DIAGNOSED WITH TM 1997

Linda Reynolds (transverse(AT)worldnet.att.net)
Sun, 25 May 1997 00:33:49 -0400

I'm new to using the web so I hope I get a response to this. In march of
1997, at age 45, I was diagnosed with Acute Transverse Myelitis. Initial
symptoms were similar to having indigestion, and both arms went numb,
muscle weakness and my left leg collapse and I hit the floor. This all
happened within a few hours. My wife rush me to the hospital and was shock
they admittance me. They were orginally going to send me home after ER
performed the spinal tap ordered by my physician. within several days, I
was in post ICU with paralysis from the chest down. My hospital stay was 8
days, I had two MRI's and a electric shock. From there I was going to
therapy 4 days a week and later change to 3 days a week for two hours a
day. I'll still out of work and on short term disability.

I feel fortunate to have recovered so much. I am left with some
neurological deficits, and tire easily, I have never had a relapse. I have
severe back pain after diagnosis. List of different remedies were
tried--tens unit, medication, etc. The only remedy that worked for me is
therapy. Leg and foot sensation has not returned to normal. However, this
does not alter my life in any way. My personal strategy now is to reduce
stress in my life, enjoy my life and try to avoid viral exposure when I
can. Since stress can be part of the equation, positive thinking can go a
long way.

Larry SR.

My E-Mail address is : Transverse(AT)Worldnet.att.net