>Linda what caught my eye first was your file title, "My fireworks". For the
>past 4 years my wife has been calling my "attacks" - fireworks. I have
>changed neurologists a number of times due to moving, insurance and
>frustration. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with MS and my current neurologist
>(an MS specialist) does not believe have MS but thinks its related to the
TM.
>
>My initial attack occurred at age 7 in 1963. Much of the time I do not
>remember, which is probably good. I was isolated because they did not know
if
>I was contagious and became parlayed in 24 hours At its worst, I only could
>move my eyes. Recovery took place over a 6 month period and I was left with
>damage to my right leg, and bladder/bowel problems. And lived a pretty
normal
>life.
>
>As I stated previously, I have been displaying MS symptoms for about 4 years
>but MRI and all other hard data has been negative. During this time, I have
>been on amitriptyline, vicodin, and recently tegretol. Finally, the tegretol
>seems to have taken much of my pain away. I am still having difficulty with
>balance, my right leg has become much worse and I am wearing out my shoes
>about 6 weeks from dragging my leg.
>
>I have found that much of the materials that the MS Society sent me when I
>was told that I had MS, was beneficial. I do not mean the diagnosis info but
>rather the Knowledge is Power series.
>
>I have stayed on this list since its origination because of my personal
>interest in long term problems associated with TM. I have read a number of
>journal articles on MS occurrence after TM and it ranges from 10% to 50%.
For
>me, MS symptoms is more annoying than anything else. Sometimes I
>
>My own personal feeling is that what I am suffering from is related to my
>bout with TM. It was quite a mystery then and it appears to remain a
mystery.
>
>
>Hoping you the best
>
>Al
I find your letter very interesting, Al.
To begin, the title "My fireworks" was just because I got TM on the Fourth of
July in 1981!!
I'm finding the recent mail very informative, to say the least! With so many
questioning MS, I am really beginning to wonder! However, I have never had
any type of *remission* at all since it all began. There has not been one
day that I was without pain or numbness. Would that also be the case with
MS?
I also have had numerous MRIs of my spine and also my brain. It was my
understanding that TM was one spot on your spine that was affected, where in
MS, there were several different areas on your spine.
I have found this list and the other resources mentioned in Jim Lubin's home
page to be so informative that I now plan on reading up a lot more on MS
before my visit to my neurologist in a few weeks. You can bet I'll have many
questions for him!
I cannot thank you all enough for your concern and suggestions!
Linda