New to the List

Jane (jane(AT)us.net)
Fri, 28 Feb 1997 20:35:53 -0500

At first I wanted to sue Bill Gates ... I was SURE my "hand problem" was
caused by too much computer use (after all, if he didn't put Mine Sweeper in
Windows I wouldn't have been tempted to play it; so that makes it his fault,
right?) ... Over the past two years I've been diagnosed with a carpal
tunnel problem (all the ususal treatments including surgery), then a
thoracic outlet problem (which was "treated" with physical therapy) and when
that was ruled out because there were increasing symptoms and pain MRIs let
the MDs diagnose MS and then lastly TM. In fact one MD is still "pretty
sure" it's MS and another is just as sure it's TM. 90% of my "problem" is
in my right hand and arm. Lesions are a small one on the left side C2-3 and
a bigger one on the right side C4-5.

I'm still in denial ... I want my "problem" to be mechanical and therefore
treatable. I REALLY just can't seem to believe there's nothing that can be
done about any of it and then getting peeved at myself for sometimes
forgetting how truly fortunate I am even with this "inconvenience".

Does anyone make a 100% pain-free, full-use recovery after two years?
Has anyone been following enough TM victims to known if there a likelihood
of TM changing into MS later on?

I must admit that some of my many concerns are how will this "label" I now
have effect future purchases of life or disability insurance (I'm only 49)
and what happens to my medical insurance if I have to change companies (I'm
self-employed without a "group" plan). I very much appreciate the open
dialogue that I've been reading, and I do want thank those who make this happen.

Jane

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Jane(AT)us.net
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