Ruben, Many of the things you mentioned are things many of us have dealt with........ I'm not certain that anyone has mentioned them happening before tm, with the exception of the back pain.
First, let me welcome you to our tm family. Any question you might have can be answered by someone.....like snowflakes, no two of us are alike, thus none of us have a "mirror" tm experience, but someone will relate and can help. Let me address your depression: you've lost who you were and what you could once do and be.....thus your depression. Many of us have been put on meds for depression.......that's good, because it allows you to focus on what you need to do to get your 'new life' in order. I'd think that your emotional outbursts, anxiety, and paranoia go along with depression Next, most of us suffered with short term memory problems in the beginning......I did a lot of crossword puzzles to help me 'pull' the words out of my memory bank, or if I was writing to someone, and there was a word or phrase I wanted to use.... I'd sit and concentrate on what I was trying to say until it came to me and then I'd continue writing. If you haven't joined the Transvers Myelitis Assoc. you should. It's here to serve us and to help us learn. Joining is free and you'll get the Newsletter and a member- ship list. As for financial help, I'm unaware of that.....I got Social Security Disabil- ity thus am on Medicare which covers much of my bills. I don't know how tm has affected you, so I don't have any idea how disabled you are. Like, are you paralyzed, unable to work, etc. You would have to look into that for yourself and there's a wonderful help for applying on the TMA website. I hope I've been of some help.............remember, we're all in this together and you can come to us with any questions you have. janh Stillwater, OK ________________________________ From: "Towery, Ruben Dale" <rdtow...@southernco.com> To: "tmic-list@eskimo.com" <tmic-list@eskimo.com> Sent: Fri, May 28, 2010 6:16:09 AM Subject: [TMIC] Newly Diagnosed and Need Guidance Hello everyone, I was just wondering if anyone out there knows if there is any foundation or organization that can help people financially with TM. I was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago, and my medical bills are piling up and with 4 children and a wife, it is starting to really take a toll on my family. Just wanted to reach out to everyone and see if there was anything out there to help. Also, I also wanted to ask the question to everyone out there is anyone else has experienced other problems besides TM, ie. chronic upper back pain, memory loss, confusion, etc... The reason I ask is I have been dealing with chronic upper back pain for a couple of years now and I am having a lot of mental problems as well, ie. a lot of anxiety, paranoia, depression, and a lot of emotional outbursts. All of this happened before I had my TM attack. Love this support group, really has given me some hope that I can go on and deal with everything. Thanks everyone in advance for your help. Ruben Mount Olive, AL
