I woke up 7 years ago with a numb arm and intense neck pain. The
numbness progressed over 24 hours to my right arm, toes, then my left
leg along with leg spasms which prevented me from being able to fall
asleep. The next afternoon, I was taken to the ER and given several
tests including a spinal tap and MRI. After being diagnosed with TM and
experiencing paralysis from my feet to my armpits, I was given steroid
treatments for four days, then spent a month in a re-hab facility
learning to walk again and take care of my personal needs.
The neck pain went away, but I have chronic banding and intense pain, as
well as no temperature sensation from the chest down, bladder and bowel
issues, and hypersensitivity to touch and fabrics. In addition, the
function on both hands was so severely compromised, it required my
quitting my job of 31 years as a document specialist for Hewlett-Packard
/ Agilent Technologies and going on permanent disability.
I now take pain and nerve medication every six hours in order to
function daily. At the end of each med cycle, I am very aware of the
pain and banding creeping back in. Not a day goes by without some level
of pain. I am no stranger to pain having suffered severe migraines from
age 15 to 50 and having 9 vertebrae fused at 19 as a result of
scoliosis. (For that I spent 11 month in body casts from my head to my
knees.) I have to admit the migraines were probably the worst pain I've
ever suffered, but it was always temporary (every couple months).
However, the constant daily pain of TM really wears on your body and
soul - and getting older isn't helping! I've just turned 60 and the
realization that longevity runs in the women in my family (both sides
living well into their 90's), I wonder how I will be able to handle the
pain another 30 years - assuming I also live that long.
Betty
(in Northern California)
On 6/24/2013 7:38 AM, Janice Nichols wrote:
Hello!
When I have read the stories of how TM first attacked you all,
some/many have said that you had a severe pain around the
middle of your body – banding. And for some, it has stayed with
you. I would like a response from all of you as to whether
or not your TM started with the severe pain or not. Also, is it
still with you today or did it get better with time/meds.
I would like to be able to give my doc some kind of percentage of how
TM has hit myself and others. Would really appreciate
responses.
Thanks,
Janice
