New to internet!

Kunselman, Richard E. (shanker(AT)pathway.net)
Mon, 17 Feb 1997 12:13:31 -0500

I'm new to the internet, but have been reading most of the letters that
have been written from other TM patients. First let me say that I was
thrilled to see that I'm not alone with this disease. I was diagnosed
in the summer of 1994 with isolated TM and had a spinal cord lesion at
the C-4 level. It has been a long and rough road at times, but having
read some of the histories of these others on the internet, I am very
fortunate to only have minor permanent damage. I was told, as some of
you, that I should "heal" within a 2-year time frame and that TM would
never rear it's ugly head again. If I were to have anymore "episodes"
it was then to be called MS.

Well, after reading the experiences of these folks, I now know a whole
lot more than I did before, even more than my neurologist! Here is a
quick overview of what happened to me:

I started with numbeness in my fingers and tingling on the bottoms of
my feet. It started after a hot bath one Thursday night. By the
following Monday, my body from the chest down was tingling and my legs
felt like I'd been swimming a marathon. Within 3 weeks I could not tie
my shoes or hold my fork. My hands were so stiff and had a "glove-like"
sensation. That "glove-like" sensation had now affected everything from
my chest down.

It took several months and 5 neurologists to finally diagnose me with
TM. It was first felt it was MS, but with the severe and FAST onset it
didn't line up with MS. My present symptoms are as follows:
My fingers, hands, wrists and arms still have that "glove-like"
sensation and feel like a boaconstrictor (sp) is squeezing them. My
feet still tingle on the bottoms, a lot like your feet may feel after
walking on hot pavement. My hands burn and are actually red at times.
I get tired a lot more easily than I did before TM and every time I
catch a cold or virus, everything acts up worse.

As I said earlier, my case is not nearly as serious as others, but it
sure would be nice to be well again. I miss playing the piano and doing
cross-stitch or just being able to button and tie without pain in my
hands.

I don't know if there is anyone else with similar symptoms as mine. I
would love to hear from you. I now realize that we are all so different
in our experiences and symptoms. We can only pray for a cure and God's
grace to live out our lives as best we can.

Thank's for listening! Next time I won't be so detailed. I'm afraid
that's one of my weak points, but it felt good to write to someone who
finally knows how I feel. God bless to you all.

Until next time,
Jan