Re: Newcomer
Karen Luglio (tootsie(AT)voicenet.com)
Tue, 8 Apr 1997 14:10:24 -0400 (EDT)
At 03:06 AM 4/8/97 UT, you wrote:
>Hey Everyone!
>Very glad to learn you are all here and helping each other. Much like Kara,
>my TM began 5 months ago - first urinary retention (did you ever think you'd
>be discussing your pee habits with the world?), then numbness in the legs,
>then sudden "electrical" pain down my back, and, within hours, paralysis from
>the waist down. Used and abused for 10 days in the hospital, I begged for
>rehab and recovered well - until I had a complete relapse (which "doesn't
>happen") in mid-Feb. They ordered me back to the hospital and I said no - did
>you know that you could say no to doctors? I didn't. Sure enough, they set
>me up with my IV Solumedrol at home, and now I'm starting from scratch -
>learning to walk for the second time in six months. Questions: I have none
>of the pain that everybody's talking about, just the numbness from the waist
>down and that lovely Saran-Wrap-wrapped-tightly-around-my-legs feeling. I
>know MS responds negatively to heat. Anybody experience that with TM? I am
>most interested in the ups and downs we all experience, seemingly for no
>reason. I can't detect a pattern. I'm trying herbs, vitamins, Chinese meds
>as well as Zoloft and Vicodin. Massage keeps the circulation going. I too
>have experienced slow healing of cuts on feet. They say mine is post-viral.
>My question is, how do they know the virus is gone? How do we turn off an
>over-active immune system? Why are our bodies attacking ourselves?
> Love to all, especially Jim
> Julienne
>
>
>
Hi Julienne:
One of the things I love about this group is everyone's unique descriptions
of the sensations we get. I chuckled at the Saran-wrap-wrapped-tightly
around-my-legs-feeling. That is a great way to describe the same sensation
that I have. I, too, am more tight and numb than have pain. I always say I
feel as though I have tourniquets tied around my legs. I think the herbs
and vitamins are a good idea. Evening primrose oil is supposedly good for
remyelination of the nerves. My doctor wanted to put me on Zoloft for some
of my sensations. I hesitated because while uncomfortable, I am reluctant
to go on any permanent medication. I know of at least three people who have
claimed that anti-depressants cause considerable weight gain. I have a
friend however, that is on Zoloft and she says it has done wonders for her.
How long are you on the Zoloft?
Karen