Posted on 08/25/2002 7:06:30 PM PDT by Incorrigible
Transverse myelitis
Author/s: Carol A. Turkington
Definition
Transverse myelitis (TM) is an uncommon neurological syndrome caused by inflammation (a protective response which includes swelling, pain, heat, and redness) of the spinal cord, characterized by weakness, back pain, and bowel and bladder problems. It affects one to five persons per million.
Description
TM affects the entire thickness of the spinal cord, producing both sensory and movement problems. It is believed to be linked to the immune system, which may be prompted to attack the body's own spinal cord. Striking rapidly without warning, its effects can be devastating.
Causes & symptoms
Transverse myelitis has many different causes, often triggered by a variety of viral and bacterial infections (especially those associated with a rash such as measles or chickenpox). Once the infection subsides, the inflammation in the cord begins. About a third of patients experience a flu-like illness with fever about the time they develop symptoms of TM. Sometimes, there appears to be a direct invasion of, and injury to, the spinal cord by an infectious agent (such as herpes zoster or the AIDS virus).
TM can also accompany a variety of diseases that break down tissue that surrounds and insulates the nerves (demyelinating diseases), such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Some toxic substances, such as carbon monoxide, lead, or arsenic, can cause a type of myelitis characterized by inflammation followed by hemorrhage or bleeding that destroys the entire circumference of the spinal cord. Other types of myelitis can be caused by poliovirus; herpes zoster; rabies, smallpox or polio vaccination; or parasitic and fungal infections. Many experts believe that TM can occur without any apparent cause, probably as the result of an autoimmune process. This means that a person's immune system attacks the spinal cord, causing inflammation and tissue damage.
Regardless of the cause of the myelitis, onset of symptoms is sudden and rapid. Problems with movement and sensation appear within one or two days after inflammation begins. Symptoms include soft (flaccid) paralysis of the legs, with pain in the lower legs or back, followed by loss of feeling and sphincter (muscles which close an opening, as in the anus) control. The earliest symptom may be a girdle-like sensation around the trunk.
The extent of damage occuring will depend on how much of the spinal cord is affected, but TM rarely involves the arms. Severe spinal cord damage also can lead to shock.
Diagnosis
A doctor will suspect transverse myelitis in any patient with a rapid onset of paralysis. Medical history, physical examination, brain and spinal cord scans, myelogram, spinal tap, and blood tests are used to rule out other neurological causes of symptoms, such as a tumor. If none of these tests suggest a cause for the symptoms, the patient is presumed to have transverse myelitis.
Treatment
There is no effective treatment for transverse myelitis, but any underlying infection must be treated. After this, the focus of care shifts from diagnosis and treatment to learning how to live with the effects of the syndrome. Patients are helped to cope psychologically with new limitations, and are given physical rehabilitation.
Let's go to another topic called Serotonin Syndrome. Now Bones I want you too look closely at this article and two medications listed are they or are they not common OTC cold medications?
Management and Prevention No specific therapeutic approach to the treatment of serotonin syndrome has been fully evaluated in the literature. The most common treatment involves the use of the benzodiazepines. In severe cases, the antiserotonergic agents cyproheptadine, methysergide, and propranolol have been used.3,6,11 In all cases the suspected agent should be discontinued. Over-the-counter drugs containing ingredients known to increase serotonin levels or exacerbate the patient’s condition, such as dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, also should be discontinued.
Oh I forgot to list the source. http://www.uspharmacist.com/NewLook/DisplayArticle.cfm?item_num=94 Take notice of the two authors names and credidentials. It was the same University's hospital in Knoxville where the even of Serotonin posioning went undiagnosed. They've known this condition existed for over 40 years. But some Bull Headed Doctors it seems forgot their basics.
The next point I have made is why you do not give some patients SSRI's for anxiety. Tell me doctor is SSRI's a protocol drug for Inner Ear Dysfunction or Infections? See the danger there? I sure do. These BTW are from highy respectable sources. For Inner Ear related Anxiety Info I go to Vestibular Research sources and not mental health ones as the information is more accurate.
