Hi everyone!
Jude asked so here
goes.
I have had TM for 4 1/2
years. I basically woke up one morning and there it was. During
onset it affected everything it seems! I had no feeling from my armpits
down and in my hands. I couldn't feel the pen I was holding so it looked
like I had just learned to write! Had issues walking because I couldn't
feel the bottom of my feet. I can now laugh at how funny I looked getting
around, but at that point I was wondering how in the world I could handle this
for the rest of my life.
The symptoms came on very
quickly which I was grateful for. Within 6 weeks I had hit the
worst. Then they slowly started to dissipate. That took a little
over 1 and 1/2 years before it leveled off. I still do not have all
the feeling in my hands. Writing anything more than a short note is hard
and my writing becomes very sloppy. I have problems doing the clasps on
necklaces and earrings. I used to do a lot of cross stitch and bead work
and I have had to stop that. I end up with more beads on the floor than on
the string!
I get really bad "tingles"
from walking fast or long distances. Running / jogging / speed walking is
something totally out of the question. My energy level is very low and
just cleaning the main floor (400 sq ft) of my apartment is cause for a
rest. So exercise is very difficult as the tingles creep up my body and
make me very nauseous.
I have fought the minor
symptoms that I have had from day one! I had a very bad day when I was
first diagnosed and that changed my attitude. I thought that I could
either feel sorry for myself or fight and do everything I could to carry on as
normal as possible. So I fought.
I have a great outlook on
life that drives a lot of people crazy! They tell me I am way too
positive. I just refuse to be negative as it is a waste of energy. I
have my days, of course. But when I am feeling down I DO NOT let other
people see it.
My doctor is absolutely
fantastic. I see her for a yearly check up as nothing has changed in 2
and 1/2 years. She is always there for me if I have any
questions. I was diagnosed within two weeks. Although my doctor will
not guarantee that MS is not out of the picture, we both understand that it will
always be a waiting game. And that no change is good. What I laugh
at is the amount of doctors and nurses out there that have no clue what TM
is.
I have tried medication for
the tingles but to no avail. I have bee taking vitamin D for about
two months and believe it or not, it seems to have helped a bit.
I take pride that I only
missed one day of work and pushed forward, refusing to give in to this
"affliction". I still can't call it a disease!
AND . . . I realize on a
daily basis and am happy that I do have a very very mild case compared to other
people. I admire THEIR strength and determination. It makes my
symptoms seem insignificant.
Margaret
|
Title: AOL Email
- [TMIC] November Birthday Addition Margaret Monson
- RE: [TMIC] November Birthday Addition Tracey L. Black
- Re: [TMIC] November Birthday Addition Margaret Monson
- Re: [TMIC] November Birthday Addition L T CHERPESKI
- [TMIC] My town Janet Dunn
- Re: [TMIC] My town L T CHERPESKI
- RE: [TMIC] My town Janet Dunn
- Re: [TMIC] November Birthday Addition HeyJude48506