Dear Jeff, I had TM in 1989. It came on gradually with a bout of dizziness
and a strange feeling in my chest. The doctor did a cursory exam and an EKG
and sent me home. Because I had 3 small children, the youngest just 5 months
old, he seemed to dismiss my symptoms as hypochondria or hysteria or
something. He actually told me to go home and not pick up my children in case
the problem in my chest was a pulled muscle. Through the day the symptoms
progressed to strange sensations in arms and legs ( I noticed I had a hard
time when I tried to write a check). By evening I was experiencing pain in my
arms. We made several calls to the doctor during the day and were told I
probably had a virus and should stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids. By
the time the doctor finally admitted that I should go to the emergency room my
husband had to carry me to the car. The doctor in the emergency room didn't
have a clue and by the next morning I was paralyzed up to my chest and could
raise my arms but not use my hands or fingers. Fortunately I never had to go
on a respirator although it was touch and go for a few days. A diagnosis of
Guillan Barre was finally made later that day after extensive x-rays to rule
out a tumor. I was treated for GB with plasma pharesis which of course did no
good. Eventually, after about 4 weeks in the hospital a rehab doc came to
evaluate me and after going over my records and doing some simple reflex tests
he told me I had TM. I then spent 4 weeks in rehab. During my 8 weeks in the
hospital and rehab I underwent so many tests I can't even remember them all.
I did have an MRI eventually to rule out MS. As of today I use a wheelchair
although I can walk some with a walker. My progress was complicated by the
development of scoliosis which required major surgery. I am able to drive and
can get my chair in and out of the car by myself. I self cath and have only
occasional bowel problems. I currently take baclofen for spasms in my legs.
It works pretty well but I am almost at the maximum dose so if it gets worse I
don't know what I'll do. I didn't receive any steroids and I'm not sure why
except that maybe they weren't doing that in 89.