Irene’s Transverse Myelitis Blog

July 8th, 2008

FEBRUARY 9, 2008

I have now stopped all acupuncture with Dr. Ted Cibik.  My physical theraphy is being done with my caregivers. Excruciating from the base of my neck to back of the head. Pain was so intense I was crying and screaming.  My caregiver holds my head with one hand, while driving my chair with the other…momentarily it passed, leaving my head feeling sore as if it was a black and blue spot.

FEBRUARY 10, 2006

Pain and soreness have subsided.  So far the body shows no residual  improvement   

FEBRUARY 12, 2008 

Still being plagued with incontinence.  Using Flostar for constipation, as I am having some problems in that area.  I have refused any chemical asistance other than the Florstar.

FEBRUARY 13, 2008

No noticeable improvement. Grip on left hand is weak, difficult to grasp anything and difficult to blow my nose.

FEBRUARY 14, 2008

Up all night, frequent urination, feels the same as the conditions I came home under.

FEBRUARY 16, 2008

Called my PCP Dr. Grumet for the urination problem.  He ordered Ciprofloxacin one tablet 3 times a day. This will help me temporaily.

FEBRUARY 17, 2008

Still doing exercises twice a day on my own with caregiver.  My standing frame is one you must pull yourself up…….the weakness in my left side prohibits me from doing so.  I am still waiting for residual improvements from stem cells.

FEBRUARY 18, 2008

Lost partial use of my left arm as I now have very little control over it.  Lost partial use of both hands and can barely feed myself.  Incontinence is stilly there and sometimes worse.  The paralysis has now moved up to underarms and down my arms.

FEBRUARY 27 2008

No improvements from stem cells yet I am waiting.

FEBRUARY 28, 2008

My bowel problem has been eliminated today.  I did not use any chemical assistance, either.

MARCH 1, 2008

Urination every hour all night long again.  This has left me thirsty and lips peeling.  No improvements from the stem cells yet.

MARCH 2, 2008

Called Dr. Grumet, PCP increased ditropan to 10 mg. daily.  Ciprofloxian  500 mg twice daily.

MARCH 3, 2008

Medication prescribed is controlling my situtation.

MARCH 4, 2008

Actually sleeping from 3 pm to 8 am this is  a marathon sleep for me.  Well rested but still showing no improvements.

MARCH 7, 2008

Increase in ditropan seems to help with incontenience, however something is constipating me.  I’m taking Guycolex by Dr. Grumet and continuing Florstar, also.

MARCH 9, 2008

As usual when my caregiver showers me constipation is no longer a problem.  All systems seem to work now.  However, still no motion in my legs. 

MARCH 10, 2008

No improvement so far and I am waiting.

MARCH 15, 2008

Today I have experienced much pain in my body.  The pains are so sharp I have incontinence I have increased Lyrica and have been taking double strength Tylenol.

MARCH 16, 2008

Pain seems to have subsided….not feeling to bad.

MARCH 17, 2008

I am back taking 3 Lyrica a day and there is constant pain in the buttocks.

MARCH 19, 2008

Pain level and site remains the same.  Numbness in the hands is annoying and I am having difficulty feeding myself.

MARCH 20, 2008

Today I sat for four hours in a manual wheelchair at the tax office to file my return.  I was in so much pain when I got home I was in tears.  Again I took Lyrcia and extra strength Tylenol.  This time the pain was different, it radiated right up my tailbone under my arms and I cried myself to sleep.

Entry Filed under: transverse myelitis,Uncategorized