Several Lumbar punctures/spinal taps assessment
of my fluid and detection of increased white
cells
and MRIs led to my diagnosis. What I presented
was paralysis. And they assessed the disruption
to occur at a particular place along my spine.
What were your "tests"? Mine also included
various electric shock things-- some kind of
conductive
analysis, and CAT scans.
Akua
I was diagnosed almost exactly a year ago. I had
gone to the ER because someone at church noticed
I was dragging my left leg and thought I might
be having a stroke. No stroke, but after all the
tests were done my doctor came in to tell me
about TM. I was fortunate because he is
well-known as one of the best neurosurgeons in
the Pittsburgh, PA area.
I haven't had a lot of mobility
issues until this summer. Like you I can get
around the house OK but I do use a cane in
public. My balance is off enough that I tend to
lose it quite often. It wouldn't do for people
to think the new Baptist preacher had been
nipping at the bottle!
Over the last year there has been a
marked decrease in feeling and function in my
hands. I have a lot of trouble even picking up a
pill.
Eleven years ago I broke my back in
an accident and have a partial spinal cord
injury, so even on the best days I only have 20%
nerve function from the waist down. The doctor
could not rule out that the injury sort of made
me more vulnerable to something like TM.
One thingĀ I have read in these
messages people talking about "banding" and it
seems they know where on the spinal cord the
damage is. What is banding? I never asked my
doctor about where I am most damaged but I am
not sure it would make any difference to me if I
did know. I also know I am older than most (57)
to be diagnosed for the first time.
I've had a couple of messages from
Gunny. And I read about his friend who said
"It's about ability, not disability." Actually,
I have never thought of myself as disabled. I
just have some health issues which means I must
do things a bit differently than others. But so
far it has not been a big deal. I am just
stubborn enough to refuse to let it get to me.
Rev. Craig Crossman
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