I had a differnet experience ...... in late November, I had a tingling and
itching feeling in my legs, 2 days later they felt really cold....although
not cold to touch and I began to find walking difficult. 2 weeks after
that, the loss of sensation was moving up my legs to about mid-thigh level
and I had a feeling that I had a broomstick up the bottom and increased
frequency in urinating. I was admitted to hospital and an MRI scan
indicated damage at about "bra strap" level. Following a lumbar puncture
(CSF), chest X-rays, ultrasound on bladder, numerous blood tests and a
visual accuity test, I was given 1 gram of prednisol (?) (steroid) IV for
each of 3 days and sent home. The intial diagnosis was Infectious
myelitis, ? Transverse Myelitis. My doctor (a professor) suggested that
it was most likely to be TM and that in 50% of cases this turned into MS,
either by having a second occurence or by developing problems in another
area. In my case the 50% incidence was likely to be raised because I
have a father with MS. (Incidentally, he also knew of a distant relative
with MS).
So to now, I am still awiating the results from the CSF analysis and
hopeful for a formal diagnosis. I gradually gained normal functions on
the bowel by late January although I still have increased frequency , but I
still have numbness and pain from my knees downward. The pain seems to
increase when I'm tired, premenstrual or starting a cold. The pain is
actually of several types - I have what seems to be hard stones on the
bottom of my feet, accompanied by a feeling that I have walked miles in
uncomfortable shoes. I also have the feeling of a tight, over-washed
crepe bandage bound round my ankle and instep, my big toes and sometimes
just below my knee. I know this is nowhere near as bad as for some of you
but it feels horrible to me. I have a young family and a full-time job ,
both of which I am struggling to manage. Four months on, I feel as if I
have done bravery ....... I am going to the gym and swimming about once or
twice a week but it makes me very tired. My job is likely to be changed
considerably as I can't travel anymore and frankly, I'm finding things
tough.
Any suggestions ? What should I be asking the doctors ? Am I doing
the right thing exercising ? Is this ever likely to improve 100% ? What
drugs should I be asking for to stop the pain or should I just grin and bear
it ?
Thanks for listening
Rosie Billington