<< Bill,
The muscle spasms might be a good sign! Your legs are perhaps more
interested in moving and doing things, and the muscle spasms are a sign of
increased neurological activity as a way of preparing for movement. I had
to take Baclofen for a while (at night only) to help me sleep because the
spasms were waking me up (and the hypersensitivity didn't help).
The physical therapists, aides, doctors, other medical folks will never be
as interested in your well-being as YOU are. They have their own troubles
and lives. YOU should promote at attitude in your physical therapy
sessions and with others that "improvement is the expectation"--you are
working for improvement and that will be the end result. I always believed
I would be better, and I am. I took as much charge as I could. On the
weekends when there was no or limited physical therapy at the rehab
hospital, I'd get the nurse to spot me when I tried walking and I'd do
exercises in my bed on my own. I'm still not 100%, but I haven't finished
improving yet!
Aurore
========================
Well yes I'm still here baraly I just hate waiting I'm the type of person
that wants something right away. You know in a way physical therapy is
good but in a way its bad some of the people there really don't know much
about transverse myelitis and they treat me like I'm always gonna be like
this. Sure I know that there is a chance of that but what I need right now
is all the support I can get from everyone. Is it hard for any of you guys
to sleep at night because its real hard for me. Another thing is lately
I've been getting alot more muscle spasms and its really getting annoying.
And one more thing how many of you know about the myelin project and whats
going on there. I read there latest results on online but that was
from1995 and its been two years and I want to know whats up and if there
starting any clinical trials anywhere I'd be happy to participate. Like I
said I'll try anything I can to get out this dang thing.
Well see ya
Bill Kennedy
>>
Bill,
Aurore is giving you the best advice I can think of. Don't rely on others
for your recovery. Being here is one definite way of doing that. Gathering
support and information about your illness is something invaluable. Rally
yourself to action. When my first muscle spasm happened, I soon learned that
I could flex that muscle consciously. I continued doing it until it took no
effort and started on something else.
Don't be complacent. Sitting around is only going to lead to depression. If
you have exhausted the possibilites of working the parts of your body that
are still problematic, then work on your upper body strength. Whatever the
level of your recovery, you will use and need your upper body more than ever.
I found there is nothing like building up a good sweat in the hospital or at
home. It made me feel like I was not powerless to help myself. Concentrate
on what you still have and what you can work to improve and I believe your
entire outlook on this illness will be more positive from the action that you
can take.
The best of luck and a good and full recovery to you and all.
Gary K.