>----------
>From: jek160(AT)psu.edu[SMTP:jek160(AT)psu.edu]
>Sent: Thursday, July 24, 1997 10:35 AM
>To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
>Subject: Re: transvers myelitis
>
>>Hello, My name is Kevin Hasegawa;
>>
>
>>Can TM have a remitting, relapsing course? Has anyone else been
>>prescribed Betaseron for TM. I have been dealing with the symptoms of
>>TM for a year and a half, with no change. I feel as though the steroid
>>treatment has set me back, not helped.
>
>This is a good question - what is the difference between TM and Multiple
>Sclerosis. No doctor has answered this to my satisfaction yet. The only
>effect
>of the steroids is to suppress the immune system so it does no futher damage
>(I'm not a doctor, by the way, just a mom with her ears and eyes open)
>So their only role in "healing" is just preventing further damage.
>
>>
>>Has anyone else been treated with Betaseron for TM? If so, what where
>>your results. This is a very frustrating illness and no two doctors say
>>the same thing.
>>
>
>I clipped an article a few years back on beta interferon. Is that the same
>thing?
>It was being used in auto accident victims to help prevent or lessen spinal
>cord
>damage - in lab tests it helped to re-myelinate. I was curious if it helped
>in
>demyelinating diseases like TM, Guillian-Barre and MS. I did a net search
>and as someone pointed out, the cases are so rare that no $$ for research
>are set aside. It looked like the Canadians are doing something, though.
>So geesh should we start a foundation and hold a telethon? Andy Griffin
>has Guillian-Barre, he could be the spokesperson. Yeah, in my dreams...
>
>>My primary care physician is not sure if Betaseron will help. Any
>>advise.
>>
>>Kevin Hasegawa
>>
>>
>
>No yes/no or go/no-go advice. Maybe a second opinion? Call around
>until you find a top neurologist at a university related hospital? Like
>someone
>said you have to be just a little pushy but not obnoxious with these busy
>doctors. Try a web search too, Infoseek is my favorite, some like Yahoo.
>
>Joyce Kreuter
>
>