----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Thomas
To: john snodgrass ; transverse myelitis
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:58 PM
Subject: Re: [TMIC] 35 Things you probably don't know about TM
John. This is a good list. I would like to have it to copy without
re-typing it . It came out (at least in my email) "scrunched" together. Is
there a way to resend it in a better form. Thanks. Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: john snodgrass
To: transverse myelitis
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:47 PM
Subject: [TMIC] 35 Things you probably don't know about TM
seen this on facebook and didnt know if it was passed to this group or not.
A list to share with Dr's and family to help inform them about our
condition.
john
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35 Things you probably don't know about TM
1. It is a cousin disorder to Multiple Sclerosis.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/specialty_areas/project_restore/conditions/
2. Fairly rare disorder, only 2-5 people per million get it.
3. Approx. 1400 new cases a year in the U.S.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
4. Roughly 33,000 people with TM in U.S.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
5. Transverse myelitis occurs in adults and children, in both genders, and
in all
races.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
6. Can be Acute (happening within hours) or Subacute (happening within days
or weeks)
7. The inflammation that causes such extensive damage to nerve fibers of the
spinal cord may result from viral infections, abnormal immune reactions, or
insufficient blood flow through the blood vessels located in the spinal
cord.
Transverse myelitis also may occur as a complication of syphilis, measles,
Lyme disease, and some vaccinations, including those for chickenpox and
rabies.
8. Can be Idiopathic (no known cause)
9. Typically a one time occurrence but there are some that have recurrent
TM.
10. 10% or better possibility of developing Multiple Sclerosis but the
possibility is fairly low if there is a normal brain MRI at TM
onset...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18080852
11.Most symptoms of TM are identical to MS
12.Prevailing difference between TM and MS is that lesions are on spinal
nerve in
TM and on Brain in MS.
13.Transverse myelitis is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation
across
both sides of one level, or segment, of the spinal cord. This damage causes
nervous system scars that interrupt communications between the nerves in
the spinal cord and the rest of the body.
14. The inflammation and lesion created, is caused by the bodies own immune
system attacking the myelin coating of the spinal nerve.
15.The segment of the spinal cord at which the damage occurs determines
which
parts of the body are affected. Nerves in the cervical (neck) region control
signals to the neck, arms, hands, and muscles of breathing (the diaphragm).
Nerves in the thoracic (upper back) region relay signals to the torso and
some
parts of the arms. Nerves at the lumbar (mid-back) level control signals to
the
hips and legs. Finally, sacral nerves, located within the lowest segment of
the
spinal cord, relay signals to the groin, toes, and some parts of the legs.
Damage
at one segment will affect function at that segment and segments below it.
In
patients with transverse myelitis, demyelination usually occurs at the
thoracic
level, causing problems with leg movement and bowel and bladder control,
which require signals from the lower segments of the spinal cord.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
16.About one-third of people affected with transverse myelitis experience
good or
full recovery from their symptoms; they regain the ability to walk normally
and experience minimal urinary or bowel effects and paresthesias. Another
one-third show only fair recovery and are left with significant deficits
such as
spastic gait, sensory dysfunction, and prominent urinary urgency or
incontinence. The remaining one-third show no recovery at all, remaining
wheelchair-bound or bedridden with marked dependence on others for basic
functions of daily living.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
17. Four classic features of transverse myelitis emerge: (1) weakness of the
legs
and arms, (2) pain, (3) sensory alteration, and (4) bowel and bladder
dysfunction.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
18. Pain is the primary presenting symptom of transverse myelitis in
approximately one-third to one-half of all patients. The pain may be
localized
in the lower back or may consist of sharp, shooting sensations that radiate
down the legs or arms or around the torso.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
19. Patients who experience sensory disturbances often use terms such as
numbness, tingling, coldness, or burning to describe their symptoms.
20. Up to 80 percent of those with transverse myelitis report areas of
heightened
sensitivity to touch, such that clothing or a light touch with a finger
causes
significant discomfort or pain (a condition called allodynia).
21.Many also experience heightened sensitivity to changes in temperature or
to
extreme heat or cold.
22.Bladder and bowel problems may involve increased frequency of the urge to
urinate or have bowel movements, incontinence, difficulty voiding, the
sensation of incomplete evacuation, and constipation.
23. Body temperature of those with TM is typically lower than a normal
person.
24. Most people with TM have poor circulation even if paralysis is limited.
25.It is often difficult to distinguish between a patient with an idiopathic
form of
transverse myelitis and one who has an underlying condition, therefore the
diagnosis is often delayed, sometimes for months or years.
26.Depression is extremely prevalent in patients with TM.
http://www.brainandspine.org.uk/information/publications/brain_and_spine_booklets/transverse_myelitis/longer_term.html
27.Diagnosed with a neurological examination, MRI of the spinal cord and
brain,
a spinal tap, evoked potentials, blood tests to rule out potential
conditions that
mimic TM (vitamin B12 deficiency, lyme's disease) and causes such as viruses
and autoimmune diseases.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
28. Physicians also may perform myelography, which involves injecting a dye
into
the sac that surrounds the spinal cord. The patient is then tilted up and
down
to let the dye flow around and outline the spinal cord while X-rays are
taken.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
29.No effective cure currently exists for people with transverse myelitis
30.Treatments are designed to manage and alleviate symptoms and largely
depend upon the severity of neurological involvement.
31. Stem Cell research is currently the only hope for a cure for TM.
32.Transverse Myelitis is sometimes a “But you don't look sick” condition.
33. Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) is very common in neurological
disorders..ie:MS, TM, Migraines....
http://uprightdoctor.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/chiari-malformations-and-cranial-nerves/
34. Extreme fatigue is a common occurrence in those with Transverse
Myelitis.
http://www.brainandspine.org.uk/information/publications/brain_and_spine_booklets/transverse_myelitis/longer_term.html
35. Transverse Myelitis can possibly affect only one side of the body if the
TM has been brought on by an onset of Multiple Sclerosis.
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/Condition/7796/QnA/22164/Transverse_myelitis.aspx