I have never discussed this with you and i think you have me confused with someone else. You see before January of this year I was in threads giving those who were questioning SSRI's saftey a hard time and plenty in this forum know it. Am I still anti SSRI? No but the doctors are not prescribing them with needed restraint and ruling out primary physical causes before they put persons like me and my wife through hell trying their favorite SSRI flavor of the month. Funny thing is all say they are different. But all including the MAO class have potential to disrupt Serotonin levels and cause miagration from stomach to brain. I know my stuff dotor exdperiences especially bad ones are good teachers to learn by.
Oh BTW if you say Gillian Barre is not caused by vaccines I'll take you on with that one as well. Here it is from the government BTW. Sourced http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/gbs.htm
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome? Guillain-Barré (ghee-yan bah-ray) syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances, the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases, the disorder is life-threatening and is considered a medical emergency. The patient is often put on a respirator to assist with breathing. Most patients, however, recover from even the most severe cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, although some continue to have some degree of weakness. Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare. Usually Guillain-Barré occurs a few days or weeks after the patient has had symptoms of a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infection.
Occasionally, surgery or vaccinations will trigger the syndrome. The disorder can develop over the course of hours or days, or it may take up to 3 to 4 weeks. No one yet knows why Guillain-Barré strikes some people and not others what sets the disease in motion. What scientists do know is that the body's immune system begins to attack the body itself, causing what is known as an autoimmune disease. Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved Reflexes such as knee jerks are usually lost. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are slower, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test can give a doctor clues to aid the diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain contains more protein than usual, so a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap.
Occasionally, surgery or vaccinations will trigger the syndrome
Now I guess that's why her Neurologist 17 years ago was asking about any recent vaccines huh doc? As for possible Post Polio Relapse? Well the slight limb deformities discovered before atrophy {SP} set in points to Polio likely in a mild form. From the Vaccine? Who knows she took both. The Physical Therapist measured her limbs because they couldn't understand why her arms were not long enough for her hands to reach the transfer board and lay flat. One leg is quite bigger in diameter as well. Have fun doc. Read some Journals and look up the things I said.
With all due respect, that is not a clinical diagnosis nor does it make scientific sense. I'm just sorry to see you go for these kinds of weak explanations. See ya'
If you think the physicians of this nation are "frothing", you can go to all the chiropractors you want. Just don't go to the Emergency Room for actual medical care when you're dying.
There is no reason to be rude. I'm just being frank and honest about the total lack of veracity and honesty by those who are stating anti-vaccine rhetoric. This rhetoric has been addressed and addressed and addressed and I'm sick and tired of seeing this board continue to put this libel and slander on the internet. It is blatantly irresponsible and the moderators need to wake up to the liability that these people are creating.
This issue is non sequitor. There is no longer any thimerosal in vaccines. You need to do less Googling and more discussion with your local physicians.
In the Apr, 2001 Burton hearings hearings on autism, the FDA rep {Dr. Midthun) said that thimerosol was (voluntarily) being taken out of newly manufactured vaccines, but that existing stocks of vaccines on manufacturers' and pharmacy shelves WERE NOT being recalled.
She offered no details as to how the FDA was going to monitor this voluntary effort by the drug companies.
Given the cozy relationship between the FDA and drug companies which has been discussed on this board many times, you can take all that for what it's worth.
If there are any further questions regarding this, I can post the entire exchange betwen Mr. Burton and Dr. Midthun. It's quite informative, but very lengthy.
There IS something going on with this, however. There are just too many kids not quite right since the medical community has become obsessed with the erradication of non-fatal diseases. They've clearly gone overboard, yet you hear of a push for smallpox vaccinations, which, IMHO, would be the most advantageous at this point in our history. It's hard to say.
Then our waiting was apparently the right decision.
Some doctors wouldn't know a bad reaction to a medicine or vaccine if it hit them in the face. Some doctors are observant and cautious. Some however run assembly line practices and if {the reaction} it's not seen they never will believe it. If it's not in their little manual of probabilities they proceed to overlook the part of possibilities and just don't take the needed time address the issue.
Of course these type doctors rarely do see or believe it as the patient or parent usually goes to another doctor who will listen and do some detective work.
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