Hi Mindy, Getting your dx's of TM is the first step to recovery. You did GOOD. I believe that any PT is good, but you will need a PT that knows about you medical history to tell you what exercises that you can do. It may change over the years. You may need different PT as your ability and strength changes. I have always been able to walk with a walker around the house. I slowly got worst the first 2 years, but then slowly got better. First, with the help of Aqua Therapy for 3 months. Then I got another PT for exercises to do at home 3 times a week. And now I'm working out every day. I do have a lot of fatigue with all the exercises, but I'm slowly getting stronger. I too gained the 20 lbs and now trying to lose it. I hope you are able to find a good PT that will work with you. You will lose the 20 lbs ( less weight is easier to move around ) and your legs will get stronger. some more BIG Hugs, Todd in Corpus Christi, TX TM since April 1, 2002 T-4 to T-8 Lawrence King <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi All, I have just been officially diagnosed with TM and my Neurologist has dismissed me as his patient. He does not expect my shivering sensation and Lhermittes sign to improve any further because I have passed the 6-month mark since the attack took place.
I had hoped to talk him into some physical therapy even though I am walking wounded because I have found that walking any distance that would qualify as exercise causes acute pain. Ive heard that swimming, stationary cycling or elliptical training could help restore some of my level of fitness but I dont have the financial resources to pay for access to such equipment. His reason for excluding therapy was that he believed it would not help me recover from my forms of nerve pain. I am frustrated because as a result of TM I have lost my fitness, gained weight and am now experiencing borderline high blood pressure, a condition which could be reversed by losing 20 lbs and getting moving again (in a minimal impact fashion). I tried to see a pain specialist but when he found out what my causes and symptoms were he wouldnt see me, said I should stick with my neuro for pain and my neuro is passing that responsibility off to my family practitioner. She is an excellent doctor and was my friend first before she became my physician (hate doing that cause it changes everything) but she still listens to me better than other doctors because she knows that I exist outside of her office and she knows what kind of person I am when Im not sick. But this is her first venture into the world of TM. All the advice I got from the Neuro regarding my pain management was to tell my family doc. That she could triple my current dose of lyrica (75 mg 3 times a day) if needed but that Id pay for the relief with medicine induced fatigue. My insurance does pay for the Lyrica and Im sure they would pay for the High blood pressure meds but looks like my hope of getting a little subsidized fitness help is out of the question. Mindy the Artisan
