I'm 49 years old. My first attack started on Oct. 18, 1994, my feet
felt like they were cold and frozen and numb. In five days the numbness
had progressed to my breast bone. I was completely numb, could not feel
anything including body function and bowl movements. I experienced a
tightness around the abdominal area that seem to be like a belt tied
around the area below the rib cage
Went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MINN. Was seen by a neurologist,
stating that I had good reflex and muscle strength, had blood test
for Lymes, Gallium Barre, AIDS, etc., no conclusive results. A spinal
tap had shown nothing, EM Voking with no results, MIR of cranial had
shown a few foci of increased T2 signals in the deep cerebral white
matter, but nothing indicative of MS, had an abnormal MRI of spine with
a mild to moderate expansion of the spinal cord between T5 and T9, with
abnormality most prominent at the T7 interspace.
Others of you have questioned if chemicals could be a result of TM. I
have had the same concerns since, I am funeral director - embalmer who
works with chemicals. For the past twenty years, blood tests that I
have had, always shown a elevated liver enzymes, and have been
questioned about my drinking habits, which I have none.
I find that I tire easily when I do little work, I feel fortunate that I
don't have or did have any type of paralysis or any significant pain
that others have experienced, just the heaviness and tightness in the
groin area, numbness and tightness in lower extremities to the toes.
Have awkwardness in walking. . Lately my back gets tired and have
been pain around the T-7 area.
Years prior to my onset, I had a sharp pain, the size of a dime in my
right shoulder blade. Thought it was a torn muscle, related to lifting
in my profession. Had PT and ultrasound treatments that did not help.
If any one else is a embalmer, health care service or had similar
experiences, please let me know.
I have had many people in my community praying for me. It sure feels
good to have people supporting you, must be helping, I am still able to
function in partial capacity.
Have found this site on the WEB which I feel is great, we must stick
together and get this mystery resolved
God Bless
Jim L. (jlaur(AT)up.net)