
penicillin and codeine, which limits the types of drugs he can take. He
is taking Baclofen, Neurotonin, and Methodone. In addition, he wears a
narcotic pain patch containing 50mg of Duragesic which must be changed
every 72 hours. He also uses a Tens machine. When he began the patch
about 3 months ago, it relieved him enough so that he could sit up
longer during the day. However, his body seems to be getting used to
the drug and it is losing its effectiveness.
This past week has been awful for him. He has not even been able to
sit up long enough to eat breakfast because of the pain. He has been
unable to sleep much at night (when he says the pain is always worse)
and has had to cancel Physical Therapy because he and my mother were to
worn out to go. July 14 will be a year since he got TM. Since then,
he's had only bad or better days, but not really many good ones as far
as pain is concerned. All this, and he still maintains his sense of
humor and for the most part a great attitude. But, this week has really
been trying him, I can tell. The doctors really don't have many answers
for him. Have any of you experienced pain to this degree? If so,
please share how you've dealt with it and any advice you can give.
(I apologize for writing a "dissertation". It's just hard to condense
what a person's living through in a few words.)
Best wishes to you all!
Angie from Southeast Georgia