Natalie, I was also never told the why or how I got TM. Really, I am not sure that I have TM. I'll explain.
Back in Sept of 06 I had a little lower back pain. The next day the pain went down my right calf. The next day the pain was now in my lower back, right calf and now in the left calf. The next day I was hardly able to walk and I was unable to urinate on my own. I was then transported to my local hospital by ambulance and then the same night transferred to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. I was in the hospital for over 6 weeks taking steroids 4 times a day and being tested for everything from MS to West Nile. Do to the fact that my MRIs and my spinal tap did not conclusively show TM I was given two angiograms where the Interventional Radiologist was looking for a AVM. A leak in the spine which would cause the inflammation of my nerves causing my symptoms. None was found during either test. So therefore I have TM by process of elimination. I left the hospital in Nov of 06 and since had visited Johns Hopkins and met with Dr. Greenburg, Dr. Kerr's partner. I am scheduled for another angiogram at Hopkins to eliminate the possibility of an AVM. When I was diagnosed with TM at Temple Hospital I was told that it was idiopathic, no reason. When I left the hospital I had in home re-hab for about two weeks and then went to out patient re-hab for about a month. I am now continuing my re-hab at home with my own equipment by myself. I am stronger but not really much better. I am still numb from the waist down to my toes and the most uncomfortable areas are my feet especially my right foot. I hope Hopkins can determine if I really do have TM or an AVM. Thank you for allowing me to tell my story and vent a little. Mark Marlton, NJ ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
