> ----------
> From: JHarper33(AT)aol.com[SMTP:JHarper33(AT)aol.com]
> Sent: Sunday, October 05, 1997 7:49 PM
> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
> Subject: Re: questions
>
> In a message dated 97-10-04 20:36:42 EDT, you write:
>
> > Hi to all, I have several questions to ask.
> > When I became paralized in Oct,'95 I had just had back surgery for
> > heriated discs at L4&5. within a week I was paralized from t2or3.
> I had
> > all the tests MRI,CAT,spinal taps, the works. I was told that
> nothing
> > was showing bad on any of the tests, no leasions or anything. I
> was
> > told that I had inflamation on the myelon of my spinal cord, which
> the
> > Dr.s said doesn't show up on any of these tests. I've had nothing
> come
> > back to date, many infections and new allergies is all. Do you
> think I
> > have TM or something else? And what? I been turned over to a GP
> Dr.
> > now who knows nothing about TM.
> >
> > Sharon
> >
>
> My tests all come back okay, also, showing no lesions or anything. The
> TM
> diagnosis was given after ruling other things out, although, before I
> was
> told about TM, I was told my problem was probably related to a virus.
> I
> asked a question about this here on the list a few months ago, and
> several
> people said they had no lesions, either. In such cases, I imagine
> there was
> some kind of inflammation that caused damage but was not enough to
> leave a
> lesion. I don't know if a virus itself would show up on an MRI or any
> of
> those tests -- I don't think so. In your case, do they think that your
> back
> surgery had something to do with it? Maybe even the swelling after
> surgery or
> maybe a little germ got in during surgery? I don't know if an exact
> cause has
> ever been pinned down for TM, but the theory I've heard most often is
> that it
> is viral, although one neurologist I saw once said it was an allergic
> reaction, something like a little rash on your skin. You would think
> once the
> virus ran its course, the neurological problems would clear up also,
> in the
> same way stomach cramps stop after a stomach virus or your strength
> comes
> back and your aches go away after you have the flu. But I guess nerves
> don't
> work that way, at least for some of us. Some people do experience
> nearly
> complete recovery, probably more than we know, since I would think
> those who
> are recovered aren't as likely to be seeking out information and
> support on
> such a list as this one.
>
> Barbara
>